6 Tips for Staying Motivated With Your Workouts, Even When Busy

Image by: Jordan Nix on Unsplash

After nearly a year and a half of lockdown measures, restrictions, and social distancing, we are finally starting to get a glimpse of normalcy. As we begin to reintroduce ourselves back into society, we may feel more of a pull to get back into the swing of a workout routine, too. So today, I’m going to talk about maintaining motivation when life gets busy.

Firstly, I want to start off by saying that I absolutely understand how busy life can get – our schedules quickly fill up, often with the needs of others, and before we know it, we may find our own needs are pushed to the side. And since everything is reopening, our social calendars are likely starting to fill up once again, causing us to possibly feel even more strapped for time. But throughout every season of life (especially the busy ones), I believe it’s important to make sure you’re creating time to prioritize your own needs. I know I’ve spoken about this a ton in the past, but since I think it’s extremely important, I’m going to reiterate it once again. Finding time in your day to prioritize your own needs is not selfish at all – it’s making sure you’re taken care of so you can show up even bigger and better for those you love. When you wake up early to journal and read, you’re strengthening your mind and can give more attention and care to others throughout the day. Similarly, when you spend time tending to your physical health, you have more stamina to keep with your busy kids or grandkids throughout the day.

Also read: The Importance of Creating a Strong Morning Routine

There is no blueprint on how your workouts need to look, so customize it to meet your individual needs. You can workout for an hour, or you can workout for 20 minutes; you can do it alone, or you can do it with others; you can go to the gym, or you can go for a walk. One of the best ways to stay motivated with your workouts is to make sure you’re doing something you actually enjoy. Remove your preconceived notions about what your workouts need to look like, and use what you have available to you. Allowing yourself to do what works for you turns your workouts into something you want to do, as opposed to an obligation.

On top of doing what you enjoy, here are 6 tips for staying motivated with your workouts, even with a busy schedule.

6 Tips for Staying Motivated to Workout, Even When Busy

1. SCHEDULE IT

Schedule your workouts right into your day, just like you’d schedule a meeting with your boss or an appointment with your doctor. Regardless of how much time you have to work with, blocking it out in your calendar allows you an opportunity to focus on yourself. For some, this could look like a 10-minute walk on your lunch; for others, it could look like a two-hour workout at 5 am. The point is to focus on your own needs and to prioritize your time. Get creative, and turn it into a non-negotiable.

2. LAY YOUR GYM CLOTHES OUT/PACK YOUR GYM BAG THE NIGHT BEFORE

Think of laying out your clothes or packing your gym bag the night before as setting yourself up for greatness. While these may seem like a fairly straightforward task, the idea is to focus more on alleviating any mental blocks you may face in the morning. Having to actively pick out your gym clothes in the morning immediately gives you obstacles to overcome, such as oversleeping, forgetting about it altogether, or simply deciding against it.

3. FIND A BUDDY

One of my favourite workouts I do is to go for walks with my neighbour. We motivate one another, we encourage one another, and we can connect. Having a buddy who can hold you accountable and help make the journey more enjoyable can completely change the experience.

4. FOCUS ON THE NON-SCALE/NON-AESTHETIC REASONS

Treat improving your health and fitness as more of a journey, with less emphasis on the destination. It can feel incredibly discouraging to feel like you aren’t seeing physical progress as quickly as you may have expected or wished. I’ve already touched on this, but I’ll say it again: give yourself space and time by focusing on finding workouts you actually enjoy, as well as treating yourself with love along the way. 

5. SET GOALS

It can sometimes be a little easier to stay motivated and make time for something when you feel as though you are working towards something specific. Set small goals for yourself along the way that both excite you and feel achievable. For example, it could be something such as doing your walk 3 minutes quicker or being able to lift heavier weights at the gym.

6. WRITE NOTES OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR YOUR FUTURE SELF

Your future self cannot communicate with you, but you can communicate with your future self. When you’re feeling motivated to workout, or excited about reaching your goals, write yourself little notes of encouragement for your future self. You could leave them in your bag, set them as reminders on your phone, or put them beside your coffee cup. It can feel really difficult to stay motivated with your workout goals, especially if your schedule is busy. Be kind to yourself, remind yourself why you’re doing it, and believe in yourself.