The secret to getting motivated when you really don't feel like exercising at all

Damn. You just don't feel like it at all. You have no energy. ZERO motivation. No idea where to start. Just too tired. And yes, you know it's healthy. That your body will get tighter. You hear Britney Spears: ‘you wanna hot body? You better work b*tch’ in your ear. But that's exactly the whole problem. HOW do you get motivation when you DON'T feel like exercising?

I feel you. I understand you. In fact, I have those days too. Staying motivated (especially now that all gyms are closed and you have to ‘make do’ at home) is difficult. That's why I try to pep myself up on these kinds of days with little tricks. And that's why I'm your stick today. Yes, I'm going to throw motivation glitter in your face. Do you want to feel better in your skin? Have more energy? Feel like a different person in a few weeks? Yes? Okay, time to answer the question.

How do you (re)gain pleasure in exercising? By applying simple, small mind games to yourself.  It's nothing more, nothing less. 

Ten ways to get motivated, here they come:

1. Open Spotify, search for gym songs/motivation/beast mode WHATEVER, grab the coolest songs and make a playlist for yourself. That mixtape with inspiring songs that makes you want to move is your foundation. Trust me: your mind can be tricked very quickly with music that makes you happy.

2. Think about what you want to pick up again or what you want to get good at. Do you want to start running again? Then look for some inspirational videos. Nike has some really cool running videos, just like Hoka One One. More strength training? Want to train your glutes? Go on Instagram and look for someone who inspires you and just watch ten of their videos to get in the mood.

3. Start following online classes via Instagram. The lessons on the following accounts are really fun. Score a mat online if you don't have one yet, add a resistance band and possibly weights, and for about thirty euros you have your own gym at home.

4. Make a schedule for yourself. Set fixed days, this way exercise becomes a habit. You don't have to think about it anymore. Wednesday is, for example, your fixed day to go running. This way, it becomes your own ritual. Wednesday = running day.

5. Set a clear goal. And no: losing ten kilos is a bad goal. Work in steps. ‘This week I want to move for at least an hour three times’ is a realistic goal. Or: ‘In the coming month I want to eat more vegetables’. Often, exercising becomes monotonous when you’re not working towards anything. By setting a goal, you can work towards something. You make progress. The feeling of growth can incredibly motivate you to keep going and keep exercising. Even on days when you feel less like it.

6. Measuring = knowing. Grab the scale, write down your starting point. Now put the scale back deep in a closet and mark in your calendar that you can only take it out again after two weeks. Agree with yourself to measure your progress every other week. By measuring realistic progress (and not weighing yourself every day), you become more motivated. BELIEVE ME. IT WORKS.

7. Also regularly change your routine. Don't run the same route. Don't keep doing the same strength exercises. Don't keep making the same movements, but change it up occasionally. By occasionally shaking up your routine, you keep challenging yourself and continue to make progress.

8. And logically but oh so true: adjust your lifestyle to your new ‘sport-you’. Go to bed on time. Enough sleep is so important to feel strong. Make sure you eat something before training (not too heavy). This way, you feel stronger. Getting a new sports outfit also feels so good. Lay out your outfit the night before you go to sleep. This way, the chance is greater that you will actually go exercise.

9. As Nike simply says: Just Do It. Sometimes accepting that you really don't feel like it is okay too. Agree with yourself that you will go for just a bit. Once you start exercising, you'll see that you're producing endorphins. Hey, that actually feels pretty chill, right? Yes, endorphins are your natural reward for going anyway.

10. Not feeling like exercising yet? Go back to step 1. Grab them, tiger.