You’ve had those days, we all have.  You just don’t feel like getting into your workout.  It doesn’t matter if you workout or run in the morning, noon, or evening.  Sometimes the motivation just isn’t there.  It’s cold, snowing, dark, your sore, tired, or injured.  It would just be so much easier to just forget it today.  That’s all the more reason to get out there and do it!  I discovered a little trick to get running when I’m just not in the mood, and you can adapt it to just about any workout routine, whether you bike, swim, lift, aerobicize, or run.  I’m not sure where I first heard this at (I wish I could give someone the credit), but I’ve used many times to get going.

Here’s how it works for running.  First, you have to get yourself up.  I roll onto my back and do some diaphragmatic breathing exercises and while I’m doing that I review in my mind why I really need to get going.  Pinch that roll of belly fat, envision that race I’m training for, and soon I’m convinced that I really do need to get up.  So, after getting up I get dressed, gather the equipment I need for whatever the activity is and layout my objective…how far will I run, or how long.  When I’m ready to go I do a set of breathing exercises and tell myself again why I need to do this today.

OK, I’m out the door and yet I still may not be quite ready to “take off”.  So here is the trick.  Start off at a slow jog for about 100 meters, letting things begin to warm up some.  Then take 10 quick paces and count them off.  1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10. These are quick, but not necessarily powerful steps (you don’t want to pull something).  Slow and count off 50 paces and then repeat the quick paces, but this time do 20.  Slow and count off 50 again.  Then do 30 quick paces.  Slow and count off 50.  Repeat the cycle each time adding 10 quick paces, soon your doing 70, 80, 90, and then 100 quick paces.  Generally by the time I get to the 100 I’m pretty much on my way and begin to fall into my regular pace.  Somewhere along the line I determine my route, distance, and whether I’m going to work on anything in particular with that run.  Habit begins to take over and the run is underway.

I do the same thing with workouts when I’m not in the mood.  Generally it’s like this:  I’ve looked at the workout routine for the day and feel like I just don’t want to do it today.  I go ahead and set up for the routine called for.  I start my range of motion warm up routine, and a set of breathing exercises.  Then I start with 3 push ups, 3 pull ups, 3 burpees, 3 sit ups.  Then do 5, then 7, then 9.  Somewhere in there I decide that perhaps the workout isn’t so bad after all and transition into the workout of the day.

Sometimes do you feel like skipping your devotion time with Jesus?  Generally it’s not like the exercise routine, not because we don’t want to, but other things are pressing in, time, other people, work, a myriad of other distractions.  Often that’s when we need that time the most.  Try this the next time.  Recite the 23rd Psalm while gathering your devotional material (book, Bible, journal).  Now say the Lord’s Prayer.  Now say it again, but personalize each line listening for the quiet voice of your King.  What would He have you do today in your time with Him?  This only takes 3-4 minutes, and by now you are seated in your usual place for devotion time.

Practicing discipline in our physical routine as well as our spiritual routine pays dividends as we develop helpful habits to pull us through those times when perhaps we just don’t “feel like it”.  So get up, get out, and get going!