It’s far too easy to miss your training session because you’re not in the mood. Whether you’re too tired from the weekend, works too busy, kids are wearing you down or it’s just cold and you couldn’t be bothered. You are very good at coming up with reasons why you don’t want to exercise and this can be half the battle. At the end of the day though these are all just excuses and none of them are good enough reasons to miss your workouts. As I’ve explained before missing your workout because you’re tired, stressed, or lethargic are all reasons why you SHOULD BE working out.

To help compete with your inner (lazy) voice I believe there are a couple of things that you can do to help you get in the mood, even when you’re not.

1. Get changed into your workout gear – Sometimes the workout itself seems like a mission, but the first step is getting dressed. Once this is done you’re one step closer to starting. Hopefully, from here you generate enough momentum to get working out.
2. Listen to music – You should know what music gets you going, if you don’t it’s time to make a playlist. Sometimes all it takes is a couple of tunes to get you in the right headspace. This works even more when you’re already in your workout gear!
3. Start with 5min – As I said previously, your workout can seem like a mission, and getting started can be the hardest part. So initially set out to complete just 5min first. I don’t know anyone who has wanted to stop after the first 5min. If you do it’s probably for a good reason.

Try one or all of these steps, in order or not. Hopefully, they will be the difference between you exercising and sitting on the couch eating potato chips.

Got your own ways of getting in the mood? I’d love to hear them!

Nathan Spring