Motivation for Exercising

wxlaw
wxlaw Posts: 25 Member
edited November 28 in Health and Weight Loss
I have this problem in which I feel good and satisfied after working out; however, the thought of not going for exercise keeps on creeping into my head every time before I exercise. I just have to force myself to go work out, and I feel great afterwards, but during the next day, I became demotivated and again have to force myself to exercise. Does anyone had any suggestions or able to share the story how you motivate yourself to exercise?
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Replies

  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    How long since you started working out? it takes time to form the habit of exercise. Also if its something you enjoy you will be more likely to keep doing it.
    I committed to doing 30 days consistently when I first introduced exercise, after that 30 days I felt lost if I didn't do a workout - in other words it became my new norm. And 6 years later I still work out every single week day.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    wxlaw wrote: »
    I have this problem in which I feel good and satisfied after working out; however, the thought of not going for exercise keeps on creeping into my head every time before I exercise. I just have to force myself to go work out, and I feel great afterwards, but during the next day, I became demotivated and again have to force myself to exercise. Does anyone had any suggestions or able to share the story how you motivate yourself to exercise?

    eyes on the prize... i need to work out to hit my goals, so i do. and as above, i really enjoy my workouts 98% of the time (occasionally i cant be arsed but usually do it anyway!)

    plus most of the time i am training for a race, so skipping my workout just isn't an option.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    Are you exercising for weightloss?
  • rikkejohnsenrij
    rikkejohnsenrij Posts: 510 Member
    1: I change to training pants as soon as I get home.
    2: I tell my husband if/when I plan to excercise a day before. He's nice/cruel enough to nag me until I go, if I start making excuses
  • emmamcgarity
    emmamcgarity Posts: 1,594 Member
    Motivation comes after action. Plan your exercise according to your goals. As others have suggested, include activities you find enjoyable. But in my experience relying on motivation can be really frustrating.
  • Leannep2201
    Leannep2201 Posts: 441 Member
    ghudson92 wrote: »
    Motivation is fleeting, often hitting us with inspiration at 3am when we just don't need it... Unfortunately you're just going to have to force your *kitten* out the door lol

    I enjoy exercise- once I get going, but yes, there are definitely times I have to force my *kitten* out the door!!!
    My motivation comes and goes... so I do my best to remember my “why” and just get it done!

    I’ve loved being able to push my body more as I get fitter, too. It makes me feel great about myself after a workout!
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Find something you enjoy, and it becomes so much easier. For example, I'm paying for a hotel because I wanted to hike and ride a bike in a beautiful place. If you can't find something you love, then think about how exercise helps you meet your goals. I don't love lifting weights, but I look better since I started, and that's all the motivation I need.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    You do it enough that you’re convinced how much better it makes you feel.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    Find exercise you enjoy. What are you currently doing? What do you like doing?
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    edited September 2018
    wxlaw wrote: »
    I have this problem in which I feel good and satisfied after working out; however, the thought of not going for exercise keeps on creeping into my head every time before I exercise. I just have to force myself to go work out, and I feel great afterwards, but during the next day, I became demotivated and again have to force myself to exercise. Does anyone had any suggestions or able to share the story how you motivate yourself to exercise?

    I have convinced myself that exercise should be part of everyone's daily routine. We eat every day. We sleep every day. We should exercise every day. Even if it's just a recovery workout between more intense workouts.

    You have to convince yourself that it is just something you have to do every day. Eventually it will become such a habit that you will not be able to not do it.

    There are many days that I don't want to do it, but I know I have to, so I just do it. In the past year I can count on one hand the number of days that I did not do at least one activity (even if it's just a 1.5 mile fast walk).

    And I'm 61 years old... :)

    Also, I sent you a friend request for motivation.
  • CarvedTones
    CarvedTones Posts: 2,340 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    You do it enough that you’re convinced how much better it makes you feel.

    This. I don't hate being there, but it is definitely a means to end. Motivation has a short shelf life; you need disciple and dedication. For me, that is driven by wanting something that working out gives me - the ability to continue enjoying things as I age (I am about to turn 60). As it starts to become part of the routine, I do find myself looking forward to it.
  • Cateyj
    Cateyj Posts: 20 Member
    It's not always easy but it's as much as a habit now as getting dressed or cleaning my teeth. It just feels like something important that I should do for me. I plan in advance around mine and my husband's shifts and make no apologies about carving out an hour or so 4-5 times a week to run/circuit train. I joined a running group and the friends I have made there give me more reason to keep showing up. X
  • LiLee2018
    LiLee2018 Posts: 1,389 Member
    Have this same problem. I'm lazy AF and I hate exercising, but I do love how I feel after I do it. It's just getting that motivation to actually do it that I'm finding so difficult.
    Just exercised today and it's going to be an every day struggle to continue it... but I need to. Just going to have to force it until it becomes habit.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    edited October 2018
    Set goals.
    Try some different activities.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,557 Member
    wxlaw wrote: »
    I have this problem in which I feel good and satisfied after working out; however, the thought of not going for exercise keeps on creeping into my head every time before I exercise. I just have to force myself to go work out, and I feel great afterwards, but during the next day, I became demotivated and again have to force myself to exercise. Does anyone had any suggestions or able to share the story how you motivate yourself to exercise?

