An Easy Way To Conquer Workout Procrastination
I previously commented on how we all have excuses for not making it to the gym. Procrastination seems to attack many of our endeavors, but is especially malicious towards our fitness goals. I discovered a simple method that gets me to the gym on a regular basis, although it wasn’t always that way.
While at work I often found myself looking forward to that evening’s workout. In fact, the thought often helped get me through the morning. I even made sure to eat a healthy lunch and afternoon snack to get my body ready.
Then with an hour to go, I would feel a little fatigue setting in. The remaining tasks seemed harder to accomplish. My thoughts wandered from the weight room to my recliner. My commitment wavered as I left work. It sometimes came down to a last second decision when I stopped at the local intersection. Would I go left and head home, or turn right and workout.
I wish I could say that I put my mind to it and came up with an easy method to beat procrastination, but it was completely by accident. I realized one day that I had been turning right more often and set about to discover why. Had I finally become a fiercely determined warrior? Hardly. Upon reflection I discovered what was propelling me to the gym.
My son Jarryd had been running more as part of his boxing training, which motivated me to upgrade my own workouts. I began doing more cardio every day before lifting. That is not necessarily the standard, but at my age it’s good to get an extra warm up before hitting the weights. Also, I am more compelled to lift after running than vice versa.
I found, to my amazement, that I was really enjoying the cardio sessions. Running on the treadmill or riding the stationary bike became a part of the day I looked forward to. By starting out each workout at a relaxed pace, I could unwind, space out and forget my day. That was the key. Even when I was getting tired at work, I would be drawn to the gym for the escape and recovery it provided.
Now, when I feel procrastination setting in, I picture myself on that bike or treadmill, going along at a casual pace and fading off into my own world. So, I make it to the gym, start slow and let inertia set in. After a while my heart rate increases, my motivation along with it. Then the pace naturally evolves to a focused and intense workout.
You can easily incorporate this into your motivational process. When you are at the gym, explore which activities you like most. What would entice you to come on almost any day? Maybe it’s starting slow on your favorite equipment or leisurely stretching on the mats. You might feel full of energy and head straight to the weights (with an appropriate warm up).
It could be a person instead of an activity. It may be the music or some other part of the environment. Whatever it is, recognize it and use it. See you at the gym.
