5 Ways to Trick Yourself Into Loving Your Next Workout

You’ve just started a new workout routine and are super motivated. Six times a week, you’ll be found at the gym. And for some reason, you’re not actually hating it.

Plus, all that hard work seems to be paying off—you’re sleeping better, your skin looks amazing, your jeans aren’t as tight as they used to be and OMG, your booty’s popping. But what happens when boredom sets in?

You know what I’m talking about—you’d rather do anything than work out. Then comes the excuses—”I’ll go tomorrow,” or “Just one more episode of Inventing Anna.” P.S. It’s really good!

Is it even possible to stick to a workout routine for the long haul? If you’ve been asking yourself this question, here are 5 ways to trick yourself into loving your next workout…and the next one…and the one after that.

#1: Reframe Exercise as a Reward

Ever catch yourself using exercise as a punishment? Let’s say you inhaled an entire pizza in one sitting and you’re feeling so guilty that you crank out 2 hours on the treadmill the next day.

If this is your approach to exercise, you’re setting yourself up for failure. You’ll start associating exercise with guilt and disappointment instead of energy and happiness.

Start viewing exercise as a reward after a hard day or as your go-to activity to de-stress. Once you start shifting your focus from punishment to reward, you begin to reframe your mindset to associate exercise with enjoyment. This might take time, but it’s well worth it.

#2: Play to Your Strengths

You chose an occupation for a reason, right? I’m willing to bet you’re pretty good at what you do. And I’m also willing to bet that you like your work—otherwise, you’d be looking for another job.

In fact, most people like to do things they’re good at and often express disdain for things that don’t come naturally. According to research, people’s confidence in their exercise ability is the highest predictor of how often they exercise.

So, if you struggle with hand-eye coordination, joining a team sport is probably not going to be much fun for you. But if you’re super social, a group fitness class might be right up your alley. Or maybe you’re really competitive and love a good sweat. HIIT or circuit training might be your thing.

#3: Match Your Workout to Your Personality

Do you hate working out because you haven’t found the right routine? It’s the perfect time to take an inventory of your likes and dislikes.

Ask yourself these questions?

Do I like to train alone or with a workout partner?
Do I prefer fast- or slow-paced workouts?
Outdoor or indoor training?

The only way to find out what you like best is to be open to trying new things.

#4: Thank Your Body for What It Can Do

Seriously, appreciate all the things your body can do! There may come a time when you’re unable to do some of the things you can do right now. Daily affirmations are a great way to be grateful for everything your body is capable of.

An affirmation is a positive sentence that you continually repeat to yourself until you start believing it. Think of affirmations as your daily mantra. It’s a simple practice, yet transformational.

Here are some positive affirmations to get you started:

“I enjoy moving my body.”
“As I exercise my body, my body will reward me with extra years of good health.”
“Every inch of progress brings me closer to my goal.”
“I am fit and happy.”
“I am ready to exercise right now.”

#5: Find a Fitness Challenge to Spice up Your Routine

It’s easy to start skipping workouts, string together random exercises and forget to track your results. This makes it difficult to know if you’re moving forward because you have no way of comparing your progress.

So, if the goal you set hasn’t been reached by the time you think it should, it’s easier to just throw in the towel. By participating in fitness challenges, you automatically set yourself up for success since they encourage you to track your progress.

If you find yourself needing to spice things up but don’t know where to look or what to do, join a Gymondo Challenge!

A Gymondo Challenge is the perfect reason to try out a new class type or training style you haven’t tapped into before along with other members. Plus, you can test out new instructors whom you’ve never trained with. This way, you can keep every single workout feeling fresh by trying something brand new every day.

Whether you join a yoga, HIIT or weight lifting challenge, you’ll always find a way to put your commitment to the test each month.

There are many different ones to choose from—weekly, 10-day or even month-long challenges. Start your free trial today and start loving your next workout.

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