What motivates you to exercise?

Question

I want to exercise and get toned but I have nothing to motivate me now. I'm in better shape then the large majority of Americans because of genetics but I want to do even better and not see/feel any body fat, but muscle all over me.

Whenever I start exercising I think "what's the point?" and stop. How can I make myself more aggressive/ambitious?

Answer 1

I wish we had Yahoo Answers when I was growing up. Now I was sporty, played tennis, badminton and did weekend swimming, in fact I wanted to be a Physical Education Teacher. However, little did I know that at the age of 21 I would succumb to Arthritis! My siblings are healthy, all older than me, my Parents no Arthritis, in fact my Grandmother had it but she was 94. Like you I just assumed that because we had good healthy genes, I would be healthy!
I am now 49, have spent two phases in a wheelchair, in 1993 and again 2007. However this has not stopped me from going to Pilate's, Aqua Jogging and I have just come in from a two mile walk. What motivates me, not returning to a wheelchair. It could be you, you might be knocked down, run over have some accident and the only way you will survive, if you have the fitness level behind you if and when it happens.
Just think you might meet your perfect partner have life sorted, marriage, kids, whatever you wish for and then BANG! Your life has changed due to some accident. No amount of CASH will bring back what you once had, however the fitter you are the faster you will recover. If you cannot motivate yourself now, how do you expect to motivate yourself after a accident, when your own happiness is within your reach, the if only scenario, only you are lying in a hospital bed thinking 'Well whats the point?'

Answer 2

What motivates you to do anything? Ever had one of those days that your feeling lazy, you just want to crash and watch TV or some other non physical activity. All of a sudden you get a call from a friend and they have tickets to a concert or something else that your totally psyched about? All of a sudden you get this rush of energy and your totally motivated.
How did that happen? That's because the majority of our decisions are based not on logic, but on emotion.

Your at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to being motivated because you have good genetics. For you the opposite of great is not poor but good enough. Think of the people that coasted through school because they were blessed with intelligence. They never had to struggle, they are also at a disadvantage when they get older as they might not be able to deal with something in their life when they have to struggle.

For you, I'm thinking you'll need to fix your eyes on the future one year out, and see that goal of what you want to look like. How does it make you feel to see that picture of you? You have to actually feel it (remember our decisions are based on emotions). Now imagine that you didn't exercise for the next year. I don't care how good of genetics you have, a year of taking a break will have an effect. See that picture of you too. How does that make you feel? Now take that picture 5 years out instead of one (it's not hard to do once your in a good habit or a bad habit).

Like you I have good genetics, so I sat back, exercised almost daily, but never pushed myself. I also ate whatever I wanted to eat. I was never fat, and am still at a good weight.
But I did develop arrthymia, I'm borderline high blood pressure and just a few sugars away from being considered diabetic. I can tell you I'm definitely motivated now to exercise and eat right. (it's not genetic, I've four sisters and three brothers, none of whom have these problems, neither do my parents)

Once you develop a habit of working out, it gets not only easier, but you actually look forward to it. But as someone else said in your question. You've got to like what you do, change it up some and maybe find a workout partner. They're worth their weight in Gold.

So in a nutshell, motivation comes down to an emotional "why" you want to work out.

Answer 3

Well, since you're genetically advantaged, I agree there's no motivation at all for you to exercise to look good in your body shape compartment.........

That said, I think exercise's main objective isn't just to keep you in envious body shape and look good per se.........That's really quite secondary.

The main objective I exercise is because I want GOOD HEALTH, throughout my life, in my 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s......

Without having to succumb to any kind of terrible sickness or diseases, having the freedom and time and energy to enjoy my life and do the things I enjoy doing.........

I aspire to be fit and strong in my 60s, 70s and 80s ( I'm in my early 40s now). Hey, that's a real achievement when at that age, I don't fear that I've to rely on others for my mobility and daily chores........

Think about it - what's the good of having a good, fantastically shaped body but sick and tired all the time, even in your 20s?

So exercise it is for you, no excuse.

Does this sound motivating enough?

And do you know just mere 20-30 mins of exercise per day will give you loads of benefits?

Here, get to know the truck loads of benefits you'll gain from exercise: http://www.perfect-body-toning.com/physical-benefits-of-exercise.html

Answer 4

Do you rather desire to shed a few weight? I imply rather? You have to seem at your self and become aware of that if you're now not completely happy with the way you seem you then ought to do anything is fundamental to gain your pursuits. Nobody can do that for you. You ought to come to a decision what you desire and keep on with your convictions. With regard to the style of recreation you do I might advise going for walks with a few well song. Walking can burn simply as many energy as jogging and would possibly not make you so sore that you simply quit at the moment day. After a whilst of going for walks a few miles an afternoon, your frame will begin to difference after which it is simpler to get stimulated to do different sporting activities and perhaps watch what you consume a little bit bit. When I hit 310 I'd had ample. I took a well tough seem at myself and made up our minds if I wasn't going to be sincere with myself then I would not accomplish what I desired to. First, I began going for walks two miles an afternoon. I did this for approximately a month after which began watching on the varieties of meals I used to be consuming. I recognized the meals that I had predicament controlling and gave them up. It's been three years now and I have not had any rapid meals due to the fact. I now run three miles an afternoon and feature misplaced 70 lbs. I owe all of it to going for walks day-to-day, rain or shine. When you are in the market going for walks within the rain or the zero measure climate, inform your self that it is going to make going for walks at the first-rate days simpler in the event you undergo by way of the unhealthy days. Good Luck - You can do it, in the event you rather desire it.

Answer 5

Looking good motivates me!!!! I graduated from high school 2 years ago and i've gained sooo much weight. My friend and I joined a gym. So i guess in a way we motivate each other. Get a gym buddy.

Answer 6

Think about what a good fit body can give you in the long run. We might die tomorrow but if we don't it'll be a lot more fun to have a good body to play with!...:)

Answer 7

just do some exercise that you really enjoy it.
do it for your own enjoyment.
for example i love swimming, 'cause it frees my mind and soul, and makes me feel strong enough when i do not get tired soon, and when after getting tired i can resist it.
that has always kept me in shape , like a model,(and i'm not bragging)

do something enjoyable, boring exercises are too boring for us to tolerate!!!