Wednesday Workout: Staying Motivated to Exercise During Outdoor Happy Hour Season

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

photo via Getty Images


Is it just me or is it borderline impossible to find time to exercise when the weather gets nice? It seems like it should be the opposite: warm weather = nice to run outside, however it is quite the opposite for me. Warm weather = outdoor drinking season. How is one supposed to go exercise when there are so many patios to be happy houred on, so many rooftops to have drinks sipped on, so many refreshing summer drinks to be consumed? And as our world is so cruel, this is also the season in which I need to be fitting into fun little wedding guest/bridesmaid dresses that I purchased months ago. So here is what I'm working on:

1. Morning Workouts: I know, this really sucks and I never thought I would have been able to pull this one off but I have done it a few times and am working on making it my regular thing. It helps me to read other blogs of people like me who are getting up at 5 am to exercise like Nadine and Meg, I've asked friends to text me when they wake up for their morning workouts (thanks, Elizabeth!) so I'll feel like a total a-hole if I decide to go back to sleep, and I even pull up Instagram inspiration as I'm trying to pull myself out of bed. Anything.

2. Plan Your Week: My Type A self really doesn't mind this one. I have to workout 5 days per week so this might mean working out on Saturday morning before brunch or Sunday after church, plus three more days during the week. I deserve a reward for surviving Wednesdays so happy hour is necessary then, and Fridays are impossible to turn down, so if I'm not going to wake myself up at 5 a.m. then I'm going to stick to my plan.

3. Accountabilibuddies: I don't like working out with other people but I DO love challenges. Signing up for a challenge together or agreeing on a workout plan ("and then we'll get drinks outside afterwards!") is great motivation, and it keeps it social so I don't feel like I'm missing out as much while everyone else is out boozing.

I know I'm not alone in this because a million ecards exist on the topic:






Tell me: what do you do to stay motivated to exercise when there is so much fun stuff to do instead??

25 comments :

  1. I'm like you - I have to join a challenge to stay motivated. Then I schedule my workouts for the week right on my calendar around my social events!

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  2. 5/6am is the only way I can force myself outside in the humidity. Anytime between 7am and 8pm is just disgustingly hot. We don't have any good happy hour places either, so that makes is easier. I go through phases where for a month I love getting up early and working out and then for two months the thought of getting out of bed before 7 makes me want to cry.

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  3. I'm actually so much more motivated to exercise in the summer. I don't drink much so that probably explains it-that and 2 kids! LOL. #Wowlinkup

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  4. I struggle with the morning workouts too but whenever I do them I'm so happy it's out of the way. Otherwise, I find I do it right after work or with a friend and that helps. It does help that there are no good patio bars in town and we don't have happy hour....

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  5. What motivates me to get up and out is how I will feel afterwards. LOL. #wowlinkup

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  6. This is a post I can relate too! So many fun things happen in the summer! I am lucky that I get a few weeks of summer off, and on those days, I always work out in the morning. During work, I can't because my day starts at 7am and I work an hour away. On those days, I know I have to go right from work to the gym (no stopping home!) and just get it done. If there is time to meet up, great and if not, I remind myself it is all for a good reason! If it is a special occasion, I will re work my schedule.

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  7. well, maybe it's because I live in southern California where the weather IS gorgeous 80% of the time...but no biggie. I just carve out 30 minutes of dance, and stick to it. It's a priority. I guess it comes down to it; making exercise a PRIORITY in your life!

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  8. since it's summer, if i can just get my workouts over with in the morning, that's usually my best bet. love this post! i can totally relate...

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  9. Lol so true that summer time = outdoor drinking time! Love scheduling workouts, but not super good at getting up in the morning. Maybe I need to get myself an accountabuddy! #wowlinkup

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  10. My motivation is exercise outdoors. I love working out in the sunshine and warm weather but you are right. There are too many festivals, parties and etc crammed in a 12 week period. It can be overwhelming. Visiting from the #wowlinkup

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  11. haha love the someecards! I have to workout before work or else it just wouldn't happen! Now that I'm used to it, the early wake-up is routine, so it's not a big deal. I'm not a morning person, either. You can do it!

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  12. I really want to get up and work out early in the morning before work, but I have such a hard time dragging myself out of bed in the mornings! I know if I would just get up, I'd get used to it. But something about knowing I could sleep longer just gets me every time!

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  13. Girlllll send me your number! I will text your ass when I wake up and am getting ready to get my sweat on and make sure that you are doing the same :) And you can remind me to eat well that day. I got the work out thing down. Now I just need someone to talk around and smack all the bad food out of my hands. Why is food so good? And beer. Oh I love beer.

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  14. Seriously, I think you can read my mind. I was just thinking this earlier today. Why is it so hard to exercise during the prettiest time of year?! #lazykidprobs

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  15. I just wrote a super long comment and it disappeared into the Blogger black hole. WTF. Anyway, I too find it difficult to get motivated this time of year. I've enlisted a walking buddy, an to start, we are walking two nights a week, and Im trying to get to the gym 2 other days a week.

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  16. The statement "Get up at 5am to workout before your body knows what's happening" describes me to a T! This is when I have to do it. And then I can go the rest of the day knowing that I did my healthy stuff in the morning and don't have to worry about it! #wowlinkup

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  17. Love this post! It's weird... but I tend to workout more in summer in winter. Winter I don't want to leave the house, summer get my workouts in and feel good and feel not guilty when I go out and play!!!

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  18. I get up early and get going to the gym or I don't get there. 10 extra minutes and I'm doing something else. You are so right that it helps to read what others are doing; it's motivating. So thanks for keeping me on track.

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  19. can you teach me how to stay motivated year round? haha. i find it easier to stay motivated during the summer, the winter i slack off like i'm a freaking bear or something. but lately, coming back from the trip and being sick (and being lazy before that) i've not had any motivation. thanks for the tips lady!

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  20. Well, I was craving a martini when I first got your post but now am convinced I need to get my butt to the gym tomorrow morning! It really does help having a workout buddy. (It helps me when there's a good show on tv... I end up staying through the whole thing just to see the end, ha!)

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    Replies
    1. *a good show on the tv at the GYM is what I should have clarified ;)

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