How do you get yourself to exercise when you don’t really want to? Do you have any secret tips or tricks? I need all the help I can get (I have a problem with Cheetos… and cookies, and ice cream).
Here’s my favorite workout trick (it’s another video).
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I do a few things to get me to the gym:
(1) I hop on the scale to remind me of why I need to go.
(2) I keep a calendar of my workouts. Since I don’t like “empty” days, I tell myself that if I go, I don’t have to keep a blank calendar day.
(3) I remind myself that if I do go, I’ll feel that much better and get that much done.
I’ve been pretty bad lately for exercising. My mum is usually a great stimulus though. And the fact that me and Leana have a day a week on which we go swimming does make a difference. We paid for a card and everything so with our meagre budget it’s a necessity to actually go 🙂
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that’s a good trick!! I need to try it!! I’ve been indulging too much lately and not exercising enough…
I am also a snack a holic and my job is so mentally draining that I can get super lazy come workout time right after work I find that I have a few tricks to keep me going
1. Work with a trainer once a week it’s costly but hey Id spend the cash on makeup why not on my health right!! Having someone respond to makes you go and a trainer maximizes your work out to the point of muscle exhaustion!
2. Have a work out buddy my fianc̩ and I go to the gym together on my non trainer and non class days Рon my streetfighting class day I befriended a girl in class it motivated us both to go cause we always gave gun together
3. Last but not least I keep focused on how tight my clothes feel and tell my self ” no new clothes for you till you lose x amt of pounds ” that curbs me from eating snacks when not hungry and makes me push thru my boring cardio days I hate running I just don’t think
I am built to run LOL sometimes I focus myself being chased that’s gets me thru boring running days 🙂
Thanks for the tips I need all the help I can get in that department! I’ve really enjoyed watching your videos too, full of great tips. Love the blog, thanks for all your hard work! x
Ps, I love your earrings!
Hi Karen! I have to do the same thing when I go work out. I usually work out at work since we have a company gyn, so I pack my gym bag and get my iPhone all ready. Then I walk out of the building. By the time I leave the building and jump on the shuttle to the gym, it’s too late to turn back so I have no choice. And 99% of the time once I am actually AT the gym, I will be inspired to work out because what else am I gonna do there? 😉
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Hi Karen – I actually just did a post on this on my running blog. I haven’t been able to get back into my gym routine this year so I’m bribing myself now 🙂 I’m using a rewards system where if I log 4 workouts this week – I treat myself to some new MAC make-up! So far, it’s working… in fact, I must go off to get ready for a morning run.
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I agree with getting a workout buddy. Also, I treat myself for a job well done. If I go to the gym 4 days a week then I get a treat. Usually my treat is a drink from Starbucks (I never drink coffee during the week so this is a big treat for me!) but sometimes it is a lipgloss or something like that. Nothing too crazy, just a little something to say “ya done good!”
My favourite tip, is to just force myself to do it as soon as I get home from work. If I wait even half an hour, I end up putting it off all night and never get around to doing it! The one hour limit is a great idea!
Hi Joanne,
AH! Good idea to get the calender! What kind of workouts do you like to do?
Hi Karen B.,
That’s great. Is the pool heated and indoors? Those are the best because it makes it that much easier to go.
Hi Fidigum,
It works almost all of the time! 🙂
I hear you about indulging. I’ve eating one too many chocolate chip cookies over the last few weeks.
Hi Yadiq,
Do you have a watch with a timer? Sometimes, if I want to switch up my running routine I’ll time myself during different stretches of my run. Like I’ll try to make it to a tree in X amount of seconds. It makes the time go faster and makes it a little less tedious.
Good music helps, too!
That’s so cute that you and your fiancee have gym dates… aww!
Hi Alison,
It’s challenging to get fit (hence why I make the resolution every year, LOL). But it’s cool in that you’ll always have something to strive for, right?
What kind of exercise do you like to do? I’ve found that if I like to do a type of exercise I’ll stick to it.
Hi Vampy Varnish,
You’re so lucky to have a gym so readily available. It makes a huge difference if you can get their easily. Do you guys have fun classes, like yoga and spinning?
Hi Audrey,
Makeup bribery is a *great* motivator. It works for me, too!
What kind of running do you like to do? Are you a distance gal?
Hi SMarie,
Great ideas. I bet knowing all the work you put into the reward makes it that much more special. 🙂
Hi Briana,
Another good idea! Do you keep your clothes or workout stuff handy so you can just throw it on when you get home?
Hi Karen!
I employ similar methods to yours to get myself to work out. I put on my gym clothes, drive myself to the gym, and tell my unmotivated self that I only have to do 20 minutes. However, once I get going, I’m usually motivated to complete my routine of 40-50 minutes of cardio followed by 20-30 minutes of weights. It’s been super cold here (-26 yesterday morning, and -18 this morning) these past couple of days and I just want to hiberate! I try to work out to a program or two on FitTV channel, or do the Concept 2 rowing machine for 30 minutes. Not much, but better than nothing!
