No exercise to exercise on a daily basis now?

I workout 4 times a week on average. I got started by by realizing that I was hurting my heath and well being not to do it. There is no question of motivation for me. I don't think of it as having to be motivated or not motivated. I think that is a suckers trap. It's a decision. Then it's taking action because it's the right thing to do. Feeling motivated has little to do with that.

So, get the party started. Less talkiing and thinking about motivation and more doing!

I work out every day and have done that for many years, but my best suggestion is to start something that is manageable for you. Don't start out by doing 60 min a day. Start with 20 and do it every other day, then add time as you can. Do something for exercise that it is not a chore so that you don't hate it...and good luck!

To eat more! Nothing gets me to the gym faster than realizing I only have 130 calories left for lunch and dinner.

I usually don't feel excited about a workout until 20 minutes in when my pituitary gland finally releases endorphins ("feel good" hormones - i.e. runner's "high"). At that point I am smiling like an idiot and probably scaring everyone at the gym.

Don't let a few bad days derail a good workout habit or prevent one from forming. Everyone has bad days. I accept bad days and then add something extra to my work out the next day as a challenge to prevent my lazy side from owning me.

I used to exercise, but hadn't since I had twins. Then last year, my husband and I signed up for scuba lessons. I knew I wouldn't make it if I didn't get in better cardio shape. That was my goal, with a hope for a little weight loss. I found out that as I saw changes in strength, stamina, and weight, I wanted to do more. I started keeping up with my food and eating healthier, too. Then, I realized that I do better if I exercise every day, not just 4-5x a week. I'm more consistent if I just make it a daily thing. Then, I got to a point where I wanted to work out 2 or 3x a day. 1x a day became my day off. I've slacked the last couple of months because I had surgery and was on rest and recovery, but I'm starting back up and it feels great!

I agree that you should start off easy with something you'll stick with, like 20 minutes a day. Do consider that every day might work better than 4x week. 4x week made it too easy for me to ignore on other days. Good luck!

I am a Scuba diver too! Last dive in Jamaica in November my air ran low quickly, so after reserach found out the better shape we are in the better our air will last! Diving again in March so I am back to working out once I get over this illness!

I have never exercised at all, much less on a daily basis or regular basis. I am interested in those who exercise now and how you got started and stayed motivated to continue?

I had to start because I had to attend physical therapy after my stroke. THEN once I started losing weight and getting more fit I realized that I ENJOYED moving and getting my body active. It really DOES feel good to sweat (who knew!?).

I started exercising to help lower my blood sugars and reduce the amount of insulin I was taking....After two weeks of exercising 4 days a week, I realized how much better I felt. Now, 4 months later, I crave the exercise. I always feel so much better after 30 - 45 minutes of cardio. Plus, when I'm at the gym, there's nobody saying, Mom where's the...... or Mom, can I..... :-)

Walking! It's a great way to get started, especially if you've never done much exercise! I'd suggest a pedometer and start tracking your steps every day; I tend to be a bit competitive so kept wanting to add more steps. Why do it?? You'll be amazed at how much better you start to feel! It can be hard at first, but you'll start to have more energy and things that used to get you out of breath, you'll find easier to do. I also love Zumba - I felt like an idiot when I first started because I couldn't follow the steps and it was hard to breath but realized that there were other people in the class just like me and it didn't matter that I couldn't do the steps, etc., I was there and I was doing something really good for me. AND, adding exercise will make a difference in your weight loss - if you can do some kind of exercise and make it a part of your lifestyle, that's a huge step!

Just like one of the others said, I exercise to eat more! Once I started seeing my daily numbers, I needed to do something to up those numbers! I can't afford a gym, so I had my hubby make me an oldies cd of all my fast favorites, and I dance to that, which is fun! I also walk and jog to the Wii. Exercising CAN be fun you know! LOL.

I just keep telling myself that no one is going to do it for me. You gotta think about your health and know that what you are doing is going to help. Good luck to you!

If you are going from no exercise to exercise I would suggest starting off slow so that you don't throw too much at yourself and burn out quickly. Start walking first then add jogging or a workout dvd or gym time. It really depends on what type of exercise you prefer. Any activity is better than no activity at all. Good luck!!

I've been a yo-yo exerciser but never stuck with it more than a month or so at a time until now. At first my motivation was to burn calories, so I could eat more and still meet my weight loss goals.

Once I met my weight loss goal, I was having trouble staying motivated, so I started setting fitness goals for myself...to increase incline, distance, or speed on my next workout, log a certain number of miles over time, burn a certain number of calories in a period of time.

And, now, I'm working out almost everyday; I may take a couple of days off during the work week (especially if I've been hitting it really hard). Lately, my goal has been 5 miles/500 calories per day, but now that the holidays are over and I'm eating normally (less) again, I will probably go back to a goal of 3.1 miles (5k) or 300 calories per day to alternate treadmill runs with some toning DVDs/strength training.

Check out the fitness challenges on the discussion threads. They may give you some ideas and help with accountability/motivation. Just get started...once you see progress and experience the benefits, you'll actually look forward to it.

I typically exercise 4-5 days a weeks now, but I use to be a couch potato. No one that I weighed 315 pounds! But I just knew I had to do it for my life's sake, if I didn't, who knows how long I would live. (And I am only 22 years old, and was 21 when I started) I was way too young to die because of something that I could change.

Just start out slowly and increase your exercise as your stamina increases. A little exercise is better than no exercise at all. Personally, I like to be a part of challenges or workout programs, especially ones where I have to answer to other people. (Even if it's only the people on my blog)

Do exercises that you enjoy because then you'll be more inclined to do it and not lose as much motivation.

To eat more! Nothing gets me to the gym faster than realizing I only have 130 calories left for lunch and dinner

^^ That...I need my chocolate! Plus....

I usually don't feel excited about a workout until 20 minutes in when my pituitary gland finally releases endorphins ("feel good" hormones - i.e. runner's "high"). At that point I am smiling like an idiot and probably scaring everyone at the gym.

Don't let a few bad days derail a good workout habit or prevent one from forming. Everyone has bad days. I accept bad days and then add something extra to my work out the next day as a challenge to prevent my lazy side from owning me.

^^ That! OMG - let me tell you...I *used* to get that rush about 15 minutes in. Now it takes 20-25...but it is SOOOO worth it...when it hits...we'll call it addictive and leave it at that before I say something to get myself a strike.

I didn't used to be a huge exerciser, now I find myself doing some form of exercise at least twice a day. I also got started with just upping the amount I walked each day. I got a FitBit (also addictive) so I could see where I was and started trying to beat my own movement. It helped A LOT.

So did the good hormone rush...oh that rush...

Sorry, gotta go workout now...LOL

I put my picture on the refrigerator at me with my highest weight. I tell myself If I don't work out I will end up going back to that lady I never want to see again. that keeps me motivated.