Gym after work

I have always ever gone before work but perhaps it's more to do with the mental block and once you actually get there you'd be OK?

When I work out before work it sets the tone for the rest of the day. My energy level is up especially at the beginning of the day. I would try that. Yes you get up earlier but I think you may be more effective. The best part is if it doesn't work, change it up.

Are you ok once you get there? Once you get started are you good with an energy pick up and feeling good? If you are good once you start the issue is making yourself get there I would:
- Maybe consider something other than the gym that you enjoy more. Really I lost a ton just walking a lot. I still am now that I can't run for a bit.
- force it until it is routine. it needs to be non negotiable you leave office and stop at gym. This is what I do for running. While I started loving it, that took years. And some days I still don't actually want to leave the house (especially when it's cold and rainy) so it needs to be automatic no thinking. get home from work go change into running clothes go outside. nothing in between.

If you don't get more energy when you start you may need to plan a snack somewhere an hour or so beforehand to ensure you are good for the workout.

I have similar problems later in the day. Rather than fight that, I workout earlier in the day when my energy and motivation is higher.

Everyone prior to this has great advice on how to get to gym and create a habit.

For a different side of it: Can you work out at home? At least during the start, to get your body used to adding exercise routines to the schedule and get your brain to stop fighting the habit. Then you can move on to going to the gym once working out is routine.

There are tons of free videos on youtube, you can specifically search for ones that take no equipment to do. You can also find different time-lengths, to fit something around your already full schedule.

Not saying don't go to the gym, but starting at home may ease you into better habits instead of having to make multiple new habits at once.

Make it part of your schedule and just go. I always pack a gym bag and go straight from work. Maybe starting out, have some form of caffeine to boost your energy. Some days, I will drink pre-workout or an extra cup of coffee before gym time if I am especially tired in the afternoon. Ease in with maybe 2 after work gym days a week. Then add more if you like once that becomes routine.

I go before I've really woken up so my brain can't work on a justification to not go. It's the only time I know I can set aside consistently so I'm at the gym 5:45 ish.

Eliza_8181 wrote: »

I think even if you feel tire just go to the gym...after you start working out, you will forget you were even tired. Have a goal..like today im going to do a 20 mins workout on threadmill...you will see that you will end up stay longer. ..Good Luck.

Yep, this is what I do. Gym time after work is part of my work day. I just go and make sure I know what I'm doing each day. I always feel better afterwards no matter how I felt before.

Also, if you work 12 hour shifts then how many days per week do you work and how many are you off? You may be fine just going on your days off if you have enough of them each week.

Its_Haleeyyy wrote: »

I want to start going to the gym after work but have absolutely no energy by the time I'm off. I work 12 hour shifts and have really bad fatigue due to some health issues, but I need to start exercising regularly to help with health issues. Im wondering if anyone has a similar issue and what your trick is to push through it and make yourself go? My days off I can get there fine but work days are another story.

I have days like that as well but I go anyways and as soon as I start I have the energy and the drive back. As others have said don't go home first if you do it is too easy to stay home and not go. It gets easier once it is a habit

I go straight from work. I pack my gym stuff and take it along. Make sure I eat something small an hour or so before leaving the office. Once in the gym, I do 10 minutes of cardio. I am usually settled by the time the cardio is done. If I don't feel motivated to do strength, I continue with cardio. My gym has cardio options so that is good.

On a side note, make sure you drink plenty of water through the day on the days you plan to go to the gym. It keeps me from feeling drained and lousy.

I'm not a morning person, and I feel the most powerful and energetic after my work day. Perhaps its all the penned up rage. So I prefer working out after work, but it has to be a ritual something you do immediately and is planned. If I allow myself to get sidetracked after work, then my mind isn't in it.