You’re motivated. Until you’re not.
Sound familiar?
One week you’re hitting all your workouts, meal prepping like a champ, sleeping 8 hours. The next… you can’t even get yourself to put on gym clothes.
At CrossFit Leiden, we talk to members about this all the time. People blame themselves for “not having enough willpower.” But the truth? That’s not the problem. At least, not the whole story.
Let’s dive into why willpower often isn’t the answer – and what actually helps you stay consistent.
1. It’s Not About Pushing Harder – It’s About Managing Your Energy
Most of us assume motivation disappears because we’re lazy or lack discipline. But think about it: how do you expect to stay fired up when your mental and physical batteries are drained?
When you’re tired, overwhelmed or stressed, no amount of self-discipline will save you. Your brain is built for survival – and it’s going to choose rest over another round of wall balls every time.
In the gym, we see this often:
Members beat themselves up for skipping a session, when the real issue is that they haven’t recovered from the rest of their life.
Instead of pushing harder, ask:
What would make this easier right now?
Sometimes, the answer is rest.
2. Your Environment Shapes Your Motivation
Here’s the truth: motivation doesn’t live inside your brain. It lives in your environment.
We humans are built to conserve energy and avoid discomfort. If there’s friction between you and the gym – whether that’s distance, schedule, or a lack of routine – you’re likely to skip it.
That’s why training at CrossFit Leiden works so well. We give structure to your week. You book a class. You know who’s coaching. Your training buddies are waiting.
You don’t need to “feel like it” – you just need to walk through the door. The structure takes care of the rest.
Want to feel more motivated?
Build a system that supports you – not one that relies on willpower.
3. You Don’t Think Your Way Into Action – You Act Your Way Into Motivation
We often say, “I’ll train when I feel more motivated.” But the science – and experience – shows the opposite.
Motivation comes after action, not before.
The hardest part is starting. That’s why we encourage you to:
• Put your workout gear out the night before
• Commit to just 10 minutes of movement
• Show up even if you only give 60% effort
At CrossFit Leiden, we’ve seen it hundreds of times: the people who show up “not in the mood” often leave with the biggest smiles.
Because once you get moving, your brain shifts. The fog clears. You feel capable again. And that’s where motivation lives.
4. It’s Not You – It’s The System
Let’s stop pretending you can “just push through.” If willpower worked on its own, we’d all be elite athletes.
Motivation isn’t about heroic effort – it’s about building sustainable systems:
• Having a training schedule
• Planning your meals ahead
• Creating accountability with others
• Knowing when to rest
At CrossFit Leiden, we focus on those systems. You don’t need to come in fired up. You just need to come in – and we’ll take it from there.
I used to think I needed more motivation. What I actually needed was less pressure, more structure – and a crew who shows up with me.”
– one of our members
The Bottom Line
You’re not lazy. You don’t lack willpower. You’re just human – and that’s exactly who we build our training environment for.
So if you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated or inconsistent lately, don’t ask yourself: How do I get more willpower?
Instead, ask:
• How’s my energy?
• What friction can I remove?
• What’s one tiny step I can take today?
We can help you with all of that.
We’ll be here when you’re ready – even (especially) on your “off” days.