3 Easy Hacks I Use To Go To The Gym 5x Per Week

Do you hate what you see in the mirror?

Are you someone who loathes the idea of going out because you hate the way clothing looks on you?

I get it.

I’ve been going to the gym since I was in middle school. My mom went every night, and in my eyes, she was the most beautiful woman to exist on this planet. She was perfectly thin (after 3 kids) with long legs and a flat tummy.

Meanwhile, I had a curvier body type, and I hated it. I wanted to look exactly like her.

I’d run miles for hours. Do crunches like my life depended on it, and yet, nothing helped. My frame remained the same. It was discouraging, and eventually, I stopped going to the gym altogether.

In the last 5 years, my perspective on fitness has drastically changed, and I’ve learned so much about health and wellness. I’ve been going to the gym consistently for the last 5 years, and I go anywhere between 4-6x per week depending on my goals and how my body is feeling.

I know what it feels like to hate your body and struggle with showing up for yourself.

Which is why I’m hoping these 3 simple hacks I’ve been implementing into my life for the last 5 years help you finally get consistent in your gym routine this year.

Make It Sustainable AND Convenient

If you know you’re not a morning person, and you’re always rushing in the mornings to get to work on time — don’t make going to the gym first thing in the morning your goal.

I’m all for a challenge, but chances are, you’ll go the first day after snoozing 5x, realize you don’t have enough time to actually drive there, workout, shower, eat and go to the office, and you’ll most likely end up quitting altogether due to the “hassle” of it.

Instead, choose a time that is convenient within your lifestyle. It’s okay if you’re not a morning bird! Not everyone likes to wake up at the butt crack of dawn and torture themselves with dumbbells.

Go to the gym after work, and make sure to pack a gym bag, so you have zero excuses not to go.

And if you’re starving after work, bring a pre-workout snack so you’re fueled and ready to go. Additionally, a non-stimulant pre-workout can also be a great option if you’re feeling tired.

I’m an early bird, so I make it a priority to work out as early as I can Monday through Friday, and then on Saturdays, I’ll go later in the morning. That’s what works for me and my lifestyle.

The goal is to fit working out into your life in a way that is convenient and sustainable. Play with it — then stick to it.

Know What You’re Doing Beforehand

It’s hard to stay consistent when you’re all over the place.

If you’re a beginner and just starting out, you need to identify what your goals are first and then utilize resources online to reach those goals.

If you don’t know what your goals are at the gym, you’re not going to enjoy yourself.

Ask yourself, is your goal weight loss? Because if so, your style of training will look different from someone who, for example, wants to be a bodybuilder.

When I first started out, I watched YouTubers and utilized follow-along videos. I wanted to lose a ton of weight and be incredibly strong, but to do both simultaneously is incredibly hard because to lose weight, you need to expend more calories; meanwhile, to get strong and put on muscle, you need to consume more calories.

Do your research and utilize resources online. There are many fitness gurus out there who know what they’re talking about and can help you in your fitness journey.

Identify your goals, find a workout program that works for you and will help you reach those goals, and hit the gym. It’s more motivating when you know exactly what you’re going to do at the gym before getting there.

Make It Something You ENJOY

I know that if you’re struggling to even step foot in the gym right now, you’re probably thinking there’s no way it can be enjoyable for you.

But there is.

Exercising is a great and fantastic hobby that you can utilize not only to improve your physical health but it’s a way for you to focus on yourself for once.

Headphones in, phone off, the world tuned out, it’s you against you. It’s a way for you to challenge yourself, a way for you to improve yourself daily, it’s a way for you to see how much you’re truly capable of.

When I first started out, I mentioned that I did a lot of cardio and crunches. While I do enjoy running now for therapeutic reasons, I genuinely didn’t like it back then. It was miserable.

Over the years, I tried various forms of exercise — boxing, kickboxing, swimming, pole-fitness, SoulCycle, pilates, barre; and then I started weight-training and utilized resources and research online, and my life changed forever. It slowly but surely became fun for me.

While I don’t wake up every single morning bursting with energy to hit the gym, it’s something I genuinely look forward to and miss when/if I don’t get a chance to do it.

Make it fun for yourself. Don’t make it a chore. When it’s fun, you’re more inclined to show up for yourself, and that’s what fitness is all about — showing up for yourself so you can be your best self.

To sum it up, if you’re looking to make your gym routine consistent, try my 3 simple hacks:

• Make it sustainable and convenient. Don’t say you’re going to go at 5 am if you’re someone who is not an early bird and doesn’t want to be.

• Know what you’re doing. Identify your goal and find a workout program for yourself. It’s motivating when you have something physical to look at and utilize.

• Make it something you genuinely enjoy. If you hate group classes, don’t go to soul cycle. If you hate running, don’t do 2+ hours of cardio every single day. Play with it.