Getting in gear first thing
January 23, 2024 1:41 PM Subscribe
The perfect time for me to do yoga, stretch, breathe, and approach the day is available to me. How to make myself actually DO it?
I wake up, I start the coffee. There is at least 20 min there for me to yoga and breathe and be awesome. But...how? I wake up bleary, stuffy nosed (before my allergy pill), and tend to sit grumpily on the couch doing nothing. If this was you...how do you do the thing? I find most athletic people say, "just do it." But...what actually helps this to happen?
I wake up, I start the coffee. There is at least 20 min there for me to yoga and breathe and be awesome. But...how? I wake up bleary, stuffy nosed (before my allergy pill), and tend to sit grumpily on the couch doing nothing. If this was you...how do you do the thing? I find most athletic people say, "just do it." But...what actually helps this to happen?
Setting a phone alarm with the thing you want yourself to do, be it putting appropriate gear on or turning on a video to cue you. Can you try doing it in a less challenging hour then move it to the bleary/grumpy time?
posted by *s at 1:53 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
posted by *s at 1:53 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
Seconding restless_nomad! I also exercise first thing, and have only stuck with it because I'm essentially tricking myself into it while my brain is still waking up. The actually-doing-it thing is putting on the appropriate clothes, but if I have to hunt around for my sportsbra, that introduces a point at which (before which! While I'm still comfy in bed!) I could sleepily decide not to. If I lay out all the clothes I'll need the night before, this somehow makes it just easy enough to continue on and just do the thing.
posted by quatsch at 2:14 PM on January 23 [6 favorites]
posted by quatsch at 2:14 PM on January 23 [6 favorites]
Best answer: I hate mornings and in general am severely prone to inertia (thanks, ADHD!). But even with that, there are two things that help me with Doing The Things.
1. Don't give myself the space to talk myself out of it. That's what "just do it" means for me. Like the first commenter said, don't think about it, just get up and take the first step. If I give myself time to think about how warm and cozy my bed is, how grumpy I am, how I can probably sleep 5 more minutes... I'm going to ruminate, talk myself out of it, and not do the thing. But if I just get up, put on the yoga pants or lay out the mat or whatever, and sit on the floor, I do the thing. Or at least part of the thing, which is better than none of the thing. And it sounds like just sitting and breathing mindfully for a bit is something that would support your goals even if you don't get to any yoga poses, so starting that way will still be progress.
And look, I know this sounds fake! I thought it sounded fake too! And it's of course not as easy as it sounds. But it really does help me and a lot of other people I know, and if you do it long enough, it becomes a habit that's unquestioned rather than a Thing you struggle to Do every morning.
2. Remove the unnecessary blockers. If the idea of having to, for example, shower then eat then put on clothes then yoga sounds too intimidating, you don't have to do those things in that order! Or if the idea of being icky or hungry for another 20 minutes and yoga-ing before you shower or eat is what sounds unbearable, then shower or eat first. Sometimes the idea of even putting clothes on sounds like too much work for me, so I just roll out of bed and do my stretches naked or in what I slept in. Unless it's winter, and the idea of being cold is the unbearable thing, then I put on warm comfy clothes whether they're appropriate clothes or not. Or if morning just isn't happening for me, then some days I do the thing in the evening. Can you take your allergy pill first thing so maybe it kicks in more quickly, or do something that temporarily eases the stuffiness so you're more comfortable? You get the idea, maybe.
Bonus third thing: Do give yourself some grace. If you're really not feeling it one morning, or you have life obligations that make it extra difficult some days, don't beat yourself up over missing a day here and there. For me, at least, the more pressure and guilt I put on myself to do something, the harder it is to keep doing after I mess up.
posted by rhiannonstone at 2:18 PM on January 23 [13 favorites]
1. Don't give myself the space to talk myself out of it. That's what "just do it" means for me. Like the first commenter said, don't think about it, just get up and take the first step. If I give myself time to think about how warm and cozy my bed is, how grumpy I am, how I can probably sleep 5 more minutes... I'm going to ruminate, talk myself out of it, and not do the thing. But if I just get up, put on the yoga pants or lay out the mat or whatever, and sit on the floor, I do the thing. Or at least part of the thing, which is better than none of the thing. And it sounds like just sitting and breathing mindfully for a bit is something that would support your goals even if you don't get to any yoga poses, so starting that way will still be progress.
