I’m working on getting more practical workouts for you—both ones you can watch on video and ones you can print off. Until then, take a look at some of my practical GET MOVING tips!! (FYI–I’ve used 6 of these tips already this week, and it’s just Wednesday!)
1.) Never go longer than 3 days without working out. It is too easy to lose momentum and to drop a habit so be very conscious about this. Remember that objects in motion stay in motion!
2.) For you stay at home mamas: Start out the day in your workout clothes. (unless you will be working out much later in the day) I find it’s easier to go ahead with my routine if I’m already dressed!
3.) For those of you who work outside the home: Pack your gym clothes and go to the gym directly after work. I found that when I returned home after work, I was more apt to cancel my workout.
4.) If you want to workout in the morning, pull out your clothes, shoes and ipod the night before. I don’t know exactly why this works for me, but it does. It’s almost like it makes my decision more concrete once I take the time to prepare! (This is real life people. See pic to the right from last night’s prep.)
5.) Give it 10 minutes. If you have no interest in working out, tell yourself that if after 10 minutes of doing your video, running, walking..whatever, then you can quit. I bet you’ll find that you will keep on going –and be glad that you did.
6.) Pump it up! If you are struggling getting motivated to workout, then put in some high energy music that gets you going. Nothing like some heart pumping music to send some good vibes through your system. Start tapping your foot, or dancing around. Those good endorphins may just be enough for you to continue on with your routine!
7.) Plan your week. Some of you are lucky enough to have the same exact routine every single week, so your exercise fits nicely into those allocated spots. Others of you may have some weeks that don’t always look the same. So, if it’s going to be one of those weeks, take note of that. Is your usual Tuesday spot going to be filled by a parent-teacher conference? Then try to re-work exercise into another day or time…even if it’s only for part of the time. Maybe you’ll have to use your normal “rest” day as an exercise day. It just takes a little effort to keep things moving.
8.) If working out doesn’t get you excited or if you lose your zeal quickly, then I encourage you to join a group exercise class. There are SO many locations that provide these. You don’t have to belong to a gym anymore to take one! Look for churches, schools, and community centers. Accountability is a HUGE part of success (isn’t that true for EVERY area of our lives?) so grab a friend and join a class. You might actually have FUN!!!!!
Awesome tips. Gotta share this on facebok!
Oooops. The url is wrong in my first comment. I don’t even know my own web address. LOL!
Love this! 🙂 I’d love to see a post of your favorite workout “playlist”! I always am trying to add new music to my mp3 player…
Youu know it Meg! Soon..very soon!
Clare
Great tips! It is so true..If I put my workout clothes on in the morning, I am more motivated to workout. Now if only it could motivate me to clean the house!
Great tips! Thank you for posting 🙂
I am an Am exerciser so I try to get my clothes out the night before… otherwise, I am searching for them in the dark so I don’t wake my hubby up!!
Hi Melodie! Yes–you are right. I do it so I don’t have to dress in the dark!
Great tips! Thanks for posting. One of my girls and I just started working out in the evenings after our kids go to bed. It’s been a great time to connect and we push each other to go. I’ll be sure to pass these along to her. I’m sure they’ll help with motivation for both of us.
That’s so wonderful Becky! Accountability is HUGE!!!
Great tips and all true! I’ve been going to the gym 6 AM every M, W, F, for a year now and love it! Some mornings I have to drag myself out of bed but what helps is I pick up my sister on the way. I know she’s waiting for me so I have to go! One thing about getting dressed in the dark, make sure your shirt is on the right way. When we got to the gym one morning my sister discovered her shirt was on inside-out. We had a good laugh!
Love your new blog!
~Terri
Hi Terri!
That is so awesome! I’m pretty sure that I’ve put on workout clothing incorrectly before! As a matter of fact, it may have happened the other day and it was IN the daylight!! haha
Great accountability there with your sister! Keep it up!
Clare
When I’m planning an early morning run, I go to bed in my workout clothes (especially this time of year when its chilly). That way all I need to do is add the shoes, ipod, hat and jacket and I’m on my way! being too cold to get up is no excuse. 🙂
great blog!
Clara! Now that’s awesome! I can’t say I’ve ever done that, but what a great idea!
I have a fitness question, background first…I’ve always been very athletic love to work out and play sports. My second baby took a toll on my body!!! My knees are not the same (partly because of the weight gained). He was born last June and it has really been a struggle to get back into running because my left knee in the front knee cap area hurts so much. I don’t want an injury. Do you have any suggestions on what I need to do? I’ve finally gotten back into a weekly routine of exercise and I don’t want to do major damage.
Hi there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the excellent work!