Workout Motivation: How To Overcome Procrastination
Getting started with a new fitness routine can be a challenge. Many people find that they feel motivated at the beginning but quickly begin to feel overwhelmed and give up on the positive new habits they want to create. Others struggle to get started at all.
If either of these experiences sounds familiar to you, you might have noticed that you often procrastinate instead of taking action. This is normal, but it can be overcome! If you want to achieve your fitness goals, it’s important to learn to beat procrastination and, as Nike likes to say, ”Just do it!”
Read on for some top tips from Incrediwear to help you get started on your fitness journey, minimize procrastination, and stay on track.
What Causes a Lack of Motivation to Work Out?
Several factors contribute to a lack of motivation to work out, often hindering fitness routines and goals. One significant aspect is the absence of clearly defined fitness goals. Without specific, achievable objectives, individuals may struggle to find purpose or direction in their workouts, leading to diminished motivation.
A monotonous workout routine lacking variety or excitement can lead to boredom, diminishing the enthusiasm to exercise. A lack of visible progress or slow results can also demotivate individuals, making them question the efficacy of their efforts.
External influences such as a busy lifestyle, work-related stress, or personal commitments can overwhelm individuals, making it challenging to prioritize workouts. Mental health issues like anxiety or depression can significantly impact motivation, sapping energy and enthusiasm for physical activities.
An environment lacking workout encouragement or a support system may contribute to reduced motivation. Comparisons with others' fitness achievements or feeling inadequate can also discourage individuals from pursuing their fitness journey.
Unforeseen circumstances like injury or illness can disrupt workout routines, causing setbacks and affecting motivation levels. Using compression products when coming back from an injury can help you feel supported and ready to exercise again.
Identifying and addressing these factors can help individuals overcome barriers, reignite motivation, and establish a sustainable fitness routine.
How Can You Find the Motivation to Work Out and Overcome Procrastination?
Set Specific Goals
The first step to overcoming procrastination is to know what you want to achieve. It can be tempting to be vague, but setting clear and specific goals will serve you much better. When you have a challenging but achievable goal in mind and a date by which you want to achieve it, you are far more likely to take action.
So instead of saying, "I want to get fit," you might set a specific goal such as "I want to be able to run a 5k by the end of the year." Instead of “I want to lose weight,” your goal might be “I want to lose 10lb in the next three months.”
The best health and fitness goals are SMART, which means they are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant (to your needs or overall journey), and time-bound. Once you have a specific goal, you can begin to break it down into the steps you’ll need to take to achieve it.
Create a Schedule
Once you know what you want to achieve, you can start deciding how you will achieve it. Creating a schedule helps you visualize the journey from where you are now to where you want to be. It also helps you to allocate time for fitness into your week.
Set aside the appropriate amount of time each day or week for your workouts, and treat those sessions as non-negotiable appointments. If you have a set time for your workout that is planned in advance, you're less likely to procrastinate and more likely to follow through.
You can help yourself by getting prepared. If you know you’ve got a morning workout scheduled, why not pack your exercise clothes, post-workout snack, and recovery wear the night before to save yourself time when you get up?
Scheduling your workouts also helps you to see what pockets of free time you have, which can help you to overcome the ever-present excuse that you’re just too busy to work out.
Buddy Up
Having an accountability partner can be a great way to overcome procrastination. Working out with a friend can also make exercise much more fun! So why not find someone else who is struggling with motivation and buddy up to support one another?
Once you’ve found a fitness buddy, make a plan to check in with one another regularly. When you have someone external to hold you accountable, you're more likely to stay on track and less likely to procrastinate. You’ll also have someone to celebrate your successes and milestones with. It’s a win-win!
Start Small
Have you ever failed to start a project or task because it seemed too big? If so, you’re far from alone. One of the biggest reasons people procrastinate is because they feel overwhelmed by the enormity of a task or by not knowing where to start.
If you're new to fitness, it can be tempting to dive in headfirst and try to do too much too soon. However, this can lead to burnout and make it more difficult to stay on track. It also puts you at greater risk of sustaining an injury.
