Do you lack motivation to go to the gym too?

MaryJaneTaylor
MaryJaneTaylor Posts: 4
in Health and Weight Loss
I seem to find it hard to go to the gym after work. Mentally i am exhausted but my body could use the workout. Are there tips and tricks other people have that work for motivation? I don't have any friends so its hard to get motivation from people at work or my family.
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Replies

  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    No one can provide you with motivation. You either want to change badly enough to do something you know you need to do......or you don't.

    I spent the first several months of trying to lose weight getting up at 4am to workout. I didn't want to, I just did it. It got me in the habit of making exercise a priority. Now, there are days when I want to be lazy but mostly I just want to get a good workout in. But, it also helps that I'm not just "going to the gym" - I'm doing the things that serve me best and I enjoy them.
  • Jerrypeoples
    Jerrypeoples Posts: 1,541 Member
    if you can take your workout clothes with you to work and drive straight to the gym

    i have had to condition myself to go home, make my shake, get changed and go. the minute i lay down on my bed im out like a light
  • pinkpatron
    pinkpatron Posts: 154
    I stopped looking at exercising as a chore months ago and now every week day I'm at the gym by 5am
  • kellyw036
    kellyw036 Posts: 58 Member
    Can you go before work? I've learned to LOVE an early workout!
  • theoesque
    theoesque Posts: 36 Member
    Can you go before work? I've learned to LOVE an early workout!

    This. There are days where if i don't work out first thing in the morning, I just never get to it! Scheduling your workouts right when you get up often works best.
  • jamers3111
    jamers3111 Posts: 495 Member
    I personally prefer morning workouts for this reason. You have no excuses at 6am. Get it done and then you can sit on your *kitten* after work OR sneak in a 2nd workout! :drinker:
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I lacked the motivation to go TO the gym, so I bought weights for home and do all my running outside. That's worked better for me than the gym.
  • pandsmomCheryl
    pandsmomCheryl Posts: 168 Member
    Make it a habit. I try to move every day because I sit on my rear end 8:30 - 4:30...if I miss one day every week or two that's fine, but I try to work it in EVERY day. Now if I miss a workout, it feels weird...
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Can you go before work? I've learned to LOVE an early workout!

    This. There are days where if i don't work out first thing in the morning, I just never get to it! Scheduling your workouts right when you get up often works best.

    Yep! I have to workout in the morning. Nights are too busy, I'm too tired, million excuses. Only morning excuse is not wanting to get out of bed. Much easier to beat that one.
  • wswilliams67
    wswilliams67 Posts: 938 Member
    Switch to early morning workouts. So many benefits:

    • Empty gym
    • Wakes you up
    • Energizes you for your day
    • Hardest goal of the day is done first thing... rest of the day is cake (well not literal cake).
  • rciszek
    rciszek Posts: 134
    I bring my gym clothes to work and change before I leave so I just have to stop and work out. Otherwise, I'm like you, if I have to go home and get changed and go back out I most likely lose it because I get sidetracked. Depending on what I'm doing too depends on the incentive. If I decide on doing the stationary bike I bring my book so I can sweat and enjoy a good read. I've tried and ok with reading a magazine on the elliptical, but not a favorite...
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    The motivation has to come from you, so I have no tips or tricks that "work for motivation". However, I do have a suggestion.

    Pack your gym bag at night, put it in your car in the am, do directly from work to the gym, workout once you are there. Lather, rinse, repeat.
  • DesDawn24
    DesDawn24 Posts: 147 Member
    I feel your pain! I have a hard time dragging myself after a long day at work, and my work schedule doesn't allow me to go beforehand. I've started making sure my gym bag is packed and ready to go, I bring an extra snack and I drive straight to the gym with no stops. I just keep telling myself that it's only another hour and a half, and after that my night is totally FREE!
  • BflSaberfan
    BflSaberfan Posts: 1,272
    It was easier for me to bring the gym home. I bought a weight set for home and I run outside.
  • Michaelsdin
    Michaelsdin Posts: 146
    Early bird gets the worm.....or workout in this case lol
  • mamas0811
    mamas0811 Posts: 97 Member
    I do am very tired after work.. I do have a gym here on site (at work) so during my lunch i go.. Someone said on here, either you want to change bady or not.. 100% True!

    I dont have a gym membership (personal reasons) but i do have some things at home i use. So what i do is put the craziest, getting you in the dancing, and pumpped mood music i have. i love listening to Reggeton so i bump that loud and it gets me in the mood! Lol.. You can try that.. Lol.. :)

    Heres one that gets me going- Danza Kuduro By Don Omar & Lucenzo

    Good Luck ;)
  • EDollah
    EDollah Posts: 464 Member
    I hate the gym, but I haven't missed a session since I started working out 2 months ago. I don't have any motivational trick, to me it's simply something I have to do, no negotiation, just like going to work even when you don't want to.
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    Eveyone saying motivation is internal is 100% right. Just decide that it's something you have to do. You don't have to be motivated to brush your teeth, do you? You do it because you need to, not because you are really motivated to do it.

