What to do to get motivated to exercise

Mirtillablack

I feel lethargic in this time of the year. I am looking for some advice in order to get my motivation back to exercise. Any advice?

Orphia

Don't wait around for motivation. Just do it!

Motivation is not some blinding flash of light that fixes everything.

You will always have negative thoughts.

The idea is to bypass the negative thoughts by just getting the job done.

Do it!

ninerbuff

If you DON'T want to do it, you won't. So is it a priority to you? If it is, you'll ALWAYS find a way to get it done.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ReniPeckham

I always think in terms of actions and consequences. If I don't do it, how will I feel later? If I do it, how will I feel? Because I know I will feel better and more energized then I usually get it done. Mentally fast forward and know what outcome you want.

middlehaitch

I know I lose a bit of impetuous this time of year so I plan my winter routine in the fall.
Looking at a pic of me unfit can motivate me if I am dragging on a particular day, but really it is determination that gets you there.
I am continuing learning to swim, and lifting heavy things this winter. I had planned to do a Zumba class too, but 1 hr a day is enough for me.

Is there an upcoming challenge for February on the boards that you would like to do?


Find something, anything and do it.

Cheers, h.

Protranser

Someone on these boards once wrote something that really stuck with me. After reading the post, I sat back and processed how much better I remembered feeling after getting the exercise done for those times I kinda sorta didn't want to.

So yes, the line was something like "I've never completed a workout and thought it wasn't worth it."

47Jacqueline

Do anything once.

GraemeMcC

ninerbuff wrote: »

If you DON'T want to do it, you won't. So is it a priority to you? If it is, you'll ALWAYS find a way to get it done.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Whilst it is true, I don't think it helps much.

When my motivation dips (Sometimes I find the goal of fitter/faster/slimmer/stronger is not enough to get me out the door), I sometimes find it helps by rewarding the act of exercise rather than looking at the end goal. For example, if I manage to complete a 80% of a weeks training schedule I will go to the cinema/rent a film etc... Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.

GraemeMcC

Oh yeah, I and get ready for the exercise before I make the descion not to do it. For example, I will get dressed for the run or have my swimming stuff packed and be in the car before I let myself decide not to do it. Again sometimes it works other times it doesn't.

Willbenchforcupcakes

Have goals big enough. I don't miss training because missing doesn't move me closer to my goals.

And having a nerve injury that only feels good when I'm moving the muscles hard on a very regular basis. Not being in pain is a very good motivator.

mbaker566

for me, it's about feeling better too like @Iron_Miss_Canada
if i don't keep moving, things get even more uncomfortable.

but really, it's not about motivation. it's a commitment to a happier and healthier you

pondee629

The same "motivation" that gets me up to work every day, causes me to brush my teeth, feed and walk the dog. It is something I need to do, so I do it. the fact that I ALWAYS feel better after my workout routine is just an added benefit.

Do or don't do. It is up to you.

OP, do you need "motivation" to get through EVERYTHING in your life?

tiffanycompton33

Try to associate workouts with a tiny reward. Winter is brutal so if I can make myself have a workout I deserve a hot shower or bath with some fancy salts. If I make myself do this 4 times in a week maybe I deserve a groupon discounted massage.

fotogyrl25

Get out there and do it. Someone wise once said, "There is no try, only do." OK, it was Yoda, but still. Good advice. I hate hate hate January. It's cold and all I want to do is stay inside where it is warm. I just recently made myself get outside and walk in the freezing cold and found out that I actually kinda like it. It is invigorating and I feel pretty good when I'm done. Get out there and try. You may find out you like it too.

sgthaggard

Motivation comes and goes - you need to rely on habit.

Blackdawn_70631

sgthaggard wrote: »

Motivation comes and goes - you need to rely on habit.

That's it.

