Remember when we were in lockdown and everybody was going crazy for Joe Wicks’ workouts? Seems like an eternity ago I know! Fast forward six months, and if your appetite for working out has diminished then you are most certainly forgiven. It can be a challenge trying to motivate yourself to work out can’t it?
The problem is that in life, there are just too many easy reasons to skip exercising. I’ve been there – so I definitely know! I woke up too late, I’m too tired, I don’t have time, I’ve got too much work to do yadda yadda yadda. Trust me, this is a mind over matter thing. That’s why I’ve teamed up with Nike and their brilliant new maternity line to share how I motivate myself to work out, so you can motivate yourself to work out too.
Put your workout gear on in the morning
If you put your workout gear on first thing in the morning, it’s a constant reminder that you need to work out. Having it on will make you more likely to bite the bullet and not find an excuse to work out first thing. Aside from that, if you’re getting to the end of the day and still haven’t exercised, you’re much more likely to squeeze something in because you’re already dressed for it and ready to go.
Know your reason
Everybody has a reason for working out. Mine is reducing stress levels, improving my mental health, feeling generally good about myself, getting a better night’s sleep and keeping my blood sugar levels stable to help with my reactive hypoglycemia.
Yours might be losing weight, preventing a bad back, feeling proud of yourself or being happier with your body image. Whatever your reason is, know it and remind yourself of it to motivate yourself to work out. This is especially useful when you find your inner chatter starting to make up reasons why you can skip on exercising today.
Invest in some awesome workout threads
Did you know that work out clothes can actually help motivate yourself to work out? Right now I am absolutely in love with Nike’s new maternity range especially designed for mothers which includes a genius fleece cover-up, a bra, a tank top and leggings.
I put it on, looked in the mirror and literally feel fit, powerful and ready to exercise. I then wore it again when I went for a run and am pretty sure it was one of the best runs I’ve ever been on and I don’t think that was a fluke.
The leggings have a stretchy section of fabric around the stomach that can either be used to expose your tummy (or bump!) or cover it up which I really love. The tank also comes with extra coverage around the tummy and a super stretchy scoop neckline – perfect easy access for those who might be breastfeeding.
Meanwhile, the crossover design of the sports bra provides more than ample support for sensitive boobs and if you’re pregnant breastfeeding its also designed with easy access in mind. Likewise with the pullover which is the ideal cover-up keeping you softly covered while you’re warming up, cooling down or feeding your baby!
The new collection – which starts at £31.95 – is perfect for women at all levels of fitness, but is especially excellent for those who are pregnant or postpartum. The material is super soft like a second skin and with a look that doesn’t scream “maternity” – it’s perfect for pregnancy, the 4th trimester and well beyond. Although the items I’m wearing here are in black, it comes in a lovely colourway which also features pink, white and grey.
Change your routine
While it can be good to get into a routine, sometimes routines can get boring, and when we lose interest, that’s usually when we fall off the fitness wagon. To motivate yourself to work out, try exercising at a different time of day. Our bodies feel different at different times and on different days. If I don’t feel up to working out in the morning, I’ll try doing something in the afternoon or early evening instead when I may have more energy.
Equally, if I can feel myself getting bored with a particular workout routine, I’ll switch it up by adding in new types of workout throughout the week. The variety is a great motivator!
Do what you can
Working out doesn’t always have to be about ridiculous fitness goals. Somebody asked me the other day how far I run. I said – as long as I feel like, and that’s enough for me! As far as I can see, there’s no point in overpromising and then setting yourself up for failure. The main thing is that you are getting up and doing something. Whether it’s 10, 20 or 30 minutes, the main thing is just do it, and celebrate the small milestones while you’re at it.
How do you motivate yourself to work out? Do share in a comment below.
Shop the new Nike maternity collection here
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I definitely have to push myself to get motivated when it comes to exercise, when I eventually start I love it, we live right by the sea so it’s a beautiful walk or run depending on how I’m feeling in the mornings!
I work hard to find the right motivation and while it’s not easy to motivate my mom to exercise with me it motivates me too!
These are some great tips – I think that sometimes we all need to find the right motivation to workout!
I need all the motivation when it comes to working out! I can’t seem to get myself to start.
I think when I exercise I just have to get up and do it.: if I procrastinate it won’t happen
Hard to get motivated, I find it better to plan an exercise time in the morning.
Some great tips.I struggle to stay motivated.
Investing in workout wear and some accessories really motivated me to finally start yoga. 🙂
Putting my workout gear on in the morning and knowing the reason I need to workout seems to be the 2 most motivating factors for me.
I could certainly use some motivation. Nike does make some great workot gear!
My nephew works for Nike in Portland! We live Nike!
That workout gear looks great and it seems like it is so functional for pregnant women and nursing moms!
I need all the motivation when it comes to working out! I eat healthily but never exercise!
I always wanted to have new things to learn or change routines to get me fire up.
I know I lack motivation. But I know I need to start working out for my health.
really enjoying my running outdoors and finding new routes to make it more interesting
It’s hard to discipline yourself but I think starting slow and not trying to do it all is very important. So many times you get discouraged when you try to take on everything all at once and don’t see immediate results. Great tips and you look great!
Oooh, what a nice suit, I love Nike. These are great tips, thanks for sharing.
I had to have emergency surgery to save my leg after an aneurism. It left me unable to walk for months and, years later it’s still incredibly painful. I’ve gained a lot of weight so try and exercise but when the pain starts I can’t go on. I can manage yoga though so would love to win this.