    Same thing with the gym. Motivation isn't even a factor.
  • Isakizza
    Isakizza Posts: 754 Member
    Lately yes.

    I've been having issues getting my butt to the gym. I never regret a workout so I know I'll be happy once I'm there but.... I don't know what it is lately. Just making excuses why I can't or don't go.

    Gotta get outta this mindset!!!

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  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    Getting there is the hardest part for me, so I don't. I workout at home / around home.
  • MissMaryMac33
    MissMaryMac33 Posts: 1,433 Member
    You'll never fix this until you find something you actually enjoy...

    I tried it all and learned that I just love zumba --- now I actually plan my week around it.
    I have 3 classes I never miss... and people who notice when I'm not there because we all stand in the same area.

    For me, walking on the treadmill, doing DVDS at home etc... they work for about 2 days and I die of bored :)
  • Jerrypeoples
    Jerrypeoples Posts: 1,541 Member
    Early bird gets the worm.....or workout in this case lol

    but the second mouse gets the cheese....
  • hazelsmrf
    hazelsmrf Posts: 96 Member
    I don't love the gym, but I love the high I get when I'm done. I feel so proud of myself. I am one that for years didn't want to go to the gym because I felt that I was overweight and that everyone would stare at me, I wasted so much of my life being worried about what others might think of me, shying away from putting any attention on myself. So I hold on to that feeling I get when I'm done, THAT is my motivation. I don't find lifting weights to be pleasant, the buuuuuurn. I invested in a personal trainer and that helps me a LOT too, I don't have a choice to be at the gym at a specific hour for my training session :) Right now I'm doing twice a week with the trainer for an hour of weight lifting, and I have a Fitbit that I wear all day and make sure that I don't go to bed before achieving my 10000 steps. Which means that sometimes at 11:30pm I'm walking laps around the house :P Whatever it takes!
  • ryry_
    ryry_ Posts: 4,966 Member
    I personally have to go to the gym after work, because I'm not a morning person at all and the fact i get up for work at all is a tiny miracle.

    This seems a little tedious, but on Sunday I pack 5 days worth of gym clothes in my car. Then I just transfer day by day to my gym bag. Eliminates the no time to pack a gym bag excuse. I also keep my gym shoes in the car at all times for the same reason.
  • footiechick82
    footiechick82 Posts: 1,203 Member
    Nope... I think about not going and I say, "Really, are you going to regret it AFTER you go?" I know I won't so I go.

    I also have a magnet on my fridge from Jillian Michaels that says "Why chose to FAIL when SUCCESS is an option?"

    I chose success any day!
  • jessykab74
    jessykab74 Posts: 167 Member
    Can you go before work? I've learned to LOVE an early workout!

    This is what I was going to say as well. I find it a lot harder to go after work. The first couple of weeks getting up before the sun rises is kinda hard, but you get used to it. That way you aren't even a wake enough to come up with excuses and you just go. Then your workout is done for the day. I am a single mom too, so I also love how it doesn't take any time away from my children.
  • Isakizza
    Isakizza Posts: 754 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/yoovie/view/congrats-on-finding-your-motivation-again-537323

    Motivation isn't the problem. Commit to it. I personally prefer morning workouts for this reason. You have no excuses at 6am. Get it done and then you can sit on your *kitten* after work OR sneak in a 2nd workout! :drinker:

    This is a good idea. I think early AM workouts won't allow for many of my excuses I've been telling myself lately, lol.
  • stacetherainbow
    stacetherainbow Posts: 131
    As previously suggested, try going first thing in your day. I simply cannot workout in the afternoon, even if I make it to the gym.
    If you have to get up earlier to make it work, try going to bed a little earlier. It will be worth it!
    Or maybe, you need to find something you enjoy more than the gym. Try everything you can think of!
  • crossfit_lover
    crossfit_lover Posts: 230 Member
    Pictures and Goals Help. I've often went into workouts with pre-workout drink which gets me through it like a BEAST
  • MaryJaneTaylor
    MaryJaneTaylor Posts: 4
    SO if motivation is 100% all me then why is it that even this website says 90% of woman that have friends to lose weight with will more likely succeed. Because they have MOTIVATION from eachother. I get what all of you are saying about packing my car at night and going in the morning to the gym and i may just try that. But other than that i guess i was looking for someone that has the same problem with me on here and we could coach eachother daily. It seems that you all have pulled yourselves together and figured it out so i will look else where for the support i was looking for! As for people saying i am not into losing weight...hmmm my diet hasn't changed just because i can't seem to go to the gym.... so i am losing weight just not as fast as i know it would be if i included the gym

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