25 Tricks to Get Moving

The hardest part of the workout is getting started. The energy you expend during your workout is nothing compared to the energy it can take to convince yourself to begin.

Here are some psychological tricks I’ve found to give me a kick in the rear when I lack the motivation to get my sweat on.

1. Put your workout clothes on. But don’t tell yourself you’re going to workout, yet. Just walk around the house. See what happens.

2. Do a shorter-than-usual workout. Once you get started you might want to keep going. And if not, something is still better than nothing.

3. Do a slower-than-usual workout. Once you get started you might feel like you can kick it up a notch.

4. Set a deadline to get out the door.

5. Set a deadline to be done with your workout.

6. Get it done first thing in the morning.

7. Play with your pet or your kids. Their energy will rub off on you.

8. Invest in a new piece of workout gear. Try it out.

9. Promise yourself a beer afterward. Or that you’ll watch your new Netflix DVD. Or whatever your favorite post-workout treat is (unless it’s an entire chocolate cake or something).

10. Remind yourself of how good you’ll feel when you’re finished. There’s nothing quite like the post-workout glow.

11. Tell yourself you really don’t have to work out. Really. Believe it. Reverse psychology actually works.

12. Tell yourself you can quit anytime after you start. It’s reverse psychology again.

13. Put something else on hold. You can always do the dishes later.

14. Watch Hulk Hogan take down Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania III on YouTube. If that doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will.

15. Keep your workout clothes in the car. So you’re always prepared to go.

16. Run an errand. Literally. Drop off a letter at the post office or deposit a check in night deposit or pick up a pound of coffee at the coffee shop.

17. Track your workouts. You won’t want to miss a scheduled workout when it shows up as a gap on your calendar.

18. Put your music on really loud.

19. Sprint. Just go and don’t give yourself time to think up excuses.

20. Drink some coffee. Or an energy drink.

21. Sign up for a race.

22. Call up a workout partner. Or ask your significant other to work out with you.

23. Tell someone else that you’re leaving for a workout. Now you have to.

24. Have an energy gel or a piece of fruit.

25. Re-read 1-24.

Still not feeling it? Take the day off. Guilt free. Start fresh tomorrow.

Any other ideas? Leave a comment. We could all use the motivation.