I've mentioned here and there (I think) that I've mysteriously started exercising (it's mysterious because exercise was not my cup of tea before). Well here are my tips on how to keep on keeping on when exercise is not really your idea of fun. Some are probably generic while some might be random. But this is what helps me keep going:
-Buy cute work out clothes
I'm totally serious. If your clothes are cute, then you will want to wear them, and you might look a tad silly if you wear them for reasons other than working out. (This may only work for me seeing as I'm frugal and don't wear sweats in public... still a good reason I think though!)
-Find a workout buddy that is more motivated than you are
Pair up with someone who can push you to keep trying, and a bonus if they know what they're doing because then they can help make sure you are doing all your moves right and give you helpful tips. My buddy is Sarah Edralin; check out her blog "Sarah's Adrenalin". Every time when I'm with her and she tells me to get ready to work out I tell her that she doesn't own me... as I tie the laces on my running shoes...
-Find a workout buddy that is less motivated than you are
What? Yes, I know it seems a little mean but I said it. It'll make you feel good in comparison when they stop but you keep going. It's like easy competition. But I think will only work if you also have a more motivated person in the group as well, otherwise you might be too tempted to stop along with buddy #2. (and yes Jas, I'm talking about you)
-Gym hop by using coupons and promos
Gym memberships and classes can be very expensive. Use sites like Deal Find, WagJag, Groupon, etc. for super cheap gym passes all over the place. I've scored 10-class yoga passes for $20, 10 CrossFit classes for $29, and more. Helpful hint: make sure you check their 'coupon class times' before purchasing so you don't end up with one you can't use (speaking from experience). You could discover a gym that you really enjoy and end up getting a full-fledged membership at or save money and gym hop for a while.
-Take work out classes
It can help motivate you to keep going in comparison to working out on your own. You have people to 'compete' with, you have a teacher to push you to keep moving, you paid for the class so attending makes your money worth spending, etc.
-Be adventurous and try something new
I've done a handful of different classes (some just drop-ins) over the past few months including: hot yoga, muay thai, Cross Fit training, Zumba, Taekwondo, and soon to add a spin class. Again, you can almost always find promos for classes, so don't shy away from a one time try because you might just like it. I never thought I'd get into Zumba seeing as I am uncoordinated and can't dance to save my life, but I willingly go and have fun doing it (I even stand in the front row! It's easier to see the teacher's instructions and keeps me from being distracted).
-Set Training Goals
I feel like this is an obvious one but I must expand. I don't mean goals like 'lose 10 pounds by the summer', I mean like, 'run 10 km non-stop by the end of the summer' or 'complete the Spartan Race' (those are two of mine). This way you have something to work towards and a deadline to push you hard.
-Don't feel the need to obsess about eating healthy
That's right, I said it. I think a lot of people say, 'I'm going to work out and eat healthy and I'm going to get so fit and my life style is going to be so different from before' and they crash and burn from overwhelming themselves. Baby steps, man. Start going to the gym regularly, start making little changes to your diet like not drinking pop or eating less candy and eating more salads, but don't obsess over completely cutting all unhealthy food out of your diet. Sometimes I go for run then eat pizza. Or eat chocolate and go to the gym. Yeah, quite obviously not the best choices but it makes me happy and I still work out consistantly. I could always just eat the pizza and sit on the couch and do nothing like I did before. That's just no good at all.
If you're going to be super serious about getting fit and being athletic or whatever than don't follow this piece of advise, but personally, I don't think eating an ice cream sundae once in a while will kill you. But at least try learning to like healthy food, or cutting back your portions, or at least cutting back on the amount of candy you eat (yes self, I'm talking to you) because that will help a lot. I'm just saying don't obsess over dieting and stuff, mostly because I find it annoying and tends to make people crabby.
I'm totally serious. If your clothes are cute, then you will want to wear them, and you might look a tad silly if you wear them for reasons other than working out. (This may only work for me seeing as I'm frugal and don't wear sweats in public... still a good reason I think though!)
