Unless you exist solely in the Rocky training montages, you'll have at some point found fitness motivation severely lacking. Our brains leap at any opportunity to avoid temporary discomfort. It's a bit too dark and cold this morning; it's a bit too hot and sunny today; your emails have suddenly become the most important thing in the world.
The trouble is, you only feel worse the longer you put it off, and annoyingly, moving around makes you feel better. This is all easier said than done, of course, meaning we need to find various ways of tricking our minds into choosing running shoes over Netflix. We asked some of the most driven people we know how they continue to find fitness motivation when none seems forthcoming.
Remember why you work out
At the risk of sounding a little too much like a self-help guru, motivation isn't just about forcing yourself to work out. Reminding yourself of your motivations for doing so can bring greater clarity to why fitness is important to you – and should give you a little kick in the right direction. And always bear in mind that five minutes of panicked jog-running or kettlebell swinging is better than nothing, as long as you do it correctly.
Try something new (or do what you enjoy)
Variety is the spice of life and, by extension, your workouts. If boredom is the source of your lethargy, mix it up with something completely different that offers the same results. A run can calm the mind, but taking the same route each time can transform any zen-like qualities into a slog, so finding a new route or another way to get your cardio in – swimming or even walking backwards on the treadmill – can spruce your workout up enough to keep you coming back.
On a similar note, while not every workout will have you squealing with delight, it helps when the activity you're taking part in offers up a little fun. Team sports, for instance, can have you puffing as much as an intense workout, with the added bonus of quickly becoming your local 5-a-side league's Jude Bellingham.
Listen to a good playlist…
There's nothing quite like music to get you pumped for a workout – we've all felt that endorphin rush when the perfect tune comes on just as we're starting to flag. Don't just take our word for it: research has shown that the right music at the right time inhibits our feelings of fatigue and exertion during low-to-moderate exercise.
There's also the opportunity to pretend you're the star of some sporting Oscar fodder, inevitably alongside Denzel Washington or Brad Pitt, getting you in the right frame of mind to crush a personal best. “Music is really important. It's able to take me into a different mental state that I need when training,” Billy Major, slalom skier for Team GB, told GQ last year. “As a professional athlete, doing more than two workouts a day, it can be quite hard mentally [to get psyched] for every session and find the right motivation. Music really kicks things off for me and gets me in the right mindset.”
Check out our favourite PB-conquering playlist and which songs we put on repeat whenever we enter the gym.
…or a podcast
If pounding the pavement or pumping iron to this year's Eurovision entries isn't your thing, some quality podcasts might do the trick. Listening to the history of the British Empire or indulging in the latest in pop culture can take your mind off the pain and help you learn something new – or at least sound like you know what's happening in the world. What's not to love? For the latest pod recommendations, visit our gallery of the best podcasts for commuting, cleaning and everything in between.
Invite a friend…
A problem shared is a problem halved. While this doesn't extend to halving the workout, having a friend train alongside you is a handy distraction, and can serve as a good opportunity for a catch-up. Tyler Williams-Green, founder of The Outrunners charity and running club, sees having a group around you as an easy way to stay motivated. “Running clubs like The Outrunners allow people to train and push themselves whilst being connected to a community,” says Williams-Green. “When you run you have a community to cheer you on and support you along the route.”
…or use your workout for some me time
Of course, fitness doesn't need to be a team game, and escaping for an hour to focus on your health can do wonders for your wellbeing. Alan Wardle founded No Club Running Club, an online community aimed at celebrating the solo runner, in 2019. “I went along to some traditional running groups and just didn’t really enjoy it,” says Wardle. “I didn’t enjoy running in a big group and didn’t really click with the people I was running with.
“Nothing can beat the head clarity of just being out running at your own pace, your own route, listening to your own thoughts or your own music. And the joy of the online community is you come back, share your run and talk to like-minded folks about it.”
Fuel your body
More often than not, fitness motivation lethargy stems partly from not getting the right food into your system. It's now commonly accepted that gut health is central to everyday functioning, from increased energy levels to even feeling happier.
While there's certainly a place for supplements in your workout regime, you can get almost everything you need from nutrient-dense food – and it doesn't necessarily need to be green slop. “One of the biggest myths is that in order to get gains you need a certain protein, and that food that's good for you doesn't taste good,” says Jon Gray from food collective Ghetto Gastro. “That's wrong: it can be flavourful, delicious and abundant.”
Original article appeared on GQ UK