And look, I know this sounds fake! I thought it sounded fake too! And it's of course not as easy as it sounds. But it really does help me and a lot of other people I know, and if you do it long enough, it becomes a habit that's unquestioned rather than a Thing you struggle to Do every morning.
2. Remove the unnecessary blockers. If the idea of having to, for example, shower then eat then put on clothes then yoga sounds too intimidating, you don't have to do those things in that order! Or if the idea of being icky or hungry for another 20 minutes and yoga-ing before you shower or eat is what sounds unbearable, then shower or eat first. Sometimes the idea of even putting clothes on sounds like too much work for me, so I just roll out of bed and do my stretches naked or in what I slept in. Unless it's winter, and the idea of being cold is the unbearable thing, then I put on warm comfy clothes whether they're appropriate clothes or not. Or if morning just isn't happening for me, then some days I do the thing in the evening. Can you take your allergy pill first thing so maybe it kicks in more quickly, or do something that temporarily eases the stuffiness so you're more comfortable? You get the idea, maybe.
Bonus third thing: Do give yourself some grace. If you're really not feeling it one morning, or you have life obligations that make it extra difficult some days, don't beat yourself up over missing a day here and there. For me, at least, the more pressure and guilt I put on myself to do something, the harder it is to keep doing after I mess up.
posted by rhiannonstone at 2:18 PM on January 23 [13 favorites]
Best answer: I make a short (15 minute) playlist for myself and have gotten to the point where rolling out my yoga mat, sitting on it, and putting that playlist on are pretty automatic even first thing in the morning. From there, I let myself do whatever I feel like, usually some light yoga, but can also just be sitting and staring into space. The playlist really helps me feel like this is a special morning activity and also helps me keep track of time.
posted by LeeLanded at 2:20 PM on January 23 [4 favorites]
posted by LeeLanded at 2:20 PM on January 23 [4 favorites]
I’m a pre-dawn runner. It’s a discovery I made in my early 40s that I, someone with an avowed dislike for sports and gyms, kind of love waking up and going directly from bed to running shoes to 5K. I’ll basically only pee, dress, stretch a little, and then get out the door (I don’t drink water or eat anything first). That’s maybe 4-5 minutes, max. An awesome part about this routine was discovering how important the “being outside” as[ext is to all this. Season doesn’t matter, temperature doesn’t matter, weather doesn’t matter… I get outside and in 5 minutes of brisk walking to warm up I’m somehow “in gear.” Even in days when I don’t run, I’ll go outside for a quick walk (even if it’s just around the block!) as a sort of wake-up ritual. It’s really helpful for me to put that ritual there as a physiological and psychological boundary crossing into wakefulness. It helps me be awake enough to do a meditation session at that hour, and sleepiness has long been something I struggle with when I meditate.
I’ll also sometimes make sure to vacuum the floor in the living room before I go to bed. Just a quick pass with the stick vac, 30 seconds or so, which is my gift to my morning self. I can do my pre-run stretches or anything else on the floor without getting covered in crumbs and hair. It’s a nice, small gesture that I sometimes marvel at in the morning (“aw, that’s so sweet that I vacuumed, thanks, me!”).
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 2:26 PM on January 23 [13 favorites]
I’ll also sometimes make sure to vacuum the floor in the living room before I go to bed. Just a quick pass with the stick vac, 30 seconds or so, which is my gift to my morning self. I can do my pre-run stretches or anything else on the floor without getting covered in crumbs and hair. It’s a nice, small gesture that I sometimes marvel at in the morning (“aw, that’s so sweet that I vacuumed, thanks, me!”).
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 2:26 PM on January 23 [13 favorites]
Set an alarm for X. After brushing teeth, do your yoga first. The night before, you have programmed the coffee maker to start at X+Y, which is long enough after X that you will have already started that yoga routine, but short enough such that when you are done with yoga, the coffee will be ready.
