5 Ways to Mentally Push Through a Difficult Workout
By Tuya Haden
With too many benefits to count, adding exercise to your daily routine is a great way to feel better. Whether it is to become stronger, feel more energetic, or handle the mental load of the pandemic, working out is a great way to take care of yourself.
As with anything new, working out can be intimidating. Exercising can be both physically and mentally exhausting. Luckily, with a little practice, you can train yourself to mentally push through even the toughest of workouts.
No matter your level of athleticism, here are some helpful techniques that you can use to mentally push yourself while working out.
5 tips for mentally conquering a tough workout
Continue reading to learn how you can train yourself to mentally conquer any workout!
1. Practice positive thinking
As you become fatigued while working out, it is easy to let negative thoughts creep in. When this happens, finishing a tough workout can start to feel impossible.
To combat these feelings, try visualizing how you will feel once your workout is complete. When you focus on the feelings of accomplishment you soon will feel, it will motivate you to stick with it. Practicing positive thinking can even help boost your athletic performance when the workouts get tough.
2. Work out with a partner or group
When your motivation starts to decrease, sometimes all you need is a helping hand. Whether it is your partner, a friend, or a workout class, exercising with others is a great way to stay motivated.
Want to kick it up a notch? Challenge your workout partner to a friendly competition. Treating exercise as a game is a great way to keep things fun. Be sure to establish a reward for the winner, as this will motivate you to try your best.
3. Create a consistent routine
Once you figure out what time works best for you to exercise, stick to that schedule. Before you know it, exercise will become a part of your daily routine, similar to picking your kids up from school or taking a lunch break.
To further help you stay on track, put your workouts in your calendar like you would any other appointment. That way, you already have your workouts planned out in your schedule, limiting reasons you might miss one.
By following a consistent schedule, working out will become second nature, making it easier for you to push through when things get difficult.
4. Utilize small breaks
If you notice yourself slowing down in your workout, don’t be afraid to stop for a moment and catch your breath. Doing this can help you regain your strength and rebuild the motivation needed to keep pushing.
A short break is also a great time to drink some water and practice positive thinking. Sometimes a small break is all you need to get in the right mindset to finish strong.
5. Stay comfortable
Without the proper clothing and footwear, exercise can lead to discomfort or injury, making it even more difficult to mentally push through a grueling workout.
Before you begin working out, make sure to wear workout clothes that you are comfortable in. If running or doing any sort of cardio, be sure to wear comfortable running shoes that provide you with proper support.
On top of comfort, wearing a workout outfit that makes you feel confident can boost your desire to exercise!
Hit the ground running
Now that you have learned these new tips, it is time to put them to use. With a positive mindset and a few tweaks, your exercise routine can go from dreadful to exciting.
Need more motivation? Take a look at this helpful infographic for more tips on how to mentally push through any workout.
