5 Fitness Tricks for When You’re Feeling Unmotivated  

It’s now been over a year since the pandemic began. At the beginning, fitness, wellness and eating healthy was all the hype but after more than 12 months, some of us have simply lost our motivation. I feel you because like many others, my weight and exercise habits have yo-yoed nonstop throughout that time.

But here’s a news flash: losing some motivation shouldn’t mean you should give up on working out and eating well consistently. It’s about making it a lifestyle that you can realistically stick to. How do we get back at it again, you ask? We’ve compiled a list of tricks to get you back on track. 

1. Set a realistic goal. 

Photo courtesy of Blogilates | Cassey Ho 

The over-ambitious side of me usually will start looking at a calendar and setting specific goals already (ie. lose 2 lbs every week for the next 5 weeks). But we all know that setting such specific goals can sometimes cause more harm than good. Instead of holding yourself to such a tight schedule or goal, think about what you would like to achieve and set it loosely. It can sound like: I want to workout 20-25 minutes per day for at least 3-4x per week or I’m going to do move my body for 20-30 minutes everyday, whether it’s taking a walk or playing with my dog or This month, I going to sign up for that new online workout class I’ve been wanting to check out! The more realistic your goal, the more likely you’re going to get up and do them. 

2. Create a routine that works for you.

Photo courtesy of The Every Girl

 The one thing I’ve learned this past year is that life is always changing, so it’s important to be able to adapt to those changes. Everyone’s routine is different but one thing it should be is flexible. Some days, I prefer working out mid-day so I get that extra boost of energy to keep me going the rest of the day. Other days, I love a good and calm sunset workout. If you don’t currently have a routine, think about what you usually do in a day and set a rough schedule of when you would like to do them. Repeat the next, and the day after, etc. If you already have a routine, think about when throughout the day you can stick a quick workout in (and yes, 20 minutes of stretching counts!). 

3. Find workouts that you actually enjoy.

Photo courtesy of Melissa Wood Health

There’s nothing worse than finally getting back into a workout routine, and then challenging yourself to a hard HIIT class...but also end up stopping midway through because you’re completely out of breath. Been there, done that. I recommend easing your way back. For me, it’s yoga and pilates. Both have different levels of difficulty, but I can choose at my own discretion what works best for me on each particular day. Your ability to complete and how you feel throughout the workout is exactly what will motivate you to continue working out.

4. Start a daily journal.

Photo courtesy of @maria_skandalidou

Even if it’s just 5 minutes a day. I love the Five Minute Journal because it’s simple, quick and there is a hard emphasis on gratitude. A journal is also where you can set your affirmations because it will allow you to consciously be in control of your thoughts and therefore, have the most impact on your day-to-day. Read our blog post that’s all about affirmations here. 

5. Reward yourself...and often. 

Photo courtesy of @thekeyofkels

Now this one is a non-negotiable when it comes to maintaining your motivation for fitness. Before you know it, exercising becomes the norm in your life but like all creatures, humans thrive on positive reinforcement. Remember those goals we talked about earlier? Reward yourself after each one. Whether it’s those cute yoga pants you’ve been eyeing or that new brown sugar chocolate chip cookie at the local cafe, you should always recognize the progress you’re making. At the end of the day, the important thing to remember is to be kind to yourself throughout the whole process.