I bet that one of your new year’s resolution was to start working out, or do it more often. I am a lazy girl when it comes to taking care of my self in terms of beauty. And also I am quite skinny, although I eat a lot, so there is no urge in working out for me.
Usually people work out because they want to loose weight. Some work out because they want to stay fit. Whatever the reasons are, working out is definitely healthy. But if you are a lazy person that acknowledges the benefits of working out, like me you have to trick yourself into working out. I know that it might sound… tricky 🙂 but you have to find something that works.
5 Ways to Trick Yourself Into Working Out
There is a very important thing that you have to understand about working out: it does not have to happen daily! If you set a goal of working out daily you will fail achieving it, because you are not used to it and the pain will make you stop. With all these being said…
1. Reward yourself
I started very light. I’m doing some light warming up exercises in the morning for about 10 minutes or so. It helps me wake up and get rid of the sleepy mood. You might not consider this working out, but for me is a big step.
I decided to give myself a small reward after every morning warming up session I do: a fancy breakfast. And by fancy I mean real food with veggies, full cutlery and cute napkins. I know that it does not sound like a lot, but it really relaxes me and rewards me.
Don’t reward yourself with expensive things or unhealthy food. Maybe add an extra tablespoon of honey to that spinach smoothie for some extra sweetness.
2. Forbid yourself to work out
Revers psychology. But don’t abuse it. Forbid yourself to workout on certain days of the week. Maybe it the reverse psychology will work. It will also give you a break an you won’t be so stressed that you have to do it daily. Also a couple of days break will allow your muscles to get back in shape and you won’t be demotivated to work out because of the pain.
3. Painful consequences
Beside the soreness which obviously is painful, set some “punishments” if you don’t complete your weekly goal. For example, my goal is to do the warming up routine at least four times a week, if I don’t achieve it, I’m not allowed to eat pizza for the next two weeks. And I’m a huge pizza addict.
4. Have someone else trick you into working out
Things are always better in two. Trick a friend to join your working out routine, keep tracking together and compare the results. It will help you a lot. You will not just have a nice companion, but it will also keep you motivated to go on.
5. Get some inspiration
There are a lot of fitness gurus out there that publish a lot of content about workout clothes, routines, food, and so on. I am quite into working out clothes, dunno why. So I watch some working out hauls on YouTube from some of my favourite YouTubers and it boosts my desire to work out. You can also use whatever works for you: pictures with before and after, perfect beach bodies, colourful smoothies and so on.
At the end on the day, your body will thank you for working out: you’ll sleep better and you will feel better, both physical and mentally. The hardest part of starting working out is actually starting. If you ever started a working out routine, I know what I’m saying.
Have you ever tried to trick yourself into working out?
68 comments
Inspiration is always huge for me because I want to naturally get myself in a positive headspace to workout. I also try to be forgiving: maybe one week is crazy, so I only worked out twice that week. I’m also big on balance, and that helps me workout.
I’ve tried them all in the pass and number 4 is the one that works for me. Unfortunately, that person has to be more dedicated than I am, otherwise we just end up not going together!
Having a gym buddies works so well for me – we end up tricking each other to go haha. Love these ideas!
Thank you! Always need some motivation to get moving! x
I hope these tricks work – i need to get back into a workout routine! 🙂 I always have too many excuses, but I just need to make it a priority.
HA! Love this! And it totally works!!!!
If I don’t feel like working out, I tell myself to go, warm-up and start with a light cardio for 10 minutes, and if I STILL don’t feel like it, I will allow myself to leave and go home (which has never happened, I ALWAYS finished the workout!)
I keep trying to fool myself, but it hasn’t worked yet. Thanks for the encouragement.
I totally needed this post.. super interesting. Thank you for the good advice!
Working out with a friend is a great way to make it a lot more fun. Love your tip about rewarding yourself. Your fancy breakfast sounds super adorable!
Inspiration is my biggest one. When I see others that have met their goal or are well on their way to meeting it, it makes me want to get there too! I try to keep that in mind everyday and I am striving to make time to fit a workout in. Thanks for sharing!
I have a Pinterest board just for workout inspiration…when I see the type of body I want, I want to work towards it!
Inspiration from fitness blogs definitely work!
I don’t think reverse psychology would work on me when it comes to working out, haha 🙂 But I will give it a go. What I like to do is to get some inspiration and simply talk myself into doing it. It works for me! 🙂
-Leta | The Nerdy Me
Love these ideas! I especially love getting inspiration from others 🙂
interesting. What works best for me is telling myself that I have to workout or get stuff around the house done before sitting down after work.
Something I have been doing is to wear my workout clothes for the next day as pajamas. It has been surprisingly really been helping!
I think having someone else trick you into it is huge ha! I also think that going to bed in workout clothes or not showering before bed so that you have to get up earlier to work out and shower anyways!
Never thought of that. I find it a little uncomfortable to sleep in workout clothes. I mean… they are cosy, but not bed time cosy if you know what I mean.
I love your point about reverse psychology! I know that when I am sick and can’t workout, I all of a sudden want to. But when I am well, I have zero desire to work out. I need to try your idea because it might just work the same way!
