Getting Motivated to Exercise

Staying motivated to lose weight and exercise is tough. In fact, the hardest part, according to my latest unscientific testing (i.e., asking friends, clients and family), is usually getting started. "I'm just not motivated," my clients say. We make plans to exercise but, when it comes time to do it, we find a hundred other things we suddenly must do (exercise while my sock drawer is in such chaos? Ridiculous!). So, why does exercise seem great until we actually have to do it? Perhaps you think it's lack of motivation that makes it so hard to get started. If that's true, maybe we need to figure out just what motivation is. Is it a feeling? An action? Or a little bit of both?

What is Motivation?

The dictionary defines motivation as "that which gives purpose and direction to behavior." (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary).

You can also create a ritual around your workout to help you get ready. For example, if you're a morning exerciser, take a few minutes to stretch before you get started or, if it's cold, throw your clothes in the dryer before putting them on. Find ways to make your workout just another part of your life, like brushing your teeth.

Flexibility

Part of being able to stick to your routine is allowing some leeway. You may plan on jogging 5 miles, but there will come a day when you're too tired or you don't have the time. Most of us end up skipping our workouts rather than coming up with something else to do. Have a goal in mind, but be willing to change it if you find you're tired that day or you have to work late. Always have a backup plan--if you find you have to work late, see if you can fit in a quick walk at lunch or use your breaks for some stair walking. Everything counts!

Commitment

Being healthy isn't a decision you make once--it's one you make every day. Recommitting to your goals is necessary to keep yourself on track. See if you can spend a few minutes each morning thinking or writing about what you want to accomplish that day and how you'll do it. Remind yourself of your goals and take some time to appreciate how far you've come in reaching them. Write down your goals and stick them on your desk or wall so you can see them. Do whatever you can to remind yourself of your commitment to exercise.

Having Fun

All those words I've just used (preparation, discipline, commitment) sound like the opposite of fun, don't they? If you're like me, you sometimes get tired of being so mature all the time, of all the obligations and responsibilities you have. Exercise often sounds like just another duty. We forget that moving our bodies can actually be fun. Making time for unstructured, free-flowing movement can help you lighten up a little. I highly recommend taking a stroll, jumping in a big pile of leaves or challenging your loved on to a wrestling match.

Reward Yourself

I find that motivation happens almost instantly whenever I reward myself. It might be something small, like a leisurely trip to the bookstore or something big, like a massage. Check out Spa Wish for your own massage gift certificate...but only if you finish all your workouts!

In thinking about it, I've found that what motivates me changes from day to day--what got me moving today may not do a darned thing tomorrow. If that's true for you, that means digging deep to find that thing - that thought, feeling, goal, reward, etc.--that gets you moving. Make motivation easier by eliminating your excuses before they happen. But, most of all, realize that this motivation thing gets easier with practice. When you exercise consistently, you gradually fill your motivational stores as you understand what makes you tick and what gets you moving. The more you practice, the better you'll get and you'll realize your actions are what generates that feeling you've been searching for--motivation.