I'm having a difficult time staying motivated enough to exercise everyday? What should I do?

Answer 1

I have the same problem, one thing that helps is having a friend to exercise with ... a friend & I have a set date/time/place to meet and do a brisk 1 - 2 hour walk once a week, plus take our dogs so they get exercise too. Try to find enjoyable exercise.

For other days, I also invested in an elliptical machine (look used for good deals) and I'll only allow myself to watch certain favorite shows if I'm on the elliptical :-)

Also remember that even 15 or 20 minutes is better than nothing ... and once you get started and push through, you'll start feeling better so you'll want to do it. A yoga routine as part of your bed-time routine might work too.

We could start an on-line group, we can all hold eachother accountable by reporting whether or not we've exercised each day, and how much ... kind of like a weight watchers weigh-in, and we have to promise to be honest :-) Did you exercise today? You can email me through yahoo.

An easy way to fit some walking in is to always park in the space furthest from the store/place you are going to. Choose to use stairs instead of taking elevators. Some malls have walking programs so you can walk inside, with other people, and stay warm while exercising in the winter. Take up a fun sport - I'm in my late 40's and started skiing again & I'm learning to snowboard. Start a neighborhood basketball team. It doesn't have to be the same exercise everyday, but having some kind of schedule or routine will help you stick with it.

Answer 2

It is hard to stay motivated to exercise daily. Also, exercise daily isn't necesarry. It's better, but not necesarry. If you haven't been a regular exerciser in a while, then you should start off slowly and work your way up as you start to want to go more often. Believe it or not, your body will start to crave the activity. Now, if you burn yourself you out, then that won't do you any good in the long run, especially if you stop going all together. If I were you, I would go with a 3 day a week routine and work your way up. Just remember, any exercise is better than none at all. And if you fall off the train, don't stay off and feel like you have to start all over, you can get back on anytime. There are so many time when people will use one mess up as an excuse to stop dieting or exercising. If you fall off for a week, don't beat yourself up, just start again.

Answer 3

Having an exercise partner is probably the best option. Another is variety. Change up your routine so that you don't get bored. Keeping a journal (video journals are cool) of your progress can also be helpful. Cut a picture out of a magazine of the body type you would most like to resemble and put it where you can see it a lot, like on the fridge or bathroom mirror to help remind you of your goal.

Answer 4

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Start out small like 15 minutes then gradually increase your exercising as your body gets used to it. Your brain will eventually get used to it and start releasing endorphins. The endorphins will make you want to exercise. Have you ever seen people out jogging when it is the dead of winter, that is because there body thrives for the endorphins. But start small work your way up.
Also try something you enjoy. Exercising doesn't have to be jogging or weight lifting. It can be bowling or boxing or taking your kids to the play ground and running with him and just playing like a kid. New WII game is really fun and a workout.
Try some of these ideas

Answer 5

Get an exercise buddy. Even if it's an online Pal, someone who can help keep you on track. Advisable to make a pact w/ this person. ie: Here is what I agree to do, we will check in w/ each other daily, if one of us doesnt feel like working out, the other one will kick their big butt into doing it anyways. etc.
I say this because I was had a gym buddy and we started out great together but evolved into excuses for each other, we even ended upleaving the gym together and going out to dinner,and/ or night clubs (drinking). I eventually had to get a new partner, and make promises! Good luck. E-mail me if you ned an exercise e-pal as I'm just getting back into my program too.

Answer 6

The key to your answer is in your question. You don't have to exercise everyday. In fact, it is much better to take a day or two off in order to let your muscles rest. The personal trainer at my gym told me that even when you lose 1 pound, your body and organs must go through all sorts of changes and adjustments because of the missing weight. Try exercising two days and then take a day off...two days on and one off works for me. Good luck!

Answer 7

Consider taking days off. There is no real reason to work out every day. 3 to 5 times a week is enough for most people and the days off will prevent boredom and help keep you motivated.

Answer 8

Same here, so this is what I realized. In the summer, of course you are going to exercise, because you have to show more- but now is the time you can really make a difference- sure you can't show it off, but you know how long it takes to look good. So lose weight now (in secret mwa ha ha) and then tone starting around march and in april viola- show off what you've been working on!

Answer 9

MAKE yourself do it. It's a fact that it takes 28 DAYS to get yourself into a habbit, any habbbit. It only takes 6 to get out of one. Stay motavated. Write yourself notes, or have someone to remind you or even give you a hard time until you get through the first month. If you can suceed in doing it for that long then you have an 80% chance of sticking to it. I guess it boils down to how bad you want it.

Answer 10

You can see if a friend would like to exercise with you or come up with a consequence for not exercising and then a treat for when you do...make it worth it so you stay motivated though...good luck