What to do to get motivated to exercise

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!

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.

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."

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.

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.

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?

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 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.

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

find something you enjoy doing.

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.

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.

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....

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.

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