The Connection Between Inconstancy and Exercise

Inconsistency can be the downfall of any fitness plan, but too much consistency and routine can make working out boring.  If something bores you, are you really going to keep wanting to go back?  That’s what I thought.  Definitely not.  So sometimes, being consistently inconsistent can actually work in your favor and keep you coming back to the gym for more.  

Being a gym rat can be tough, and the absolute dedication it takes to work out every day probably doesn’t work for most of us.  Within our busy lives, adding to the list of daily obligations can be daunting.  And while it is good to prioritize working out, the less like a chore it feels, the more you will actually want to participate.  So, what you really want to do is trick yourself by making your work outs “inconsistent”.  Here are some common reasons you get tired of working out:

1. You lack creativity

                  Sorry, we aren’t trying to bash you, but if you are still doing the same fitness routine since high school gym class then you are bound to be bored.  Doing the same thing over and over and over again is guaranteed to kill your motivation. For this reason you need to add variation into your routine, try new exercises and try to get creative with the things you do to stay fit.  Change it up – your body with thank you.

2. You are working out alone

                  It’s much harder and much more boring to work out alone. If the gym or a run feels more like a hang out among friends, then it’s more likely you will actually want to show up. Aside from this, having a partner to motivate you and keep you focused and in check can be helpful.  It is more likely that you will push your limits, with no complaints, if you have someone there suffering with you.

3. You hit the gym with no plan

When you go to the gym with no idea of what you are going to do, you tend to gravitate to the areas and exercises that make you feel comfortable. But when you are working out, you don’t want to feel comfortable.  You want to be sure of the techniques, but if you aren’t pushing yourself then you aren’t improving.  Figure out a fitness plan prior to entering the gym.  Have everything planned so that there is no room for question about going back to the same machine and doing the same lame exercise.

4. You don’t change the scenery

A lot of people have a tough time staying motivated, part of this is looking at the same 4 walls every day.  But what if you change the location of your workout? It gets easier right? Try getting outside and training in a different atmosphere.  You can try a class pack with several different types of classes, change the type of people you are in class with, change the playlist and try to have a little fun.