I don’t always have a good workout routine, but when I do, it looks like this: do it before I am awake enough to invent excuses.
posted by eirias at 2:28 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
I don’t always have a good workout routine, but when I do, it looks like this: do it before I am awake enough to invent excuses.
posted by eirias at 2:28 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
I also have recently had time to myself in the morning. (Now that my son is actually sleeping in.) I don't get moving too early and don't especially enjoy working out in the morning but have been able to. The things that work for me are similar to some other people,
Simple routine: I brush my teeth and splash cold water on my face. My mom always said splash cold water on your face in the morning and it helps. And makes me think of my mom for a sec which is also nice. :)
I do the task that my body and mind are ready for: I try to work out every day and I'd like to do a workout but I just don't want to in the morning most days. Walking is something that i can actually do reliably and my body,mind,whatever isn't fighting me about it so I walk on a treadmill or outside. I put on a podcast or even watch tv if im on a treadmill. It's enjoyable and i like it so I do it. The takeaway here I think isn't that walking is the thing, but finding the thing that works for you and you don't hate will help it become something you can get done. Being able to move and get some steps in helps me and gives me a boost to start the day.
posted by Jungo at 2:52 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
Simple routine: I brush my teeth and splash cold water on my face. My mom always said splash cold water on your face in the morning and it helps. And makes me think of my mom for a sec which is also nice. :)
I do the task that my body and mind are ready for: I try to work out every day and I'd like to do a workout but I just don't want to in the morning most days. Walking is something that i can actually do reliably and my body,mind,whatever isn't fighting me about it so I walk on a treadmill or outside. I put on a podcast or even watch tv if im on a treadmill. It's enjoyable and i like it so I do it. The takeaway here I think isn't that walking is the thing, but finding the thing that works for you and you don't hate will help it become something you can get done. Being able to move and get some steps in helps me and gives me a boost to start the day.
posted by Jungo at 2:52 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
I tried to be a morning exerciser and just could never do it. While the morning drinks are brewing I do the dishes/clean the kitchen, and then I drink it while reading (and often I do my harder/theory/non-fiction/whatever reading in the morning).
That said, yeah, otherwise for exercise it does often just come down to “just do it.” You just… start doing it. Sometimes you’re grumpy every single minute of it (I did a full hour-long yin yoga video last night and resented every single breath. And yet. The time passed).
posted by jeweled accumulation at 3:24 PM on January 23
That said, yeah, otherwise for exercise it does often just come down to “just do it.” You just… start doing it. Sometimes you’re grumpy every single minute of it (I did a full hour-long yin yoga video last night and resented every single breath. And yet. The time passed).
posted by jeweled accumulation at 3:24 PM on January 23
I take my allergy meds at bedtime, and now I wake up less stuffy and more functional.
posted by assenav at 4:37 PM on January 23 [2 favorites]
posted by assenav at 4:37 PM on January 23 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: (Can't set an alarm because I finally am allowed via my schedule to wake semi-naturally and that's golden...and not gonna alter my meds, that's an individual health thing and I need to take mine in the morning. My fault for putting that detail in, I suppose, it has nothing to do with the main question. Thanks for the tips so far!)
posted by tiny frying pan at 4:41 PM on January 23 [2 favorites]
posted by tiny frying pan at 4:41 PM on January 23 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: (Like, I assure you, I can have perfect sinuses but still a little kid sense of "but I don't wanna!"vibe first thing 😸)
posted by tiny frying pan at 4:49 PM on January 23 [4 favorites]
posted by tiny frying pan at 4:49 PM on January 23 [4 favorites]
I was going to reply "The best is the enemy of the good" (Voltaire) but when I went to check who said it the first hit on Google was (believe it or not) this Yoga site. I think the universe is trying to tell you something.
posted by forthright at 4:57 PM on January 23 [2 favorites]
posted by forthright at 4:57 PM on January 23 [2 favorites]
Remove as many barriers as possible. Sleep in your yoga clothes, roll out the mat the night before, have the yoga video already picked out and bookmarked/downloaded/left open on the laptop browser.
posted by airplant at 5:14 PM on January 23 [2 favorites]
posted by airplant at 5:14 PM on January 23 [2 favorites]
Depending on the layout of your home: don't even get as far as the sofa. Put your yoga mat in the kitchen the night before. Splash your face with water in the kitchen sink, take your allergy med, roll out the mat, start the coffee.
