6 products I use to keep me motivated to work out even when I’d rather take a nap

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• Developing good workout habits can be a pain when there are other things you'd rather be doing.
• But I've slowly developed a routine that makes it hard for me to skip a workout and, more importantly, doesn't suck all the joy out of my life.
• Here are six things that help me stay on track and motivated.

Working out is tough but trying to stick to a regular routine is worse. It's somehow always happy hour or brunch somewhere and you're more than happy to make excuses to skip another workout class. I mean, who doesn't want hang out with a friend of a friend who you used to intern with five years ago? Surely that's more fun than a 7 p.m. cycling class.    

I've realized that without a set routine, I regularly skip workouts and runs, telling myself that I'll do a double session tomorrow to make up for skipping today. (Narrator: She has never done a double.) That's why, over the past few months, I've set a goal and created my own workout schedule with small adjustments that hold me accountable and keep me motivated.

Here are the six things that help me stay on track:

The free ClassPass Go app

Download the ClassPass Go App for free

Try ClassPass' free two-week trial or subscribe for $49 to $159 a month

ClassPass Go is a new-ish — and free — audio workout app from ClassPass. Certain group classes are hard to make and solo running is pretty boring, but this app gives me the same workout in my building's gym. If you're new to exercising and don't know what some of the moves look like, there are helpful photos to guide you along.

Currently, I'm listening to a 5K-training program with Kim Strother, a four-week "course" in which you run every other day and build up your endurance for long runs. Each audio session is broken up into different running intervals with rests in between, and Strother comes on every couple of minutes to tell you to run at a faster pace, how many minutes you've done already, and just provide general words of encouragement.  

Saucony's Kinvara 10 running shoes

Buy the Kinvara 10 sneakers from Saucony for $110

Not all running shoes are the same and you'll feel the difference in your stride when you wear the new Kinvara 10s from Saucony.

It's super lightweight but flexible and supportive thanks to the cushion-y EVERUN topsole, a seamless mesh upper, and a contoured footbed with what the brand calls "FORMFIT," which makes the shoe feels more fitted and customized to your foot. There's also cushioning at the top of collar to hold your ankle in place so your feet aren't lifting out of the shoe as you run. Serious Saucony fans will also recognize that the sneakers are available in the original Kinvara colorways for a major throwback moment.

When I run in the Kinvara 10s, my feet don't get sore as fast as they normally do and they don't lift out as much because of the ankle cushioning. Normally I'd tie my shoelaces really tight to avoid that problem only to give myself numb feet after a mile.

Dry shampoo for my hair

Buy Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo from Amazon for $20

I don't like to wash my hair every day so I try to work out with second-day hair and then wash my hair after a good sweat. Sounds gross, but it's also pretty motivating — do you want clean, fresh hair? Then you better sweat it out first.

On days when I don't wash my hair, I use Living Proof's cult-favorite dry shampoo ($20) to de-grease my roots and eliminate odor. Kristin Ess also has a great formula for less than $15 that I take with me if I go to a boutique gym class. This way I wouldn't be too sad if I forget it on the bathroom counter. The trick to using any dry shampoo at the gym though is to blow-dry your roots first, otherwise the shampoo just globs onto your roots and scalp, and won't absorb as quickly or easily.