If you have a chore list, put "workout" on your chore list.
I finish my mental chore list - sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting, laundry, dishes (don't do all that in one day, but throughout the entire week.) Then when I finish my house cleaning, the next thing on my chore list is my workout.
And honestly, I'm not the kind of person who can jump out of bed and start working out. I can do chores better first thing in the morn better than I can my workout. By the end of my chores I'm way better motivated.

sheermomentum

If I only worked out when I felt motivated to do it, I wouldn't have done it since mid-December. If it helps, try to think about how glad you'll be after you've done it.

cw106

Get a health check-up.
If your doc cant find any improvements to make, then you are perfect!

JoRocka

Just got do it.
Motivation is a lie. Kind of like low fat is a lie.

Just go do the thing.

Toronto6fan

find something you enjoy doing.

MommyMeggo

"Motivation" comes from within IMO.
For me, its just remembering Newtons first law of motion...... An object at rest stays at rest. An object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
Get out of your own way. Just GO. Just MOVE.

List out small goals...easily obtainable ones so you will feel successful early on.

cwolfman13

For one thing, motivation is an emotion...and a fleeting one at that. Nobody is 100% motivated all of the time and we all do things every single day for which we may or may not necessarily be particularly motivated to do...but we do them because they must be done. I wasn't particularly motivated to come to work today, but here I am because I have a commitment to be here and other commitments and obligations that require money and thus work.

Secondly, it is important to find things that you more or less enjoy doing...you still aren't going to be motivated all of the time to do them, but if you more or less enjoy the activity you do, you're much more likely to do them even on *kitten* days.

Thirdly, stop thinking of exercise as this extra thing and start looking at it like any other daily obligation...eventually it becomes habit and frankly at this point I don't feel that my day is complete if I haven't gotten in some kind of workout...even on my rest/recovery days, I walk the dog and do some yoga or play outside with my boys or go on a family bike ride, etc. Exercise is just a big part of my life...I feel better when I exercise regularly and it is very important to my overall wellness and health.

kchuskey

I do two things to get motivated. 1) I take a long look at my wife and son, and see how much I want to be around for them, and 2). I look in the mirror. Both are pretty effective motivators for me.

cnbbnc

Bottom line is you just have to do it. I'm having a harder time dragging myself out of bed for the gym lately because it's so dark and cold out. What helps me is keeping in mind that the other people at the gym are sucking up the cold mornings, so I'm going to as well.

lorrpb

We are not always going to "feel motivated". In fact, usually we might not "feel motivated". I don't even think about whether I "feel motivated", I just do what I've decided I want/need to do. Feelings are way too fickle.

Establish a plan and follow it. Develop good habits, then do them.

larali1980

This is like the best thread ever!

I also have a problem getting motivated. I think what I am going to do is post a picture of "fat me" on my bathroom mirror....

minniestar55

MommyMeggo wrote: »

"Motivation" comes from within IMO.
For me, its just remembering Newtons first law of motion...... An object at rest stays at rest. An object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
Get out of your own way. Just GO. Just MOVE.

Putting this on my bathroom mirror.

_runnerbean_

I always sign up for a running race a few months ahead. Then if I don't train this week I know I will suffer when race day comes along. My next race is a 10k in March. After that it's a hilly 6k in June, then an 8k in August. I don't "race" these, I just try to finish comfortably with not too much walking.

100df

I only earn about 400 calories from the exercise I do and only eat half so it isn't a lot but very important to me. That's my main motivation.

I have a Fit Bit Zip. Watching the steps stack up is motivating. I am always trying to get more. Seeing the low number helps me get going in the morning. If I am feeling lazy, I will make deals with myself - 5k steps and then I can read my book for 30 minutes or cross stitch. Usually if I do the 5k steps I will go to 10k just to get it done.

kami3006

My weight set up is here in my den ever taunting me.

GiddyupTim

Just get out the door and do something you find pleasant, or not too hard, at least. Even just a quick walk around the block. It is getting over the inertia that we all sometimes have that is the thing. The walk will become something eventually. There's no hurry, if you are doing something every day.