when u do not want to workout

elizabethcook5
elizabethcook5 Posts: 39 Member
edited November 17 in Motivation and Support
How do you overcome the urge to not workout. I'm feeling it

Replies

  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    There are consequences to any decision or action. Decide for yourself if the consequence of not working out is worth it or not. Problem solved.
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  • ForeverSunshine09
    ForeverSunshine09 Posts: 966 Member
    I usually find a really tiny fitnessblender video between 5-10 mins say I will at least do that much then I usually end up doing a longer one after because I finally got moving.
  • elizabethcook5
    elizabethcook5 Posts: 39 Member
    I have a physical disability that makes it harder then normal to do a workout but I have to do something so I do what I can. Some days are much worse then others with The pain but I make it through when I can
  • slp51
    slp51 Posts: 201 Member
    What I wrote in my home page today...

    The weight of failure is much heavier than that barbell. (Found on Pinterest)

    Focus on why you joined MFP. Then, don't take time to think about exercising, just do it!
  • Gabrielm80
    Gabrielm80 Posts: 1,458 Member
    edited May 2015
    I usually think about how awful it would be if I physically couldn't work out - bed ridden with some terrible permanent illness or something - then I thank my lucky stars and head off to the gym
    This^^^ it is so true
    I got really sick and could not stand up for any good amount of time because of dizzy spells were happening all the time every day for years. If you can't move around suddenly it changes your whole outlook. The old you stuck in bed at the twilight of life will want to kick your but for passing up an opportunity to move around.
  • spekaelizabeth
    spekaelizabeth Posts: 25 Member
    edited May 2015
    I felt like that tonight. I got on the stationary bike and did 50 calories and had to stop to walk around and drink some water. My legs hurt and I just didn't feel like it. But I figured if rather be uncomfortable for 45 mins than not lose this weight so I finished my 500 calories. This app helps a lot. It's easier to stay on track seeing it in writing and having people support you.
  • cincysweetheart
    cincysweetheart Posts: 892 Member
    I do it anyway. Like brushing my teeth. It's just part of my routine. Make a choice. Is it important to you? If yes, you'll find a way. If not, then you'll find an excuse. But for your own sake... Don't make an excuse. Just be honest and admit it's not that important to you. If you make excuses, you eventually start to believe them. Then it gets really hard to start again. But, It's really okay to have different priorities at different points in your life. So simply make your choice and be honest about it.... Especially with yourself.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,630 Member
    How do you overcome the urge to not workout. I'm feeling it

    Do something lighter ... go for a walk.

    And sometimes while you're out there on what was meant to be a short, casual stroll just to get a bit of fresh air ... all of sudden it turns into quite a lengthy brisk walk. :smiley:

  • kickassbarbie
    kickassbarbie Posts: 286 Member
    As a rule I do it anyway and force myself.

    But when that fails, I put on my workout gear and tell myself "I'll just put it on and get ready as if I was going to workout, i can always sit on the sofa in it, no pressure if I still feel bad once dressed....."
    I've yet to put my workout gear on and not workout.

    A silly trick but it works for me, Curious if it would work for others.
  • lauracups
    lauracups Posts: 533 Member
    The only time I don't want to work out is when I'm sick or in pain or have a migraine. Depending if I'm due for a break day will determine if I power through or not. I will start with deep breaths in, preferably outside, start touching toes then reaching way up shaking arms as I move back down, looks foolish but gets the blood going. By that time I get my "will" to start walking or do the bike. At some point you have to want movement more than you want anything else.
  • magneticreikipaul
    magneticreikipaul Posts: 61 Member
    I have a physical disability that makes it harder then normal to do a workout but I have to do something so I do what I can. Some days are much worse then others with The pain but I make it through when I can
    pain is only temporary you take time to heal ,rest,recover,
    i heard a great quote somewhere
    that says, If you can look up you can get up get back to it!

  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I have a physical disability that makes it harder then normal to do a workout but I have to do something so I do what I can. Some days are much worse then others with The pain but I make it through when I can

    What kind of disability? Not trying to be nosy, but I have a couple and your answer will make a difference in my response.

    I have fibromyalgia among other things. I find that there's a sweet spot for exercise. A certain amount makes it better. Too much or not enough makes it worse. Finding the sweet spot is tough, especially since it can be a moving target. You have to learn how to tell the difference between pain that's normal and pain that means it's time to back off and rest. If you have RA or something where working through the pain is likely to cause injury and increased damage to the joints then you need to find workouts that are gentler, like walking or swimming.

    But assuming there's no physical reason not to do it I simply don't give myself an option not to work out. I treat it like my job. There's no "am I going to workout today?" it's just "It's Monday so I'm doing squats."
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    I'm really hard on myself, I have to tell myself to suck it up and get on with it.
  • Msbennett709
    Msbennett709 Posts: 17 Member
    Find a lighter activity that you enjoy. Save that routine for those days that you are just not in the mood. What I've been doing, and clearly it's been working cause I'm losing is, when I really don't want to go out for a walk or down in my home gym I turn on my tv shows and I walk in place in front of the tv for 30 minutes. I log it as 30 min mod pace 3.0 walk. Your breathing heavy, lifting those legs, and burning calories. It works. Save for those blah days and get your good workouts in on the other days. Good luck
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Various ways to tackle it, but from the start exercise has been part of my strategy to help assist my weight loss and get fit. I understand why I am doing it and see it as part of the solution (it is, so why would you not want it?). If you find it hard to get started, then make it less daunting bu making it manageable, so its something you can manage and progressively build on.

