How can I keep myself motivated to work out?

Question

I have ups and downs with my exercise. I can find a lot of motivation in it for about 1 -2 months. However I start getting bored and I slow down and eventually stop, just to realize that I want to start again. Is there any way to keep a steady work out schedule instead of having these off/on cycles? and is this even a healthy life style, putting your body through weight loss and then periods of no exercise at all and weight gain?

Answer 1

I am an Exercise Machine. I find it hard to stay motivated at times, but my iPod puts me right back into that motivated state of intense emotions. I'm not sure if you have an iPod, but if you don't, try to listen to some good music while you workout. That seems to do the trick for me. Also try to be around positive influences in your life. Be around people who will inspire you. I think that going to the gym alone is enough inspiration. Your around tons of people who have the same goal as you; people wanting to get in better shape. Good Luck and I hope you find that motivation that you are lacking.

Answer 2

Its probably not healthy I do the same exact thing. They say the best time to do something is when you least want to. I found that motivated me a few times. But like you said it only works Sometimes.
I would like to offer food for thought: do you know that 15-20 minutes is all your body needs per day of exercise in order to be healthy? I find that information to be priceless especially since most workout tapes are an hour long session. I'll put on my tapes and do the warmup then the cooldown and I'm happy with myself that I did my 20 minutes. All that jumping around and carrying on isn't necessary. Just muscle tone and the certain movements are. I highly recommend Core Rhythms! But to each his own.

Answer 3

Its okay! I think you have done very very well! It is very hard. Like anything you don't particularly want to do, like work, it is very hard to keep yourself motivated for the time needed. Its so hard to see the end of the road but you know its a long way off. Its like revision, never can you say, right i have done that, now lets move on because there is ALWAYS something more you could have done. But we can all only do so much. So try working at it in days. Dont look at the diet plan as a whole, just think day by day what your going to do to try your best. I always find that having a purpose motivates me. Think of some one who you are doing it FOR. Maybe its yourself...? But just keep that person in mind and when times get rough just think that you will be letting them down if you don't do it and your strong enough t carry on. They will be so proud of you and you will be so much more happy! GO ON! YOU CAN DO IT! PUSH THROUGH! ^_^

Answer 4

I think its helpful when someone goes with you, extra motivation and you dont want to let them down and make them go alone. When you go to the gym do u see results? If so, remind urself that it took hard work to get that way and u need to keep going. You should be consistent with ur body, keep exercising I think if u stop u will have an energy slump and the weight gain may be quicker than u expect. My roommate could never motivate herself to go to the gym so she hung pictures of skinny models right by her alarm clock and wrote a note above the pics that said "Wanna be this thin and look this good? GET UP"

Answer 5

Is there any particular activity that you love doing, such as basketball, tennis, running, or even playing paintball? Once you find an extracurricular activity then you can make a commitment to do that say 3 times a week. You will see some results, and enjoy what you are doing. Once you really get in a long and steady pattern of regular activity, you will get so use to it that being inactive will feel boring. At that point you may want to add something extra to your health regimen such as strength training.

Answer 6

First, try to find more interesting ways to work out. If you enjoy a sport like basketball or tennis, work that into your fitness program. Keep track of your progress, and celebrate little gains in your fitness. Vary your workouts, if you do the same thing all the time, of course you're going to get bored. If your cardio workout involves something like biking or running, vary your route. If it's on a stationary machine like a treadmill, watch TV while working out.

And don't be afraid to tell yourself things like..."I couldn't do this a month ago...I'm getting more fit!", "I'm looking pretty good!", "Wow...I just did those stairs, and everyone around me is breathing hard and I'm not..." Well, you get the picture.

Answer 7

Watch Dr. G Medical Examiner.... and realize that working out is not an option, its a MUST.

Workout realistically, ie: doing things that keep you fit, but you enjoy at the same time. Dont set your workout standards too high, otherwise you will burn out after a month. Change it up. Dont go on the same bike route day in and day out... change parks, change pools, get new running shoes.

If you are good at running, try training for a local race. If you are great at biking, look into BMX... etc. Anything to keep you excited about working out, for me, the excitement comes from knowing that my arteries dont bare any resemblance to those on Dr. G's table... lol

Answer 8

I have two ideas:

1) Have a company when you workout. Do it with friend or in a group.
2) Information is a power and by reading you can learn and have better understanding about your workout. You can even improve your exercise. ( book, magazines, Internet ....)

Check out following site for more motivation:
http://www.weight-loss-choice.com/Exercise_and_Diet.html

Good luck!

Answer 9

Change what you are doing.

maybe go to the gym three months, then start cycleing three months, them runiing (or whatever). maybe this will keep you entertained.

I like going to the gym but the longer I go the more difficult it is. When I get to my weight goal I think it will be even more difficult to keep going.

Make a deal with your girlfriend that she only has sex with you the days you workout.

Answer 10

Keep changing activities every few months to keep up your interest, and only do things you enjoy.
Listen to music while you work out, or make a special playlist and decide you have to keep working out until the last song has finished.