{"id":280286,"date":"2025-12-30T11:00:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T16:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/girlslife.com\/?p=280286"},"modified":"2025-12-30T11:32:55","modified_gmt":"2025-12-30T16:32:55","slug":"how-to-stay-motivated-when-starting-your-workout-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wellness\/health\/280286\/how-to-stay-motivated-when-starting-your-workout-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"How to stay motivated when starting your workout journey"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-313247 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/staymotivated.jpg\" alt=\"Two women in workout clothes pose playfully with small dumbbells in front of large windows, smiling and making faces. Sunlight streams in, revealing a cityscape outside\u2014perfect workout motivation for anyone beginning their fitness journey.\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/staymotivated.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/staymotivated-273x300.jpg 273w, https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/staymotivated-931x1024.jpg 931w, https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/staymotivated-768x845.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s be honest: It&#8217;s hard to keep a consistent workout routine. Between all your day-to-to-day priorities (HW, squad hangouts, your part-time gig at the smoothie shop) and the little distractions (Netflix, TikTok, that closet you&#8217;ve been meaning to organize), exercising tends to fall to the bottom of that never-ending to-do list.<\/p>\n<p>But not this year! If fitness is your 2026 resolution, these tips will help you roll out the mat\u2014even on those tough &#8220;I-just-want-to-go-back-to-bed&#8221; days.<\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"color: #ff3399;\"><big>Make it fun<\/big><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" style=\"max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@laurennbfit\/video\/7086847443861622058\" data-video-id=\"7086847443861622058\">\n<section><a title=\"@laurennbfit\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@laurennbfit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@laurennbfit<\/a> i look dead inside bc most of these were early mornings lol <a title=\"gymtok\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/gymtok\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#gymtok<\/a> <a title=\"gympartner\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/gympartner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#gympartner<\/a> <a title=\"gymbesties\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/gymbesties\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#gymbesties<\/a> <a title=\"trending\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/trending\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#trending<\/a> <a title=\"fitnessmotivation\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/fitnessmotivation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#fitnessmotivation<\/a> <a title=\"\u266c original sound - \ud83d\udc7e\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/original-sound-6820889547866442501\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u266c original sound &#8211; \ud83d\udc7e<\/a><\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The hardest part when starting out is\u00a0<em>not<\/em>\u00a0being excited\u00a0to do\u00a0your next workout. So make it a whole experience: Put on your cutest athleisure fit (bc squats are definitely more fun in your matching Lululemon set),\u00a0fill up your fave water bottle and blast some good tunes.<\/p>\n<p>And remember to switch up your routine if things start to feel boring (aka don&#8217;t hit the treadmill five days in a row). In fact, the best fitness regimens rotate between cardio and strength days to keep things interesting.\u00a0Peep below for a weekly sched that hits all the major muscle groups.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Monday:<\/strong> Zumba<br \/>\n<strong>Tuesday:<\/strong> Upper-body dumbbell workout<br \/>\n<strong>Wednesday:<\/strong> Pilates + core<br \/>\n<strong>Thursday: <\/strong>Treadmill or outdoor run<br \/>\n<strong>Friday:<\/strong> Lower-body strength circuit<br \/>\n<strong>Saturday:<\/strong> Yoga<br \/>\n<strong>Sunday:<\/strong> Rest<\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"color: #ff3399;\"><big>Change your mindset<\/big><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Do you consider working out a chore? Well, that might be the problem. Instead of framing it as just another daunting task on your daily sched, try to think of it as a self-love moment for your body. (After all, exercise *does* treat you to a flood of feel-good endorphins and a boost in brain, mental, cardiovascular and overall health.)<\/p>\n<p>On that same self-love note, don&#8217;t pressure yourself to hit the gym if you&#8217;re *really* not feeling it. (Like, if it&#8217;s day two of your period and your cramps are killer and you just need a Netflix day.) And if your body is telling you that it needs rest, it probably does!<\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"color: #ff3399;\"><big>Keep track of your progress<\/big><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Start a workout diary (either on paper or on your phone\u2014whatever works for you) to jot down what you did on the mat each day. A workout diary is the best way to look back on how well you&#8217;re doing *and* feel proud of yourself for all your accomplishments. Make it cute by decorating it with your fave stickers. And treat yourself to a new set of gel pens before you get started, pls!