posted by Iris Gambol at 5:15 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
posted by Iris Gambol at 5:15 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
Set yourself up before you to bed for this perfect morning! Set your coffee maker up, set up a glass of water, set out your outfit, and write yourself a nice little note to wake up to. It’s something to look forward to when you go to sleep.
posted by cakebatter at 6:36 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
posted by cakebatter at 6:36 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
My experience has been similar to what other posters have said - if I can just get my body up and moving through the motions immediately after I wake up, my brain hasn't caught up yet. If I allow myself any time to think, at ALL, my mind starts trying to convince me to stay where I am instead of doing anything that requires effort. I find I have a specific threshold that once I cross it, the next parts become easier. For me, it's brushing my teeth - maybe you will discover you have one too?
Also yes to removing barriers: put clothes out the night before, leave yoga mat unfurled in your designated place, etc. But also remove temptations to do anything else: don't even touch the couch if that's your kryptonite (for me, I cannot keep my phone in my bedroom or I'll start surfing the internet and there goes the whole morning).
I started with telling myself I had to do FIVE minutes of yoga every morning. Just five. And some days, I had to honor that and let myself stop after five. But I built up the minimum from there. Also helpful was that tip from Atomic Habits (great read, btw) of identifying with the thing you want to do: "I'm a yogi and I do daily sun salutations" or "I'm a runner, runners get up and out the door even when they're not feeling it", or whatever it is.
Other ideas that I use often: something lovely and special as a reward on days you do your habit (an extra special coffee drink or pastry, or something like that). Marking red x's on a calendar to see a visual documentation of days you did the thing (I keep mine on my fridge so I see it often).
The more you do it, the easier it DOES become. So if you manage once a week for awhile, then great. Still worth it. Maybe in a few weeks you'll get it done twice that week, and you build from there. Any forward motion counts, and Newton's First Law is truly A Thing.
posted by carlypennylane at 7:58 PM on January 23 [2 favorites]
Also yes to removing barriers: put clothes out the night before, leave yoga mat unfurled in your designated place, etc. But also remove temptations to do anything else: don't even touch the couch if that's your kryptonite (for me, I cannot keep my phone in my bedroom or I'll start surfing the internet and there goes the whole morning).
I started with telling myself I had to do FIVE minutes of yoga every morning. Just five. And some days, I had to honor that and let myself stop after five. But I built up the minimum from there. Also helpful was that tip from Atomic Habits (great read, btw) of identifying with the thing you want to do: "I'm a yogi and I do daily sun salutations" or "I'm a runner, runners get up and out the door even when they're not feeling it", or whatever it is.
Other ideas that I use often: something lovely and special as a reward on days you do your habit (an extra special coffee drink or pastry, or something like that). Marking red x's on a calendar to see a visual documentation of days you did the thing (I keep mine on my fridge so I see it often).
The more you do it, the easier it DOES become. So if you manage once a week for awhile, then great. Still worth it. Maybe in a few weeks you'll get it done twice that week, and you build from there. Any forward motion counts, and Newton's First Law is truly A Thing.
posted by carlypennylane at 7:58 PM on January 23 [2 favorites]
What do you do for yoga? Do you follow a video or something like that? If so, maybe try a 30-day challenge type of thing? That way, you have a schedule to go by and don't have to think too much about what to do - just do it!
I say this because I recently started working out and having specific workout video for each day of the month scheduled (though not a specific time) worked a lot for me so I didn't have to think too much. I made a calendar and check off the days I do them, which gives me a sense of accomplishment. This motivates me to stick with it. That might work for you?
Also, I found that changing into workout gear when I transition from work to home helps, even if I'm not in the mood. So maybe start there? Find a point in your morning routine to change into yoga gear, OR just wear your pajamas. Make it easy.
I'm gentle with myself if I'm tired/super sore, but try to at least start the workout and see how much I do. Sometimes I seriously just roll out my mat and do the first few stretches before I give up...but you know what? That's ok, because showing up helps build up the habit. So be gentle with yourself. Your big accomplishment at first might just be to sit on a yoga mat instead of the couch. That would be a HUGE start. Then maybe after a few days of that, you'll work up to doing some yoga. Then you might have a day or two where you're just not into it. That's also ok. You can start fresh the next day.
posted by I_carried_a_watermelon at 8:39 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
I say this because I recently started working out and having specific workout video for each day of the month scheduled (though not a specific time) worked a lot for me so I didn't have to think too much. I made a calendar and check off the days I do them, which gives me a sense of accomplishment. This motivates me to stick with it. That might work for you?