-Find a workout buddy that is more motivated than you are
Pair up with someone who can push you to keep trying, and a bonus if they know what they're doing because then they can help make sure you are doing all your moves right and give you helpful tips. My buddy is Sarah Edralin; check out her blog "Sarah's Adrenalin". Every time when I'm with her and she tells me to get ready to work out I tell her that she doesn't own me... as I tie the laces on my running shoes...
-Find a workout buddy that is less motivated than you are
What? Yes, I know it seems a little mean but I said it. It'll make you feel good in comparison when they stop but you keep going. It's like easy competition. But I think will only work if you also have a more motivated person in the group as well, otherwise you might be too tempted to stop along with buddy #2. (and yes Jas, I'm talking about you)
-Gym hop by using coupons and promos
Gym memberships and classes can be very expensive. Use sites like Deal Find, WagJag, Groupon, etc. for super cheap gym passes all over the place. I've scored 10-class yoga passes for $20, 10 CrossFit classes for $29, and more. Helpful hint: make sure you check their 'coupon class times' before purchasing so you don't end up with one you can't use (speaking from experience). You could discover a gym that you really enjoy and end up getting a full-fledged membership at or save money and gym hop for a while.
-Take work out classes
It can help motivate you to keep going in comparison to working out on your own. You have people to 'compete' with, you have a teacher to push you to keep moving, you paid for the class so attending makes your money worth spending, etc.
-Be adventurous and try something new
I've done a handful of different classes (some just drop-ins) over the past few months including: hot yoga, muay thai, Cross Fit training, Zumba, Taekwondo, and soon to add a spin class. Again, you can almost always find promos for classes, so don't shy away from a one time try because you might just like it. I never thought I'd get into Zumba seeing as I am uncoordinated and can't dance to save my life, but I willingly go and have fun doing it (I even stand in the front row! It's easier to see the teacher's instructions and keeps me from being distracted).
-Set Training Goals
I feel like this is an obvious one but I must expand. I don't mean goals like 'lose 10 pounds by the summer', I mean like, 'run 10 km non-stop by the end of the summer' or 'complete the Spartan Race' (those are two of mine). This way you have something to work towards and a deadline to push you hard.
-Don't feel the need to obsess about eating healthy
That's right, I said it. I think a lot of people say, 'I'm going to work out and eat healthy and I'm going to get so fit and my life style is going to be so different from before' and they crash and burn from overwhelming themselves. Baby steps, man. Start going to the gym regularly, start making little changes to your diet like not drinking pop or eating less candy and eating more salads, but don't obsess over completely cutting all unhealthy food out of your diet. Sometimes I go for run then eat pizza. Or eat chocolate and go to the gym. Yeah, quite obviously not the best choices but it makes me happy and I still work out consistantly. I could always just eat the pizza and sit on the couch and do nothing like I did before. That's just no good at all.
If you're going to be super serious about getting fit and being athletic or whatever than don't follow this piece of advise, but personally, I don't think eating an ice cream sundae once in a while will kill you. But at least try learning to like healthy food, or cutting back your portions, or at least cutting back on the amount of candy you eat (yes self, I'm talking to you) because that will help a lot. I'm just saying don't obsess over dieting and stuff, mostly because I find it annoying and tends to make people crabby.
and now since this was such a long post here are some random candid pictures of me at the gym and zumba.
There is a video but... just no.
There is a video but... just no.
I'm definitely not a complete work out junkie, nor do I think I ever will be, but I must admit, despite the sore muscles and the time consumption, I am at least 78% happier when I'm working out regularly (statistics completely guessed based off of my moods in the last 9 months). Also, I've started to get antsy when I skip working out or running. I
So for someone who formerly had exercising as #5 on their things they hate list (I have long tossed that list; positivity is the way to go), I say give it a try. It's good for you, and you might just like it.
So for someone who formerly had exercising as #5 on their things they hate list (I have long tossed that list; positivity is the way to go), I say give it a try. It's good for you, and you might just like it.