Today will be the day I workout before class. 7 a.m., snooze. 7:15 snooze. Resets alarm to 9:30. I’ll try again tomorrow.
Trust me, I get it. You don’t want to go to the gym. It’s either too early and you’re too exhausted to get up before work, or it’s too late and you’re too tired and have used up all your energy from the day. Or… maybe you just don’t want to go to the gym at all. What’s so great about the gym anyway?
Simply put, going to the gym on a regular basis is really good for you. It may seem impossible at times to work up the strength to actually go, but once you have established a solid routine, it’s honestly easy. It doesn’t become this whole ordeal where you have to convince yourself why going to the gym will be good, it becomes something you actually look forward to. Your energy level will rise, you will find yourself happier and thinking more positively, and you might even catch a few extra double takes from that someone you like. Having good workout habits seems like a small price to pay for the numerous benefits it brings.
So why is it just so difficult to go?
Because there are so many excuses. Humans naturally shy away from things that scare them or make excuses to avoid putting in effort to something that they are not in the mood to put up with. Any average human can muster up the strength to go for a light jog or do a few exercises when they have nothing else to do on a slow Sunday. But those who consistently practice good fitness habits and eat healthy are the ones who reap all the benefits. So if you find yourself consistently struggling to even make it to the gym, let alone perform well, then I have a few simple yet important tips for you:
1. Suck it up.
Everyone wants to look good. It's not going to happen if you don't put in the effort. A few smoothies and a salad doesn't replace working out. And this means going to the gym on days when you really, really don't want to. And having to find time in a busy day when you have no time at all. It won't always be convenient or easy, but it will be worth it.
2. Bribe yourself into going.
Why do parents always bribe children to do chores? Because it’s an effective method, that’s why. Having something to look forward to works. If you need to reward yourself with a beer with friends or by grabbing coffee from Starbucks before class the next day, do it! This may seem a bit counterproductive, but it won’t last forever - just to get you started and get your butt in the gym.
3. Make your friend hold you accountable.
When times get especially trying, I sabotage myself into being forced to go. On some days, I will send an extremely incriminating, inappropriate picture of myself to my best friend and tell him, “If I don’t make it today, you get to post this on Facebook.” There is no motivation to succeed stronger than the fear of embarrassment, right? Buy a year-long membership.
4. Don’t play around with the petty two-week trials or monthly membership passes.
The “discounts” they offer end up costing far more over the course of a year than an annual membership does. Besides, signing up for a whole year worth of access will make you feel guilty about wasting money for something you don’t use when you’re being lazy. Learn to love it.
5. Ultimately, you need to find some source of satisfaction out of working out and exercising your body.
The old adage “There is beauty in the struggle” really holds true here. After a long run and stretch, your body will feel much more relaxed. After a session of lifting, your body will feel relieved and you’ll walk with more confidence. And, eventually, if you can manage to make it to the gym consistently over a long period of time, you will truly get to experience the whole scope of benefits that being a diligent gym rat has to offer.
The best tip I can give you guys is, don’t give up on the gym. There will be days you have no desire to go. There will be days you would rather do anything, and I mean anything than go to the gym. Even going to the gym for 20 minutes is better than nothing. For real, don’t think that doesn’t count. That’s better than not at all. Stick with it. It won’t be pretty, but I promise the gym won’t give up on you.
Want to learn how to truly fight your gym reluctance? The first step is admitting you have a problem. The next? Learn from the best. The Red Bulletin pulled tips to shake up that gym routine from some of the best in biz. Do yourself a favor, and get some outside perspective now.
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