The battle is real...

You probably don't hear many Personal Trainers say this but sometimes I find training a REAL drag. I am not one of these fitness people who leaps out of bed at 5am in the morning raring to get out for a run or into the gym. I prefer two cups of tea and the Today Programme on Radio 4. 'Sofa, blanket, Netflix' often holds far more appeal to me than 'squat, pull up, slam ball'.

I don't know whether this is a hangover from my school days when I was extremely unsporty (dreaded cross country running, always one of the last ones to be picked for teams, once accidentally head butted another girl whilst playing hockey...that kind of thing) or because I was a late comer to fitness in my late 30s when I literally had to drag myself out for runs in an attempt to lose weight ahead of my 40th birthday but for whatever reason staying fit and strong is something of a battle for me.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it once I've got myself to the gym and I'm holding that barbell or swinging that kettle bell, and nearly always feel positive, energised and proud of myself after my session. I think this is why the initial reluctance I often feel is so frustrating...I KNOW I'll feel better after I've trained so why am I not desperate to get my kit on, get in there and get lifting? Why is that biscuit eating, boxset binge-watching devil on my shoulder so damn convincing and why is the kettlebell wielding angel not more alluring??

The crux of the matter is that I am a comfort seeker and, if I'm really honest, probably a bit lazy. However I am also a big fan of feeling happy, energetic and relatively youthful, of sleeping well and knowing I am keeping myself healthy - that is what motivates me. Yes, I am very lucky that I work in a fitness environment and also that I am required to keep fit and strong in order to motivate my clients so therefore, quite frankly I have no excuse (I will discuss this more in another blog post, 'Physician, heal thyself..' coming soon) but it is the desire to stay physically and mentally well that is my main drive.

What I'm saying to you is I get it. I really understand and appreciate how tough it can be to get out of a rut (I've found myself in them several times!) and change habits and sometimes 'Just Do It' isn't enough of an impetus. So here are my top 10 tips if you are finding it hard to motivate yourself to exercise:

1. DO SOMETHING YOU ENJOY. It's pointless saying you'll go for a 5k run if it makes your knees hurt or attending a high intensity plyometric bodyweight class if the thought of doing a burpee makes you want to cry. Investigate other classes, consider power walking instead (or hiking at the weekend if you have time) or ask for some advice about using the resistance machines or free weights in the gym. If the kind of training you're doing isn't fun for you then you're not going to want to do it are you? It shouldn't feel like a chore.

2. CHOOSE A WORKOUT DURATION AND TIME OF DAY TO DO IT THAT IS REALISTIC. For example, don't feel that you have to be up at the crack of dawn to go for a run. If you don't like the crowds in the gym at 6pm on a weekday, go earlier or later or at the weekend. Equally if undertaking a session that is going to take you over an hour stresses you out because of how full on your day already is then pick something that takes less time. Consider shorter workouts more times a week. Make it work for you.

3. ADD IT TO YOUR TO DO LIST. I don't know about you but I always feel unbelievably smug when I cross something off my To Do list. End of.

4. PLAN (SENSIBLE) REWARDS FOR AFTER YOU'VE TRAINED. You did that 15min HIIT DVD? You went for that 5k jog? You actually made it into the gym and broke a sweat using the leg press machine for a change? Good for you! Have a biscuit (but just one).

5. LOG YOUR PROGRESS. The more improvement you see the more you'll want to see and the more motivated you'll become. Whether you do it with an immaculate Excel spreadsheet or a tatty little notebook, it doesn't matter. Track how awesome you're becoming!

6. FIND YOURSELF A TRAINING BUDDY. Training can be so much more fun and good habits easier to get into if you have a training buddy to encourage you and in turn for you to encourage them. Oh, and choose someone who is at a similar fitness level as you. You don't want to be on a treadmill next to that friend who runs half marathons every weekend. Bleurgh.

7. REMIND YOURSELF WHY YOU'RE DOING THIS. Make a list of all the benefits of doing the exercise. Then make a list of all of the negatives from NOT doing it. I think you'll find the former list is much more compelling!

8. DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK. I know it's a tough one but try not to let what you think other people will think of you when you're lifting/running/burpeeing put you off. Most people are more concerned about their own workout than yours. And so what if you don't have the latest gym wear? It doesn't make you stronger or faster. YOU do.

9. BUILD YOUR TEAM. Get your partner/family/friends to hold you to account and to be your cheerleaders. Don't get cross with them when they do the former because you know you'll be so happy when they do the latter.

10. GET HELP AND SUPPORT FROM A PROFESSIONAL. Get yourself a PT who will kick your arse for you! That's what we're here for. And some of us can really empathise with what you're going through (*points at self*). An understanding and supportive personal trainer can really be a life changer. It certainly was for me!

So there you go. I'm not going to end this by saying "so come on, what's your excuse?" - very few people have felt motivated by bullying - but I will say you can and WILL win this battle with realistic goals and support. This battle can be the making of you.