How do you motivate yourself to keep on running?

Question

As in like exercise and trying to lose weight.

Answer 1

I find it a lot more interesting to run with my ipod nano with favorite bouncy/upbeat tunes and my nike-ipod setup to track my progress.

I set goals to improve distance and best mile - which are easier to track with the ipod setup.

I have other goals to participate in specific events, including a half marathon. Signing up for something in the future is a good way to reinforce a commitment.

And I am noticing the improvements in my health and my waistline. Frankly, it helps even more that my wife - and even my friends too - are starting to notice it too. Ultimately I want to be in better shape to be around in later years for my kids and to be able to play more vigorously with them now.

Lots of other good suggestions here - training with a friend is great, as is running an out and back (I use this whenever I'm doing a new record-distance run to keep me honest to my goal).

Answer 2

It's not easy, if it was, everyone would do it. I run/walk 5 miles five or six days a week. For me, I just make it habit and try not to think about how much I hate doing it sometimes.
Here are a few tactics while you're in the process of working out or running:
Have mental conversations with yourself, keep telling yourself you can do better or push harder. It's always a good feeling to see yourself succeed or do more than you thought you could.
Find a reason deep within to keep going, like maybe a time someone made you feel horrible about yourself.... or a time when you let yourself down and this workout is a way to redeem yourself. I always give myself a silent "pat on the back" when I've done a great job working out, or when I didn't give up and I really wanted to.


Of course, I usually work out alone. If that doesn't work for you try to find a friend who will do it with you and work just as hard. Listen to music that will pump you up, go to gyms where other people REALLY work out hard. That always makes me want to as well.
It really is a mental thing, you just have to know when to think about it and when not to. As far as the motivational part, don't think about it, just go ahead and do it.

Answer 3

If you've got the money, the Nike plus ipod gear is a great motivator. It records all your times and distances so you'll always be pushing yourself to do better. You can set goals online, and set up challenges with other runners.

Alternatively check out http://www.mapmyrun.com/ and work out how far your running and record your times yourself. Focus on getting faster or doing longer distances, or both!

Personally, it's music which really keeps me going when it gets tough! And the satisfaction of completing a long run in a great time!

Answer 4

I'm not exactly sure what you mean, if you mean how do I keep running even when I'm becoming exhausted they're a couple of things you can do to mantain your drive. Number one, just think about how in a couple of minutes your going to be able to rest and how glad you'll be that you pushed yourself just a little bit harder. Finish your running with a sprint, make sure you are more tired at the end of your run then in any point during it, but also walk it off at the end so lactic acid doesnt build up in your legs too quickly.

Answer 5

When i was training for a marathon i would increase my distance by running in one direction, usually to a certain landmark( building or stop sign, etc.) that way I still had to come back. Even if I could not run the entire distance, I was still forced to walk. As I got more endurance, I ran farther.
If you mean keep on running as in getting yourself to do it again and again, force yourself to go for two weeks. After this it becomes part of your habit and that will keep you going.

Answer 6

you don't think about doing it,if you sit and go "well....i wonder if i should run,where,how long etc...." you'll most likely get unmotivated.just get up,get ready and run,for me while I'm running i just try to keep a steady breath and i usually listen to music or go into some kind of trance.....just make sure you don't get hit by a car lol.if your looking to lose alot of weight take a picture and try not to look at your body in the mirror.its hard to notice results if you see your body all the time.refrain from checking your body out in the mirror and in a few weeks look at the picture and yourself,with proper dieting you'll see results that will most likely make you happy.

Answer 7

well i jog every night and heres what keeps me going:
im only 13 and i went jogging with my moms boyfriend whos a trainer and after we finished 3 miles he had me pick up this screw thing that was out of a wood piece and every time i run he told me to hold it and that way i know ive done it before and i can keep going.
that mite sound kinda weird but when ever i wana stop i think about that and i never do. so it really helps
i also listen to songs that get me pumped like:
whatever by our lady peace
down with the sickness by disturbed
bodies by drowning pool

i hope i helped you it works for mee. and after 2 weeks ive lost 17 pounds and weigh 102 so im verry happy=]]
i hope i helped..good luckk

Answer 8

I run races so while i'm working it rather is approximately training a greater effective time or "how am I going to get my time down and my miles up if i do no longer push?" additionally, I pay attention to music when I run and that enables.

Answer 9

Run with a friend, or someone who is faster then you, and try to keep up with them. It will make you a lot faster.

Answer 10

well its all personal.eventually you just cant handel the fat jokes and low self esteem.i just tell my self to get it done and it goes by fast all you can do is take it day by day just run a half mile each day and its done for that day.
good luck!