Health & Wellness

10 Ways to Get Motivated
for an After-Work Workout
by Debbit Pettit, Lady Fitness Health Spa

Have trouble getting motivated to hit the gym after you leave work?  Here are some tips that will make it a little easier for you!

1. Always keep your gym bag with your workout clothes, shoes and socks in your car.
2. Print out a schedule of group classes from your club and highlight the ones that you are interested in attending after work.
3. Do not even think about driving home. Tell yourself this: “I’ll commit to 20 minutes at the gym. If I want to stop after that, then I’ll stop.” You will likely keep going for your entire workout.
4. Envision how mad you will be at yourself for not completing your fitness goal of the day.
5. Tell yourself that you will not compromise your health/body because of your work.
6. Remind yourself that your only opportunity to capitalize on today is making sure you are progressive with your fitness goals today.
7. Reward yourself with a warm bubble bath or your favorite healthy meal after your workout.
8. Meet a friend or group of friends. Training with a partner is an effective way to keep a commitment.
9. Plan ahead, write in your weekly calendar what day’s you will be going to the gym for the week. When you plan ahead it is more apt to happen.
10. Let your family know your workout schedule for the week so they know this is what is on your agenda. Making your family aware of when you’re going to the gym and how important that is to you will help to eliminate any pressure from your spouse or kids about what they want to do. You are important and need this time for yourself. Your family can learn how to make you dinner too! You shouldn’t have to every night feel that you have to be home right away to make dinner for everyone.

Bean Salad

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Extra Time: 2 hours
Ready In: 2 hours
Serves/Makes: 12
Level of Difficulty: Easy 
 
Ingredients

1-19 oz can Six Bean Blend, drained (can substitute kidney beans)
1-19 oz can chick peas, drained
1-19 oz can black beans, drained
1/2 cup chopped white or red onion
1/2 cup chopped green or red pepper
1/4 cup oil or less, to your liking (sunflower or canola)
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
3 tbsp. white sugar
1/2 tsp. celery SEED (NOT celery salt)
1 clove garlic, minced

Directions

Combine beans, onion and peppers in a large mixing bowl. In a jar or sealable container, mix vinegar, oil, sugar, celery seed, and garlic. Shake to mix well. Pour jar contents over beans. Stir well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3 days.

Note: Six Bean Blend is a store bought can containing chick peas, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, white kidney beans, Romano beans and baby lima beans, packed in water. You can substitute canned green beans or wax beans (drained) for any of the canned beans.