<\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"color: #ff3399;\"><big>Get a workout buddy<\/big><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/content\/samiclarkewithfriendsworkingout.jpg\" alt=\"\"><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CaNZUvQPEPA\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><small>@samiclarke<\/small><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Take this as your sign to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.girlslife.com\/health\/workouts\/42427\/heres-why-you-need-an-exercise-bff\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">get a workout buddy ASAP<\/a>. By having a partner to work out with, you can hold each other accountable and encourage one another to push through. Let&#8217;s face it: It&#8217;s harder to ditch that weekend barre class when you know your bestie&#8217;s waiting for you!<\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"color: #ff3399;\"><big>Make working out\u00a0competitive<\/big><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/content\/daisykeechworkoutrewardyourself.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Who doesn&#8217;t love some good ol&#8217; friendly competition? For more drive to stay on track, there are *so* many apps online to make working out more competitive with yourself and others, such as Stridekick and Fitocracy.\u00a0You can also get involved in a workout challenge (remember the\u00a0viral\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/chloeting.com\/program\/2021\/2-weeks-shred-challenge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chloe Ting Two Week Shred program<\/a> that everybody and their mother was doing back in 2020?). This not only gives you more incentive to stay consistent, but it also pushes you to reach above your potential.<\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"color: #ff3399;\"><big>Reward yourself<\/big><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/content\/sannevloetmakeworkingoutcompetitive.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><small><\/small>Setting goals is super important if you want your workouts\u00a0to pay off. (Pro tip: Make your goal something really specific, like &#8220;I want to be able to do 20 push-ups by the time school lets out in June.&#8221;) Better yet, reward yourself when you reach those goals by\u00a0treating yourself with a\u00a0new pair of shoes you&#8217;ve been wanting, a spa day or a hardcover book on your TBR list. Because after all the hard work, you deserve it!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #2980b9;\"><b>Ready for some more workouts? Check these out:<\/b><\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.girlslife.com\/fitness\/workouts\/39045\/7-easy-to-learn-beginner-workout-vids-you-can-find-on-youtube-rn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: null;\">\ud83c\udfcb\ufe0f\u00a07 easy-to-learn beginner workout vids you can find on YouTube rn<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.girlslife.com\/fitness\/workouts\/40085\/5-new-workouts-to-glow-up-your-routine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: null;\">\ud83c\udfcb\ufe0f\u00a05 new workouts to glow up your routine<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.girlslife.com\/fitness\/workouts\/39852\/indoor-workouts-to-raise-your-heart-rate-even-when-its-freezing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: null;\">\ud83c\udfcb\ufe0f Indoor workouts to raise your heart rate when it&#8217;s freezing<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><big><strong><span style=\"color: #ff3399;\">\u00a0Follow\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/girlslifemag\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@girlslifemag<\/a> on Insta for more fun workout inspo!<\/span><\/strong><\/big><\/p>\n<p><small>Top and slider image: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DSv9y2egCC9\/?img_index=9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@lifeofreillyyy<\/a><br \/>\nBody images: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CVQzcpgpBVZ\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@daisykeech<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CPV5SCZsuwh\/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@sannevloet<\/a><br \/>\n<\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Let&#8217;s be honest: It&#8217;s hard to keep a consistent workout routine. Between all your day-to-to-day priorities (HW, squad hangouts, your part-time gig at the smoothie<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1727,"featured_media":313247,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[277,299],"tags":[251,3687,279,56934,56932,1924,24026,4541,56933,11830,2319,56935,162,161],"class_list":["post-280286","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-workouts","tag-fitness","tag-fitness-tips","tag-health","tag-how-to-stay-motivated-to-work-out","tag-reward-yourself","tag-workout","tag-workout-advice","tag-workout-buddy","tag-workout-diary","tag-workout-motivation","tag-workout-music","tag-workout-routine","tag-workout-tips","tag-workouts"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/280286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1727"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=280286"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/280286\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/313247"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=280286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=280286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=280286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}