With the weather being as it is - typical January, and the inevitable winter blues setting in, you won't be the first person to consider skipping an exercise session. DON'T! It's a really bad habit!
Easier said than done right?.. Here's a few suggestions of things that you can do to help you make your sessions and not wake up wondering where January went...
Train with someone...
If you can make arrangements to train with someone while the weather is tough you're likely to encourage/blackmail one another to show up for a session. Try and pick someone pretty motivated though!..
Pack it up...
Pack up your kit the night before. If it's staring at you in the morning you'll go to the gym then. If you train after work and it's sat on the passenger seat of the car staring at you, you're far more likely to head to the gym rather than straight home.
Don't sit down!..
If you go home to change after work, don't sit down! It's THE worst thing to do! Even if it's "just for 5 minutes" it will significantly lower the chances of you exercising. If you REALLY want to force yourself to avoid the sofa, leave your kit out in your hallway and get changed there.
Change something...
Exercising CAN be boring... when you do it wrong! Change your usual routine, spice it up, change the exercises, environment, tempo or style. If you're stuck for an idea, either try any of these workouts... OR, buy a reputable magazine such as "Muscle and Fitness" and take on their most recent challenge or programme. It will give you a renewed focus and reason for going to the gym.
Team up...
Join a team of some sorts. You're much more likely to turn up for training if you feel there might be repercussions, such as letting others down or not being selected for your new team next time around.
Pen it...
Write yourself a schedule at the start of the week and stick to it. Don't write "Gym 3 times a week". Instead you need to know what days, what time and what you plan on doing in each session down to the very last repetition. Have this done before the week starts and then you have something to work towards.
Get purpose...
Train for a reason. if it's the new team (as above) or an event such as a marathon, your next holiday, a wedding or whatever it may be. Training with a set date and target in mind is likely to spur you on to not miss sessions through fear of failure.
Pay for it...
Not many people like wasting money. So make sure you don't by putting money on your sessions. Either pay a personal trainer for a few sessions to get you through the winter months. Make appointments with them and then you're obliged to show up. Doing this you'll also get a bit more variety and hopefully learn a few bits. Or, make a bet with yourself a the start of the week. If you don't do your planned sessions then you'll pay for...something! Dinner for someone, money to charity, for your friend or partner to get their car washed. Whatever it is, a little something like this may be what you need to encourage you to make an exercise session when you're not 100% keen.
Class...
Take a class. This can help for a few reasons. A) You usually need to book so you will feel as if you have a more concrete appointment and are obliged to show up B) When the last thing you want to do is think about what to do in the gym, the instructor will take care of this for you C)It's cold, miserable and dark and you want to go home. Luckily for you the class is probably no more than an hour, if that. Get in, get out, and go and snuggle up in some warm clothes at home - Perfect!
Take it outside...
This might be the complete OPPOSITE of what you had in mind, given the weather. But, it's not THAT cold! Put a hat on and a coat on and get outside. There is no greater feeling than returning home after a worthwhile and tough training session outside. fresh air, the elements, sweat and muscle pain - what a perfect combination!
And if all else fails...
I would advise you to get some of these tracks from the linke below on your music system of choice and get yourself so royally "pumped up" that you need to vent this new lease of energy at the gym rather than your home. Or, just click this link and think of some other motivating music to accompany your workout and pre gym "Should I? Shouldn't I?" thoughts to help you over this rut.
Music: click here...Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and subscribe to my YouTube channel
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