How do you motivate yourself to workout?

1 - you need to find your "soul mate workout". For some, that may be running. For others, it may be kickboxing...or Zumba...or spinning...or lifting...or yoga...or whatever. It may involve going to a gym, or it may be doing DVDs at home. It could be running outside vs running on a dreadmill. Try some different things, and find out what you LOVE. :happy:

2 - if you don't "feel" like working out, do it any way. Tell yourself that if you still don't feel like working out after ten minutes, then you have permission to stop. The upside to that? First, 99% of the time, you will want to keep going and will finish your workout. Second, the 1% of the time when you DO stop, you've still at least worked out for 10 minutes - which is far better than doing nothing. :bigsmile:

1 - you need to find your "soul mate workout". For some, that may be running. For others, it may be kickboxing...or Zumba...or spinning...or lifting...or yoga...or whatever. It may involve going to a gym, or it may be doing DVDs at home. It could be running outside vs running on a dreadmill. Try some different things, and find out what you LOVE. :happy:

2 - if you don't "feel" like working out, do it any way. Tell yourself that if you still don't feel like working out after ten minutes, then you have permission to stop. The upside to that? First, 99% of the time, you will want to keep going and will finish your workout. Second, the 1% of the time when you DO stop, you've still at least worked out for 10 minutes - which is far better than doing nothing. :bigsmile:

I really like what was mentioned here. I think finding a workout that you enjoy really helps. Also if you are trying something new, give it a while before you decide if its for you or not. I started doing power yoga and the first experience I didn't love but now it is one of my favorite activities along with running outside. Now I still have days where I really dont want to go, but I am always happy afterwards when I push myself to do the workout anyways. Good luck and even if you dont ever end up loving it, I do believe it will get easier and just become habit.

Everyone feels like a sexy beast when they leave the gym. it's worth it.

I try to think about how good it will make me feel. Not quite so much physically as mentally.

Last night my husband and I wanted Thai for dinner. We both had enough MFP calories "left" at dinnertime to have that for dinner (without exercising), but I knew I'd feel better about a bit of a "splurge" meal like that if we walked there. It was just slightly over a mile, but walking out in the 20 degree temps at brisk pace made it feel like work getting there haha, in a good way. I enjoyed my dinner even more than I would have if we'd driven.

When planning my schedule for the work week and weekends, I have gotten into the habit of including some activities that are physical in nature. I am not a workout-in-the-gym person, but I do get my activity level up by doing this and it feels like a natural part of my schedule. I'd like to think someday I will become even more exercise oriented but I am not sure if that's to be. We shall see.

Don't like it either but, i do it 6 days weekly. I get up early and get it over with ASAP. f I prolong the agony I make every excuse in the book. When it is over (not soon enough) I am soooooooo glad I did it. It is was it is!

I too find the hardest part to be just getting up and starting. Once I start, I feel great.

The way I keep myself motivated is by keeping a streak. Until this past Sunday I was on a 39 day streak. I had to sit out two days due to an injury. Now my goal is to beat that streak. My streak is to run at least 1 mile. Almost all the time, I end up doing the full 5K (that's my full run at this time).

I also joined a running challenge to help me along.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1157246-january-running-challenge?page=3

This is what I've been trying lately...

Stop calling it motivation and start calling it determination.

You are DETERMINED to get off your butt and move around a little

You are DETERMINED to fit into that cute little tank top you have in the back of your closet

You are DETERMINED to rock your wedding dress

You are DETERMINED to see this goal through

When you change how you think, your actions will change too

Normally motivation is a non-issue, but there are times when it's a bit tougher than normal. In these times I fall back on my tried and true visualization.

There was this guy who lived about 1.5 miles from my house. Disabled to a significant degree with braces on both legs. It was tough for him to walk or ride a bike.

But he did. You could see him out there, day in, day out, rain or shine, working his legs through walking or riding his bike. At least a mile a day. That guy never, EVER missed a day that I know of.

After witnessing that sort of dedication and commitment, who could possibly find an excuse not to train?

I go through moments where I have to motivate myself to get in that gym! And there are other moments when I get excited and can't wait to go. Normally when I have to give myself the extra pep talk, I try a different gym or different activity because I am probably tired of seeing the same people and doing the same things. Another thing I do to make sure I work out is put restrictions on what I can do unless I work out. Example: you can't go to the grocery store until you work out or you can't go out with your friends until you have gone to the gym. That way, I am holding myself accountable for stuff.

I hope this helps. Don't let others discourage you or make you feel that its terrible to go through lulls from time to time. We are human!!!