I have been slacking off with my exercise routine. Thanks for this reminder!
I don’t like to work out, I find it boring and I’m always too busy for it. But it’s something everyone should, and I could use all the motivation possible!
I need to get my butt in gear again. I’ve got an exercise bike that is collecting dust and shouldn’t be. Ops
On sunny days I don’t find it difficult to get motivated because I always go for a walk in the morning and end the walk at the outdoor gym in my local park. The difficulty for me is when it’s a really wet day because the equipment is very difficult to use in the rain. I end up using an exercise vid on you tube but it’s not as satisfying
I work out from home using an app called the 30daybody challenge, I like to walk everywhere and it’s great to get out and run about with my boys.
At the start of lock down i lost my job. Before lockdown I was very fit from walking three miles to the train station and three miles home every day so i never really worked out. In lockdown I gained weight and actually got quite poorly. I knew I need to do something so I started to write down reason why I should work out I turned these into small goals. I have lost 2 stone and am loving the change in my body and that motivates me to carry on..
Now i’m pregnant (23 weeks!) i am finding it harder to motivate myself but my husband has been very supportive and has found time to go for walks with me so i have someone to share it with.
my mind is willing but my body is not, I think you need to find something you enjoy to stick to it
What a great prize. Nike gear is great!
I found that during the early part of lockdown, I really needed to escape for a run or kettlebell workout the minute my husband got home from work (having been locked up with two toddlers for eleven hours per day!). This became a three-times-a-week habit, and for the first time in my life I’m finding ways to squeeze exercise in, rather than finding reasons why I can’t to it! I feel like I’ve turned a real corner, so hoping I keep it up.
I like the idea of putting your workout gear on first thing in the morning if that is when you are going to work out. Sometimes you need that in order to get started
Yes I find it super hard to motivate myself to workout. Always feel better when I do though!
I care for someone with anxiety and find that exercise helps me destress. It’s not always easy to motivate myself but I try to remihnd myself how I will feel after
Motivation is hard, but I also have a medical issue with my legs and am in 24/7 agonizing pain which makes exercise very very hard, even walking is difficult tbh!
Motivation is hard. I’m entering to win for my daughter-in-law who has turned her health and mindset towards exercise. She isn’t fanatical but whatever the weather she goes for a walk by the river. Some days she runs, cycles, or does a toning session as well. I think one of the reasons she succeeds is because she dresses to do the activity and then in her mind she finds it easier.
I remind myself that even 5 minutes is better than none and that usually gets be started and once I get going then its easier to continue for longer than the 5 minutes anyway.
Motivation is the hardest thing ever! I really struggle with it. Since lockdown I’ve been completely out of a routine and become very lazy! I’ve started swimming again recently, and you have to book and pay for it online in advance now, so no matter how I feel, I am forced to go as I have paid for it”
i do struggle with motivation to work –but i have a dog –so at least if i do nothing else–i take the dog for a walk
I find it hard, but I find if I play some music it’s makes it fun and I’m more likely to stick to it.
I struggle to get motivated, the only exercise i actually enjoy is cycling
i find it really hard to get motivated at the minute because im working night shifts at the mental health hospital,i recently bought a spin bike to add to my running machine so i really need to get myself into gear,i do find that listening to music helps especially if a good song comes on .i also like swimming but cant go at the minute for obvious reasons but when i do i find its hard to get a lane either because of swimming classes or other people who are faster swimmers.
Great read, some good tips to motivate me. I go to sleep every night saying “tomorrow, Ill be motivated” tomorrow comes and I just feel so damn lazy and mad with myself, so new frame of mind starts now. Thank you for writing this!
A refreshingly candid and sensible post. Still working on my motivation.
Hello, I just tend to exercise whenever I think of it, little things like standing on one leg when I brush my teeth. Every little helps!
My workout motivation is simple. Working out alows me to eat what I love. You look amzing in that outfit.
I really do find it hard to motivate myself to exercise, especially in colder weather. I’ve taken to doing Pilates at home though.
Some great tips. I do eat very healthily but find I lack time more than anything else when it comes to exercise
This is amazing advice. I am pregnant and due in December.
I’ve always been motivated to exercise until I had an injury. I can’t do any exercise that I need my legs for & I’m finding it hard just doing upper body exercises.
We have the same phone case!!
I am actually trying to win this prize for my daughter-in-law who is due with her first baby in 3 weeks. My daughter is a Personal Trainer so she has been helping her to exercise with a specially made plan.
I find that if I see my workout as some me time then I’m much more likely to do it, otherwise it starts to feel like a chore.
My husband and I motivate each other, we both workout together, it really helps when you have a work out partner!
I do find it really hard to stay motivated to exercise although I always enjoy it when I finally do it!
My dog motivates me to go out for a walk (multiple times!) every day 😉 Otherwise you have to find something you enjoy and set goals you can reach in the short term to keep you going!
I really need some motivation.
I try and exercise in beautful places, it really lifts my spirits.
l Have to admit l struggle for motivation in the Winter l just try and walk were l can always counting steps even its just walking up and down the stairs l prefer being out to exercise
I agree that getting up and putting your workout gear on straight away on spurs me on to workout first thing. It means if anything unexpected happens during the day ( which often does with children!) you don’t have to then try to squeeze a workout in later