I think the majority of us want to have an active, healthy lifestyle. We want to feel good, we want to look good, and we want to have awesome self confidence that generally comes with the feeling and looking good. But, there's this little problem - you hate the gym. Or maybe you just hate working out or you just can't seem to find whatever kind of activity is best suited for your needs and schedule.
Well, I'm here to help. Here are five ways to be a boss in the gym (or anywhere you want to get active).
1. HAVE A PLAN
This is probably key to having an "enjoyable" time at the gym. When I first started working out (over three years ago - wow!) I would kind of wonder aimlessly around the gym sitting on whichever machine looked good/wasn't occupied. This was terrible! I felt lost, like I wasn't being productive, and like everyone was staring at me.
As soon as I came up with a workout plan, I felt more confident, more productive, and like an overall bad ass when I went to the gym.
You may like: Four-Day Workout Plan
2. FIGURE OUT A TIME THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU
Some people are early risers, some people are night owls. Maybe you've been going to the gym after work and find yourself counting down the minutes or scrolling through your phone until it's time to leave. Perhaps it could be time to try going in the morning before work, so that you can have more free time in the afternoon to lounge around or get household chores accomplished. The same can be said for going in the mornings if you constantly find yourself snoozing the alarm and missing workouts.
It's also great to have a schedule. Are you planning on 3-4 workouts a week? Try working out on Saturday or Sunday instead of four weekdays (hello more mornings to sleep in!) or alternating the days you go each week.
Check out How I Became a Morning Person if you're thinking about making the switch to going before work.
3. FIND WORKOUTS YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH AND MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD
If you're not in to weight lifting, that's okay! If you're not into cardio, that's okay too! There are literally hundreds (and hundreds) of ways to be active and stay in shape. I prefer a mix of cardio, weight lifting, and HIIT just to keep my workouts from getting monotonous.
If you're lost, I would recommend starting with pinterest or just google "workouts for people who don't like ___" and see what you come up with. Try something for at least a week before you totally give it up and don't be afraid to try new things. A coworker convinced me to try Zumba with her one day (something I thought at which I thought I'd fail miserably) and I love it. I try to do a class a few times a month now.
4. PUMP UP THE JAMZ
Whether you're into listening to gangsa rap (my favorite leg day music is my Booty Wurk station on Pandora) or techno, create a playlist/Pandora/spotify station that will get you in the mood to move. Days where I forget my headphones are the worst days at the gym.
Invest in some quality headphones or earbuds - the ones that came with your phone usually wont cut it. I currently use this style, and I love that the earbud is shaped to my ear rather than just a round piece of rubber, and they aren't totally noise cancelling so I feel comfortable running on the road because I'm able to hear an approaching car.
5. HAVE FUN
Don't worry about what the people around you are doing. Or thinking. Or looking at. They are probably as self conscious as you are - or at least they were at some point. Let loose and have fun with your workouts, after all, this is about building yourself up and creating a better YOU!
So now I want to hear - what helps you be a boss at the gym?
