Admit it, you don’t want to drag your butt to the gym. But also admit this: it has to be done. As a stay-at-home mom, I don’t have much time during the day to get to the gym. Thus, I need to go at night after the kids are in bed. After a long day spent with two tiny humans, it can be hard to get the motivation to go. 

Once you’ve thrown on those runners and headed out the door, you need to keep that motivation up while you’re in the gym. I’ve got a few little things I like to do to pass the time.

1. Music! If I forget my headphones, you can bet your bottom dollar I will turn around and go home. I need something loud and fun and upbeat to kick my arse into gear on that cross-trainer. 
2. TV shows on your phone. Take your latest Netflix obsession and watch it on your phone! It’s a small screen but sits nicely on the little ledges on any of the cardio equipment. If you gym doesn’t offer wi-fi, make sure you download an episode or two before you go so you don’t kill your data. Until recently, I was binge-watching The Vampire Diaries (which I have sadly finished watching now). At 42 minutes per episode, it was the perfect amount of time to spend sweating on cardio equipment.
3. People-watch. Seriously. While I’m a big advocate for not making other people feel silly while working out, I will admit that I love people-watching. I would never outwardly laugh at anyone or blatantly stare. I just like to see what other people are doing. I check out the awesome gym clothes some people are wearing. I get ideas for new ways to use equipment, both cardio and weights. Have you seen the video of that guy on the treadmill doing choreography to Uptown Funk? If not, you need to see it. I wish people would do that at the gym. 
4. Read a book or magazine on your tablet or phone. Or bring along a paper copy. Nothing sucks me into a mind vortex more than a celebrity magazine. You won’t even notice that you just spend 30 minutes sweating away on that treadmill. 
5. Try new settings on the cardio machines. Add some incline, crank up the speed a little bit. I’m notorious for just hitting the quick start buttons on the machines at my gym, GoodLife Fitness, but sometimes it’s fun to push yourself and try out some of the other programs. 

This post was written as part of the GoodLife Fitness Blogger Ambassador Program; however, all opinions expressed are my own. 

Andrea

Andrea can always be found with a new craft in front of her, a form of technology on her right and a coffee on her left. This is how she survives suburbia with her two crazy toddlers in tow.

www.theinspiredhome.org