Getting motivated to exercise

[deepali]

Two things helped me -

1. Finding something that I like doing, so I look forward to doing it.
2. Finding a friend to join me, so I have some accountability.

Oh, gosh, you just inspired a post.

[moneymatters]

things that motivate me:

1. a friend to keep me accountable/active
2. keeping track of where i am in a weight loss goal. Check out a website like Traineo.com where you can watch your progress as you lose weight.

[jkuo13]

Getting an exercise buddy is a great idea. I'm pretty self-motivated to get myself to the gym to workout, but there are always days when I just can't bring myself to get my training in. Being accountable to someone is great motivation to exercise even on those lackluster days. Even virtual (online) training buddies are useful. They can keep you honest if you have to report to each other on your exercise schedule.

Setting an achievable and realistic fitness goal and then logging your progress is also a great idea. You can keep yourself accountable for leaving gaps in your log and stay motivated by trying to continue progress trends (or even just continue the stream of logged days). But I would say start modest with your goals, and as you get more dedicated to continuing your exercise program, you can reassess your progress and set slightly more ambitious goals along with achievable milestones.

[Looby]

An exercise buddy is an excellent method, I used to have a great system with a friend before I moved. I can't seem to drag myself to a gym alone so I have signed up to dance classes, because they are prepaid for a 10 week course, I'll go each week to get my money's worth! Also I find them much more fun than most workouts, I can recommend Bhangra as a great workout!

[amandajane]

Wellll, I'm the master of lack of exercise, it wasn't modeled in my family and I've never really taken to it. However, I do need to lose some weight, just so I can feel better about myself. I've never been this heavy and I'm not used to it!

I decided to put an advert on freecycle for an exercise machine, a walker. I figured I can put it in front of the tv and if I don't get on it it's going to annoy me enough to get off the sofa and do it, lol.

I've tried the gym and walking outside, I think maybe this will be the answer. I pick it up tomorrow, what a great score! I can't wait now

[amandajane]

I forgot to mention, you might find this web site useful

http://sparkpeople.com/

It's great for keeping track of diet and fitness. I've been a member for a couple of months, about time I used it really, lol.

[hermione]

I find watching movies with beautiful (thin) people motivating. My sister and I like to watch movies, so we have a stationary bike that we take turns on when we watch our movies. The hard part is always getting started; I find that once I start exercising, it's easier to keep going and sometimes it gets so that I want to keep going even after I've reached my goal. I like setting a higher goal for myself and beating my previous record of time, distance or calories burned.

[jkuo13]

Originally Posted by hermione

sometimes it gets so that I want to keep going even after I've reached my goal. I like setting a higher goal for myself and beating my previous record of time, distance or calories burned.

That's a great way to keep yourself motivated. Keeping track of what you've accomplished and continually setting new (achievable) goals works well as a way to keep yourself in shape and to continually improve your fitness. Once the initial startup and commitment to exercise are attained, it's usually not so hard to continue an exercise routine.

[72Tiger]

I do it to keep my blood pressure down. I bought an at home tester, and regular exercise (plus a healthy low sodium diet) allows me to keep my blood pressure in the normal reange without resorting to medication and resultant side effects. I mostly walk, bike ride, and play in a vollyeball league in the summers.

An easy way to incorporate exercise is to slip it into your daily routine. Yard work in the summer, parking farther away than you need to and walking, taking the steps rather than the elevator, walking to lunch or at lunch, going down the hall to talk to a coworker instead of emailing or calling, etc. There are lots and lots of little things you can make routine that add up. The non-routine actual workouts are big boosts once your normal routine starts providing you with a good amount of exercise in and of itself.

good luck!

[jdp]

I "found" my motivation after being seriously ill for quite a while. When you get a chance to recover from something that literally makes you unable to carry your baby, take 10 steps without falling over or things like that it makes every step precious. Its been 2 years of "recovery" for me but I still cherish being able to just walk my son down to the playground. Days I am well enough to go for a hike, ride the bike trail or anything else is like a gift to me - no motivation needed! I can't envision a time when I won't be thankful for the ability to, therfore motivated to, move!

As to sticking with an excise regimen, eh, I'm probably not the best one to ask because if I am not working or doing housework I am moving in some way, just not always the same way because its always for 'fun' and the definition of 'fun' changes daily.