Motivation for Exercising
wxlaw
Posts: 25 Member
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
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Find something you really love doing. If I had my way, I'd be out on my bicycle hours each day.6
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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.4 -
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.3 -
Are you exercising for weightloss?4
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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 excuses3 -
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 lol12
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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 working out, definitely feel good afterwards, and like the results, but I have to “force my kitten out the door” more often than not. I figure it’s just part of the deal. All I know is, I’m not going back to the way I was - on a fast road to an early grave - so I push thru the lack of motivation, and get busy livin’.9 -
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.4
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I've been working out more or less for decades, with long periods of 2x/week (barely) and other times when I am out every other day or more. I am the Queen of Excuses. The one thing I've learned that works best is, I promise myself I can stop if it is awful. I'm a runner, and I usually love my runs once I get going. So by giving myself a "get out of it" plan, I get going--and I find I pretty much never stop, once I've started. Also wearing my leggings (in the winter), or making myself change into work out clothes even while the excuses are piling up in my head, seem to help, too; it is a huge head game and the motivation--better health, better mobility, etc.--is worthless at the time.
I've had periods when I could wear my running gear under my clothes and just go running before I get in the car after work--just running wherever I am, b/c I *know* I'll blow it off if I go home. I'm thinking of going back to that this winter; my winters are long, icy, and hard, and it is dark before I get home (and dark when I get to work). Being able to just get it done before I go home, while there is still some sunlight, may help me get past the challenge winter presents to my self-discipline.
I think the moral of my story is, find ways that work for you. If you enjoy your workouts once they are started, then maybe some of my ideas will help. If you don't enjoy the workouts themselves but enjoy only the benefits, find something you LOVE doing. You may well still struggle as I do, but at least you will remove one chronic disincentive. Good luck and let us know what works for you!9 -
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!
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Forming the habit is key. When I stated (just walking), I told myself for 30 days I would get up every morning and walk for 30 minutes (rain or shine). 991 days later, I’m still at it.9
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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.2
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You do it enough that you’re convinced how much better it makes you feel.2
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Find exercise you enjoy. What are you currently doing? What do you like doing?0
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I find my nature walking is easy to do because I enjoy it,.,as It is non exercise.. I go to enjoy the trees, listen to the birds..watch the seasons change. I love it.. oh yeah...and it does help me lose weight too.
other than that,.., I like doing the elliptical in cold weather and on rainy days..but I find I have to have music I enjoy or a t.v. show I like to make the time fly. Without music or good t.v... time drags and it becomes work..
So.. find an exercise that you look forward to and enjoy..5 -
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.4 -
Most of the above about habit and routine is spot on, however I'd add one more nuance which might help: if you can't find an exercise you love, find another physical activity you love which requires you to be fit, and use that as your motivator.
Personally, I'm an obsessive martial artist. Now, on its own karate isn't going to make you particularly fit, but it sure as hell makes you want to be fit to be your best and keep up with/outperform the others. I'd exercise far less if I didn't have my classes and my desire for high performance to think about.7 -
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.3 -
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. X1
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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 a very similar problem, except that instead of feeling demotivated I feel flat out scared. Eventually it led me to stop working out altogether. After the workout itself, I feel great but then I gradually become distressed/frightened of the next session as my mind becomes more focused on how exhausting, or painful the workout was. And I was only just a beginner just starting with body weight workouts. I really want to start again but I'm already scared just thinking about it lol.5
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