    My mentality is that I want the results, doing exercise will help me and im better on getting on with it rather than fretting and spending more time worry han it would take to have done the exercise in the first place. once you make progress that is encouraging.

    I wouldnt work out if I was injured or didnt feel too well. I dont kid myself about that. Rest days are also important.
    Eventually it becomes a habit and you just do it. I find the hard work aspect of it challenging, but an attraction.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    i force myself. i get dressed and go. even when i dont feel like it. unless i am horribly sick (or contagious) and injured.... i work out.

    if i make excuses.... it will become one day then 2, than 5, then 3 months, etc

    i also like to eat so..... exercise calories help ;) LOLOL
  • HappilySingle
    HappilySingle Posts: 149 Member
    You will never regret working out, but you will,regret NOT working out
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    Find a lighter activity that you enjoy. Save that routine for those days that you are just not in the mood. What I've been doing, and clearly it's been working cause I'm losing is, when I really don't want to go out for a walk or down in my home gym I turn on my tv shows and I walk in place in front of the tv for 30 minutes. I log it as 30 min mod pace 3.0 walk. Your breathing heavy, lifting those legs, and burning calories. It works. Save for those blah days and get your good workouts in on the other days. Good luck

    I like this advice. I also like the habit advice. Some days my toothbrushing time is short, but I rarely skip it altogether.

  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    I do it anyway.... It's part of my routine, like work, cooking dinner, brushing my teeth...or practicing an instrument (my career funnily enough). If you want to succeed at something, sometimes you have to do things you don't enjoy so much.
  • echofm1
    echofm1 Posts: 471 Member
    Like someone else mentioned, putting on the workout gear is the first step. I might not want to, but once I'm in my workout clothes it's a lot harder to convince myself to stay on the couch. There have been a few days where I've had to change my planned routine to something lighter just because I couldn't get the willpower to give it my all in a regular routine, but moving a little it better than not moving at all.

    It also takes some reminding that I've never regretted working out, whereas I have regretted not doing so.
  • lthames0810
    lthames0810 Posts: 722 Member
    I'm glad I found this topic because I need every tip I can find for making myself get exercise. I never...ever...want to exercise unless it's bike riding outdoors, but that's impractical most days of the week, and even for that I sometimes check the weather radar hoping for rain. I'm really finding the comments of those of you with illnesses or disabilities especially compelling. Thanks. I need to get an attitude adjustment.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    How do you overcome the urge to not workout. I'm feeling it

    it happens. you need to learn how to recognize if it's just laziness, or if it is honest to goodness exhaustion.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    You will never regret working out, but you will,regret NOT working out

    Eh. I think that's too simplistic. I regret working out over and over again in spite of warning signs of overtraining and eventually putting myself out of commission for months. It's a year later and I'm just now getting back to where I was. There have also been plenty of times since then when I legitimately needed an unscheduled rest day and I don't regret taking those days at all.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    I think of it like brushing my teeth. Sometimes I don't feel like going and brushing my teeth but I do it anyway. If I didn't do it I would be unhappy with the results over time.
    I aim for exercise goals that are reachable for me- about 30 minutes of some activity, 6 days a week- instead of working out for hours. I do beginner workouts instead of insanely intense workouts.
    When I was having foot pain, I found seated workout videos on you tube to do for awhile. If you have a problem doing some exercise then search around for exercises that meet your needs or consult with a professional about how you can still workout with whatever your issue is.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    I think of how much better I will feel when I am done. I also keep track of my progress and just seeing that over time is great motivation. I strive to get just a little better each time.
  • Altagracia220
    Altagracia220 Posts: 876 Member
    edited May 2015
    I have lots of days where I just don't want to go to the gym. When this happens I tell myself something along the lines of, "Just go to the gym and do a shorter workout and if you feel like going home, go home." I always end up wanting to push myself for a longer workout.

    30 minutes of elliptical machines or biking is better than just staying home and not doing anything.
  • Altagracia220
    Altagracia220 Posts: 876 Member
    You will never regret working out, but you will,regret NOT working out

    Eh. I think that's too simplistic. I regret working out over and over again in spite of warning signs of overtraining and eventually putting myself out of commission for months. It's a year later and I'm just now getting back to where I was. There have also been plenty of times since then when I legitimately needed an unscheduled rest day and I don't regret taking those days at all.

    You're taking it out of context. For someone who has a hard time getting to the gym or making themselves workout they never regret it.
  • Altagracia220
    Altagracia220 Posts: 876 Member
    slp51 wrote: »
    What I wrote in my home page today...

    The weight of failure is much heavier than that barbell. (Found on Pinterest)

    Focus on why you joined MFP. Then, don't take time to think about exercising, just do it!

    Love this
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Depends...there's a difference between being lazy and physically not being able to perform and/or legit burned out. If I'm just feeling lazy I force the issue...I often don't feel like doing the dishes or weeding the yard, etc...but I do these things because they need doing...same for exercise. On that note, I do make sure I have rest days scheduled into my training.

    On the other hand, sometimes I'm really legit burned out and just need to take an extra rest day or do something maybe lighter than I had planned for...a great example is today. I'm supposed to ride 20 miles at lunch, but I'm hurting today from a very active weekend...I live on almost an acre and we basically worked the land this weekends cleaning up brush and whatnot and planting a garden...basically 2x 8-10 hour days of landscape and garden work, and I'm feeling it. So instead of my ride today I'm just going to take it easy and go for a nice walk.
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