Sometimes I just don't want to!
 

I love to exercise. Any kind of fitness class or sports, or biking..anything. But I have days where I just do not want to go exercise at all. I used to have alot of guilt toward exercise where I'd make myself feel bad and workout and just be all grumpy about it and it became like an obsession. Well I'm totally over that now but just find getting up to exercise not motivating at all. How should I deal with this? Should I just push through no matter what or should I not worry about it and find other ways to keep busy so I am not feeling so frustrated?

thank you :)

I totally feel your pain, I have days like this as well!

When I have days like this, I tell myself to go do 15 minutes, and if I still want to go home, at least I did something.

I NEVER only do 15 minutes. ;-)

Unless I'm sick I try to force myself when I just don't feel like it. It would be too easy for me to fall back into my old lifestyle and I've come too far to take that chance. I aim for 2-3 rest days per week.

The inner conversation i have goes like this:

" i dont wanna exercise today"
" But you should, you dont want to get fat"
" But im tired.."
"just put your shoes on and get in the car and drive to the gym"
"oh alright"
"well im at the gym, i mine as well go inside and workout since im here"

And 1 hour later....ive done my workout and am relaxing in the hot tub, feeling good about the fact that i worked out.

So ...if its something you dont want to do..just start by putting your shoes and coat on and going to the car...1 step in front of the other...its easy to do it once you get going...

And true..if you need a day off..then say "ok 1 rest day, then to the gym no excuses tommorow"

There are days I have to make myself work out when I dont feel like it. For me, routine helps. I get 1 rest day a week and it is a scheduled day off (saturday) from going to the Y. I usually do something active at home that day but not my usual grueling workout. I like to take fitness classes like water aerobics, yoga, zumba, piyo, and spinning and that helps me keep to a schedule. Knowing people will miss me if I don't go also helps keep me accountable.

There are so many benefits to exercise, we just have to make ourselves do it when we are being lazy :D I agree with GreenEyedMustang, I tell myself "just do at least 20 minutes" and by that point, I'm 'into it' and I usually do my full hour.

Originally Posted by withinmygrasp:
getting up to exercise not motivating at all.

I think you hit the nail on the head. There comes a point when exercise is NOT motivating. Motivation comes and goes but are you COMMITTED to exercising? Commitment means you do it now matter what. Whether you feel like it or not.

For me, I make a commitment. I will run three times a week. At lunch. No matter what. That's my commitment.

Sometimes the motivation is there and I'm jumping on the treadmill and feeling awesome about my workout. Sometimes it's a bribe ("I'll let you watch an episode of Doctor Who while you're on the treadmill because you're here. Aren't I nice? Yes, I am."). Sometimes it's a guilt trip ("Did you see what you ate last night? You've got it in you to run. Go.") Sometimes it's none of the above ("Just do it.").

I go to the gym at 6 a.m., and in order to do so I have to get up at 5:40. Very often, 5:40 mlk58 does NOT want to get out of bed. But I always remind her that 7 a.m. mlk58 is going to be very grateful if 5:40 mlk58 makes the effort and gets to the gym, and 7 a.m. mlk58 is going to feel rotten if she doesn't.

It's weird, but it works!

I work out at home, and my trick is to put on my work out clothes right away, either in the morning or when I get home. Then, even if I crash on the couch for half an hour, I always get up and get moving because hey, I'm already dressed!

If I had to go to a gym, though, it would be much harder. Investing in home equipment was well worth it for me.