Also, I found that changing into workout gear when I transition from work to home helps, even if I'm not in the mood. So maybe start there? Find a point in your morning routine to change into yoga gear, OR just wear your pajamas. Make it easy.
I'm gentle with myself if I'm tired/super sore, but try to at least start the workout and see how much I do. Sometimes I seriously just roll out my mat and do the first few stretches before I give up...but you know what? That's ok, because showing up helps build up the habit. So be gentle with yourself. Your big accomplishment at first might just be to sit on a yoga mat instead of the couch. That would be a HUGE start. Then maybe after a few days of that, you'll work up to doing some yoga. Then you might have a day or two where you're just not into it. That's also ok. You can start fresh the next day.
posted by I_carried_a_watermelon at 8:39 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
Tell yourself: action precedes motivation.
How many of those precious limited 20 minutes do you want to burn waiting for motivation to arrive?
posted by armoir from antproof case at 9:21 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
How many of those precious limited 20 minutes do you want to burn waiting for motivation to arrive?
posted by armoir from antproof case at 9:21 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I really, really, really relate to what you describe.
And I literally just start walking in place, slowly, while the coffee is brewing. Just to fulfill a small goal of "get some steps in" and then my heart rate gets up a bit and I feel better. It also helps if I'm outside for dog potty time and there's some sunshine I can get into my eyes. And then to really get into the mood, I can put on some upbeat (or mid tempo! doesn't matter!) music for the walking in place. Which quickly becomes something like dancing and at that point I might as well "work out."
posted by knotty knots at 10:24 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
And I literally just start walking in place, slowly, while the coffee is brewing. Just to fulfill a small goal of "get some steps in" and then my heart rate gets up a bit and I feel better. It also helps if I'm outside for dog potty time and there's some sunshine I can get into my eyes. And then to really get into the mood, I can put on some upbeat (or mid tempo! doesn't matter!) music for the walking in place. Which quickly becomes something like dancing and at that point I might as well "work out."
posted by knotty knots at 10:24 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I find that the hardest part is just getting the routine going in the first place.
I had a wonderful yoga > meditation > journaling morning routine for MONTHS and it was super easy, and then I got COVID and couldn't exercise or do breathwork for a couple weeks and it was MURDER getting that routine back. I just could. not. make myself do it.
What finally worked was just promising myself I'd do it for one week. Just a week, that's it. No long-term commitment, low bar, just do it and gut through the resistance for a week. Then momentum took over and it's been fine and easy.
Just get started. Tell yourself that you don't have to do it next week but just do it for a week and see how it feels.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 6:16 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]
I had a wonderful yoga > meditation > journaling morning routine for MONTHS and it was super easy, and then I got COVID and couldn't exercise or do breathwork for a couple weeks and it was MURDER getting that routine back. I just could. not. make myself do it.
What finally worked was just promising myself I'd do it for one week. Just a week, that's it. No long-term commitment, low bar, just do it and gut through the resistance for a week. Then momentum took over and it's been fine and easy.
Just get started. Tell yourself that you don't have to do it next week but just do it for a week and see how it feels.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 6:16 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I can frequently circumvent my “don’t wanna” impulse by leaning into how for I am from doing something the recommended way. Doing pushups in my non-influencer-inspired pajamas, cussing through stretches, cramming a cinnamon bun in my face after a brisk walk. Take that, perfectionist naysayer that lives in my brain.
posted by tchemgrrl at 8:45 AM on January 24 [4 favorites]
posted by tchemgrrl at 8:45 AM on January 24 [4 favorites]
Reward yourself. Every step you take towards the task - draw a star on the calendat, which should be in a visible space. 5 stars? put a sticker on the calendar, or draw a star with a red pen or whatever. 5 of those, s small, tangible treat. Rewards are a very powerful way to train your brain to do stuff. and it's all positive.
posted by theora55 at 10:14 AM on January 24
posted by theora55 at 10:14 AM on January 24
About a year ago, I realized that, even waking up earlier (at 5:15), I was still rushing to get out the door (6:15) to get to the train on time. It took me a little bit too long to figure it out, but it was that I was sitting down on the sofa with my phone before taking my shower. Taking that part out of things has made it so I can have a cup of coffee and a piece of toast after my shower. Switching my "I can sit down now" moment to post shower has made a massive difference in my mornings. I'm showered, dressed, and ready to go while having my coffee, which means I can do phone stuff, as a treat.
