WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR MIND????

Something about being in the pool puts me in a zen like state. I feel my body getting exhausted, but I keep going, lap after lap. I listen to the water rushing past my body, look at the light filtering through the water, listen to the bubbles my breathing makes. I think the goal for me is to get to that very place: the zone, where everything is simple and just about the moment.

I tell myself not to be such a wimp

Usually nothingness, just the focus and throbbing in my head... once I prayed to my Dad and asked him for strength to make it through the workout. When I finished I cried like a baby.

I like to watch Netflixs on my Ipod and the time flys by and don't think of much, but sometimes I am thinking, I am ready to just stop and go sit down,

"Why do people type in all caps?"

Tell yourself that's it's ok to hate exercise

Listen to your favorite music while you work out, that can help. Or do it with a friend--though I find that I work out better (i.e. burn more calories) when I work out alone.

I love walking, and that's what I do most days of the week. I only count down the minutes to the end of my work out when I'm doing my kettlebells, but I always feel glad and proud that I've done it. Once you keep at it, you'll find that you feel weird if you DON'T exercise.

I have found that listening to music (my 13 year olds i pod no less!) and also breathing (count to 4 inhale and release 4 exhale) plus the harder you work the less time your in the gym! It's good to mix up your workout so it doesn't get boring.

When I'm at the Gym I like to listen to Daft Punk Alive 2007 album and make up stories in my head that goes with the music. At home I think "GO DAMNIT GO! Just a little bit longer. We can make it!"

I watch TV. I have a TV right in front of my treadmill.

I used to do this at the beginning. Now I find I stare at a spot on the wall and "zone out". I usually "wake up" near the end of a run, etc.

I have a mental list of friends in my life who have real battles and struggles. Two have fought to get healthy after bad accidents. I pick one, and think awesome thoughts about them. And I say to myself that I am just running. That's all. And it is nothing compared to what they are doing just to get healthy.

I tell myself that "I can do this" and I keep moving no matter how slow. Slow motion is better than no motion. Eventually my body reaches a point where I can start moving faster again and I don't feel the pain quite as intensely.

This!

Good question and a lot of good ideas here. I've tried a few of them. Today, I actually shut my eyes (on the eliptical), and tried to regulate my breathing, kind of meditating. It was hard but worked. I went to the gym with the goal of 30 minutes on eliptical and ended up managing 45 minutes. Another thing I do if I'm working out beside a friend, I can talk or listen and the time zooms by...I check my HR periodically to make sure it's where I want it to be.
Also, I tell myself if I wasn't working out, where would I be and what would I be doing? the answer is probably doing something that isn't going to improve my health.

i think of all the people that ever called me fat...all the people that told me i couldnt do it...it just kind of fuels my fire, ya know? and i get all my frustration built up and just relieve it by jogging for another few minutes. and also i always think "come on you gave birth to a child, and you cant do this workout for 20 mins?" that gives me motivation too

OMG YES! I do this as well especially halfway during insanity.

I was at the gym on a stationary bike today, getting to the point I wanted to quit. There was a guy on a treadmill behind me that was running along at a pretty good clip- I concentrated on the rhythm of his steps and it got me through to the end of my workout.

I imagine myself walking down the aisle in my wedding dress in 6 months. It also helps to have good music on your ipod!!