If you exercise regularly how do you motivate yourself?

[somethingmustchange]

I started running about 3 weeks ago and really want exercise to become a regular part of my life. I've been going every other day and I feel fitter already and absolutely amazing after every run, but have to force myself each time I go and force myself to continue whilst actually exercising. I am worried that my motivation will disappear once the novelty wears off so looking for tips to keep it up. I am already slim so loosing weight doesn't motivate me.

I run with friends. I can never motivate myself to get out if I’m due to run on my own.

I buy a monthly pass for my yoga class, then I feel like I should go because I've paid for it.

I find music helps. But also thinking ‘you felt like this last time and you didn’t stop’ and also ‘think about how good you feel after’.
I also think about the benefits of getting fitter.

Enter some local 5k and 10k races. It gives you a goal to aim for. It's the only way I can make myself get out and train regularly.

For me it has to be something fun, so running is out, but I play tennis which also involves running around

Canceling is tricky, as you'd let the other player (s) down

If you find the right sport, you can stick.to it

BtW, if you stick with running in Jan and Feb, you will get a wonderful sense of "reward"'once the days get lighter and sunnier!

I have a yoga app that I use regularly. I found a group on Facebook that does regular challenges - so in December there was a randomly generated workout every day of advent, posted on the group, that we all did to try and keep our advent streak. It kept me so motivated and the results I saw and felt were so good I signed up for a January abs workout challenge (which is horrible, I hate the workouts for but is already doing things to my middle in a good way).

So basically, yeah, the peer pressure of people on the internet I've never met...

Yes to races and making it sociable. Also mix up your routes and types of run. Make some runs long, some short, some hilly, build in some speed training. Vary it as much as possible to make it interesting.

Setting my black coffee no sugar down carefully to absorb motivation to start exercising when it's dark in the mornings and after work and cold and I really feel I should be in hibernation

Park run?

What’s the yoga app please?

I can't run for a booody bus now but 2016 I ran London marathon (albeit v slowly!) on 11 weeks training. I was motivated by all the charity donations but I used to listen to music and when I felt like quitting would go "I'm not going to let 3 minutes beat me" (as the average song is 3 minutes). By time I'd run through that song I was usually ok again

Schedule it in, I find that once it's in my timetable that this is what I do at this time then I'll do it. I may not always do what I planned to do - if I'm not feeling like cardio I might make myself do more weights, or have a swim or a bike ride if I can't face the weights. But do something, make it a non negotiable thing with yourself and it'll become habit.

Lots of ways.

I pay to be part of a running club. Then I go because I've paid and if I don't the trainer will ask me why I wasn't there.

Write down how you feel after your next run, read it when you gremlins are complaining.

Strava app is good too, it's free and you can see how you're improving compared to yourself and others for virtual segments marked around your runs.

Don't think about it, just put the Lycra on, then you have to go running.

Don't wash your hair unless you've been for a run.

Enter a race and train with friends.

Park run each Saturday helps me stick to my weekly runs too. And I usually do at least a couple of events - one in spring and a longer one in autumn.

I run 4 times a week days I don't run are always worse as in slow and mood wise. I tell myself it's only 1/2 hour ( although once I get going it's usually an hour because I don't want to stop ) and after the first 10 minutes I will be in the zone and not want to stop. I listen to Metallica and Muse at the moment I can't run with music . Lots of runners CDs on iTunes . Cherry pick tracks you like.

Sorry repeated myself. And I meant without music.

I can’t say if it will work or not yet as it’s early days, but have signed up for a “channel swim” challenge (over a couple of months) and a running race. Am hoping having these goals will keep me motivated this time! I used to be fairly fit, before juggling work and children made it v hard to carve out time! I’m so cross with myself for getting this unfit

This is precisely why I go to ZUMBA. It's only on at set times, so if I miss it, that's it.

Something to aim for and a plan for the week ahead that includes a couple of activities. So I'm training for skiing at the moment and I'm doing a chunk of cardio, usually running, and some weight training and stretching exercises. Got it all on a list all marked out when I have time to do which thing.

To start with I used to give myself a good talking to in order to get going in the morning. It's just part of my work day morning routine now. However, on days I'm not at work I struggle to get motivated as it doesn't 'fit in' to life quite so well!

Music is definitely key though. I listen to the most recent Biffy Clyro album quite often, as I know that 8 tracks is as long as I exercise for. I listened to Kasabian today though, for a change. I have Prime music, and there's a few exercise playlists on there which aren't bad (I look for the indie / rock ones).

I go every single day as I am an all-or-nothing kind of person. And I do not wait to feel ‘motivated’ as that will never happen. I recognize that I’ve got zero motivation but go anyway.

Mix up your running route.
Try to incorporate some countryside.

Seriously, I went for a 10k this morning at 7am and along a country lane, the light coming up slowly - it was heavenly.

I find that once it becomes a habit you just do it without thinking. I also think to myself what are my reasons for not going to the gym and they’re rarely good enough reasons

I just focus on how I'll feel afterwards. I set myself a time to go and stick to it. Going with a friend helps keep me accountable too.

On days they are on I do clasdes that I love - Zumba and Group Fight. Occasionally Pump. Music for running and weights. MyRide cycling studio, where you have footage of real rides playing out on a big screen.
For days when I really can't be bothered / don't have time for more, a 30min workout from Les Mills On Demand.