5 Key Insights To Keep You Motivated While Working Out At Home

The new “normal” has necessitated everyone to think differently about their health, whether that is their physical health, mental health, emotional health, business health, or financial health… the list can go on and on. I don’t know about you, but in terms of my physical health, I’ve experienced significant exercising setbacks due to the novel challenges associated with quarantining at home and adhering to social distancing regulations. I remember saying to myself the following phrases (reflecting back it was more like excuses): I’d like to get in a good workout but I can’t because I can’t go to the gym, or, I have no equipment at home so I can’t workout, or more simply, I just don’t feel motivated to workout at home. It was difficult – and still is a difficult transition from my usual gym routine and schedule.

One day in June, I remember thinking that the coronavirus disease was going to stick around for quite some time. To this date, we don’t have an FDA-approved vaccination yet. The number of cases keeps fluctuating and people were telling me “the next wave” is yet to come and it was only going to get worse. I knew it was out of my control and no matter how much I disliked staying home ALL day it was a brutal reality I had to acknowledge. I decided to block out the noise and focus on the factors I could control and, more specifically, why I felt absolutely unmotivated to workout.

I started peeling back and reflecting upon my behavior around working out. I noticed how my previous “gym-trap” mentality actually limited my ability to exercise. I uncovered the irony of having an unhealthy perspective on exercise and tried to understand how that shaped my underlying motivation. Below are five ways I’ve discovered to workout at home even when I feel absolutely unmotivated and I hope it can help you too!

1. Acknowledge the reality of change and how some things are not in your control.
   1. Realize change is inevitable and you have to learn to adapt. I had to acknowledge that there were no gyms open at this time and be okay letting go of the idea that there is only one way to workout. I had to learn new ways of exercising.
   1. Realize what you can control and focus on that. I’ve wasted much energy on trying to wrestle with what was out of my control that I lost sight of what I could control such as my time, my energy, my decisions, etc.
2. Before you set a goal, set a schedule.
   • Goals are good but without a consistent schedule, you will not reach your goal. Figure out a schedule that works for you and stick to it. I committed to working out two times a week for twenty minutes. If you have a hard time setting a schedule, try the following FREE apps: Nike Training Club, FitOn, 8Fit, Keelo.
3. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals.
   • The African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” rings true. As I stuck to my schedule, I decided to workout virtually with motivated friends on Sunday mornings. We would choose a workout video on YouTube and do it together every week. I would also schedule workouts with a friend and catch up with them afterward.
4. Have fun. Be creative.
   • It’s freeing to know that I can enjoy my workouts. Previously, I use to almost worship the feeling of pain at the gym because that was just how I thought. No pain no gain, right?!! However, with no equipment, I’ve learned to allow myself to have fun while exercising. I recently discovered yoga workouts which are both challenging but fun and creative!
5. When in doubt, do half the workout you were going to do.
   • There will inevitably be one of those days where you just don’t feel like doing anything. It’s part of life. I’ve found that on those days, doing half of what I was supposed to do actually motivates me to finish the whole workout. It’s almost like tricking my own body! And if it doesn’t, I know that I still showed up and I hope you do too.

                       Joshua Lee, SPT

Hi, I’m Joshua! I’m in the business of optimizing the health and wellness of motivated individuals. I took three years off before going to college. During that time I served in the military and police force, traveled, discovered my passions and interests, and developed my sense of identity. I’ve found that I thoroughly enjoy novel experiences and engaging with a variety of cultures. I believe that there are no limits to what you can experience as long as you stay laser curious. Currently, I’m pursuing a doctor degree in Physical Therapy. I’m a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, which enabled me to be a part of the growing movement of preventative healthcare and holistic living. Furthermore, I’m passionate about entrepreneurship and learning how creative business models can improve healthcare. I try my best to live an active lifestyle and engage my creative side through content creation. I’m also a contributing writer for Startup Island: The Business of Being Happy and Healthy. If you would like to connect with me, feel free to reach out via my social media platforms!