How to Work Out in the Evening When You Don’t Feel Like It

Working out has become a part of your life. It’s what you do. But perhaps your work schedule has changed, and now it’s severely affecting your workout routine. You know you have to “just do it,” but what is the best way? Working out after you’ve already been to work takes commitment and a system.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Have your gym bag already packed and in the car. DO NOT go home first! If you do this, you will be tempted to look at the mail, check phone messages, or email. If you are on public transportation and you walk home, have the packed gym bag waiting by the door. Resolve to ONLY open the door, put your work stuff down and grab the gym bag and head back out. You can quickly grab a bottle of water from the fridge. That’s IT.
   
   If it’s warm outside, you can change into your workout clothes at home. Then you can go straight to a machine once you get to the gym. But if this is something that will slow you down and tempt you to do other things, don’t do it. Keep the original mission in mind! Get to the gym!
2. Eat nuts so you won’t be hungry. A lot of times people are hungry after work and they stop to eat. They then don’t want to work out. Eating just a handful of nuts will not only take away the hunger but the protein also gives you energy for the workout.
3. Talk to no one at the gym once you get there! Conversation only slows you down! Actually, most people who do evening workouts after work are less prone to friendly banter than those who work out earlier in the day.
4. Plan your evening workout in advance. Which cardio machine are you going to do? Which muscle group(s) will you be targeting? Don’t worry about the length of time you are actually at the gym; sometimes the most effective workouts are the ones that are short and focused.
5. Shower at home. This will also serve to relax you after your workout and help you to wind down.