Wednesday, April 9, 2014

How to Get Out of the Winter Workout Slump

I'm going to say it. I'm in a bit of a slump.
Source

This past winter kicked my butt and left me unmotivated with lots of excuses not to work out. I have always enjoyed exercising, running, and racing so now that the snow has thawed and the temps are warming up, the excuses are getting less reasonable for skipping workouts. So, as a note to myself, I want to put together some tips on how to break out of the slump and get back to a healthy workout routine.

1) Make plans to workout with a friend. Accountability can be a fantastic motivator. Have a friend meet you at your house or a local trail. Set up the meeting at a time that works well for you (if the early morning running club meeting seem just too early).
Late night run with the FNRC


2) Sign up for a goal race to work towards. This is something I need to do. I have a lot on my plate in the fall but it would be fun to have something to work towards beforehand.
The Shamrock Shuffle got me to kickstart my motivation!


3) Purchase cute workout clothes. This might not be a huge motivator but it definitely makes me feel more confident in my workouts if I look the part. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have... Am I right?!
Post-workout selfie!


4) Find some outside motivation. I know many people are frequently re-posting quotes from various internet sites. That doesn't really do it for me though. I find motivation by watching my run heroes race on tv, by spectating a marathon, by watching clips from the most recent summer Olympics... Find out what motivates you! I'm getting ready to watch the Boston Marathon later on this month!
#fangirlfriday, Lauren Fleshman edition


5) Stop hating on your body, in whatever shape it is in. No one is perfect and I think more and more media outlets are pointing out the flawed way in which our society views beauty as a manufactured photoshopped image that is not attainable or even a reality. Our bodies are made to do so many things. Shaming ourselves is the wrong way to get out the door and is a much more temporary situation (versus a long term solution). Positive reinforcement is a much more powerful force of motivation! We are strong and we are amazing. We shouldn't let anyone else (including ourselves) tell us otherwise.
Being self-conscious about my post-baby body... I'm guilty of doing the very thing I'm lobbying against...

What do you to get out of a slump?

***Don't forget to enter my Spartan contest and let's get out of this slump together! I'm accepting entries until Monday, April 14***

7 comments:

  1. One of my motivators is to look back over old training logs and recall how great those workouts were and how great the results were in the races that followed. I try not to get mired in past glory, but it really gets me motivated to get out there. I also like "outside motivation". Reading about or watching fast runners makes me want to train to get faster! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great idea Pete! I just might need to go back to some of my old workout posts to reflect on what I've accomplished in the past.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ooh yes, buying cute new workout clothes always helps get me out of a slump! And like Pete, I do read through old race recaps or workout logs to remember how awesome it feels when I'm working hard and seeing results.


    Another thing that I find to be helpful is to make my workout schedule for the week in advance - it's harder for me to make excuses to not do something that I've already planned ahead of time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think I need to go through and read some old stuff. You are right--hard work leading to results is definitely a great motivator.


    Ah yes, scheduling! I need to get on that!!! Great tip!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Meagan @ Managing MeaganApril 10, 2014 at 11:51 AM

    It's definitely SO easy to make excuses, especially with a new little one! I try to remind myself she IS one of the reasons to workout. Gotta be healthy (& happy) for her! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are right! I really want to set a good example for my baby girl. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. OPT and stroller date, soon? :) Love this post, by the way. I can definitely relate on so many levels!

    ReplyDelete