How to Motivate Yourself to attend the Gym
It is so easy to come up with an excuse to not go to the gym for your planned workout. A long day at work is usually at the top of the list of those excuses, but here at Planet Health, we want to give you some tips that will help motivate yourself to attend the gym just like you planned.
Have Workout Gear at the Office, and Change Before You Leave for the Day
If you leave the office ready to hit the gym, you will be more likely to actually stop by on your way home. It does a couple things for your brain. One, it puts you in workout mode just by having the visual cue of your gym attire on, which will make it more likely that you will stop at the gym instead of just going straight home. Also, if your coworkers see you in your gym attire, you will be less likely to blow off your workout because then you would have to admit to everyone that you skipped the gym!
Eat the Right Food All Day Long
Start the morning with a smart breakfast. You will want to eat a little protein, a piece of fruit or a vegetable, and make sure to have some complex carbs like a piece of whole grain toast. This hearty breakfast will set the day for success. Then, at lunchtime keep it on the lighter side so you don’t crash mid-afternoon. Opt for a lunch that is very similar to what you ate for breakfast: protein, veggie, complex carbohydrate. A nice wrap or a generous salad should do the trick. Finally, make sure you have a pre-workout snack handy. You will want to eat something packed with carbs, but low in protein about 45 minutes before you head to the gym. Planning your meals for the day will lead to success when it comes to actually making it to the gym after work.
Get Yourself a Workout Buddy
The best way to motivate yourself to attend the gym is with the help of another person. People can always find a way to excuse themselves from working out, but they tend to find it much harder to flake out on a friend. Instead of having an after-work cocktail hour, organize an after-hours workout session, and let your friends and coworkers help you achieve your fitness goals.
Don’t Expect Too Much
Face it, some days are just tough, and working out will be a hard sell to your stressed and tired brain. However, sometimes if you just promise yourself a little bit of a workout like a 15-minute jaunt on the treadmill, your mind will be more amenable to the situation, making it easier to follow through. Give yourself a break on those extra tough days, and don’t expect a full hard-hitting workout.
Make It Part of Your Routine
The sooner you can embed a trip to the gym as part of your daily routine, the easier it will be to actually go. Eventually, your car will just naturally point itself in the direction of the gym as soon as you leave the parking lot at your job. Just remember, how easy it is to fall out of the habit, so once it is a part of the routine, protect that time!
Planet Health wants to help you motivate yourself to attend the gym! Feel free to ask our staff members for more tips and tricks so that you can get yourself in and achieve your goals. Everyone has their very own special way of keeping themselves motivated.
Source: womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a19925817/after-work-gym-motivation
