How to Love Your Workouts

Have you ever had this conversation with yourself?  It’s time to workout, i.e. lift weight, run, swim, etc and you don’t feel like it, but you tell yourself you have to do it?  Only dreading the workout and can’t wait till it’s over.

If you’re active in any athletic performance or physical activity and this conversation comes up let me remind you; If you don’t want to workout, then don’t workout…no one is making you do it!

I know, you’re response is probably something like “I need to do workout!” If this is true for you, then it’s unfortunate that you don’t want to workout, but instead, feel like you have to workout.

Regardless of your fitness activity, i.e. running, lifting, martial arts, cycling or any other regular activity, if you have ever felt this way….you’re not alone. Experiencing these feelings on an infrequent basis is fairly common for most weekend warriors, athletes and fitness enthusiasts. It’s unrealistic to expect yourself to be pumped-up, excited, and motivated every time you get ready for your workout.

However, if you find that you are experiencing these feelings on a consistent basis; it’s time to take a closer look at why and how.

• Why did you get involved in the first place?
• How can you change my thoughts and feelings about your current state and bring back the enjoyment you once felt?

If you don’t a look at this and come up with solutions you will eventually become worn down by the internal fighting of these feelings of “not wanting to workout and making yourself do it.”

A Couple Of Strategies

The question is – what can be done to neutralize and/or turn around these negative feelings?

Here are a couple of strategies.

1 – Why

The first one relates to getting back to the roots of your “why” you workout.  Think for a minute about some of the reasons for you starting your fitness or athletic program.  Most athletes and fitness enthusiasts will list some of the following reasons as being major factors in their decision to exercise.  Take a look at the below list and think about which one’s hold true for you.  Also, what other reasons were important for you that aren’t included in this list?

I exercise/workout because:

• I enjoy the solitude of working out
• I love the feelings after a great workout
• I want to get or stay in shape
• I want to achieve health benefits such as decreased weight and cardiovascular fitness
• I want to improve my sports skill
• I want to be with friends or meet new people
• It enhances how I feel about myself
• It helps me manage stress in my life
• To help me compete and achieve sports performance goals
• It helps to improve my physical and appearance

Your primary reasons for working out need to be brought front and center to remind yourself of the real reasons you are exercising and working out.

Write your reasons for working out on a note card and post it somewhere will you see it every day.  This can be a much-needed reminder that you don’t have to workout but you choose to workout to achieve your specific results, i.e. to lose weight, to deal with work stress, etc.

For example, when you get up in the morning for your workout, take a look at your list to remind yourself why you are getting up at 5:30 a.m.  This should help silence monkey talk that’s telling you how good it would feel to get back in bed.  You can even make the reasons into affirmations and repeat them as you get ready for your workout.  By reminding yourself “why” you are working out through the reminder card and affirmations will being back the enjoyment and excitement that has been missing.

2 – Forget About It!

The second strategy may seem somewhat counter to the first one.  This strategy relates to leading go of or forgetting about goals and just having fun!  While having a purpose or goal for your daily workout, there are times when you just have to “forget about it” and have fun.

Don’t worry about how much your lifting, how far you’re cycling or how fast you’re running.  Just go out for your workout and allow yourself to enjoy it without the pressure of having to do a certain workout or keep up a specific pace.  Some creative ideas to you accomplish this are below.

Take It Off

Your watch that is.  Before you head out the door for your workout make sure you eave your watch at home (if you’re a runner or similar “time bound” athlete).   If you go to the gym, keep your eyes off the clock.  Get into your routine or rhythm that feels good for you and stay with it until you feel complete.  Don’t worry about comparing your time, weights or distance.

Add Some Spice

You’ve heard that variety is the spice of life right?  Well if you’re training outdoors; avoid your typical circuit and loops and train on a completely new path or trail.  At the gym try a new technique or use different machines or apparatuses.  Perhaps use all the leg machines that are available for 2 sets of 12.  Just do anything different….you get the picture right?  And if you’re not utilizing a periodization program add variety and enjoyment by creating a new workout.

Be Social

Once a week, plan to train with a friend, take a group fitness class or are running group to make it a social run.  Focus on training and sharing with others rather than focusing on where, how fast, and how far you are running. Also, go get some temporary gym memberships and try out the new facility for a week or two.  You might find that by being around a different crowd will boost your enthusiasm.

Cross-Train

If you’re bored with ‘the same old same old’ instead of running go for a bike ride, swim, lift weights, cross-fit, play tennis, or hike.  Cross training can deliver many of the same physical, mental and health benefits.  Also, they can give you a needed mental break from writing and a break from pounding the pavement.

Play A Game

Use your creativity and make a mental or physical game out of your routines.  If you’re running or cycling see how many out-of-state cars you see.  If you’re lifting, see how long it takes to lower the weight.  Make a game of it….it doesn’t have to be any the make sense, as long as it gets your mind away for the “have to” and on to “want to.”

Take time to reflect on how your workout is actually a break from the stress and hassle of the day.  If you’ve been working out in the AM…switch the PM and you’ll find this out real quickly!  Look at your workout are something that helps relive stress as opposed to something that is more thing to add to your schedule or something you have to do.  Approach your workout as a healthy strategy to help you manage the stress from work, school, responsibilities, etc and let program serve as a much-needed break or time out from the real stress of life.

The Warp Up

Exercise, physical fitness, athletic performance is certainly important to you.  You have made a commitment to your physical pursuits, but it’s not always easy.  There are times when your routine can be perceived as a burden and added stress.  With some attention, you can change these feelings of dread and lack of enjoyment about your athletic or fitness program by implementing some of the strategies.  Make a commitment to bring back the enjoyment of your athletic performance program.

If you’re really adventurous, take a look at the Metro Dash for a way to add some zip to your workouts.

Related articles

• Excellence In Your Physical Training, It’s A Mindset (warriormindcoach.com)