- Write down your routine before heading to the gym. I always draft my workout routine in my fitness journal the day before [after writing the current entry]. I always get excited about my workouts this way.
- Work out in the morning? Sleep in your gym clothes (not the dirty, sweaty ones!!) so you can head straight to the gym as soon as the alarm rings. Getting dressed, especially on cold winter mornings was the biggest barrier for me.
- Eat carbs before your workout. Carbs are your body’s main source of fuel and trust me, you will feel motivated and unstoppable when you feel that rush of energy. My favorite pre-workout snack is a simple banana. Nomnom.
- Challenge yourself everyday. Try to beat personal bests and always push yourself to max out the intensity. That’s why recording your workouts is important so you’ll have a record of your progress.
- Hate long, boring cardio sessions? Increase the intensity and reduce the time! You can get an even better work out in a fraction of the time. Have you tried HIIT or doing hills in the highest intensity or fastest speed possible? Tabata intervals with Plyometrics?
- When doing core exercises and you’re just starting out of course you should look at yourself in the mirror to make sure you have the right posture but once you got the handle on that, I find that closing your eyes to better concentrate on tightening your core helps you to really feel it.
- Get a workout buddy. I like to workout alone but if you don’t, a workout buddy could be fun and motivational. Make sure to find someone who is motivated and will force you do 50 extra push-ups for the session you missed the day before.
- Get in and get out. The gym is NOT a place for socializing. Nothing pisses me more than when I see people lifting 2lb weights and chatting/gossiping non-stop and wasting space. :@
- Don’t bother people when they’re doing cardio!!!! I still don’t understand why people try to start a full conversation when I’m struggling to catch my breath, sweat is dripping down my face and my headphones are on full-blast. Not to mention, I’m not wearing glasses/contact so I don’t even know who you are (yes I’m that blind)! Sooo inconsiderate and annoying.
- Stop thinking and just do it. Stop thinking about working out (and dreading it), just throw on your gear and head to the gym. Tired after a round of your circuit? Stop sulking, clear your head of any lazy thoughts and just do it again. The quicker you do it, the faster it is over.
- Talk about it. Write about it. I find that when you have an online fitness journal, you don’t want to look like a slacker to your readers so you’ll never miss a workout. Maybe it’s just me though because I have this thing with pride.
KATY:
thanks for the motivation! it’s been soo hard to get back in the groove lately due to some storms hitting the east coast making it hard to get anywhere. Now that the snow is finally melting, i’m too lazy! haha.
Hopefully I can get excited again about working out in time for spring!
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Thanks for posting these tips, I’m starting my own workout routine and I can benefit from some of these tips, but I will be working out at home so I hope I can stay motivated….great post
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Thanks Katy!
hahha I dropped my bag of Lays as soon as I saw this post.
gaaah! I find that once I stop going to the gym for 3 days, I get lazy & fall off the wagon.
Thats been the case for the past few days thanx to Olympics.
Hmmm… Go out to soak up Olympic fun (eat & drink) or gym??
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Great tips! Especially the sleep in your workout clothes one – I never even thought about that but I’m totally going to try it out!
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So I started working out with my friend last month and we usually do it at noon since we’re taking a total body toning class at the gym. And I’ve noticed that after I work out and shower, I get really really sleepy. I end up sleeping the rest of the Saturday afternoon…Is it normal to get sleepy? Or is it a beginner’s thing? Or is it just me? Would you happen to know? If not, no worries.
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Katy
February 22nd, 2010 |
Basically right after you workout, you should eat a snack with lots of protein (eg. cottage cheese, greek yogurt, peanut butter) and complex carbs (eg. whole grains) because your body’s glycogen stores will be depleted, causing you to be tired and it needs to be refueled. Also drink lots of water because you could be dehydrated which could be another reason.
You might also be tired because you’re not consuming enough calories to give you energy for your workout.
Pre and Post-Workout Nutrition:
http://www.gain-weight-muscle-fast.com/post-workout-nutrition.html
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you definitely have some great tips (in this post and your other work out goals post). i like how you make it personal, letting people know what works for you. sometimes i find that people give all these ideas but don’t make it personal.
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This entry is like my bf nagging to me about working out. I just want to know what you’re wearing
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Thanks for the advice ! I’ve always hated exercising, so I force myself to walk instead of taking the bus. I think I walk like, an hour a day now, without even realizing it !
