What motivators do you use in order to make yourself want to exercise?

[Andy4]

I'm in to health and fitness but I haven't got a great deal of spare time to devote to outright physical exercise. My exercise regieme consists of a ten to fifteen minute workout as soon as I get up in a morning at the ungodly time of 5am. I do my workout, then shower, have breakfast etc.

Recently I stumbled upon a good motivation technique, so I thought I'd share it with you.

I decided that every day as soon as I awoke I would endeavour to put myself into a positive frame of mind. I figured that If I could lift my mood by aprox 5 - 10% within the first half hour of the day then I would be on the right track.

The method I decided upon, and I'll excuse you if you laugh!, was this one.

I decided I'd try mentally chanting the word HAPPY for about 10 minutes. I honestly hadn't a clue how I would feel at the end of the 'chanting' but to my amazement and delight, I felt great. Whilst I was performing the mantra all the things I was looking forward to and felt grateful for came flooding into my mind.

However, the only free time I could find to accomodate this new technique was whilst I was exercising.

Then something strange happened.

I actually started looking forward to doing my daily exercises!. I'm aware that strenuous exercise and physical exertion are vital ingredients in living a happy and fullfilling life. But being aware of a thing and actually doing something constructive about it are two totally different concepts.

So, this daily physical and mental boost is working wonders for me and it all came about by accident!.

What motivates you to exercise?

Have fun. If you can't be good be careful. Regards, Andy.

[this is fun]

Originally Posted by Andy4

What motivates you to exercise?

Uh, motivating myself to exercise used to be a real issue for me in my 20s. I don't know how best to describe the reason why, but looking back now I realize that the closest explanation is that I just didn't care enough about it...at all. I didn't feel exercise was something for my own good but it was more like an 'external' pressure, you know...you should exercise to look good..for other people, or because they (doctors, trainers, etc) say it is good for you and you should do it. For me, it was really a hassle. There were times that I would force myself to join a gym (I thought if I paid for it, I would be forced to go to the gym, otherwise it would be a wasted money..well, it didn't work). Some of my friends said they didn't like exercising but they had the 'will power' to just go out and do it. Well, will power never worked for me either

And then, there was this shift in my mind, it just clicked! I love my body, I want to take good care of it! After that everything was easy, now I ride my stationery bicycle 6 days a week for 45 minutes and go to the gym three times a week..and I love it!

I guess different methods work for different people.

Originally Posted by Andy4

I decided I'd try mentally chanting the word HAPPY for about 10 minutes. I honestly hadn't a clue how I would feel at the end of the 'chanting' but to my amazement and delight, I felt great. Whilst I was performing the mantra all the things I was looking forward to and felt grateful for came flooding into my mind.

However, the only free time I could find to accomodate this new technique was whilst I was exercising.

So, this daily physical and mental boost is working wonders for me and it all came about by accident!.

Wow, this sounds great! I'll try it while riding my stationary bike...what I do now is put on my mp3 headset and learn Spanish

[Jthorn]

Watching clips of dragonball on youtube.

[ang569]

Originally Posted by Andy4

What motivates you to exercise?
Have fun. If you can't be good be careful. Regards, Andy.

Absolutely nothing. I tried to watch an infommercial on P90X last night to light a fire under my a**, and it did absolutely nothing. The thing is, I used to be obbsessed with it, now not so much.

But, I am going to try this soon. Thanks!

[David Cain]

The thing that has helped me most has been to create accountability by telling a lot of other people. I declared my exercise routine on my blog, posted a 'before' picture, and now it's become enough of a routine that it never occurs to me not to work out. There are too many people watching. Here's the post.

I'm experiencing great results because I put all of my numbers up online in my training log.

[alexplatups]

I have been motivated for the last 15 years by my desire to maintain my
ideal weight and the desire to have my body look a certain way, especially
to be able to see my abs when I look in the mirror, I can't compete with
the Spartan King (from the movie 300), but I am happy every morning

[aggie]

i am a 56 yo woman with a small frame and have always had what would be termed an athletic build...i have always been agile, flexible and active....i have lapsed from time to timed or had to change up what i do...don't really have enough time to do as much working out as i would like....but for the most part...i like being physically strong, even for my size, i like being able to move unencumbered and it does make you feel good physically and mentally...it makes you even forget what age you are sometimes....i don't take any meds for bp or chol...i like my clothes to fit well and look at least healthy if not attractive...i admit some of it i do for the rest of the people looking...but i mostly do it for myself!

