Do you ever have days where you feel like you totally have your sh*t together and are capable of anything and then the next day getting out of bed is a victory for the day? We have good days. We have bad days. We are human and being motivated 100% of the time is not realistic.
The same spectrum holds true for the world of training. Some workouts we crush, giving it all we have. Other workouts we half-ass; we go through the motions, but aren’t putting in our full effort.
There are so many factors that play into the quality of a workout. How did you sleep the night before? What did you eat before your workout? Are your muscles sore from yesterday’s training session?
In order to succeed, we have to anticipate having good and bad workouts. It’s inevitable, so it’s important to be proactive and prepare yourself to get through them even when you’re having a rough day. I’ve made a list of things that help me mentally and physically power through my workouts, even when the gym is the last place I want to be.
Create a Bomb Playlist.
Music is incredibly motivating. Make a playlist that pumps you up and update it consistently. Also, have an extra set of earphones in your gym bag at all times incase yours break, are dead, or you forget them all together!
Plan Your Workout.
Go to the gym knowing exactly what you’re going to do. Know the specific exercises, the order of the exercises, the reps, the sets, the rest times; you name it, have it planned out in advance. You’ll be less likely to quit early and have the “well, that’s good enough for today” attitude. Instead, you’ll follow through with the written out workout.
Keep Hydrated.
Make sure you drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout. Being dehydrated causes a lot of dysfunction in the body. Keep a water bottle attached to you like it’s your cell phone.
Envision Your Goals.
Think about how you will feel at the end of your workout. I mean, come on. Have you ever regretted a workout? Of course not! Envision yourself walking out of the gym upon finishing your training session, feeling strong, sweaty, and accomplished.
Realize It’s Such a Small Part of Your Day.
Think about it: if you work out for 30 minutes, that is only 2% of your day. It’s a tiny fraction of your day and it helps to remind yourself of this from time to time.
Give Yourself a Break.
Sometimes the only way to regain your passion for the gym is to take a break. Maybe it’s a few days, maybe it’s a week or two. Not only do we need to allow ourselves to physically let our bodies rest and recover, but we need to our give ourselves a mental break, too.
Mandi.