Let’s face it, there are times (lots of times) where we’d rather do anything besides work out. Throughout this past year, this issue was especially hard for me because, no longer a student-athlete, I did not have that accountability system that I had grown up with anymore. But, like all of us, I knew I needed to keep working out for multiple reasons. So I decided to find other ways to hold myself accountable when it came to keeping up with my physical health.

How I Ensure I Get My Lazy Butt Working Out

Below are the tricks I’ve discovered to work for me. They may not work for everyone but, hey, if you are struggling with the making excuses syndrome, it may be helpful to at least give them a try:

• Get it done right after you wake up. This may involve getting up earlier, but I promise it is an incredible way to start your day. Not to mention, you don’t have to spend all day dreading it. Just roll out of bed and get’er dun before you can even think about it! And the best part? You won’t have to worry about the day getting in the way! Ever had something come up in the afternoon or had to stay an extra hour or two in the office? Welcome to 100% of society. Let’s be honest, the first thing you eliminate when that happens is your trip to the gym. Workout before the day gets in the way to ensure it gets done.
• Incorporate it in your schedule. Schedule your exercise sessions before the week begins. Try to do it around the same time every day to make it a habit. Once it becomes part of a routine, I promise it is SO much easier to just suck it up and do it.
• Try the five-minute rule. Sometimes, the idea of ​​working out just sounds absolutely horrible. When you just can’t seem to find the motivation to do it, grab a stopwatch and just promise yourself you will start the workout you had planned. Set the timer for five minutes and start your workout. If you still don’t want to do it after five minutes, stop. If you seem to have found the motivation during those five minutes, keep going. I love this rule and I’ve learned to apply it in several spheres of my life … not just working out!
• Work the buddy system . Know you’re about to inflict some pain on yourself in the gym or on the road? Why not get a friend to do it with you? I mean, that’s what friends are for right ?! Incorporating a buddy can add a lot of fun to your workout and can make the whole process go by a lot faster. For an added bonus, schedule the workout with your friend in advance … it’s a great way to hold each other accountable!

The Best Partner Workout Ever!

Check out this workout for two and get a great total-body workout that will have you both sweating and getting in killer shape! I’ve done some of these exercises with my friends… I promise they are actually kind of fun! So grab a buddy and GET’ER DUN!

The Perfect Buddy System… Elite Nutrition and Performance’s UNLIMITED SMALL GROUP TRAINING

Our small group training program at Elite Nutrition and Performance is a wonderful way to get a workout in with a small group of people who are in the same boat as you are, all in a judgment free atmosphere. Enjoy being challenged by a personal trainer in a class that incorporates HIIT cardio with resistance training, a combo that will get you shredding fat and carving muscle.