7 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Hit the Gym After Work
After a stressful day at work, there’s nothing more unwelcome than the thought of hitting the gym. Instead, the alternative of going home, putting on your comfiest pajamas and falling asleep in front of the sofa sounds much better.
We’ve all been there, but when you fight through this feeling and spend half an hour on the treadmill, there is no better sense of achievement and the rush of endorphins is incredible. Instead of living a life of regret, follow these simple tips to motivate yourself to hit the gym after work.
Surround Yourself with Your Goals
One of the most effective ways to get something ingrained into every fibre of your being is to plaster visual aids all over your desk/work station – think of when you were a student and had a big exam to study for.
If you decorate your desk with positive affirmations and motivational pictures, then you are sure to be in the mood for a late night run, swim or gym class. Fitspirational quotes can easily become your mantra, so embrace the “bikini goals” pictures and get yourself fired up to work out!
Eat a Substantial Breakfast
This may seem like one of the most obvious things to do, but in the working world, it’s so easy to skip breakfast and get through to lunch with a coffee-lined stomach. If you get up that little bit earlier, then you can be sure to have a substantial breakfast before you leave for the day.
Pick food that will give you slow-burning energy like porridge, bananas and whole grains, as these will set you up for the day. Also try to avoid sugary cereals, white breads and fatty foods, as although these taste great, they will end up making you feel sluggish and drained before the day is over.
Buy Gym Clothes that Excite You
There’s an excitement that us girls get when we buy something new and can’t wait to try them on – if you can transfer this excitement to your outfit, then you are definitely on to a winner!
Swap out your boring everyday gym wear, for brightly colored and fabulously patterned gym leggings, luxury trainers from the likes of Nike, Adidas and Android Homme.
If you can get excited about trying on your gym clothes, then the excitement will seep into going to the gym – before you know it, you’ll be clock watching throughout the day until you get to go and work out!
Snack
Be sure to bring snacks to work that will sustain your energy and keep you in the mood to work out. Fresh fruits, peanut butter and protein shakes are an all-round favorite pre-gym snack. If you’re feeling the 3pm slum at work, then you will be in need of an energy boost.
Get up from your desk and have a walk around the office, grab a drink of water and a snack and your energy will gain some momentum. Keeping your energy sustained is so important, so be sure to choose the right snacks!
Set Goals and Reminders
If you have an ambitious and competitive side, then this tip could be perfect for you. Setting goals can help you to mark your progress and see the positive changes that begin to happen.
The first goal could be as little as bringing your gym kit to work, then gradually building up the courage to step foot into the gym (but hopefully not). Remind yourself of why you are going, what you are doing this for and where you want to be in the future!
Bring a Friend
Having a gym buddy at work could be really beneficial. If you have somebody to share your goals, to bounce off and to work out with, then you are definitely more likely to go. If you are a motivator, then this could be the perfect way to not only encourage yourself to make positive lifestyle changes, but to also inspire your work friend as well.
If you’re somebody who needs to be motivated, then try and buddy up with a driven work colleague who has an effective after-work gym routine – they will naturally take it upon themselves to force you to go to the gym on days where you want to curl up and go to sleep!
Don’t Overwhelm Yourself
Finally, it’s important to allow yourself a rest from working out. Going to the gym is about leading a healthy lifestyle and self-improvement, if you over-exert yourself and begin to resent going, then you will end up doing more damage than good! Have a schedule that you stick to (and make sure that you DO stick to it).
The general rule is to do two days in the gym, a day of rest and then repeat this. Working out isn’t a punishment, so try and go to classes that you enjoy, partake in activities that interest you and follow a routine that doesn’t make you want to cry!