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great tips babe! i like to workout alone too. it always distracts me when there’s someone with me. i feel more productive and focused when im on my own. what gym do you workout at? I still have my Fitness World pass. But I can use it at the gym here bcos it’s affiliated. Thank gawd for that or else I’d be paying more than double what I’m paying now.
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“sleep in your gym clothes” i think that’s one i’ll have to try. I dont really have time to work out at night so i’ve been thinking about doing it early in the morning since we have a treadmill at home… its just when its cold and you’re cozy in your sheets, its hard to get up and change into gym clothes! haha! thanks for the tip.
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Hey Sweetie.. thanks for the awesome tips.. I need to get into shape.
Hope you are doing great.
xx Love & Aloha.
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I used ot draft my workout routine (I worked out at home) and I would also write down what I would allow myself to eat so that I wouldn’t be working out for nothing.
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I can’t get to the gym in the morning, its near impossible. It takes so long to DRIVE to work in the morning, I’d have to be up at 4am to fit in the gym. I find that putting my work out right after work helps me look forward to it. If I have a stressfull day, I can go and burn it off at the gym!
Along with chatting at the gym…. GET OFF YOUR DAMN CELL PHONE. Nothing bothers me more than someone balancing their cellphone while their lifting weights. Or on the eliptical. You’re wasting your time and mine if I have to wait for you to get out of my way. Or texting? Really? I’m a crackberry myself, but I can bare to slip it in my gym bag for an hour or 2.
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Having to wake up and change into clothes in the cold was always my biggest obstacle too. Our apartments had a gym and I still made excuses not to go just because the walk to the building was so freezing.
How can you manage without glasses or contacts? I am blind without mine and I feel so uncomfortable and vulnerable without.
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Such great tips lady! I totally took ur advice last night and slept in my gym clothes. Not only does it get me ready for the gym, it saves time havin’ to get myself ready in the morn when I have to drop my lil one at preschool!
I wouldn’t mind a workout buddy but I gave up on that sh*t long time ago since the motivation level wasnt the same, now I’m content with goin by myself (been doin it for the last two years).
PS. you look so great! I’m tryin’ to take my workout to another level this year.
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OMG Katy it’s like you read my mind LOL. I was totally going to ask you how you stay motivated to hit the gym! Great tips – I’m going to try to use some of them to get me going. Thanks
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never thought about sleeping in workout clothes… that is REALLY hardcore!
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Lol at that comic
It’s great. I’ll start working out in the summer/spring. In the winter I can’t get myself motivated and I’m missing a workout buddy (for the gym).
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thank u for these tips! i hate working out but i really need to start. these will def. help.
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babe i need ur help with something. getting soo bored w my meals. need some new recipes. i thought u’d be the best person to ask since u know what’s up.
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Funny comic, I remember one that proves that girls are evil
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I tried commenting like a billlion times but it didn’t work..
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Katy
February 25th, 2010 |
Where? What error message did you get?
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Louise
February 27th, 2010 |
the screen just went blank and stopped loading.
I was going to ask, how do I work out in Paris. Local gyms are 375€ for 3 months or 195€ a month.. for like a community centre styled gym ! ewguh. If i go jogging I think I will be kidnapped. I can’t do anything at home, I have limited floor space. Qu’est-ce que je dois faire!? I having gym withdrawal symptoms.
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Katy
March 5th, 2010 |
Just buy a skipping rope or a flex band. Do jump lunges/squats, burpees, push-ups, step ups, etc… you have to have enough room for those.
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I really love your workout tips post very much !
it really helps me to stay on track with my program
i hate pple who socialize at the gym..they sud find other places to socialize..
many thanks for the sweet comments .
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great post! it reminds me i need to get my ass to the gym my metabolism’s def not as fast as it was in hs and its DEF showing LOL
i love ur blog ur so gorgeouss!
<33 Sharlene
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Awesome!!! I’ve been eating at bad hours =[ Thankkkkksss for this post, babe!
You’re gorgeoussssssssssss xoxoxo
Cindy!
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Great advice! I’m with you on that, nothing is more frustrating than people standing around socializing or people coming up to you while you’re working your cardio just to chat.
this reminds me that i should hit the gym soon but the olympic is so distracting!
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Katy
March 5th, 2010 |
I’m actually quite surprised with myself.. I didn’t slack at all with my gym routine during the Olympics… but I did eat and drink double of what I usually do so I guess that defeats the whole purpose.
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