How do you stay motivated to exercise?

Question

My exercise program is always sporatic. I do quite well and then it always seems to fall to pieces. Maybe I am sabatoging myself. How do you stay in the habit?

Answer 1

The ONLY and best way - in my opinion - is to find something you really enjoy there and join another person or peoples.

GET ADDICTED / CHALLENGE: I started to play squash. It's like racquetball. I got addicted to the sport. And the guys that play are really nice and helpful. Now I'm more of an intermediate player than beginner.. and on occasion I present challenges to them ;)

The thing that somewhat motivates me as well.. is learning - exercisin duh brain waves up there. Weights don't do crud for me.. if I just did weights, I'd be bored and quit. So in squash, I work on one thing a month or however long it takes for me to increase my level a bit. It could be serving so I am more accurate.. make a game, try to serve so the ball lands in a specific spot on the court. Get my backhand closer to the strength of my forehand - how do I accomplish this., yada yada. Things like that. You can always improve on any sport you play if you work on lil' bits at a time.

So now that I have a sport I enjoy there, I hear people use the weights. So I sign up to use the weights and I do about 20 minutes of weights before I play squash. I play m-w-f. Very seldom do I miss a day.

You need to get addicted to something at the gym that keeps you going there.

The other is I love to be in the water. I'm ugly as hell hen I'm half naked but who cares. I'm not going to stop living just because of what a few teenagers think or something.. ya know? So I go swimming every Saturday and Sunday in the mornings.

Still, no matter what you do, you can still be not motivated enough to go to the gym. If you don't have something to motivate you and you try to motivate yourself, it probably isn't going to happen.

PUNISHMENT?: I would make a commitment to myself at the last resort. Every m-w-f and 4pm I'm going to the gym. If I don't go, I will give up my coffee on tues and thurs as punishment.

HOW TO MEET PEOPLE: And if it's difficult for you to meet people.. just FORCE yourself.. to one time.. say a few words "can you show me how to play this?" and then start blabbing about how you are trying to get a habit forming, but don't have a friend to meet even once a week... either they know of somebody and that somebody knows somebody, or they don't have a partner either! Remember, most people enjoy sharing their experience and expertise!

My gym friends.. it's just m-w-f anytime between 4pm and 6pm. We cycle in and out of the court rotating players. They were really nice to me when I was beginning by bringing their game down a notch closer to my level. Now I do the same for other beginners. It's all about getting a workout, not about competition - well unless you're in to that. :)

Oh! ANOTHER MOTIVATOR: Have you checked your blood pressure? I used to have a tad bit high blood pressure. I was very concerned and worried about it getting worse - I didn't want to become dependent on some drugs! So I tried different things at the gym until I noticed a big drop in blood pressure. Biking was it for me. So I bike twice a week to keep it in line. Squash is plenty of cardio, but something about bicycling brings my blood pressure even below the suggested bp to strive for.

Answer 2

The best motivation I have found is getting books on tape from the library and listening every day while on my treadmill. I do 20 minutes on the treadmill. If you get exciting books such as The DaVinci Code, or something tfrom the Monkee Wrench series, you will actually look forward to the next session to find out what happens in the story. If you don't have a treadmill, walk outside with headphones. It actually keeps you more motivated than just listening to music.
This is an excellent way to stay fit plus hear all the greatest books on tape.

Answer 3

Well my dad was professional body builder and he always told me that you can take excersising as something you do to maintain weight. He said that if you do you will eventually quit. You have to look at it as a lifestyle decision you have to incorporate it in you everyday life. Until it becomes so much a part of your life that you can't do without it. At first it is hard. Anything new is hard. Make it apart of your schedule like going to work or school and let no one interfere (family, friends, etc.), nothing. After about 4-5 months you won't be able to do without excersise. Oh! and don't start out excersising like 5 times a week try 3 times until you are used to the program and then work you way up to 5 days a week. Start working out for only and hour and then work you way up to hour and a half then two hours. Always start small so you don't get burned out. Don't forget cardio because if you lift weights and do no cardio you will look like one of those guys with lots a muscles everywhere else except for their pot belly yyyuuuukkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Couple of questions for you....
What exactly is it that makes you give up?
Chances are, it's excuses. My favorite excuse is travel: i'm in a different environment, don't know where the gym is, can't cook, have to eat out, bla bla bla. Thing is, you have to continue to do "something" .. at least walk or swim to keep the idea of exercise alive in your head. It literally has to become a part of your daily routine, like brushing your teeth. 30 mins is all it takes and if honest, we all have 30 mins to spare.

What is it that makes you get back on the wagon?
Is it that the opposite sex isn't interested anymore? pants don't fit?.. seriously.. think about it. That in and by itself should be a constant reminder why you should continue. Besides, don't you feel good when you work out and see results?

Answer 5

I have exercise almost all my life-biking, running, walking, racquetball and rollerblading (learned at 60 years). My advice is simple, pick an exercise that you like and turn it into a game with goals. You can have more fun with more than one person but you don't have to pay money to exercise...simply start something like walking and increase the activity each couple of days. I still play racquetball twice a week, walk often and rollerblade with a friend..... Oh, I'm 66 years old.... Good luck

Don't worry how you look (clothes don't make the athlete).. just start...

Answer 6

Think of it as your personal time, buy an MP3 player and load it up with your favorite jams and enjoy the workout.

Ensure you are doing a full body workout and don't try to specialize with one area, ensure you are lifiting heavy enough to only do approx 3 sets of 8, if you can do more, it's too light and not doing much. Hiring a Personal Trainer might help you!

I also stay motivated from others telling me I look good!

Answer 7

I have pictures hanging up in nearly every room of my house to inspire me and keep me motivated. Get some workout magazines and throw a picture up on your fridge or on your bathroom mirror. Just look at it and know that you can have the same results with a little effort.

Answer 8

You're obviously not working out hard enough.

Suck it up....go harder and faster until those endorphins kick in...you'll be glad you did.

Will it hurt? yup.

Will you like exercising any better? Probably not.

Will you look better, feel better, and be healthier in the long run?
PROBABLY SO! Plus, you'll have bragging rights!

Answer 9

Try getting to the point where the endorphines kick in.Once that happens you will want more. It is a natural high!!! Well worth it I might add.

Answer 10

Erm, no... Watch some disgusting picture and assume you are going to become like it if you fail the discipline.

You will stick. Period.