I have a love hate relationship with the gym. I love its results, but I hate going. The preparing, the traveling, the crowds, the waiting or fighting over machines, the soreness, blah, blah, blah. I could give you a million reasons why I hate going to the gym, and I’m sure many of you could give me a million and one of your own. But the reality is, no matter how much we may hate it, going to the gym for a workout on a regular basis is one of the best ways to keep us fit and healthy and there’s really no way around it. We’ll never win the battle of the bulge sitting on our couches, so here are tips to help you get over the hate and get into the gym.

Create A Schedule
Just saying you’re going to go to the gym this week or next week isn’t enough, you need to create a schedule. Not having a schedule is a set up for failure because it leaves room for you to fill in the time with any and everything else that may pop up. Set aside specific days and times to go to the gym and stick to it. Set pop up alerts on your computer at home and work, tell Siri to set an alarm on your phone, whatever you need to do to remind you that you have a date with the gym that you just cannot miss.

Find A Workout Buddy
One of the reasons I hate going to the gym is that I hate working out alone. I feel like everyone is staring at me (yes I understand how ridiculous that sounds) and all I want to do is hurry up and get out of there…or not go at all. But with a workout buddy, not only do I have someone to distract me from those imaginary mean eyes, but I also have some one to encourage me and hold me accountable when I start to slack off.

Treat Yourself
Sometimes going to the gym regularly can seem like a job with no perks or rewards for effort and dedication, and after awhile you start to wonder what you’re working so hard for. But if you give yourself little rewards fro hitting certain the gym a certain number of times a week or burning a certain number of calories etc, it makes going a little easier because you know there’s a payoff at the end. Treat yourself to a massage for making it to that Zumba class at your gym twice a week for three to a pedicure for making it through that extra set on the weights or maybe to your favorite dessert for not skipping out on the gym for 30 days. Give yourself a little something to aim for…you deserve it!

How do you keep yourself motivated to go to the gym?