I used to work out in the afternoons when I worked part-time. Now I work full-time again and am having a hard time becoming motivated to work out after work, especially because I'm always hungry at 5:30/6 when I should be hitting the gym.
Anyone have any tips or advice to make this transition easier?
I exercise after work, but I try to make sure to have a small snack (or a big snack depending on the day) around 4-5, so I can go work out and hold out until dinner at 8:00.
If it's a day when I'm just doing yoga or an exercise DVD at home, I'll eat a tiny snack right before I start.
DH is like Aurora and eats dinner and then works out later. I like that in theory, but I don't work out and just sit for the rest of the evening, so it doesn't work for me :)
I work out after work, too. Tips include going straight to the gym (don't stop at home), get in the mindset early in the day of working out after work and bring snacks.
I always eat something (usually a yogurt) around 3 p.m. or 4 p.m.
Do you have a magazine you could "save" for your workout? Or could you make a favorite mix for your iPod?
What I do when I feel that I *should* go to the gym, but don't *want* to (which is pretty much all the time) is to make a bargain with myself -- I have to go, but if I'm bored/don't like it/etc. I can leave after ten minutes of exercising. I usually stay -- I lose track of time, or I'll switch machines so I don't get bored, etc. But, sometimes I do leave. Maybe try that?
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"I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." - G. Radner
I try going on my lunch break and sometimes I *try* to go before work. I find that though I dont go as often when I dont "Plan" for the gym. So when I bring my work out clothes, and tell myself I am going , it usually makes me actually follow through.
I've been working out late these days. I couldn't get motivated to workout before dinner either so I started going to the gym late like 8:30 or 9pm. That's usually the time I'd be watching TV anyway so I just make myself spend that time on the treadmill. Once I get down there and run I'm motivated to stick through it and do my strength training. I was worried that it would affect my sleep but it really hasn't.
I think the key is eating a lighter dinner early enough (I try to eat by 6pm).