[Dimond]

Combining exercise with pleasure and/or spiritual practices. I love movement. I still sometimes struggle with it anyhow. I need to remind myself how much I love it sometimes.

There's so many things you can do to make it more fun:
Find something you love so much you forget it's exercise. There's so many activities & sports to choose from.
Dance like no one is watching or if you like performing, like many are.
Walking while enjoying the outdoors, scenery or weather.
Music-upbeat dance music, old songs, inspirational, your favorites.
Youtube, podcasts and other videos.
Find a buddy.
Join a group.

When combining it with spiritual practices, it becomes even more enjoyable and necessary. This could be yoga-type exercise, but really anything can work.

[mikemann1991]

I hold myself accountable and think about my friends, who exercise regularly. I know it feels good, and I know people enjoy seeing me in relative shape compared to with a gut.

[SmellyOrc]

Simply put, I don't need motivation in order to go to the gym and get a workout done.

[ragtag]

I used to live in a place with a horrible shower. The room the shower was in would be aruond 3C cold in the winter time and the water only lasted a couple of minutes, before that too got freezing cold. So, if I had to pick between using that shower, or going to the gym/pool where they had nice showers and a sauna...the latter usually won out. And once I was there, I of course, exercied/swam every time.

[aggie]

another way of looking at it, at least for myself, is that we have so little control over so many things in life...maintaining our bodies, at least in the sense of exercise and what we put into it...IS within our control

[alainplus]

For something you should be doing almost every day for your whole life, just pick something you don't have to drag yourself to do. If that gets boring, move on.

[SilverFirePrime]

For me, it's the prospect of getting out of the office either for a few minutes or the entire day, as my break means a 10 minute power walk through downtown Pittsburgh, and quitting time means a more leisurely 15 minute walk to my bus stop.

[Writertype]

I just made the decision that I was going to exercise. If it's a certainty (meaning you will not back off for any excuse your mind might come up with) then you agonize over doing it less. After a while it should become kind of fun, at which point the activity itself will be a motivation, along with all the health benfits.

[Andy4]

Thanks guys,

I think that unless you are still into playing and enjoying sports on a regular basis then exercise for the most of us can be a bit of a bore.

David mentions accountability and I can understand that could be a big motivator, I want it to be fun though.

Cheers Aggie, I'm sure you're clothes fit great and you look a bit better than just healthy.

Dimond, I, too love movement it's so important and makes you feel great. I'd love to see the dance!

Alex and S/orc,

Jealous but not really bothered, not into perfection.

Like your logic ragtag. That's motivation.

Nice one alain, I hate boredom, but fortunately I'm too busy to notice it that much, again good approach, take care.

SFP, my favourite reply, I can feel your freedom, that's what exercise should be all about, thanks.

Writertype, You summed up what I said in my post, combination of exercise and fun is great.

Have a good weekend, put your feet up and watch the footy, ****, the seasons just finished can't be doing with tennis, golf or heaven for bid, bloody cricket,

I think I'll head off down the the gym and show Alex and that Smellyorc a thing or two.

Dont overdo it, regards, Andy.

[KazeCraven]

I do yoga, and that motivates me to do other stuff.

I've already thought it all through, and I can't justify NOT doing it.

It gives me more energy, and I need more energy to make a positive contribution to the world.

Plus, I love myself and don't do anything that makes me feel worse about me!

[Andy4]

Thanks KC,

I dont know a great deal about yoga but I am into gaining extra energy. I think eating the right food, drinking plenty of water and getting outdoors as much as possible are all important.

As for fresh air, I visit an animal sanctuary about 4 or 5 times per year and it is located high up on the moors.

I always feel really exhilerated after I've been there.

Thanks for posting.

Regards, Andy.

[Chillax]

Depends a bit on the type of exercise, here's my $.02

ie

weight lifting - honestly this in itself should be motivating, when you are lifting weight that two or three weeks ago you couldn't lift, it feels good, for a lot of reasons

cardio - this is a ♥♥♥♥♥, more fun to do outside though

for cardio I find it's best to do a short and intense routine like HITT (jog for 30 seconds, sprint for 30 seconds), I can't imagine the normal boring 30-45 min run

on days I don't lift, I run, easy as hell to do in the morning if you are doing HITT, not only does it save you time, it probably spares your joints too since you are running less distance over all

[sk8joyful]

Originally Posted by Andy4

Thanks guys,
I think that unless you are still into playing and enjoying sports on a regular basis

combination of exercise and fun is great.

