Some Tips to Help You Regain Your Enthusiasm & Stop Questioning How to Motivate Yourself to Workout When Depressed
Everyone knows exercise helps you stay fit & healthy. It gives you the right direction and makes you see things differently. Similarly, it teaches you punctuality and self-discipline. However, not everyone can stick with the routine as a lifestyle. And, if you’re someone struggling to keep up with your workout routine or feeling depressed and trying to find out how to motivate yourself to workout when you’re depressed, then don’t worry; you’re not alone.
Everyone gets momentarily boosted by watching inspirational videos or reading any motivational quote, but sticking with the routine is totally different, and sometimes it even becomes overwhelming for some people.
Here’s How to Motivate Yourself to Workout When Depressed
Dust yourself up and get ready. Here below are some tips that will help you regain your enthusiasm and make yourself go to the gym:
Go for the Workout Program That Fits You Psychologically & Neurologically
Temporary getting inspired and hitting hard won’t get you anywhere. And, if you get injured, you’ll go for a long break. Hence, you should be concerned about loving your workout program, so you can’t wait to get into the gym and start training.
Many who train hard and eat well may get excited for a few weeks or even months, but it’s highly possible that they may even lose all the enthusiasm and will have the same body regardless of whether they trained hard or not. Yes, there may be slight differences in the body but not anything dramatic. And, for those who trained for 10 to 20 years, the result will be quite similar to any training. It means having reached peak muscular development. Similarly, some muscles might be bigger compared to others. So, it’s recommended to go for workout programs that fit both well, neurologically, and psychologically.
For instance, you may start lifting heavy with low reps and do explosive exercises. You may even force yourself to do bodybuilding to achieve your dream physique. However, narrow down the road your motivation may go down, as it didn’t fit well with you neurologically.
Similarly, it’s alright if you’re not interested in following any workout routine mentioned by anyone you respect, coach, or friend. And instead, listen to your body and do the workout you enjoy. However, ensure it’s properly balanced and not focused on one or two body parts like the biceps and chest.
Train Around Those People Who Make You Feel You’re the Weakest Person in the Room
Nothing is more motivating compared to training around like-minded people who wants to work hard to achieve their dream physique. It’ll be encouraging for you to push yourself beyond the limit you imagined instead of finding an answer to how to motivate yourself to workout when depressed.
Instead of a commercial gym, go for the gym that encourages hardcore bodybuilding and where you feel intimidated entering the gym first. It’ll help you push yourself harder, and people around you will also support you.
No Need to Keep Waiting
Motivation flows with both experienced as well inexperienced lifters. However, the main difference is that experienced gym goers hit the gym regardless of whether they feel motivated or not, just like the job. Whether you like it or not, keep showing up. Hence, it’s recommended that you don’t simply train just because you’re feeling motivated. And, start hitting the gym and put in the needed effort. You can take leave unless you’re completely burned out and can’t go the gym. And, mostly, those who train consistently feel burned out.
Envision Your Training
Envision yourself working out. Think about how the bar feels when you take it in your hands and how your body feels when you work out. Think about training; it’ll make you return to the gym. Similarly, it’s fruitful in all conditions, regardless of your goal.
For instance, if you’re trying to gain muscle mass, then think about how it feels to lock out during your heaviest set; try to picture it. Similarly, if you’re trying to lose fat, think about how challenging interval workouts may feel.
People who enjoy working out can’t stop thinking about it; many even look obsessed with training. Nonetheless, thoughts reinforce your behavior and it strengthens your thoughts. So, it’s inevitable that people who like working out and keep an active lifestyle hardly need the motivation to go to the gym.
User Negative Energy to Fuel You Going to the Gym
Have you experienced anything negative about yourself, such as being bullied in school or you got compared with anyone because of your looks? If yes, then you can use it as a great motivator and use these negative thoughts to fuel you to train harder in the gym. Instead of questioning how to motivate yourself to workout when depressed, think about those adverse movements of your life. It’ll help you to exercise harder. Also, it’s one of the rare situations where your negative thoughts will give positive results.
For example, if you’ve been overweight and teased often or faced social awkwardness and remained invisible to people due to it, then you can use it as an excellent motivator to not want to get back fat again, or you won’t let anyone make you feel inferior because of how you look.
Connecting Your Passion
Those who can connect their passion with their goals won’t be lacking any motivation. For them, their passion is the biggest motivator. And, every rep and set will be a step forward towards that passion.
Everyone has different training, and they train differently. However, if you can connect it with passion, it’ll help you keep moving forward with your training. For instance, your passion for going to the gym could be never to let anyone tease you because of being overweight, hitting new PR, getting on the bodybuilding stage, competing, or more.
Whatever ticks to you, connect with your training every time you go to the gym, then the motivation will follow by itself. In other words, if you’re training with something in your mind that is important to you, the drive you get from it will do the work.
Stay Focused on Your Goals
Remember why you joined the gym and what’s your goal. You can’t always stay motivated without any specific goal. And, if you haven’t figured it out yet, then first find out your overall goal to join the gym, and you’ll overcome your depression by yourself.
So, instead of questioning how to motivate yourself to workout when depressed, try to know what’s the goal. And, once you get clear about the goal, it’ll drive you by itself to hit the gym. In addition, if your workout program isn’t working, you may hit a plateau, and you need to change your workout plan, or you’re overeating junk food, which you shouldn’t be. So, try to find answers to such questions, and it’ll help you overcome your depression.
Track Progress
Keep regular track of your accomplishments. It’s one of the best ways to cure the depression you face in your fitness journey. You can have a diary where you can write down your progress and other things you would like to write down.
You can join groups on social media platforms, join community clubs or install applications to record your progress.
Avoid Processed Food
Tackling of depression differs from person to person. And one-way people often do this by comforting themselves by eating junk foods. Hence, if you’re feeling depressed for any reason, avoid eating junk foods, as it’ll backfire on all the hard work you did for your fitness until now. The food you might be thinking to give you comfort at present may negatively affect it later. Also, high calories and food with higher levels of fats should be avoided, especially when your goal is to lose weight.
Wrapping Up
Overcoming depression and starting to do things is typically a challenging task. It requires you to stay positive, work hard, be determined, and be motivated. Nonetheless, if you have faced depression due to any reason and were questioning how to motivate yourself to workout when depressed, then here we’ve given some tips that will help you come out of depression and start focusing on your workout routine.
In addition, if you’re facing depression due to someone’s negativity, then it’s best that you cut off such toxic people from your life and rethink your priorities.
