Do you struggle to work out?
By: Michael Beiter
I asked my client what was challenging him.
"Well, honestly, I find motivating myself to work out challenging. I know I need to do it for my health, but my mind often talks me out of it. I've managed to control my eating portions and follow a daily routine, but I often feel demotivated when it comes to working out. I set goals for myself, but then I get down on myself when I don't achieve them, which becomes a cycle. I must find a way to convince myself to start the workout." He answered.
I responded, "Hmmm. I understand where you're coming from. It's a common challenge, but it's not insurmountable. Let's reframe the motivation-to-action sequence. Instead of waiting for motivation to strike, let's focus on taking small actions that will lead to getting started with your workout. Once you start, you'll likely find the motivation to continue naturally follows."
I suggest committing to the most minor action and watching your motive to do more build. This could be as simple as doing a set of push-ups or squats. Alternatively, you could try getting in the car and listening to your favorite energizing music on the way to the gym. These small actions can help you overcome the initial resistance and get you started on your workout.
When I lack the motivation to work out, I often resort to a simple trick. I convince myself to drive to the gym while sipping on a cup of coffee. I crank some of my favorite music if I'm not feeling it. By the time I arrived, I started moving around, and an hour later, I'd completed a full workout. It's a strategy that has worked wonders for me and could work for you, too.
When tracking my macros, I often didn't want to do it in real-time, so I would track a day ahead and eat what I planned the day before.
Remember, it's not motivation that leads to action. It's an action that leads to motivation, which then perpetuates, and you find yourself getting things done. This understanding can be a game-changer in your journey to overcome challenges.
