How do you motivate yourself?

YoLinds28

I've been at this for a little over a year and I'm having a hard time keeping myself motivated.

 

Daffyone

I always keep in mind how much better I feel after a work out, physically and mentally.  Some days its the mental push that gets me up and moving.  I have hit a point of wanting the feeling afterwards so much, that's the only reason I do get up and moving.

I never regret when I do, but I always regret when I don't.

melisx33

I'm with the mentality that motivation is overrated - you really just have to do it. Do you have to motivate yourself to go to work or take care of your kids? It's something you have to do to make money and pay bills and to raise successful adults

 I look at exercise and eating right the same way. Your health is all you have and you really have to take care of yourself to be able to do the things you want to do and lead a healthy life. It also feels good to fit in your clothes and have energy to do things you want to do.

HazelandBlue

Keep signing up for races and work on pushing yourself to improve your time. 

Little A's Mama

I like to have a training plan that is already planned out and I just follow on a daily basis. I have done C25K before when I wanted to work on my running and now I am starting Jamie Eason's Livefit program. It is 12 weeks, tells me what to do at the gym, so all I have to do is go and do it! I don't have to plan the exercises ahead of time since it is already done for me. Also I really love Oxygen magazine, seeing fit women inspires and motivates me to get active and go to the gym on days when I don't feel like it. Maybe try a new type of class or yoga, something totally different from what you have been doing.

shorty20

Try a new activity or class.  Take tennis lessons, or try swimming or inline skating.  Whatever it is that you would enjoy.

When I got bored of my routine I took up running.  Then that led to a triathlon, so I started cycling and swimming.  Then I took up Tae Kwon Do and started going to my gym's bootcamp class.  I get bored easily with the same old workouts, so I try to switch them up and try new things.  It definitely helps me.

JW28

If you find yourself losing motivation, find a new goal to work towards. I don't always have a goal, but I train harder and more enthusiastically when I'm training for a specific race or event.

WinesNotWhines

I sign up for races, so I have to stay in shape and train for them. I'm also trying to lose weight right now, so I need the extra calorie burn from working out.

IndyGirl02

Make it non-optional. Like brushing your teeth. It's something on your daily calendar that has to get done.

And then revel in how good you feel afterwards!

sockerheel

Sometimes buying new workout clothes or downloading new music or podcasts help get me out the door.

Sugarnear

I look at exercise as the only time that I am completely alone, when the only thing I need to worry about is me (but then, I have a kid. Pre-kid, I was motivated by staying competitive in my sport (rowing)).

 

MarchMom06

WinesNotWhines:

I sign up for races, so I have to stay in shape and train for them. I'm also trying to lose weight right now, so I need the extra calorie burn from working out.

This. Also, I focus on the stress-relief aspect. For me, with two small kids at home, DH travels, my own job. . . life is stressful. Working out keeps me sane & happy. Without it, I'm a mess. When I get sick or don't prioritize it, or whatever, I can DEFINITELY tell & it's not pretty. I'm a much better wife/mom/worker/happy personal individual when I'm working out.

BlueLikeJazz

I don't.  I just get myself out the door and promise myself 10 minutes of exercise.  If I mentally can't continue after 10 minutes, I quit and go home.  But 99% of the time, once I'm 10 minutes in, I just go ahead and finish. 

If I waited around to feel motivated to workout, I'd never workout.

gt7301b

I know not every one feels this way, but I love being active and feel so much better when I workout.  I admit I am a bit of a slacker when it comes to eating well, I don't know how to stay motivated when it comes to eating right.

alithebride

i picture my goal. may sound silly but it's a goal weight/body shape. and then i picture what i'll be like if i didn't do my workouts and work towards my goal. usually does the trick