Showing Up When You "Don’t Feel Like It"

Sometimes, the hardest part of a fitness journey isn’t the workouts, the diet, or even the discipline—it’s simply showing up. Getting yourself to the gym is the difference between progress and stagnation. It sounds simple, but it’s the one thing that keeps many from reaching their goals.

In today’s world, information is everywhere. We have endless workout plans, diet tips, and motivational content at our fingertips. But knowledge isn’t the problem—it’s the act of showing up for ourselves that we struggle with. Most of us already know what we should do. The challenge is in following through.

At the gym, we see this all the time. When someone is just starting their fitness journey, the hardest part isn’t lifting weights or mastering form—it’s just getting them to walk through the door. But here’s what we’ve found: if we can get them to show up, the results will follow. They don’t need to be motivated. They don’t need to have all the answers. They just need to be there. Once they step inside, we take it from there.

Why Is It So Hard to Show Up?

It all comes down to self-talk.

Our brains are wired for survival. Thousands of years ago, this meant avoiding sabertooth tigers and rival tribes. Today, that same survival instinct tries to "protect" us from discomfort—even if that discomfort is just stepping into a gym full of unfamiliar faces. Our brains don’t differentiate between life-threatening danger and the anxiety of a new experience. So, they work against us, offering excuses:

- "You should stay home."

- "It’s so comfortable here."

- "I don’t have time."

- "I have other things to do."

These thoughts aren’t true—they’re just your brain trying to keep you "safe." But in reality, they’re keeping you from growth.

Fighting Back Against Negative Self-Talk

This is where the battle happens.

When you don’t feel like going to the gym, recognize that it’s just your brain trying to protect you. But what it doesn’t realize is that by avoiding discomfort, it’s also keeping you from becoming stronger—physically and mentally.

To succeed, you must push against those feelings. You must show up even when you don’t feel like it. You must challenge the negative self-talk and step into the gym despite the excuses.

At first, it’s hard—we get it. That’s why we focus so much on helping newcomers show up. We understand the mental battle, and we work to support you in building the habit. Eventually, you’ll reach a point where showing up is simply what you do. The negative self-talk might still be there, but you’ll learn to ignore it.

Winning the Battle

True change happens when you show up for yourself, no matter how you feel. Growth requires discomfort, and discipline beats motivation every time.

So, the next time your mind tries to convince you to stay home, acknowledge the excuses, recognize the fear, and show up anyway. This is how you win.

Jason Sweet

axisstrengthtraining.com