    My main thing is what others have recommended: Find something active that you love so much that you'd do it even if it weren't good for you.

    Beyond that, appointment workouts or workout buddies can also be a help. For example, if I'm signed up for a class at the Y rather than just planning to go there and work out on my own, I'm more likely to do it. Or, if I've told my friend Suzie I'll meet her Tuesday at 6 to work out, I'm almost guaranteed to go so as not to stand Suzie up. In the group classes, once I have friends or acquaintances there whom it's fun to see, that also reduces the chances I'll skip.

    For some people, publically signing up in advance for some kind of challenge is a motivator. (The Concept 2 Holiday Challenge helps me reconcile to the end of on-water rowing season and get started on winter indoor rowing, for example.) The challenge forum here has some good options (but also some silly ones ;) - be selective!).

    Another, more subtle thing that can help is making it a point to put yourself in an environment where being active seems like the standard way people behave. People in general are subtly but substantially influenced by group norms. We're mostly wired to like to feel like part of a social group, to want to behave in a "normal" way, etc.

    Often, at the starting point of a weight loss/fitness improvement, many of the people and other cues around us from our past are subtly telling us that exercise is hard and annoying, that sitting around and eating is a fun and normal way to spend time, etc. Making new friends at the gym or via an activity-focused club is one possibility (and a good one), but even making it a point to subscribe to (scientifically sound! ;) ) newsletters, look at good fitness websites, have conversations with more active/fitness-oriented acquaintances, etc., can start to create this subtle positive influence.

    Best wishes!
  • garystrickland357
    garystrickland357 Posts: 598 Member
    As I read your opening my first thought was, "You're normal."
    As others have said, motivation is fleeting. CHOOSE to work out for whatever your reason may be. That's easy to say - and hard to do. The other option however is to not workout and be stuck in the condition you are in now. Is that acceptable to you? If not, make the choice to work out.

    The good news is that it gets easier as your conditioning improves and as you make it a habit.
  • wxlaw
    wxlaw Posts: 25 Member
    Thank you all for the response and suggestions! Many have recommended me to do exercise that I like, but as for the time being, I haven’t discovered a sport that I truly enjoy doing and have fun from it. My current plan would be trying to make myself to exercise everyday until it becomes a habit of mine while I will look for more exercise options in the meantime and hopefully I will be able to find something that I enjoy doing!
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    Just keep doing it until it becomes habit and a normal part of your routine. I find that the more I exercise the more I like it. Also, have you tried riding a bike.. lol.. doesn't everyone love that? It's fun. My family rides our bikes damn near every single day, maybe not everyone all together but at least 2 of us. Of course we have a toddler who rides a little strider bike so it's a little slow-going but still fun regardless, spending time together.
  • jaimydude
    jaimydude Posts: 103 Member
    All good advice here.

    Remember, Determination is greater than motivation. Whether or not you feel like it, just go! Eventually, it will become a routine that is like everything else in your life.
    Enjoying your workout is great but doing it or not should not depend on your enjoyment. You should be doing it anyway.

    Just my $0.02.
  • cgibson522
    cgibson522 Posts: 31 Member
    I sign up for classes so that I have a set time to workout and someone is expecting me to show up. When I just work out on my own, I'm far more likely to want to sleep in or say that I'm too tired after work.
  • bennettinfinity
    bennettinfinity Posts: 865 Member
    jaimydude wrote: »
    All good advice here.

    Remember, Determination is greater than motivation. Whether or not you feel like it, just go! Eventually, it will become a routine that is like everything else in your life.
    Enjoying your workout is great but doing it or not should not depend on your enjoyment. You should be doing it anyway.

    Just my $0.02.

    ^ This... You need to find your determination. Define some achievable goals; even starting with something as basic as 'work out x times a week' and tracking your success rate over time can help. When those goals have been met, up the ante and repeat.

    A personal example: I'm training for my first full marathon. In training for halfs, I found that I wasn't always motivated to complete every training run as scheduled. For the full, I committed to a goal of running each training run according to schedule. So I printed off the schedule, taped it to my refrigerator, and each morning I check off the day's run. Knowing how I'll feel if I don't check it off (maybe I'm a little OCD) has gotten me out of bed when the 'Don't Wannas' and the desire to sleep later were strong... or it was raining... too hot. You get the idea.

    I used a similar approach when I first started down the fitness road and it's worked for me - hopefully it (or something like it) will work for you. Good luck!
  • EmmaCaz4
    EmmaCaz4 Posts: 113 Member
    Find something you love. I used to hate exercise, I then started running and loved it but when I started weight lifting it got to a point where I constantly just wanted to be in the gym. I still do and if I can't get there I train at home!

    I love it that much that it hurt so bad having to stop at 39wks pregnant and I had to start again at 3wks postpartum because I'd have gone crazy otherwise.

    You have to love it to want to do it and to do it at the extent of making serious improvements in my opinion
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