Finding Your Motivation to Workout: The 5-Minute Promise

It has been said time and time again that to see progress in your fitness journey, you must be consistent. This is true, but it’s easier said than done.

Understanding the Lack of Motivation

What happens when you have no motivation to workout? Sometimes, it feels like you can't even get up off the couch, let alone exercise. This feeling is completely normal. Your health journey is lifelong, which means you will experience bad days. When working with clients, I prepare them to still get a workout in, even if they aren’t feeling it. To overcome your mental block and find your motivation to exercise, you just have to promise yourself 5 minutes.

The First 5 Minutes

When it comes to working out, the hardest part is often just getting off the couch. If it’s time for your workout but you’re feeling tired, stand up and set a timer for 5 minutes. During these 5 minutes, just keep standing and try to move around. Grab some water (or pre-workout) and put on your workout playlist. Change into your workout clothes and see how you feel.

If you’re still really tired or not feeling well after these few minutes, go ahead and rest! Chances are, if you still don’t feel good, your body is asking for a break. Listen to it.

Try 5 Minutes of Your Warm-Up

If you’re feeling better but still unsure about completing your workout, try doing 5 minutes of your warm-up. This additional movement can help wake you up and put you in a better mental space to finish your workout. If you feel good after these first few minutes, go ahead and complete your warm-up and move into your workout!

However, if you’re 5 minutes into your warm-up and you feel tired, sore, or find that your warm-up is harder than usual, your body is likely telling you to rest or take it easy with just a walk.

Just Do 5 Minutes of Your Workout

Finally, if you made it through your warm-up but still aren’t sure about your workout, set your timer one last time and just try 5 minutes. If you’re feeling good and can complete the workout, that’s great! It doesn’t have to be perfect, and you might not be in your groove, but you can still get it done.

On the other hand, if you notice you’re still tired, your muscles feel weak, or you feel winded when you normally wouldn’t, it’s okay to rest. Sometimes, extra rest is what you need. You can walk away knowing that you tried and got a few minutes of exercise in.

Listening to Your Body

Listening to your body can be challenging, especially if you’re feeling off or having a bad day. This series of 5-minute promises can help you get to a place where you can complete your workout, bringing you one step closer to your goals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, motivation can be elusive, but breaking your workout into manageable 5-minute segments can help. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection. So, the next time you feel unmotivated, just promise yourself 5 minutes. You might surprise yourself with what you can achieve in that short time.

By focusing on small, achievable goals, you can maintain consistency in your fitness journey. Embrace the process and remember that every little bit counts.