Getting out of a fitness slump. Suggestions?

[Anonymous]

For the past couple of weeks, I've lost a lot of my fitness mojo. I would typically run 3-4x a week. I go out there, start, and completely stop after 1-5 minutes. My body (and brain) just say "I don't want to do this" and I can't find the motivation to push through. Then I walk back home.

I work in-person 5 days a week and don't have time to go to the gym much. I strength train 1 day on the weekends, try to walk more, but motivating myself for cardio has been rough.

Anyone else get in a fitness slump sometimes? How do you get yourself out of it?

[Anonymous]

Different things.

Pilates 2 days
Hot yoga 1
CrossFit/lift type gym 2 days
Long run or peloton other days.

For years I was a run 5 days per week; machine weights marathoner ; soccer player youth til 20.

Destroyed my running ability by 50. Hamstring/piraformis tendinitis and lower back pain running.

[Anonymous]

I won’t join lifetime because I need to do variety; go to different gyms/classes to stay motivated

[Anonymous]

You need to change up your routine. It sounds boring AF. Try jump roping, cycling, weights, swimming, or a sport.

[Anonymous]

I was walking every day and it got boring and so I have turned to one of these apps that will tell you what to do…like alternating walking and running…It’s one of the “couch to 5K” apps… My motivation is that I want to be able to run a 5K.
Maybe for whatever reason you’re just not into it right now. Walking is fine exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was walking every day and it got boring and so I have turned to one of these apps that will tell you what to do…like alternating walking and running…It’s one of the “couch to 5K” apps… My motivation is that I want to be able to run a 5K.
Maybe for whatever reason you’re just not into it right now. Walking is fine exercise.

What app do you use? Not the OP, but in a similar fitness slump

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was walking every day and it got boring and so I have turned to one of these apps that will tell you what to do…like alternating walking and running…It’s one of the “couch to 5K” apps… My motivation is that I want to be able to run a 5K.
Maybe for whatever reason you’re just not into it right now. Walking is fine exercise.

How much time do you spend every day? I’m in a kid-induced time and motivation slump and maybe this would help (not OP).

[Anonymous]

Get a fitness watch. I have a Garmin.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, same! I also was a runner/weights/yoga/Solidcore attendee, and I just...stopped. I didn't get into the Cherry Blossom and forgot to sign up for the Rock n Roll half, and I think that might have killed off my motivation too.

Tell me to work out! Tell me fun things to do!

[Anonymous]

Sign up for ClassPass!

[Anonymous]

I was always a very routine runner, but I recently tried a class, aerial yoga, and it was so fun that it made me want to explore and try other ways of exercising. I'd look into ClassPass as a PP said lots of places have deals for the first few classes.

[Anonymous]

I hit a very similar slump a few years ago and subscribing to an online workout program has helped a lot. I've done both Peloton and Barre3, and both have pluses and minuses (I don't have a Peloton bike, was just using the app for workouts).

The main thing that it helped with was squeezing in workouts on days when I'm busy and also don't want to workout. I can force myself to log into the app and do a 15 or 30 minute workout. Some days I just do the workout in my pajamas so I don't even have to get dressed for it. It's just a smidge easier than lacing up running shoes and going outside. Also I have kids and this way I can do a workout even if my spouse isn't home but the kids are, which is a huge help on mornings when he leaves before I do or in the evening if he has an event or something.

I also hung a pull up bar in our bedroom and work on pull ups three days a week using a "100 pull up challenge" routine (I cannot do 100 pull ups but I can now do 8, which is better than the barely-one I could do before). It's a quick 5-10 minute workout that I can do anytime, and having it in my room is a good visual reminder that motivates me.

I'm still not really running anymore. I don't know why I hit a wall there. Maybe I'm just hitting an age where that doesn't work for me anymore. I don't have knee issues but I have had some hip discomfort from running on sidewalks in the past and maybe I just need something lower impact, I don't know. I've thought about trying to go to a pool a couple days a week to swim to see if that can replace it.

[Anonymous]

Honestly? You just have to do it. Think of it as daily medication that you have to take for the rest of your life, and give yourself permission to sometimes just walk if you don't feel like running.

Beyond that, mix it up. I do a lot of youtube stuff - so much content! And I hate to be one of the annoying Peloton people, but when I do run, I really love their outdoor running workouts. Really helps keep me going. I bet there are free versions of that - essentially coaching set to a soundtrack.

When I got really burned out on my regular cardio and HIIT routines, I bit the bullet and bought a used Peloton. I really love it. On the days I feel blah, I can always get on and do 20 minutes, and feel better.

[Anonymous]

Are you ok, healthy, eating well? I have been having trouble sustaining my runs and for me it’s usually a sign I’m anemic. My body just revolts.

Anyway, could be boredom, but think about whether you’re physically all right as well.

[Anonymous]

You just need to push through. Discipline will carry you when motivation won't.

I go through this maybe once a decade, where for 3-4 months, I hate working out. It's a joyless slog and my performance sucks even when I really push myself. This is always followed up by a period of dramatic improvement in performance. I don't know how or why this happens or why it ends with a huge boost in performance. But if you can force yourself to stick it out and maintain your workout schedule, something good is on the other side.