Staying motivated to work out regularly and not polish off a block of Lindt in one sitting can be tough at the best of times.
No one’s immune to a big ol’ case of the ceebs – not even ya fave celebrities.
Lea Michele, mega-successful American slashie and star of Glee and Scream Queens, has long been known for her strong, curvy figure – and she’s revealed her #1 motivational hack for getting her sweat on in the November issue of Shape mag.
Covergirl Michele’s solution for getting herself out of bed and into the gym? Simply ask yourself “why?” whenever you truly cannot be fucked exercising.
“I’ve learned how to listen to my body and know what I need in that moment. And I’m grateful for that,” she told Shape.
“It took me a very long time to get to this place. Now I can tell when my body is saying to take a break from working out, or when it’s saying, ‘No, you’re being a little lazy,’ so that I can push myself to get going.”
As you probably know deep down, wanting to avoid exercise is usually mental rather than physical.
Once you truthfully identify why you’re trying to avoid the gym / tennis court / pavement, it makes it harder to make legitimate excuses.
Everyone’s ‘why?’ is different. My ‘why?’ is so I can treat myself to a medium Big Mac meal once a fortnight without guilt-crying.
“Find three workouts you enjoy so that you can choose what you need on any given day,” says Michele. “I exercise every day if I can. If I’m not working out, I’m on a hike or swimming in my backyard … I always keep moving.”
Michele says she enjoys pilates and spin classes (each to their own, I guess). It’s all about trying out new things and finding the work out that gels for you.
And what will come as no surprise, Michele reckons sleep is imperative to a productive, energetic day.
“I’m a grandma – I’m in bed by 9pm if I have to get up early for work the next day. Sleep is the number-one thing that gives me energy. It’s imperative for me to get a solid eight or nine hours. It usually takes me awhile to fall asleep, so I do things that help me wind down at night. I drink tea, I take a bath with nice salts and oils, and I spray lavender on my pillows.”
So, next time you’re considering a Netflix binge instead of a pump class – ask yourself why and see if your priorities change.
Source: Shape.
Photo: Lea Michele.
