As a former professional tennis player, working out has always been a part of my daily life and I can’t imagine living without it. For me, there’s nothing more rewarding than the feeling after a good sweat. I find myself more energetic and less stressed throughout the day if I exercise first thing in the morning. Despite all the benefits I gain from a good workout, I sometimes have those lazy moments where I don’t feel like exercising and all I wanna do is sit on my couch while indulging in some chocolate or candy. Ok, I have to admit sometimes she totally wins but generally, there are a few things I do to beat my inner lazy-girl. I’ve put together a few tips that have helped me stay motivated and could be helpful for you, too!
- Set goals and put it on paper
Identifying and setting realistic fitness goals for yourself is a great way to stay motivated. I know it’s always good to dream big but when it comes to my fitness goals I make sure I start small or I break a big goal into smaller, more realistic goals. In the past, my attempts to lose a lot of weight within a short amount of time would end up in binge eating at night and I’d get frustrated afterwards and just give up. I’m a strong advocate of visualizing your goals and dreams. Therefore, writing my goals down and keeping track of my progress helped me stay more focused and determined.
- Make it fun
Working out doesn’t have to be boring or something you need to get over with as fast as possible. Find a sport or activities you enjoy and mix things up to make my workouts less dull. Before the pandemic, I’d usually mix up my general workout routines with some tennis or boxing sessions on some days or even try something completely new like a spinning class. Covid-19 has forced me to switch to a home workout routine with a few outdoor running sessions. I can highly recommend doing YouTube workouts. My favorite fitness influencers on YouTube are Pamela Reif, Emkfit and Madfit. Another great way to make exercising more fun is having a workout buddy who has similar goals. Knowing that you’re not alone really makes a difference. An exercise partner can make you more accountable and keeps you motivated. Also, a good workout playlist is very motivational and boosts your performance.
- Reward yourself
Isn’t the “high” you feel after a good workout the best feeling ever?! That and the slow changes you feel in your body over time are the best rewards. However, I do reward myself almost every day with my favorite candy or I have a cheat day once in a while. To be honest, I think one of the main reasons why I stay motivated to workout regularly is the fact that it allows me to be more lenient with my diet (working out is my best solution to deal with my cravings for sweets hehe).
- Have a LDBP (lazy day backup plan)
On those days where I totally lack the motivation to hit the gym or do my home workout routine, I try to fall back on my lazy day workout backup plan so at least I’d be able to talk myself into doing SOMETHING. With a yoga mat and some free weights I can easily do some crunches, lunges and push-ups at home which is better than completely skipping my workout program. Even just going for a walk with a friend is a great way to burn a few calories.
- Dress nicely
I’m pretty sure girls can relate to this: Whenever you buy a cute new outfit for a night out with friends, you’re looking more forward to that occasion. Well, the same can apply to working out. Buying a new set of cute workout clothes once in a while gives me an additional reason to get my sweat on.
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