Even Easton has to find motivation sometimes!
1. It's in the "plan." Just like you plan to go to work, and you plan to go to that bridal shower, you have to put it in the plan to workout. It's not an option, it's on the list of Things To Do. And you know you want to check that box off!
2. Set goals on Sunday. Write it out and then commit to it. I learned this while training for Ironman. I HAD to get my workouts in and knowing that I needed them all, I was less likely to talk myself out of them. Don't take No for an answer when it comes to getting to your goals.
3. If you know that working out after work or a long day probably won't happen, then bite the bullet and wake up early to get it done. You won't be sorry when you get off work and you don't workout, because you are FREE! You already worked out.
4. Along the lines of waking up early to get it in...set your alarm to a random number. For example, I have to be ON my trainer by 5am to get my workout in. So I set my alarm to 4:53am. This somehow tricks me into thinking I was going to be up at this time anyway, since it's a random time. IDK why this works for me. But it does. Also, I wake up to the song, "Happy." Come on, how could you not be?
5. Set your clothes out the night before. You don't need to make these decisions in the dark when you are half asleep. Set out your adorable workout gear(ummm, Coeur, right?) in the bathroom so all you have to do is put them on and go. If they are cute, bonus. I workout better in cute clothes.
6. Make a playlist that you can only use when you workout. Make new ones every so often to keep it interesting. Be fun. I'll do a throwback playlist, and think about where I was when they were popular. I'll make one with just gangster rap and pretend I'm super hard-core, because, well, duh. Or, if I am feeling kind of down, I'll put a bunch of sappy love songs on it and just call it therapy. Whatever it takes, man.
7. Find things to look forward to. When I couldn't run, I went to the gym and did the elliptical. And I watched the Cooking Network. I learned all about broccoli one day, and honey the next day. I got all inspired and made broccoli with a honey Dijon dressing. I also subscribe to Glamour, but the deal is I can only read it on the trainer. Workout AND learn what the best hair products are? Uh, that's called multi-tasking, friends.
8. Go with a friend. If you don't have anything you are training for, find someone who does have something. Be their cheerleader. Be a part of their journey, and get your workout in at the same time. Also, you are less likely to bail on a friend.
9. Change your mind. So often we think of working out as this awful chore. We are always stoked when we do it, but we go in to it thinking it's this necessary evil. Well, let me get real. That attitude sucks. Life is what you make it. I have lost the opportunity to workout on a few occasions and it has made me really grateful for what I am able to do now. You say, "I HAVE to go for a run." I say, "You GET to go on a run." Change your mindset. Be grateful.
10. Recovery is a discipline too. As much as I encourage working out, I also encourage balance. Plan the day you want to consider your recovery day, or your "cheat" day or whatever you want to call it. Do what you want. If you want to workout, do it. But if you really just want to bake and watch E! News, then live it up. You are more likely to want to workout and workout well if you do take the time to recover and enjoy some well-deserved time off. You don't want to push yourself so hard that you end up despising working out and you break down. Your body and mind deserve a break once in a while!
These are a few things I am happy to share with you all. Please, let me know what you all do to get yourself motivated! No excuses, right?!
