Have you ever had a day when you felt that you couldn’t find the motivation to work out?
If you’re like me, you have a busy schedule. For you it may be work, kids, school, volunteering, or a myriad of other responsibilities. For me, running my company, Labrada Nutrition, is a full time job. Many are surprised to find out that for the last 25 years, I am in the office every day; I love what I do, which is helping people get into shape. I put in a full day, just like you do. And by the end of some work days, I am tired.
Yesterday was one of those days. After a full day of meetings with product development, marketing and operations, I was tired! The idea of going to the gym wasn’t that appealing.
So I did what I always do when I don’t feel like going to the gym. I got into my gym clothes, went into the gym and I started warming up.
You might be thinking, "OK so you have super human discipline, right Lee?" No. I am just as tempted to skip the workout... to take the easy way out, as the next guy. But long ago, I made a deal with myself that whenever I didn’t
feel like going to the gym, I would go anyway and start warming up.
The deal was that after five minutes, if I still didn’t feel like working out, then I would give myself permission to go home.
More often than not however, I find that once I start warming up, my mood and energy levels change drastically. More often than not, I’d end up getting a great workout on those days when I initially thought that I didn’t want to work out.
I think that this outlook is a result of something my Dad taught me many years ago. He said "son, when you don’t feel like doing something, and you know you should, just start by putting one foot in front of the other, and don’t stop."
Next time you’re thinking about skipping that workout, try this approach and see how you feel. Take a small step even if you don’t feel like it and start. Give yourself a chance.
Sometimes all it takes is stepping into the gym. Make it a great week.
