Dear Cassey: What happens if I get bored with working out?

Dear Cassey,After taking care of your body, what left is there? I mean of course there are always different kinds of exercises, different foods, different places to see, new people, but what do you do when you get bored with working out and tired of changing up your routine? When you get tired of trying new foods, seeing new places, meeting new people? What do you do when it’s all not really satisfactory as it used to be? Is there something else to turn to, in your opinion?– Wondering What’s Next

Hi Wondering What’s Next,

This is such a great question that I’m sure more people wonder about than you even realize! I think everyone gets bored with working out at some point. Is fitness just a never-ending road? Do we just keep cycling through new workouts, diets, and fitness communities every time we lose interest?

The answer is maybe. It works for some people, but it’s not the ONLY option!

Know when you need to push through

This might sound harsh? But hear me out.

You know that feeling when you really don’t want to do something but then it’s great once you’re doing it? Working out is like that sometimes. It’s totally normal to get into a slump for something, no matter how much you love it! Even Simone Biles recently went through something similar! Sometimes the key is to just keep going.

When I feel like this with working out, I just take it down a notch. I commit to a 15-minute walk, or some feel-good yoga. More often than not, it leads to a longer workout because I always feel so much better once I get started.

So start there! If you’re still not feeling it…

Be real about your goals

Be super honest: are your goals ACTUALLY challenging you? Or are you basically going through the motions?

I can always tell when I’m not challenging myself enough when I get bored. When a goal really puts you to the test, making that achievement is addicting. It never gets boring.

So go back to the drawing board with your goals! What is your “why,” and has it changed? Because it totally can!

And if your “why” isn’t so much about fitness at the moment…

Taking a break is healthy too

Sometimes, a break is part of the process. It doesn’t mean fitness is taking the back seat, or your priorities have totally changed. It doesn’t mean you’re “letting yourself go” or being lazy.

If your workouts stop bringing you joy and the thought of yet again trying something new just doesn’t sound appealing, it’s time for a break. It’s time to refresh your spirit with a new activity… or no activity.

Maybe this phase of life is just about being more social and you need more free time to make it happen. Or maybe it’s about being LESS social and working more on your mental health. Maybe you want less routine.

The cool thing about fitness is, at some point you’ll want it back! Depending on how much time you take off, you might have to build back up to where you once were. But guess what? That new challenge will reignite your spark and your “why.”

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?

Don’t forget to acknowledge how far you’ve come

Finally, give yourself credit where it’s due. I am soooooo bad about diluting my accomplishments sometimes. I think a lot of us are guilty of this, right? Like yeah I crushed my goal of ___ BUUUUT I should have done better at ___.

Ugh why do we do that? It takes away so much joy! Soak it in, because you deserve it!

The “rule” that says we can always be doing more or pushing harder is just damaging. It forces us to constantly compare our progress to others and ultimately it leads to major burnout.

No matter what, only you know what you need! 

Hopefully these tips help, but you have to do you! You know yourself better than anyone. If you feel yourself getting bored with working out, or any part of your routine, don’t stress. Just make small changes and focus on your “why.”

PS – If you have a burning question you want to ask me, leave your questions below! I may answer it in an upcoming Dear Cassey post!