Motivation Fixes for Working Out at Home

Working out from home can be hard. More difficult than dragging yourself to the gym, even. Why? Well, there’s no one really holding you accountable. You turn on the television or log into the app and hit “play.” But if you’re like me, you’re working out while the house is empty. If you do half of the workout and then call it, no one is going to make you finish.

Or, worse, if you decide to curl up with a book or for a nap, who’s going to know?

But since home workouts are my go-to, I feel like I’ve figured out the tricks and tactics needed to stay motivated and get it done.

Have a Goal

Goals keep you on track, period. But the goal doesn’t have to be based on a number on the scale. In fact, I recommend that it not be. Instead, set a goal to do 10 pull-ups (or 5), to run a 10k, to lift a certain weight or to fit into those dream jeans. Knowing that you’re working toward something that’s measurable will give you the excitement and motivation that you need to keep working at it (and to keep working out).

Mix it Up

I am not the poster child for doing a workout program from start to finish. I tend to get bored easily and need to change up my workouts from time to time. I gave Transform:20 a try but it was really hard on my body so I’m going back to Liift4. But I also take the workout outside when I can. I love to play tennis, bike with my kids and just generally be outside. If you have a gym membership, try taking a class or lifting weights with a friend. Anything to beat the boredom!

Get an Accountability Group

Even though you don’t have someone working out with you in your home, you can still find accountability. There are Facebook groups of other workout-from-home people who also need accountability. Maybe a friend is working toward similar goals. Or you can even find support from a local club–like a tennis group or running club. When you bring others into your workout world, you get that feeling of community you need to keep pushing forward–even when you don’t feel like it.

Know it’s Flexible

I don’t mean that doing the workout is flexible. I recommend you make it a non-negotiable for yourself, but know that sometimes life happens. Sometimes your kids are sick or wake up late, so an early morning workout isn’t going to happen. You can do the workout later in the day, but make sure it still happens. I like to put an appointment in my calendar and keep a backup plan in mind. So if it doesn’t happen at my usual 9 a.m., I know that I can do it before lunch (or even after dinner as a last resort). The important thing is just getting it done.

Of course, even when you have a plan, it can still be difficult to set and meet those goals if you don’t have someone nearby on your side. If you’re struggling with getting the workout done, let me know. I’d love to support you in one of my accountability groups–or simply talk through the challenges together.