It's Cold, Windy And Dark Outside How The Heck Can I Stay Motivated To Workout?

Believe me, I get it! It's 4 or 5am you were determined the night before to get a workout in this morning. The alarm clock goes off (you only hit the snooze button once), but you're laying there stuck still looking at the clock, and dozing off. It's freezing outside; you still have to warm up your car; Oh, and there is about 2 inches of snow on the ground. You then justify in your head that you will FOR SURE get your workout in the next morning instead. The next morning turns into the following week; the following week turns into the following month, and the following month turns into never happening. Insert the same scenario for the evening. Just getting off work, it's 6pm and you're tired! You had the toughest day you've had in a long time, and you just do not feel like dealing with more people. Going to the gym waiting for that one piece of equipment is dead last on the list of things you want to do this evening. You somehow convince yourself that you'll be better prepared mentally the following day to get that workout in...but it never happens.

We've all dealt with this, some more than others. So how can we stay on our short term and long term goals? How can we stay on task? When it's cold, windy and dark outside how the heck can I stay motivated to workout?

I've come up with 6 ways you can use in order to keep the motivation regardless of what obstacle comes your way:

1. Remind Yourself Why You're Doing it- This one is simple. Remember your goals. Remember why you started and use that as fuel.

2. Don't Allow Yourself Excuses- If you're dealing with an upper body injury guess what? Your legs still work. You can always do something. Remember that!

3. Get a workout partner (i.e. accountability partner)- Pick these individuals wisely. When you fall this accountability partner should be there to pick you up. That partner should be your motivation (and you for them).

4. Don't Hit The Snooze Button!- Self-explanatory!

5. Build A Routine- It takes roughly 2 months to build one of these. Start with working out/eating right 1-2 times a week then build from there. Telling yourself that you're going to workout everyday when you haven't ever been to the gym is just setting you up for failure.

6. Create A Reward System- Another simple one. For every week you stay on your scheduled workouts and eat right, treat yourself to something. Whether a gift, a cheat meal, a movie, etc.

There you go. Use these tools if you find yourself with a lack of motivation to workout. They have definently helped me, hopefully you see the benefit also.