How do you motivate yourself to go to the gym?

[clkim]

I really, really don't want to go tonight but I know I have to

I'm seriously struggling with motivation! How do you motivate yourself to go when you just feel so tired and want to be lazy!?

I go in the morning. Me and my friend take turns to share lifts. In the evening I just want to flop around feeling knackered! If I go in the morning it’s done.

@Greatoutdoors I would absolutely love to go in the morning as I think this would help but it's not possible atm due to having to get up with DS

@clkim

I really, really don't want to go tonight but I know I have to

I'm seriously struggling with motivation! How do you motivate yourself to go when you just feel so tired and want to be lazy!?

I'm going to be honest, there's some really attractive trainers and also I choose the cardio stuff near the weights area as there are men with seriously good bodies there. Honestly it brightens up my day no end.

@Knittingchamp I like your thinking

Your motivation is the thing you want, the thing that going to the gym will help you get.

I think that going to classes works for me as I don't like letting people down! And then it's a bit of a social event too. If I don't have classes I really struggle. I've tried putting on my gym leggings in the morning (I work from home) so then I'm half way there to getting into gym gear.

With anything I don't want to do, I think about bedtime. How will I feel getting into bed tonight if I did this? How will I feel getting into bed tonight if I didn't do this?

The joy of getting into bed worn out from a work out and smug is very motivating for me!

You will never regret going to do exercise.
You will always regret sitting on the sofa instead of doing exercise.
Go.

I prefer to work out at home rather than at the gym. So many great workouts on YouTube! I listen to the radio while I'm doing it. Much more motivating thsn men ogling me at the gym... All you need is a mat, a couple of pairs of dumbbells and a resistance band.

@FlowerArranger I tried this, but I felt even less motivated to work out at home 😬

Have you looked at lots of people/videos with people who have the body shape/size you want? That works sometimes.

Also, the promise to yourself that all you will do is put your kit on, and go into the gym. Don't mention the workout to yourself at all. Just get through the door, appropriately dressed, like a person pretending to go to the gym. See what happens when you get there.

I remind myself I'll feel good and sleep well afterwards - I don't really enjoy the gym, but I feel good after I'm done!

Don't make the decision to go. Just decide to get changed into your gym gear. Then decide to just get in the car. Then just drive to the gym. It's easier from there

Thanks all, I've just put my gym stuff on so I suppose I have to go now

I prefer to work out at home rather than at the gym.

I much prefer going to the gym because I can never get properly motivated working out at home, and we have a home gym. I work out with men, women, whatever. Nobody ogles that I notice.

I book classes so unless I actively cancel it I have to go, and unless it's an emergency they ask you not to cancel within 2 hours of the class starting so once I've got to 4pm I'm committed!

This is me right now. On the reclined sofa, thinking I should be doing exercise.

Hard trance on my headphones 🎧

I ditched the gym for exercise I actually enjoy - in my case mountain biking & hiking

@lamujerenfadada I have never experienced that regret

But in all seriousness booking classes and going to classes is what works for me. If I go without a plan I end up watching some random programme with subtitles whilst ambling along on the cross trainer

Sorry, I'm one of those people who loves putting on my gear and going to the gym. I hate working out at home, seeing other people (especially some of the men...) really motivates me to push myself harder.

I totally get this is just one-sided though, I got home tonight looking like I'd been in the shower. Am I the only one dripping withsweat after an hour? 🥵

@Invasionofthegutsnatchers

Hard trance on my headphones 🎧

Bounce Heaven for me (I'm sure I'm far too old but it makes me run fast!)

I think you can't rely on motivation. In reality you won't feel 'motivated' to go to the gym all the time. It needs be something you just do, Like brushing your teeth for example. Have a read about 'habit stacking' and try and stack going to the gym onto something else you do.
So for me, once I've done the school run I go to the gym or a work out at home. Some days I don't want to but it's just what I do and now it's a habit.

I also go in the mornings, and book classes. I'm a regular at certain classes, so it's what I do - and we have to cancel at least two hours in advance too. I don't think too much about it but rarely feel like going when I wake up, though I have indulged in some nice gym kit to try and motivate me. I always feel better afterwards and look forward to a nice breakfast and a hot shower, then I can face the day.

@Iamanunsafebuilding

I book classes so unless I actively cancel it I have to go, and unless it's an emergency they ask you not to cancel within 2 hours of the class starting so once I've got to 4pm I'm committed!

This! Once I have booked, I feel I can't just not show up. I only joined a month ago though and am really struggling. It feels like everyone is crazy fit and there is me, wobbling and huffing and puffing. I remember getting "workout high" when I was young. Now every workout session is a struggle.