Be honest—how do you feel about New Year’s resolutions? Come early January, it seems everyone is suddenly on their best behavior to make up for an excess of holiday drinking and snacking. We make healthier choices around this time of year to eat right and work out more to be the best versions of yourselves in 2020. But alas, that motivation eventually wears off. It’s only natural to want to stay in bed longer during winter when it’s cold and dark outside. But what if we told you that smoking weed, something you probably around do on a daily basis, could give you gym motivation? Could it be too good to be true?
Mental Vs. Physical Energy
You know the saying, “Mind over matter?” That couldn’t be truer when it comes to exercise. Surely, we’ve all heard an instructor shout out a motivation phrase during class. Something to take your mind off the discomfort. Something to distract you from your sweaty forehead and elevated heart rate. This “mind over matter” phenomenon suggests that our brain gives up more easily than our bodies. Once we mentally tell ourselves that it’s over, our body is quick to follow. And yet, instructors continue to preach that we’re stronger than we think. This is where we notice key differences in our mental and physical energy levels.
Finding Motivation For The Gym
Easier said than done, right? The concept of motivation is challenging to pin down because it’s so different for all of us. Perhaps we work out for a more toned body or a sharper mind. Shedding for the wedding? Training for a marathon? Recovering from an injury? You gotta get moving! On top of that, everyone knows that the endorphins that come from physical exercise can make us happier. We learned that from Legally Blonde (and obviously years of scientific research). For some, that motivation is clear as day. We see a picture in our heads and want to make it come true. But for others, motivation feels like a lost cause. A word with no meaning.
Motivating Marijuana Strains
In times like these, it might be helpful to turn to marijuana. We need to retire that stereotype that all weed smokers are lazy and unmotivated stoners. Yes, couchlock is a common side effect, but it’s not found in every strain. Whoever said smokers sit on their butts all day clearly never heard of these energizing strains.
- Durban Poison — this sativa-dominant hybrid is said to be the “espresso” of marijuana strains. It’s a real eye-opener that can help you snap out of a hazy headspace. Durban Poison provides a clear mind, an upbeat attitude, and boundless energy for a gym session.
- Jillybean — the sweet smell of this hybrid is enough to wake you up in the early morning. The aroma of mangoes and oranges quickly fills up the room. The high feels uplifting, light, and energetic. This is a great choice for a more social workout class when you work with a partner.
- Harlequin — in some cases, it might be a good idea to leave the THC at home before a rigorous workout. THC may hinder your overall performance or possibly make you sick when you’re also dehydrated and sweating like crazy. The high-CBD Harlequin provides energy without psychoactive effects.
- Chocolope — dubbed the perfect “wake and bake” strain, Chocolope eases the stress and anxiety that stems from a busy day ahead. Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? This hybrid can give you optimistic and euphoric energy to complete your workout along with other tasks, like laundry, homework, and grocery shopping.
The Benefits Of Sativa Strains
In most cases, you’ll want to narrow your search down to sativa strains for gym motivation. These strains are more likely to come with energy, euphoria, and mind/body alertness than indica ones. For as much stamina as possible, reach for a sativa strain with high potency—like our Kali Mist. This 90% sativa calms the mind and boosts energy levels simultaneously.
Our Cinex strain makes another fantastic choice. A cross between Vortex and Cinderella 99, this sativa-dominant hybrid increases energy with a clear and focused mind. This combination can help push yourself in a workout class while concentrating on particular muscle groups. Of course, this is a personal choice. Some of us love to zone out during a workout to make time fly by faster.
If you’re still not convinced that a marijuana strain can give you to motivation to work out, combine one of our top choices with your favorite music. The right song can change your way of thinking entirely. Smoke a little before leaving the house and then turn up your favorite jam in the car on the way to class. You’ll arrive at spinning, yoga, Pilates, kick-boxing—whatever tickles your fancy—feeling more driven than ever! You can indeed smoke marijuana for mativation!