Have a good weekend, put your feet up and watch the footy, ****,
the seasons just finished can't be doing with tennis, golf or heaven forbid, bloody cricket,

pivotal thoughts:
"Playing... enjoying... sports, on a regular... basis": isn't this what us kids do, for FUN...
iow, FUN is by & large what God intended our life for, right?

(most kids care less about 'commitment, or exercise, or freedom, or health, or motivating whatevers'),
unless
it's FUN : in which case we'll do whatever it takes, to maintain... maintain what??, yeah FUN

Now you remember why "put your feet up, & watch" amounts to nonsense.
since
when is watching somebody else "Playing... enjoying... sports, on a regular... basis" -
1/100 as much fun, as continuing... enjoying this yourself
and
One of the funnest things you used to enjoy as a kid was LEARN some new thing, or sport... &
what fascinates you now? - what captivates your Sports-attentions now? - What are you so passionate about
(that motivation is a moot point); be cause you're 100% totally into having a blast...
.

[this is fun]

Originally Posted by Chillax

weight lifting - honestly this in itself should be motivating, when you are lifting weight that two or three weeks ago you couldn't lift, it feels good, for a lot of reasons

This is true. If somebody had told me this 6 months ago, I wouldn't have believed them. I joined a gym for the first time, and being a woman, I was afraid that I would develop too much muscle and my legs, behind would grow bigger (you know like body builders, and I didn't want that) but after doing some research I realized that I had a lot of misconceptions about that. Now I really enjoy lifting weights, especially after I see a change in my muscle tone.

[shasah]

My motivation started from trying to walk up a steep path about a mile long and having to stop about 12 times because my legs were cramping and I couldn't breathe. Started walking every day after that, then joined the gym. Started running when my knees could handle it. Now I enjoy weight lifting and running and couldn't imagine life without them. Look back at pictures where I look 10 years older than I do now. Having trouble getting started? Climb a mountain path!! Nothing like it

[Amandaaa]

Interesting.


I think the single greatest motivator for me is just the way that I feel after exercising, and the way that my body looks the next day. (I always feel better the next day-- more toned, less flabby, more energetic, more motivated, more peppy, greater sense of clarity, more calm, less anxiety, etc.) It makes me look better and feel sharper, which temporarily boosts my confidence and sense of well-being. I notice these results every time, and then remind myself later that a little bit of exercise will drastically improve my mood. So.. it's kind of like an addiction, because I'm always thinking about the high that I get afterwards. Which is my only reason for doing it in the first place.

[MillenniumMike]

Here is a simple solution, force yourself to work out for 3 weeks straight. After that your body will become used to the chemicals and the work out itself and you will feel withdrawals if you do not work out.

So work through the excuses and get out to the gym.

[Andy4]

Hi Chillax.

Used to do weights years ago because my first part time job was loading trucks. First few weeks were hell but then it became quite a buzz. taxing manually though, we used to have to lift 50-100lb boxes above head height all day long.

Into short bursts of cardio someone once told me you should attempt to make tou're heart race at least once a day.

Hi Sk8,

Youre right,

Kids have got it right, we used to run around like mad all day just for fun

Putting my feet up was just a joke but unfortunately most things that I'm passsionate about invovle the brain not the body that's why I have to motivate myself. I realise that exercise is vital.

Thanks this is fun,

Weight lifting in itself is a challenge and being equal to it or surpassing this challenge is an acheivement and gives you a buzz and a good feeling, it makes you walk a little taller.

Nice one shasah,

Practice makes perfect and breeds confidence. You're story of a steep path reminds me of when I was a boy and we lived at the top of one of the steepest hills in our town fantastic to cycle down but boy was it hard work cycling up it. happy days.

Hi Amandaaa,

well put, I can empathise with these feelings but I personally dont relate them to confidence I find that to be more of a mind thing. What I look for is, as you also mention, increased energy levels and yes a greater sense of wellbeing.

Hi MM,

Not into withdrawl and setting high exercise targets, a friend of mine who is exactly the same age as me worked out far more than me until perhaps 2-3 yrs ago now looks like crap and I look great both men and women are always telling me how good I look. Life aint a sprint it's a marathon baby.

Victory comes to the most determined - Napoleon Bonaparte.

Thanks everyone who took the touble to reply, much appreciated.

Andy.