Instead, start small. Instead of pledging to go to the gym every day, how about twice per week? Instead of trying to run a mile if you have never run before, start by walking a mile and then build things up from there. Begin with a simple workout routine that you can realistically stick to, and gradually increase the intensity and duration as your fitness improves.
Eliminate Distractions
In the modern world, there are countless distractions and pulls on our time, attention, and energy. Have you ever intended to go for a run, then checked your phone and been sucked into an Instagram or TikTok hole instead? Us, too!
If you want to overcome procrastination, you need to eliminate distractions. Set boundaries for yourself, such as not watching TV until your workout is completed or only checking your social media channels for ten minutes during your lunch break.
You might have to be strict with yourself at first, but if you get rid of those distractions, your new healthy habits will soon be second nature.
Explore Different Workout Routines
Embarking on a fitness journey involves exploring diverse workout routines tailored to individual preferences and goals. From HIIT sessions to Pilates and CrossFit to aerobic exercises, each regimen offers unique benefits.
HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) maximizes calorie burn and boosts metabolism, while Pilates focuses on core strength and flexibility. CrossFit enthusiasts engage in a varied mix of functional movements, promoting overall fitness. Aerobic exercises aid cardiovascular health and endurance, catering to varying fitness levels.
Incorporating strength training and bodybuilding into routines promotes muscle growth and enhances metabolism for effective weight management. Engaging in physical activities not only benefits the body but also nurtures mental health, fostering a positive mindset.
Stay Consistent and Focused on Fitness
Sustaining fitness progress involves consistent dedication and focused efforts. Overcoming challenges like lack of consistency or motivation requires commitment and perseverance. Embracing hard work and pushing boundaries beyond the comfort zone are fundamental to growth.
Maintaining gym motivation can involve immersing oneself in energetic workout music, such as hip-hop beats, and discovering the ideal workout routine that becomes the number-one choice. Establishing a smart, achievable goal-setting strategy and persistently working towards it amplifies long-term success.
To stay consistent, adopting a diverse exercise routine with bodyweight workouts, dumbbell exercises, or incorporating workout quotes for inspiration fosters dedication.
Consistency in workouts, both at the gym and in personalized home setups, fortifies the fitness journey, leading to sustainable health improvements and mental well-being.
Create a Space To Work Out at Home
Creating a dedicated workout space at home sets the stage for successful fitness endeavors, catering to various fitness levels and preferences. Begin by designating a specific area conducive to exercise, ensuring ample room for movements like squats, push-ups, and cardio activities.
Utilize online resources, including podcasts and playlists, to infuse energy into your workouts. Curate a motivating playlist or tune into inspiring fitness podcasts to align with your goals and provide an uplifting backdrop to your sessions.
Consider investing in essential equipment, from resistance bands for varied workouts to dumbbells for strength training. For beginners, beginning with bodyweight exercises like squats and push-ups requires minimal equipment, fostering familiarity and comfort. Track progress by monitoring heart rate, reps, and sets, setting achievable goals and gradually increasing intensity over time.
Embrace at-home workout routines, mirroring gym sessions with guided exercises akin to a personal trainer's regimen. Ensure adequate lighting, ventilation, and a positive ambiance to stimulate motivation and focus.
Establishing a consistent routine in your designated workout area promotes weight loss, enhances fitness motivation, and cultivates a space where fitness goals align harmoniously with personal well-being and dedication to a healthier lifestyle.
Wrapping Up
Fostering consistent motivation in your fitness journey involves overcoming challenges, setting clear goals, and creating an environment conducive to exercise. Embrace diverse workout routines, stay focused on achievable objectives, and adapt your surroundings to support your fitness aspirations.
Whether at home or the gym, harness the power of determination and commitment to carve a path toward holistic well-being and lasting fitness success.
Sources:
3 Reasons to Work Out With a Friend | CDC
CrossFit® – Development, Benefits and Risks | NIH
Can Listening to Music Improve Your Workout? | National Center for Health Research
