Even Olympians struggle with workouts

Reviewed by Dr. Scott Rollo, PhD and Dr. Barry Wiens, MD

Do you also sometimes struggle to just get out to workout? You too? Really?? Hey, a little secret. You know those Olympians, those international athletes, yes, those folks training to get ready for a World Championship, they share in that exact same human experience. Yes, they do. I know, I was one of them. There were times where the only point driving me was there were teammates that would be meeting me or there was a coach standing there waiting for me to workout. That got me out on those days. But when I got out there, man, man it was nice to be out exercising, freedom to sweat and push myself, there was freedom in that.

Planning to meet someone for a workout creates built-in accountability—especially when you’re just starting out. You don’t need to be at the same fitness level or even follow the same routine. Simply committing to show up turns exercise into an appointment, and most people are far more likely to keep an appointment than a vague intention.

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When you’re early in your fitness journey, scheduling workouts with others greatly increases the likelihood that you’ll show up and stay consistent.

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A few other thoughts that really helped me along the way:

Make it “Fun Time.”

Try looking at your workout with a little playful enthusiasm. Call it Fun Time. It sounds simple, maybe even silly—but shifting your attitude matters. If that idea feels like a stretch right now, don’t worry. Try this instead.

Enjoy the feeling.

Lean into that after-burner feeling when you’re done. That calm, satisfied, almost euphoric moment where you think, yeah… I did something good today. I used to say out loud, “Man, that felt great. Time to relax now.” It might feel awkward at first, but give it a try. The mind follows where the voice leads. What you say out loud shapes how you feel.

And then there’s my favorite: “I did it.”

That tired, slightly exhausted feeling? That’s your badge of honor. I did it. No one can take that away from you. Others may do more. Others may do less. But they didn’t do what you did, and they don’t feel what you feel. That’s personal. That’s yours.

To close: You work out for you—because you want to be healthier. The key is finding what you love in it. Maybe it’s the friendships and meeting up with others (community). Maybe it’s the excitement of having your time and calling it fun. Maybe it’s that after-burner feeling that just feels good. Or maybe it’s the quiet pride of saying, I did it.

One last thought: compare how you feel after to how you felt before. Emotionally, it feels pretty great when you’re done, doesn’t it? For many people, that alone is reason enough to get out—whether it’s walking a trail, jogging, skiing, biking, or just moving on your own.

And you will have a better sleep. Smile when your eyes close