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8 Ways to Get Out of a Workout Rut When You Really, Really Don’t Feel Like Exercising

December 20, 2017

Ugh, it’s so cold and gross out

You got a gym membership. You bought a new bike. You promised yourself you’d exercise every day…and then the weather got colder and you found yourself on the couch. Here are eight tricks to get you inspired again.

START SMALL

Wouldn’t it be amazing if you worked out every day this week? Totally. But if you haven’t been active in a while, you’ll probably burn out by Wednesday. Trust us, you’ll get to the point when you have the stamina to exercise every day. Until then, any extra activity—even if it’s just a 30-minute walk twice a week—is progress.

BUY SOME BRIGHT WORKOUT CLOTHES

You don’t need to spend a million bucks. In fact, just go to the sale rack and pick out a new pair of leggings in a sunny, vibrant color. When it’s cold and dark and your alarm goes off for your early-morning run, a $10 pair of neon pants makes all the difference.

CREATE A SCIENCE-BACKED PLAYLIST

It’s a no-brainer that listening to music can help you get pumped while you’re exercising. But according to Dr. Costas Karageorghis, an associate professor of sport psychology at Brunel University in England, songs that have a tempo between 120 and 140 beats per minute (like “Push It” by Salt-N-Pepa) are the most effective at keeping you motivated while exercising. BRB, digging out our old Hot, Cool & Vicious CD…

TEAM UP WITH A BUDDY

You know that friend you always go out for drinks with—the one who’s always complaining that she has no time to go to the gym? Take that weekly wine session and transform it into a weekly hike, bike or run. You’ll hold each other accountable and burn calories instead of packing them on.

EMBRACE THE GREAT INDOORS

Going outside is half the battle. So on a cold winter day, don’t do it. Stay in your toasty living room in your pj’s and stream a workout instead. We love Yoga w ith Adriene and Blogilates. Best of all, they’re free.

SWITCH THINGS UP

If you’re not feeling as motivated as you used to, it’s time to shake up your routine. Always run on the treadmill at zero incline? Ramp it up to 4. Always bike the same way to work? Take the scenic route. Always go to the gym in the morning? Head there after dinner. Always hit the same barre class? Try Zumba. The opportunities are endless, people.

GO BACK TO YOUR CHILDHOOD

Close your eyes and think back a few decades. What three activities did you love as a kid? (We were obsessed with basketball, ice skating and swimming.) Revisit your old favorites at least once a month and exercising will feel less like work and more like fun again.

STOP COMPARING

So Sheila from accounting wakes up at 5 a.m. every day and runs five miles. Good for her. Instead of beating yourself up for hitting the snooze button three days last week, applaud yourself for the two mornings you did get your heart pumping. You’ll be back in the groove before you know it.