5 Mental Hacks (Plus a Bonus Tip) to Get Your A** to the Gym
It can be tough when you're hitting a wall, and it's a grind getting yourself to the gym. I feel you, I'm there at least once a week. Shoes on, coffees done, and nothing is holding me back from heading out the door but..... I'm still scrolling aimlessly and moving the cursor around the laptop in an effort not to go.
What's up? My brain and my body are not connecting, and one of them has to give. But I've a couple of little mental tricks I do for that extra push out the door.
In no particular order:
1. Dress for Success
Days that I know I'm going to the gym, I put my gym cloths on first thing. I like the line "dress for the job you want and not the job you have". My "job" is going to the gym because I'm a big boy.
By throwing on your gym gear, mentally you're prepping yourself to go and setting the intention for the day. If it doesn't happen, no big deal. Don't beat yourself up about it because if you're consistent with your gym routine, you will get results. The bonus is that even if you don't hit the gym first thing, with athleisure always on point (and comfortable), you're friends will think you're super motivated.
2. Walk my dog
Not my dog specifically but whatever gets you moving around. My GSD is a spoiled prince that gets a fair number of walks and runs. His life is good. I though, after work, need to shake the cobwebs out and clear my mind by getting outside for some fresh air.
If you've been at your desk all day clicking away, you're on your fifth meeting and those spread sheets all start to look the same, you'll need to move a bit before you can mentally commit to a gym session. Even a brisk walk can get the blood pumping and the motivation moving in the right direction. Can you walk to your gym vs driving? Even a simple ten minute walk can act as a pre-pre-warm-up.
3. Happy Magic Hour
I'm sure I'm not the only one, but I have windows of time where I'm going to get my best workouts in. The ideal window is an hour after a meal. Your body has had a chance to digest some of what you've eaten, and you're not weighed down by a feeling full or bloated.
Some trainers work on the idea that you should train as close to hungry as you can. I'm not down with that, as you're more likely to crash and then overeat when you do have the chance to eat. Fuel your body and mind, and you'll train better for longer. As for timing, you have three windows throughout the day, and I'm sure one of them will work with your schedule. Then, you can prep and anticipate "go time" as part of your day.
4. Summer Fit Flex
...or really anywhere that's hot. When I work out, I rarely think about the people in the gym. And let's be honest: You can go with friends, but the gym experience is really a solo effort. You do the sets, you move the weights, and everyone else does the same—sweating and hanging out in their gym clothes with stinky pits and shoes.
So if you are thinking about "looking good" at the gym, you don't have to go there but if you do, instead think about being at the beach, at a pool, or a picnic basking in the sun. It's a bit vain, but you want to look good and enjoy the fact that you look fit because you put the work in. And that work happens today. If you don't put the effort in now, you might miss that sweet window and have to crawl back into baggy sweats and wait another year.
5. Just go
Just f*cking go. I'd need more hands to count on my fingers the number of times I've thought "uh, this'll be a crap session" and then gone and had a terrific training session. And afterwards I'm always grateful that I did go.
Sometimes all you need do is go and stretch for 20 minutes, do some light cardio and a couple of body weight exercises and call it a day. Might not be a full meal deal session but you did go and those little efforts compound over time. It's easy to break a good habit but doubly hard to have to start and then restart one again and again. The negative self talk will send you down the spiral. If you've got momentum on a good habit, then keep at it.
Here's a bonus tip and it's the one that took me the longest to figure out...
Turn on the Taps
The answer is always water. Drink a glass of water or two because you probably didn't drink enough all day. I thought most of my headaches were caffeine related and that was wrong. It was 100% water related. Works wonders on mood and keeps you lubricated you big water sack you.
There you have it, five little mental steps you can take to get out to the gym. I see you walking to the gym, sun's shining, you're fuelled up, water in hand and tickets for Cabo booked and you're looking good. You've got this.
While you're here, check out "15 Things I wish I knew Before Hitting the Gym"
