No motivation for the gym

[Ohright01]

If I don’t put my gym gear on as soon as I get up, I just won’t go. I make excuses and talk myself out of it. I have to make myself go!

I won’t go today now as I have decided to go food shopping and I am thinking about how much I have to do around the house. I could have gone earlier today but the moment has passed now. Any tips for getting the motivation when you really can’t be bothered?

It's not motivation you need - it's discipline!

Motivation will wax and wane, discipline won't. Tell yourself you're going and make yourself go - no excuses (food shopping and chores are your safely net to hide behind for the lack of motivation- I've been there!).

That’s a really good point.

Do you enjoy it? If not, find exercise you like or find a way to make it enjoyable. For me, it’s an audiobook or podcast I’m only allowed to listen to while running. Wolf Hall was best for me as I was desperate to go running with ‘he, Cromwell’!

I agree with that too. I actually prefer an exercise class full of people to the gym on my own which it would have been today.

Go the same time on the same day, it helps me

Exercising is like writing, don’t wait for inspiration/ motivation, just show up and crack on.

I think you have to find something you enjoy and that gives you a buzz, and then make it routine; there's no way I'm doing something I don't actually like. Sticking to the same exercise classes at the same times every week helps me. Morning generally works better as then you know you've got it done and can do all the other stuff after.

I exercise at home so there is literally no excuse! If I had to pack a bag, drive to the gym etc I'd never bother.

A 20-30 min HIIT most days keeps me ticking over and the whole thing is over and done within half an hour.

Op I could have written that. I can faff for Britain when I know I’m supposed to be going to the gym.

I 100% agree about discipline not motivation. Now I just try not to think about it too much and just go.

you could go after shopping..,just sayin’

Sometimes when motivation and enthusiasm is lacking it is discipline that is needed.

It took me ages to get to this point but if I feel like going I go and if I don't feel like going I go anyway.

Believe me I used to make every excuse under the sun x

Totally get what you mean! I'm ok when I get to the gym but never feel like I've done enough and I just count down the minutes until I finish and can go home, it's so boring!

I told myself that I was going to go today but I've done food shopping, housework and now I'm thinking about what I can watch on the tv when dh and ds go to football.

I did a cycle class this week which was good so maybe I need to do more classes but I hate going on my own!

I do that - counting down the minutes. Also I keep thinking of what I can eat when I get home like biscuits!

Good advice from everybody though. I need to change my mindset. I will try not to think too much about whether I want to go or not. I need to just do it and also go the same time every week so it’s part of my routine and the food shop etc can fit around it.

Ideally you need to find something at the gym that you enjoy.
Otherwise, you just need to consider it a non-negotiable- like going to work.

I had a monthly gym card which meant I had to go once a week to get my money's worth. I found it was becoming a chore as I had to fit it in with other stuff and couldn't go if the weather was bad as I had to walk.

I've now cancelled it but struggling to find any alternative form of exercise. I have a bad knee so can't join walking groups and tried online yoga but couldn't stand the airy fairy stuff that the woman was spouting.

Any suggestions welcome. I'm not vastly overweight - just need to lose about half a stone.

Just build it into your routine.
I go on a Saturday morning early so I'm back home by 10. Then it feels like I've achieved something already and makes me more productive all day.
I always do a particular class midweek and book it early so I feel I have to go.
Then I go on a Monday straight after work and it kind of sets me up for the week.
It is my routine so I don't really think about it but I agree with others it takes discipline too.
Motivation is irrelevant, sometimes I want to go, sometimes I don't but I always feel good when I've done it, so I just go.

I was on the rowing machine the other day doing my warm up and was Amazed how long it took to burn 100 calories and that was working quite hard. That’s less than a Kit Kat! That motivated me to be honest. If you want a Kit Kat tonight with your tea, get a wriggle on! 😬