Haha… these are great. I look in the mirror, flick my jiggly areas to remind myself how they’ll look in a bikini, and then procrastinate by looking for the “perfect” work out music. What’s funny is I just wrote about Jenna Fisher (from The Office) does the same thing. If you want to check out the playlist she developed, you can see it here: http://www.dishiness.com/?p=4117
I think I’m going to try it out myself today or tomorrow. 😉
Christina´s last blog post..A Future Park Ranger?
thanks for the tip really great advice. Re the snacking allow yourself say X amount and no more so you can either purchase what you are allowed and no more or once you have had your allowance say for the day that is it!!!
one love Kerry
I always go with a friend. It helps me keep motivated, we keep track of each other’s progress and she makes me go when i dont wanna get off my butt and vice versa! its been working so far 🙂
I’m with Audrey. Four workouts equals a new makeup purchase for me. This week was a Sue Devitt lipstick. I went to purchase a Lipstick Queen and the SA steered me towards the Sue. So far I like it…
The key to exercising is to switch things up for variety and to prevent boredom. I used to go to the gym all the time until I realized that it grew old quickly and I felt like a hamster on its wheel. Take a walk, go for a job,jump rope, or whatever gets you going. Exercising doesn’t have to be limited to going to the gym.
I have a workout buddy.. we really keep each other motivated! She is my next door neighbour so we literally can knock on each other’s door and drag the other to the gym 😉
Thanks for the tip. I need to try it. I’ve been pretty lazy lately but I definitely need to exercise more.
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Hey Karen! That’s totally the trick I use for myself.
My motivation this year is that I’m going to see my entire family (aunts, uncles, cousins and all) twice this year – both times for weddings. I want to look my ultimate best and keep telling myself that April is going to be here before I know it!
The other thing I’ve done is put a picture of myself from about 3 years ago on my refrigerator. I was the best weight ever and I could wear anything without looking bad. It was the greatest feeling! I look at that picture and it reminds me to get my a** to the gym and to stop eating crap. It’s working really well so far!
They do offer a lot of classes there but I haven’t taken any yet. I work from 7:15-3:30 and most of the classes are at like 5 or 6pm and I am already home by then and don’t wanna stick around, if you know what I mean!
Vampy Varnish´s last blog post..China Glaze Kaleidoscope Collection – Warm
It is heated and indoors. Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to go swimming at all during the school year (too cold)
Karen B´s last blog post..a thought
Hi Karen,
I enjoy cycling and hiking. I would love to get into running but I want to improve my fitness first! LOL! I don’t like the gym but It’s too cold here to do the outside exercise I do like! (I live in the North East of the UK and the weather is never too good, even in summer!)
Hi Karen4,
Eeek! That’s cold! When it gets chilly here I have the same strong urge to hibernate. 🙂
Is it warmer there today? I hope you got to hit the slopes!
Hi Christina,
LOL, I have half those songs on my iPod. 🙂
Hi Kerry,
Good idea! That way you can still have a little bit without feeling deprived.
I used to be really good about regulating my portions but lately I haven’t been so diligent, so thanks for reminding me about this trick!
Hi Donna,
That’s great! Do you guys go to classes together?
Hi Jacki,
Looks like I’m going to have to implement this “4 workouts for some makeup” rewards system too. 🙂
Hi Heidi,
Thanks for this tip!
Hi Kathleen,
That’s really handy! Do you guys go to the gym together, or do you work out around your neighborhood?
Hi Gio,
You’re welcome! 🙂
Hi Shefali,
Ahh! I gotta put a picture up on the fridge!
Hi Vampy Varnish,
What a nice work schedule! I bet that it feels good to be able to get outta there so early.
Hmm, maybe the gym offers classes during lunch? Or, I guess you could always just head on over there after you leave the office.
Hi Karen B.,
Oh, those pools are the best! 🙂
Hi Alison,
I like cycling, too! It’s been a while since I’ve busted out my mountain bike… there are a lot of places to bike where I live but I just end up throwing on my running shoes because it’s so quick and it just gets the job done.
Do you like where you live? I’ve never been to that part of the UK. I’ve been to London — just once though.
Hi Karen,
I love where I live it’s on the east coast of the North Yorkshire Moors, I wake up every morning to a sea view. It’ s a small fishing town but there is some great history and some beautiful countryside. Plenty of good places to mountain biking and hiking (weather permitting!) I am very thankful to live in such a beautiful place.
Have you got any tips that’ll help me to get out that door for a run?
Hi Alison,
You are so lucky! It sounds like you live in a very beautiful town. I think any day you see the ocean is a good day, and your view sounds enviable. 🙂
I have a few tips that help me get my bum out the door for a run:
1.) Get weather appropriate gear. If it’s cold in your area, find a running jacket and pants that both keep you warm and wick the sweat off you. A hat helps, too. I ended up buying a few items from a shop we have called Lululemon, which sells women’s athletic wear. A good running shop would also be able to help you, too.
2.) Find a good pair of running shoes. Again, this is when a good running store comes in handy. The folks who work there can determine what type of stride you have (like, whether your foot hits the pavement and rolls outward or inward) and can recommend a type of shoe. I think that some shoe companies may also have online stores that allow you to fill out a questionnaire to determine this, too. I wear Sauconys, but I’ve heard the New Balance and Asics shoes are good, too.
3.) Get some good music! I take my iPod with me when I’m running. :)I have it filled with songs I like that inspire me.
4.) Set small goals. If you aren’t used to running you can’t expect to go outside and run four miles during your first try. It’s easier to start with a smaller goals and then work up your endurance.
A good source for running info is Runner’s World magazine. They’ve got fantastic tips for beginners!
Here’s the link:
Runner’s World
I hope this helps! 🙂
Thankyou so much Karen,
You are such a lovely person and I think the reason I love your blog so much is that your personality is shown in your posts.
Many thanks for the tips I’m sure they’ll help me on the way to being a fitter healthier me.