Maintain Your Workout Motivation

You’ve had a full day at the office, and now your sofa and your cozy pyjamas are calling you to come join them. That same morning, you were all pumped up to work out, but now you’re finding it hard to get motivated, and that box of cookies is just too tempting. Well, ladies, our editorial team has put together some suggestions to get you back into the gym—read on!

Do it in style!
Fashionista by day, fashionista always! Just because you’re going to sweat doesn’t mean you can’t do it with grace and panache. It’s always more fun to get in shape when you’re wearing the latest from Lululemon Ahletica or Stella McCartney.

A friend in need…
It’s a fact that working out with a buddy can keep you going. Make sure your friend is also serious about getting fit, and won’t leave you to your own (exercise) devices so she can stay home and watch Desperate Housewives.

Long live routine!
Yes, routine is good! Pencil in workouts in your agenda like you would for any other appointment—and stick to them. Whether it’s in the morning before work or in the evening after you leave the office, find the moment that works best for you. Stick to it like a solider sticks to her military training, giving yourself time for it to become a habit. After a few weeks, you’ll be heading to the gym automatically!

Distance counts, too.
It’s important to choose a gym close to where you live or work, or somewhere on your daily route. Forget that ultra-trendy fitness club at the other end of town; it’s harder to find the motivation to work out when it involves a lengthy commute. You know the old saying: “out of sight, out of mind”!

Thanks, coach!
A personal trainer is expensive enough to get you motivated—imagine how you’ll feel if you miss a session or go off the wagon entirely. Also, she’ll be waiting for you, to follow up on your progress, so you won’t want to keep putting off your workouts. To really get you going, why not pick a male trainer who is easy on the eyes, or a female trainer you’d like to look like?

Pump up the volume
Some songs just make you want to run, jump, dance—in short, move! Just hum a few bars of Eye of the Tiger from the movie Rocky or Survivor from Destiny's Child—the list is long. All you need to do is come up with your own. You’ll understand the power of music when you’re shaking what your creator gave you on that treadmill, smiling and listening to JLo‘s Let's Get Loud on your iPod.