I’ve always dreaded working out. When I was a child, I used to take tennis lessons and was actually pretty active. But once I moved to a place where I couldn’t train anymore, I became a mere spectator and never really played again.
Well, life went on and I gained a lot of weight. A year ago I reached my highest weight ever: 85kg. I couldn’t ignore it anymore so I decided to seriously diet. I lost close to 20kg of fat and now I am working on changing my body composition. But I’ll go into detail about my diet some other time. This post is about physical activity.
Unfortunately, dieting is not enough. You have to work out and do it consistently. And that’s the hardest part, at least for me. Having the discipline to go to the gym 3 times per week, even if I’m hurting, tired or have loads to do. I’m lucky I live right in front of the club where I work out, so at least I don’t waste time in traffic. But I still don’t feel like going some times.
So how to find the motivation to stay on track when it comes to working out? Here are some things that work for me:
- Have nice and pretty gym clothes. Yes, I know this is a very superficial tip and most people will think it’s bullshit, but it works for me. I’m a shopaholic and quite vain. I’d never go to the gym wearing old leggings and a stained t-shirt. Having a nice outfit motivates me to get dressed and leave the house.
- Join a gym that’s close to home or work. Nobody wants to waste time on the way to the gym, it will be an excuse not to go. Even if that gym is amazing, if it is 30 minutes away from where you are, that’s an impediment to go. So try to find something simpler, but closer to you.
- Get inspired by good role models. I follow some Instagram accounts of people who inspire to do as they do. My doctor Ju Bicca (@draju_endocrino), for instance. Every morning I know as soon as I open Instagram the first post I’ll see is Dr. Ju working out, at around 6 am. I also follow accounts of people who are in the same path as me, trying to lose weight and be healthier, such as my husband @ianchaytor, @fatlossnerd, @nicklas.mattsson, @gobetina, @obese_to_beast, just to name a few.
- Have a gym buddy. Here we work out as a couple. In addition to having company, we also hold each other accountable.
- Make a powerful playlist. It can be electronic music, hip hop, pop, it doesn’t matter. My playlist even has Adele in it – ‘Rumour has it’ is a fantastic workout song. Good music is a distraction and time will pass faster.
- Use a pre-workout supplement. For those who are not addicted to exercising, any extra help is welcome. I take mine just before leaving the house and by the time I get there I’m already pumped. I even feel like doing sit-ups! Plus it makes me sweat like crazy.
- Get a body scan done every month. The body composition scale is ruthless and seeing how much fat vs. muscle mass inhabits your body might be all the motivation you need to get up and get active.
- Find an activity that’s more pleasurable (or that causes you less suffering). I prefer weight training because I really want to build muscle mass. But if you’re into cardio, don’t torture yourself lifting weights. The less suffering, the more likely you are to stick with it.
Remember: you don’t need to like going to the gym.
You just need to go. So go!
