How to Exercise Even When You're Too Tired

You promised yourself you'd do a thirty minute workout but feel too exhausted to even think about it. Does this sound like a familiar situation? Unfortunately, you still need exercise for both fitness and relaxation. What can you do to motivate yourself when you're too tired to work out?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Have your iron levels checked.
   
   If you already exercise and find you're approaching your daily workout with excessive fatigue and lack of motivation, see your doctor and have your iron level checked. Your doctor can do a blood test called a ferritin level which measures your body's stores of iron. Aerobic exercise can cause slow depletion of iron levels with iron being lost through sweating and through leakage of small amounts into the gut with sustained movements. Plus, it's not uncommon for women of child bearing age to be iron deficient. If you're iron deficient, iron supplementation may make all the difference in your energy levels and your attitude towards exercise.
2. Exercise when you awaken in the morning.
   
   If you feel tired and less motivated to exercise in the evening, try setting your alarm thirty minutes early and get your exercise session out of the way before the day starts. An early morning exercise session can help to energize and motivate you for the rest of the day. Plus, you can look forward to an evening of relaxation knowing you've accomplished your goal. This can be a simple solution to the problem of being too tired to work out.
3. Do it anyway.
   
   Sometimes the best cure for fatigue is a vigorous exercise session. Have you ever noticed how you can walk into the health club exhausted but after thirty minutes of motion you feel energized and invigorated? There's nothing like exercise to get your blood flowing and zap fatigue. If it's difficult for you to get motivated to make that trip to the club, promise yourself a small reward after you finish your session if you follow through. Just make sure it's not a jelly donut!
4. Lighten up your workout.
   
   On nights that you're too tired to work out, follow a lighter, less rigorous routine. To motivate yourself to take the first step, tell yourself you'll only exercise for ten minutes. After ten minutes have elapsed chances are you'll feel so invigorated that you'll want to keep going.
5. Change your exercise format.
   
   If you feel fatigued with a lack of motivation towards exercise on a particular evening, change your workout entirely and substitute something fun. Instead of walking thirty minutes on the treadmill at the club, take your dog for a brisk walk or do thirty minutes of stretches while you watch your favorite T.V. show. You can get back on schedule the next time you exercise and the var