Sounds like a plan, Kristin! Hope it will work!
Ahh I needed this! And I love those water bottles you linked – nothing motivates me to work out more than new workout gear!
I love them too! Also check out Give Me Tap bottles as well, there is an amazing cause behind them.
Haha I love forbidding yourself to work out! I find doing incidental exercise helps- like walking to the shops instead of driving. Otherwise I am super lazy!
I have this whole conversation with myself trying to talk myself out of the gym and trying to talk myself into going. It banters back and forth inside my head and more than half of the time I talk myself out of going.
That’s why I don’t go to gym. I do light exercises at home. I think this is the best way to start a habit of working out. Gyms usually require a lot of effort for the very first session which I think is very overwhelming.
I needed this today. I go to a 5:30am bootcamp class (when I get up) and there have been times I’m almost out the door and change my mind.
I totally needed to read this today! I made myself get up early to work out this morning, but it was so hard! I think it’s definitely time to start thinking of a reward system. Thanks!
Since my gym has childcare, one of the ways I motivate myself to go is to remind myself it is the ONLY time that day I will be alone. LOL! It works!
LOL! That is a true motivator!
Fun ideas! It can definitely be hard to convince myself when I’ve been going for awhile. But then I got sick recently and was told I couldn’t workout for 2 weeks. By the end of the first week all I wanted to do was go out for a run! So taking time off occasionally is good advice.
Haha, every year I make it one of my goals to start exercising. But do I accomplish it? Nooooo. 🙂
I like the idea of reverse psychology, I just don’t know if it would work on me, lol. But I think rewarding myself would help me to be more motivated to work out. I especially like that you started your workout routine with something small (light warm-up exercises). I usually try to go big or go home with some brutal, excruciating workout straight out of the gate – it’s no wonder I become over it so quickly. I’m going to try starting with something smaller to ease myself into the habit.
Good thoughts, Cristina!
Bria | Lately on TendrilWild.com
Glad you like them, Bria!
Hope light exercising routine will work for you as well for you.
Great post! Very inspiring to keep working out!
Perfect post for the new year!
I’m going to have to try these on. Working out has been a huge struggle for me and I feel like I have tried everything but I know know I have tried these.
I especially like Tip # 2! I’m always more motivated to do things when I I’m told I can’t.
I think the best way to workout without knowing it is doing something you enjoy. For me, that’s hiking, rock climbing, and cycling.
So helpful! Rewarding yourself goes the way. And some inspiration always works! 🙂
All amazingly helpful ideas. They make sense. Yes to encouraging yourself and to rewarding yourself. Worth it!
Great tips especially finding an accountability partner. You can motivate each other!
Hmmmm I may have to try the reverse phycology method! Fingers crossed it works!
Good luck, Sunmer!
Great tips! I love to work out and can’t wait to. Recovering from surgery.
Hope you’ll recovery will go smoothly, Rachel! Be safe!
I really need to work out more! Great tips!
Rewards is key for me. I put a pound in my savings tin every time I work out and then treat myself to some nice clothes.
What a great way to save some money! I should try this as well.
These are some great suggestions. Another suggestion would be to do something that doesn’t FEEL like working out, like going for a walk outside on a nice day. you’re moving your body but it rarely feels like a workout.
That’s a great piece of advice, Katie!
So true, Ivanna!
Haha i totally do the rewards and consequences! It really does help!
Rachel | The Confused Millennial
This is a great post. I need this kind of reverse psychology in my life! I am big on number 5, other people motivate me, seeing others results and health improve is a great motivator.
Rewarding myself with new workout clothes is my regular routine. It works like a charm! Ha!
Coming Up Roses
oooo I like the punishments option. That might be what it takes to get me moving again after this baby! Good ideas!
Haha, I’m not sure forbidding myself to workout will do the trick for me, but I could see how that can work for others! The 10-minute morning routine is a great idea!
A good one is also to tell yourself you’re only going to work out for 5 minutes or less even. You never only do 5 minutes! If you do five, why not another 5 minutes and so on. Works great!
Great tip, Veronika!
I thing having a buddy to work out with and having consequences if I don’t meet my goals would work best for me. These are some great ideas that I never thought of before!
Glad you like them! Please let me know how they turned out for you, Roxie.
I’ve read “trick yourself into working out” but these are totally new to me – great ideas! Especially punishing yourself with no pizza or something haha I need that. Thanks for the ideas!
So glad you find them inspiring, Joy! Thanks for stopping by.
Love this! I had to find a work out I love and now I can’t turn back! Yogi for life!
-Jenn
joyfuliowan.com
love this! i find having a workout partner helps to keep me accountable!
Instead of tricking yourself, find something you love to do and then you’ll want to do it. Find a friend willing to do it with you and now you have an accountability partner.
These are actually really fresh ideas! I am going to try the no working out on certain days and the punishment consequences 🙂
Great! Let me know how they worked out for you. 🙂
Love this! Having a workout buddy really helps me out + bribing myself helps with motivation too 🙂