We’ve all been there: it’s a cold, rainy day, and your bed feels like a cozy cocoon, while your workout clothes sit, judgmentally, in the corner. Motivation to work out? Pfft. It’s a myth, right?
But here’s the thing: the hardest part is often just getting started. Once you’re in motion, it’s a whole lot easier to keep going. So, how do you overcome that initial resistance and get your body moving? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here are some actually doable tips to help you motivate yourself to work out, even when Netflix is begging for your attention.
Start Small (Seriously, Just Five Minutes)
You know that feeling when you think about the whole workout ahead of you, and suddenly your body starts making excuses like it’s an Olympic sport? Yeah, it’s not just you. But here’s a sneaky trick: tell yourself you’re only committing to five minutes. That’s it. Five minutes. That’s less time than it takes to scroll through Instagram!
Once you get going, you’ll likely find that the hardest part was just getting started. Maybe you’ll finish your workout, maybe not—but even if you only do five minutes, you’ve already done more than you would’ve by staying on the couch. Baby steps, people. Baby steps.
Find a Workout You Actually Enjoy (Or At Least Don’t Hate)
Remember that time you tried doing yoga for the first time and spent the entire session wondering if you were supposed to feel like a pretzel? Or the time you signed up for a spin class and ended up wondering if your legs would ever forgive you?
We’ve all been there. The key to long-term motivation is finding something you don’t dread. That might mean dancing around your living room, trying a new sport, or mixing up your routine with some fun home workouts. The goal here isn’t to suffer—it’s to find something that feels less like a chore and more like something you can actually look forward to.
And hey, if you can’t find your groove yet, remember that it’s okay to experiment. The right workout for you is out there—probably just waiting for you to give it a chance.
Schedule It Like It’s a Business Meeting
Here’s the thing: you wouldn’t skip a work meeting (well, not unless it was a total snooze fest). So, why treat your workout any differently?
Pop it into your calendar like it’s a non-negotiable meeting, and treat it like one. Set a specific time and stick to it. Knowing that it’s a “commitment” can trick your brain into following through. Plus, once you’ve blocked out that hour, there’s no excuse—your workout is just as important as that Zoom call you can’t ditch.
Bonus tip: Pick a time of day when you’re least likely to be distracted. If you're a morning person, great! If you’re more of a “night owl who can’t see daylight” person, schedule it in the evening. Do what works for you.
Celebrate the Little Wins
This is a big one: celebrate those small victories. Got out of bed and put on your workout clothes? Victory. Worked out for 15 minutes instead of 30? Still a win. Did you push through that last rep even though your arms were on fire? You’re a champion.
The more you acknowledge those little wins, the more motivated you’ll feel to keep going. Motivation isn’t always about huge leaps—it’s about the consistent steps you take, even when you don’t feel like it. And hey, every rep counts.
Conclusion: Even Showing Up is a Win
At the end of the day, motivation isn’t something you can just summon out of thin air—it’s something you create by showing up, even when it feels like the couch is winning. So, start small, find what works for you, and give yourself credit for every step forward.
And remember, it’s not about perfection. It’s about progress. So get moving, even if it’s just for five minutes. Because, let’s face it, the hardest part is simply starting.
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