How many of you struggle with finding the motivation to find a routine?

Getting up early for runs can be hard

I know I do. I struggle each day, week, month, year to establish a workout routine. To find a grove. To keep going. I have no problem with other routines. I have my morning routine down to a science. I know exactly how long it takes me and how long I have to do each task. Yet when it comes to working out I struggle.

I know I need to and should work out. I know I feel better physically and mentally when I work out, so why can’t I easily get into a routine?

I start off each week with good intentions. This will be it. This will be my week! But, as I’m sure you know, stuff happens. Work stresses me out. I don’t sleep well. Soon, I am just too tired to do a workout.

What works for me in these slumps?

Pushing through.

Just get up. Put on your running shoes. Go.

There are three ways I think of as pushing through:

Tell yourself you only have to go for 15 minutes. If after 15 minutes you want to give up? Ok because you tried. You made the attempt. More than likely you will just keep going and finish your workout because once you start it’s easier to keep going. You realize what you were dreading, or too tired to do, is actually energizing you.
Don’t allow yourself more than one day off in a row. My biggest momentum killer is two or more days off. It is like a downward spiral you will get caught in almost every time. Need a rest day or too busy? Take a break but be sure to get back at it the next day or it gets too easy to keep pushing off.
Have a backup plan. You usually do yoga on Wednesdays but class is canceled? What are you going to do? Nothing? Find another class? Find workouts you can do when something comes up with your regular routine. Maybe you have a 10-minute Tabata workout you can do on busy days. Maybe you have a gym membership for the hot summers (or cold winters?).

But also rewarding

I struggle with this. I had wanted June to be the month I got back to my routine. I started off great… for the first 4ish days. What happened? 118 degree days with high pollution advisories. I couldn’t run outside. I didn’t have a backup plan. So I took a break. And then another. And then I didn’t do my weights. And downward spiral commenced.

A few more thoughts on the topic:

How to Establish Gym Routine Tips for Beginners

How to Make a Workout Plan

Starting & sticking with an exercise habit

Make a workout plan & stick to it