How to keep the motivation

[Lisa Wiles]

I find my largest problem with weight loss is finding the motivation to exercise. I know afterward I feel better, and I know it is good for me, but I can't seem to get the motivation to do it. We play frisbee golf on the weekends, and I walk a mile or more each day, but when it comes to actually working out, I just would rather do something (anything) else. Even if I know I will feel great after. I'm in a rut, and I am just curious what everyone does to keep the motivation up? I know it's largely self-discipline, which I guess I need to work on, too

 

[allcdnboy1]

motivation is always tough. A good support group and / or a workout partner is always helpful. I have a hard time exercising, so I commit myself to multiple sports during the week to keep me on track.

 

[FleurDeLis1]

Getting motivated to exercise is a problem for me also. A few things that usually get my butt off the couch is reading the forums here about peoples routines, and looking at the before and after pics of their weight loss. I've also started watching a show called "Heavy" on netflix about obese people losing weight. I start by watching it while I'm on the couch but before it's over I'm either jogging on my rebounder or peddling on my bicycle while I watch. I think any weight loss show would probably do this for me. It's the same when I watch a show like "Hoarders." I keep a pretty clean house, but sometimes there's a few things laying around or the floor needs swept. When I watch that show I always end up going through the house and doing a thorough clean!

 

[kshaw]

Hi Lisa


If someone could solve the whole motivation delema that most of us go through when it comes to working out they would be rich! I guess the first thing to realize is that you are not alone. I would imagine almost everyone goes through this debate in their heads each time they want to exercise. It sounds from your post that you are already quite active which is great, but you do mention that you need to workout. Being active is a form of working out. You are usually outside breathing fresh air and you are also getting your heart rate up which is great for your cardio. For me, I really try and focus on the feeling I get after a good workout. As you mentioned, it is a great feeling. Focus on that and then reward yourself when you do follow through. Just remember you are not alone in your thinking. Forums are great motivators!

 

[FionaL]

I think the hardest thing is getting to a basic level of fitness, because once you're there (for me anyway) I want to keep going because I have the energy to exercise and I enjoy it. So you do need to give yourself a bit of a shove to get out the door to be active to start with. After that, I find the following to always keep me motivated:


1. I only do things I enjoy. I hate walking for example, so I rarely go walking. I hate bike riding or spin classes so I never do them. I always choose activities that I look forward to. What I enjoy are punch/kickboxing classes, crossfit classes, skipping (I love skipping) cross trainer machine and workout dvd's. I don't do much else. I might plan that tomorrow for example I will skip for 30mins. If I wake up and I either don't feel like skipping or it is hurting my knees or my energy levels are a bit low then I will instead go on the low impact cross trainer. Also, some of the classes I go to are very hard and intense so if the next day I am exhausted then I let my body rest, instead of push myself and hate every bit of it.


2. MUSIC. I have to exercise to music that gets me pumped. It makes me go at least 3 times harder and 3 times longer than I would be able to do without music.


3. Classes are really motivational for me. I love being in a group as the instructor keeps you motivated and as I am fairly competitive, I go harder in a group.


Works for me

 

[buckmastr]

Hi Lisa. What really helped me when I started to fall into the same type of rut was having someone who would exercise with me and push me when I was feeling lazy. That is the only thing that will get me out of the house on some days. Besides being self-motivated and determined, having an exercise partner pays off substantially in the motivation department.