Having trouble finding the motivation to go for a walk? I’m here to help! Here is a short list of things to try when you don’t feel like walking so that it still happens!
#1 Ignore Your Feelings
First of all, recognize that when you tell yourself that you can’t make yourself go for a walk, or really do anything, it’s more that you can’t get yourself to FEEL like doing something. You actually don’t need to feel like it – ignore those feelings! - you can just get out and do it! Literally, put one foot in front of the other! And chances are if you do walk or move, you will feel more like doing it the next time.
#2 Imagine the Walk
If you know you want to walk, or move in another way, giving it some forethought will help. Imagine how you’ll feel if you do it – that should help motivate you. But also think of some obstacles that might arise, and brainstorm some solutions to them.
So I know on the days I walk, I’ll feel like I cleared my head. But I also know that some days I have deadlines and a lot of work to do, and that something in my schedule has to give. So I’ll set up an IF-THEN scenario. IF I feel like I’m shortchanging my own health and I’m not going to walk, THEN I’ll ask someone to take over some of my to-dos. I don’t have a team – nope, it’s pretty much just me. But I’ll ask my family to help me more so I can get some movement in.
Set up the IF-THEN in advance, thinking of the obstacles that could arise and what you will do if they do get in your way.
#3 Find Someone to Hold You Accountable
Tell someone that you need to get out for a walk, and make them hold you accountable. My dad wanted to quit smoking a pipe. Apparently, as a 3 year old, I hated the pipe. So he didn’t tell my mom he was going to quit – he just told me. He figured I’d be such a pain if he didn’t stop, it’d be hell. Find a 3 year old, or someone who has the nagging persistence of a 3 year old, and recruit them to give you hell.
#4 Schedule Your Walk
As it’s been said, what gets scheduled gets done. This one’s for you if you forget to walk, or your days start out well and then spiral out of control, and at the end of the day, you don’t know where the time went, but you didn’t move as you’d hoped.
Putting your walk on your calendar at a certain time elevates to a higher level, like it’s an appointment with someone else that you would think twice before missing. Once there’s time for it and a commitment to it, it’s more likely to happen. For an extra kick in the pants, or nudge, consider setting a reminder on your phone or computer, just to make sure you remember your appointment with yourself!
#5 The Five Minute Promise
If all else fails, make yourself the 5 minute promise. Just go out for 5 minutes, and promise yourself, if you’re not enjoying it, you can stop after 5 minutes. Even 5 minutes is beneficial in many ways, and there’s the chance that once you’ve started, you’ll keep going. But if not, know that 5 minutes was still good.
Conclusion
I hope one - or all - of these five tips helped give you the motivation to start walking today. Try applying some of these principles to other areas of your life, and watch your motivation increase!
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