I agree with a lot of answers here about removing the barriers to doing the thing, but also, be aware of the things that drag you away from it, the roadblocks, if you will. Even if it's doing the yoga right out of bed, before getting to the sofa, it might work out for you.
posted by Ghidorah at 3:30 PM on January 24 [1 favorite]
I agree with a lot of answers here about removing the barriers to doing the thing, but also, be aware of the things that drag you away from it, the roadblocks, if you will. Even if it's doing the yoga right out of bed, before getting to the sofa, it might work out for you.
posted by Ghidorah at 3:30 PM on January 24 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: (Wanted to provide an update: I haven't been successful on this yet. Excellent advice here but I'm thinking I may be enough of a bleary wake-up that it's emotionally not possible. Putting some of this to work on a later part of the day with mixed results. Will keep trying. Doing is the point, not time of day.)
posted by tiny frying pan at 6:03 PM on January 28
posted by tiny frying pan at 6:03 PM on January 28
Great question! I used to be so motivated about AM workouts, but honestly, for my current stage in life I have to actually sign up for something and have money on the line, which lets my inner cheapskate provide the motivation. Or another way of looking at is that now you have a scheduled meeting with the yoga mat.
Maybe one or the other motivation could work for you? During the pandemic a lot of yoga studios started doing online classes and I realized I loved doing those at home in the morning. I started out by cheating a lot with the camera off, but it was the perfect way to start my day - no commute, no need to shower or even wear more than PJs, sometimes just getting to the mat and lying there with coffee was an accomplishment, and definitely I have had a few times where I grumpily watched from the couch. But it got better as I developed a routine for a few classes a week. Many places have continued the online viewing even though they’re back in person, which I think is even better in terms of social motivation when tuning in from home.
Note that the key for me was (and still is) having a fixed time, paid class. I do subscribe to the PilatesAnytime app, but what I’ve found is if I can do it whenever, that’s more like never…
Not sure if it’s helpful, but a number of Australian yoga studios have started using the Momence app and others are still on Mindbody, although classes are often via zoom for the online stream. I think there’s also a Namaste app that’s more US focused? But finding good classes means you’re only bound by time zone compatibility, not geography. Anyway, I hope this helps!
posted by ec2y at 9:03 PM on January 30
Maybe one or the other motivation could work for you? During the pandemic a lot of yoga studios started doing online classes and I realized I loved doing those at home in the morning. I started out by cheating a lot with the camera off, but it was the perfect way to start my day - no commute, no need to shower or even wear more than PJs, sometimes just getting to the mat and lying there with coffee was an accomplishment, and definitely I have had a few times where I grumpily watched from the couch. But it got better as I developed a routine for a few classes a week. Many places have continued the online viewing even though they’re back in person, which I think is even better in terms of social motivation when tuning in from home.
Note that the key for me was (and still is) having a fixed time, paid class. I do subscribe to the PilatesAnytime app, but what I’ve found is if I can do it whenever, that’s more like never…
Not sure if it’s helpful, but a number of Australian yoga studios have started using the Momence app and others are still on Mindbody, although classes are often via zoom for the online stream. I think there’s also a Namaste app that’s more US focused? But finding good classes means you’re only bound by time zone compatibility, not geography. Anyway, I hope this helps!
posted by ec2y at 9:03 PM on January 30
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For me it was weightlifting, and I would get up and put on my workout clothes. That was it, that was the requirement. Basketball shorts and a shirt I could sweat in. If I didn't end up lifting, so be it, but I had done the thing. And I found that nine times out of ten, once I was dressed for lifting, I would go lift, and I would feel better having done it.
Figure out whatever that absolute first step is, and just do that. Make it as easy as possible to do, and then do it. Momentum will carry you forward.
posted by restless_nomad at 1:47 PM on January 23 [69 favorites]