tricks?

I am no good at motivating myself -- so I hired a trainer! He kicks my butt almost every day!

I find it really hard I have severe anxiety and leaving the house is a task in itself, however if you look at the success stories, it spurs you on to think wow that could be me, maybe look at them before leaving work see how much weight people have lost and look at how amazing they look and then think right when I get home I'm going to have a mint work out because I can do it!

I love working out, I have to make myself take breaks.

I find if i give myself a goal, then i know i have to work to attain it makes me do it.

For example, decided i would become a jogger/runner(eventually a runner) and started the c25k beginning of september, as i progressed there, and realized its attainable i set the goal with a family member to run a half marathon in May.

So now, i have to stick to a plan, and be strict so i can do what i have committed myself to do. And that makes me do the run that i need to do the days i need to, so i am capable of the half marathon and can keep up with my family memeber i commited to do this with!

So, have a short term goal in terms of workout results and a long term goal...

Here's my tips:

1. Think of it as personal hygiene. It doesn't necessarily have to be fun, but it needs to be consistent. It's like brushing your teeth or taking a shower. The act itself is ok, but if you don't do it, you'll be gross.

2. When it is consistent, it becomes a habit. That's what I'm working on right now. I want this to just be something that I do without thinking too hard about it.

3. Keep it simple. I tend to get overwhelmed when I try to research stuff and design a workout. It's much easier for me to grab a jump rope, or just pop in a workout DVD and just go at it for a few minutes rather than thinking about what I am doing.

4. Having workout clothes handy is helpful. It is a thousand times easier to jump around when you have a sports bra you can rely on and shoes that make you feel good.

5. Listen to music. The tempo keeps you going longer than you would listening to your own breath sometimes.

6. Time it. I like doing the beach body DVDs because they have timers that tell me how much longer I have to go before I can stop. Or, if I'm doing jump rope, I try to stay with it for three songs. If the song isn't over, I can slow down, but I can't stop until the song is over.

I *try* to do it first thing, as soon as I wake up then I don't have any excuses later on in the day or I don't get too tired later on either. I actually find that I am more productive when I work out in the morning. I work from home so I can get up whenever, it's a lot easier for me to do this then people who have to be at work super early in the morning.

I sign up for classes. One, I'm now financially obligated to go - I paid for those suckers! And two, I made the commitment to be there. Then after a while everyone in the class gets to know each other, so if you miss a class, they'll check up on you. Find a "workout buddy", someone you either have to workout with or report to. If you have to report in, you're more likely to do it.

I like your idea of just going straight to the gym. That is always my problem, if I sit down...good luck getting me back up. After classes my friends love going out to movies etc, and my rule of thumb is I don't go unless I get my workout in. I try not to think of it as punishment but time managment...if I have time for a 2 hour movie, then I have time for a 30-45 min work out.

Everyone is different but try just working out right after work, no option to sit down, just do it!

I agree with Revjames, I have always struggled with dinner time...eat before? After? I prefer to work out (on the treadmill at home) early in the morning, and I do a short workout, usually a Jillian video (about 20 minutes) at 8:00pm, which works because I eat dinner early. That also helps me to not overeat at night, which is my big problem.

In terms of motivation, I love logging the exercise and seeing the weight slowly drop. if you haven't gotten to that point, just hang in there, you will, and seeing the scale tell you good news, even if it is half a pound, is itself addicting! Plus, I feel so proud of myself after I work out!

I remember how I feel AFTER I workout (healthy and full of energy) and that usually gets me to exercise.

A lot of times it is hard but do your best to find an exercise that you enjoy.

I absolutely love playing basketball. When I play it doesn't feel like it is hard work. If I can't play basketball then I am not at all motivated to run on the treadmill or the elliptical.

If there is an activity that you like then maybe look on Google to see if there are any user groups in your area of people interested in your same activity. You might be surprised what you can find.

Here's my tips:

1. Think of it as personal hygiene. It doesn't necessarily have to be fun, but it needs to be consistent. It's like brushing your teeth or taking a shower. The act itself is ok, but if you don't do it, you'll be gross.

2. When it is consistent, it becomes a habit. That's what I'm working on right now. I want this to just be something that I do without thinking too hard about it.

^^ I love this!! Totally true, the first one . . .
Even when I'm totally unmotivated I KNOW that if I work out I'm going to feel so much better after I'm done. Knowing that helps get me going. On the contrary I know that if I don't go work out I'm going to feel like crap later so . . .

The goal setting thing also helps. I'm a distance runner but I go through periods where I'm sooooooo unmotivated to run. When I start to feel that way I find a race to sign up for that's a month (if its a 5 or 10k) or a couple of months (half-marathon) out so I have something to work toward.