I've recently started a
new job in which I am working 8:30am until 6pm, and I have really found it
difficult to incorporate my gym routine into it. I thought it would be a
breeze, I'd get up early and head to the gym before work or I'd make my way
over after work...but it hasn't been quite that simple. After joining the
London rat race (don't get me wrong I am loving my job), any extra hours of
sleep I can get in the morning I take and I am quite keen to get home at the
end of the day. So its safe to say, I've lost my motivation.
Lets just start by saying
I am not a gym freak in anyway, shape or form but I try haha. Its been my goal
for a while to get fitter, not for any particular reason just feel better in
myself. I go through stages of bashing workouts out week after week and lulls
where my membership card starts to collect dust...and since starting work I
hate to say it but there is dust on my membership card. I realised this and
felt angry at myself for not being as committed as I want to be and so I
thought I would share some of my motivation tips which have got me back in the
swing of things.
•
Set a goal but be realistic: People often
set ridiculous goals for themselves, fail at it and then give it up. We are
human and we are all guilty of this. We just need to be less hard on
ourselves. I aim to go to the gym three times a week and then if I can
squeeze in a swim on an extra day or a class or something. This is realistic
for me and I know that, so if I'm failing its purely down to laziness. However,
saying this if I don't manage it one week thats fine...things crop up, its only
when it doesn't happen week after week that I need to look at whats happened. I
need to refocus and remember why I am doing it, why I want to do it.
•
Treat yourself to nice gym wear: There is
nothing I love more than shopping, well maybe a few things. But when I buy something
I want to use it and use it and use it. So recently I decided to head to
Victoria Secrets and buy myself some new gym wear. I bought a new sports bra
and two pairs of yoga pants and I have been so excited about it thats its
actually pushed to go to the gym because I want to wear my new gear! I've
decided that if I manage to go three times a week for a month I will buy myself
a new pair of trainers next month.
•
Make it a routine: I thing a study was
conducted in which it was found that it takes 12 weeks for something to become
part of our routine...now that may sound like a long time but lets be
honest...time flies by. I used to always go to the gym in the morning...that
was my routine. I would get up and go and it worked for me. But since starting
work thats just not been possible, so now I've made it my routine to go twice
after work in the week and once at the weekend. I have no set days so I can
choose any of the days in the week and any day of the weekend. I put my gym bag
in my car so that I can drive there straight after work.
•
Use social media: Social media has been
great for me in terms of motivation, we are surrounded by media and so its
really useful if I am feeling lazy and I log onto twitter and Instagram that I
am surrounded by fitness moguls and motivators. I have found Heidi Somers
particularly useful, her videos, pictures
and tweets
really give me the kick up the a** I need to get going. Also Life
pro fitness on Twitter makes me feel invincible and gives the
sense that I can achieve anything. Its hard to keep ourselves motivated at all
times but if we are getting motivation from other sources and people its really
beneficial.
•
Switch it up: Don't just go to the gym
and do the same thing over and over again, your bound to get bored...I
certainly would. Use different machines, use free weights, use weight machines,
use the mats and a swiss ball! You may feel self conscious at first, but a wise
person once said to me...your all there for the same reason, no one is looking
at you because quite frankly no one cares about what your doing there. Go to
classes, go for a swim, go for a country walk even put some music on whilst
your cleaning and have a good old boogie. All of these things increase our
fitness which in turn gives us more confidence. In the words of legally blonde
"exercise releases endorphins...endorphins make people happy'.
•
Gym buddy: I have found it quite
helpful to have a gym buddy. Now this is not something I have ever really been
a fan of, I like to work out on my own and thats that. But recently I've been
going to the gym with my dad and my boyf and its been really helpful...you push
yourself because you don't want to let the other person down! Gym's are social
hubs so its really easy to meet people, if you don't have someone to go to the
gym with maybe join a class like pilates or Zumba...your bound to make some
fitness friends.
•
Your overall health: Bringing the
health home. I've recently been trying to eat really healthily and make sure
that I am getting plenty of fruit and vegetables. I never don't have something
that I want, and I don't cut out carbs because for me a life without rice and
pasta would just be incomprehensible. But I juice in the morning, I've switched
to almond milk (except in tea because thats just wrong) and I only every eat
turkey or chicken. Having healthier food has made me feel so much more alive
that I have the energy to pursue exercise and I want to continue the goodness
if that makes sense. Adjusting your overall lifestyle makes it easier to
incorporate new things into it.
What do you guys do to
stay motivated?
Much love
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