So I have been traveling in South America for 5 weeks, and I have learned a few things.

With all of this time to chill, rest, and reflect on my life and career, one of the biggest insights I have discovered is that the whole “No Excuses” / BEAST-MODE mentality = bull shit.

THIS is why when people say “I’m not motivated to workout” (or “I’m not motivated to stay consistent with working out”), it’s actually the mindset, not the motivation that’s at fault.  

The old-school mindset of all-or-nothing, puke-or-it-doesn’t-count, ‘BEAST MODE’ mantra is outdated and quite frankly, keeps so many people stuck.

Even though we KNOWWWWW we are going to feel better after, days of missed workouts can easily turn into weeks or even months.

You become tired, sick, and MAD AT YOURSELF for not being able to make it happen. So, what can you do?

I spent a few months this past year battling with this faulty mindset. I’m sharing my struggle and how i dealt with it, because maybe it will help if you find yourself in the same dark place.

3 Simple Solutions To The Problem

Here are 3 (of like 4,035) ways to go from “I have no motivation to workout” to “OK, Laura {or your name}, let’s do this!”

1. Make a commitment to just do 5 minutes. Then reassess how you feel.

Know this: The energy required to JUST GET STARTED is often greater than energy necessary to do the actual workout. Make a deal with yourself to just move for 5 minutes, and 9 times out of 10 you will be able to stick with it and keep going. If not, call it a day. ALL movement counts. Start fresh tomorrow and try to double those 5 minutes.

2. HALF-ASS IT.

YUP, i said it. Consistency, the act of showing up and going through the motions, trumps the intention for the perfect workout that never happens, all day / every day.  Watching yourself hold up your end of the bargain (no matter how sloppy or short), day after day, lays down a pattern of success that fuels future focused action.

3. Admit when it’s time to ask for help.

IF you have tried all of your usual tricks and strategies to get yourself moving and motivated, and it’s STILL not happening… stop beating a dead horse. Know this: our personal strategies expire. What USED TO work for you, won’t work forever. It might be time to join a group, take part in a fitness challenge, get a trainer, or get your bff or gbf to commit to a sweat sesh with you. Enough is enough of shaming and beating yourself up for being inconsistent.  (And, go back and see # 1 and 2 again 🙂

Stay tuned for more insights from my trip. Including the short and intense go-to workouts that helped me bust through my own personal plateau to lose 10 lbs of fat.

Dr. Laura Miranda DPT, MSPT

PS – Need to finally get motivated?

If you live in lower Manhattan, Monday 2/26 begins our outdoor Strong Healthy Woman team training program!   Take the 14-Day Jump Start into this group of motivated women just like you.  Find out why this is 10th spring season in a row of changing women’s bodies and lives!