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Original poster

If you exercise regularly how do you motivate yourself?

101 replies

somethingmustchange · 09/01/2018 07:31

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.

OP posts:
HereWeBloodyGoAgain · 09/01/2018 08:25

I’ve got a cheek replying to this because I haven’t run for a long time due to an ankle injury, but I used to try to beat my time every single time using a timing app on my phone. I also used to run the same route, listening to the same album (Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours) because I liked seeing how much further on I was when each somg came on....I used to have to restart the album when I first started running before the end of the route, but then I got to a point where I had 2 or 3 songs left when I got home 😊

Freshprincess · 09/01/2018 08:30

Join a club, It's easier with other people to chat to.
Park run (and volunteer once in a while as well)
Enter races
Mainly though, I know how low I get when I don't run and that keeps me going.

NewPapaGuinea · 09/01/2018 08:31

As you've pinpointed you feel amazing once done, so the hardest part, same for many people is starting. Pick a consistent time of day (first thing in the mornings are good as there are less chances of "life" getting in the way). This consistency will become a habit eventually and you'll start to look forward to the sessions. I'd also say whilst push yourself, don't go so hard that you start to resent it. Small progressions over time accumulate into big gains.

Undercoverbanana · 09/01/2018 08:31

That feeling you get afterwards? Remember it and remind yourself you will get it back for getting out there. All the blah, blah, blah of work and shopping and cooking and traffic just drifts away ....... Bliss.

CottonEyeJosephine · 09/01/2018 08:32

Set yourself a challenge, be it signing up for a race, a virtual challenge, or just your own sticker chart. Having so,etching to aim for, or something visual to ‘nag’ me helps me.
Keep going until it becomes routine, I need to run every few days or I feel really stressed and ‘cabin fevery’, it’s my head space.
If you’re a Facebook user there are some good groups and blogs that can help keep you motivated too. Run Mummy Run is a good one in my opinion but there are plenty.

heron98 · 09/01/2018 08:48

I guess I am lucky in that I have always loved exercise so for me I have never had to find the motivation. If anything, I do a bit too much. If I only I had the same motivation to eat healthily...

ThursdayLastWeek · 09/01/2018 08:52

When I first started I used to look at one of my pinterest boards that was full of motivational crap, and funny crap, and pictures and pins of the lifestyle I was trying g to emulate (just not be lazy essentially)

I wanted to be a healthy person who looked after myself and that would always remind me that skipping my workout that day would leave me feeling shitty.

5 years later I just do it because I do it. Keep going. It is a habit that will work it’s way in,

AtlanticWaves · 09/01/2018 08:55

For me it was finding the sport that I really enjoyed.

Before DC it was karate which I loved and what motivated me was going up through the belts until black belt (2nd dan).

Then I got pregnant and I barely had enough energy to look after DC and go to work FT.

I tried swedish gym. Hated it. I tried running. Hated it. I eventually got back into karate with a different club at work but I didn't enjoy it so much and it became yet another millstone around my neck.

Then I started swimming again (did loads as a child). I love it. I go every week and am going to start going twice a week. No need to motivate myself because I enjoy it.

OliviaMansfield · 09/01/2018 09:16

My biggest motivation (which is sadly lacking at the moment) was how I felt afterwards. I knew if I didn't go I would feel guilty and mopey and blah. Avoiding that was my motivation !

WhyDidIEatThat · 09/01/2018 09:21

Always have some new kit ready to break in - anything from shoes to ear warmers. Offer to accompany someone even newer to running, get a group together.

SocksRock · 09/01/2018 09:29

I tell everyone I’m doing it. And then I have to go. Plus the health benefits are amazing. I was 16stone7 in September last year when I started upping my running. I’m now 14stone9. Seeing it written down like that keeps me going. 5lbs until I’m officially only overweight as opposed to obese 👊

beela · 09/01/2018 09:30

I swim once a week with a group of friends, some of whom I only ever see at swimming, so it's a social thing too.

The rest of the time I do a dvd at home before everyone else gets up. Literally out of bed at 6.30am and into my exercise clothes. It's the only time slot I have really, and I know that if I do it I will feel better than if I don't. And now it's just what I do so almost as though not doing it is not an option.

WhyDidIEatThat · 09/01/2018 09:32

Gathering data (via Garmin or similar device) can be quite motivating too - hard evidence of going further or faster or both. Weekly monthly annual mileage etc Keep a little journal and rate perceived effort, enjoyment whatever.

IJustLostTheGame · 09/01/2018 09:34

After three months of running every other day I look at my butt and legs in the mirror.
They are much nicer now. I have shapely pins and my cellulite has gone.

Shallow, I know!

TessoftheDoobieBrothers2 · 09/01/2018 10:01

I once read a quote by an ex-SAS member which was something like "the hardest part of running is making it out the front door."

I feel fitter already and absolutely amazing after every run Write this down in big letters and stick it where you can see it if you're feeling demotivated.

ThursdayLastWeek · 09/01/2018 11:27

Oh yeah and new kit always gets me out the door!

pinkbraces · 09/01/2018 11:35

I do stuff I enjoy, mainly weights and circuits, cross fit style. Its always challenging and the place I go to has a great bunch of people.
I mainly exercise after work, and I am very organised with regard to dinner - I prep dinners at the weekend so as soon as I get in from the gym at 7.45 I can be eating a healthy and delicious dinner by 8.

youllneverknow · 09/01/2018 11:40

I joined a running club and it does wonders for my motivation. I also listen to podcasts instead of music when I'm running alone. They seem to get me more in the zone. An episode of Desert Island Discs is perfect for a nice 5K Smile

PanGalaticGargleBlaster · 09/01/2018 11:41

somethingmustchange

Well done for getting this far, the first couple of months after starting a new regime are always the hardest.

Joining a local running club or park run if there is one near to you is always a good idea, nothing like a bit of peer pressure to get you out. Most running clubs are not elitist and welcome new runners to their ranks irrespective of fitness or experience.

Failing that can you get changed at work and run from there? Commuting for me at least is a killer for sapping your motivation by the time you get home.

Also sign up to any running apps that track your progress, it’s always nice to see week on week incremental improvements.

If you feel up for it sign up to a 10km run, training for something specific often focuses the mind a bit.

Girlwiththearabstrap · 09/01/2018 11:45

For running entering a race helps, with a specific time in mind so I need to get out for faster or tempo runs.
At the moment I'm running less and doing more circuit stuff. I book all my classes in advance and write them (and any runs/swimming I plan to do) on my calendar. If I treat it as a pre arranged event I'm more likely to go.

TheOrigRightsofwomen · 09/01/2018 11:48

I think it needs to just become a part of your life, in the same way as work, or eating or housework.

I understand that time to do your own thing is often the first thing to go when life gets busy, but most people do get some leisure time every day.

I use that time to run or swim. Swimming is less easy to mange due to being a short drive away and obviously being at the mercy of their opening hours, but I manage twice a week (I'm lucky, I work full time from home with enormous flexibility).

Running I will do at any time of day, sometimes 6am, sometimes 10pm. I love it. It's part of who I am.

Why do you have to force yourself OP? Do you not enjoy it?
I firmly believe that we all have to find the sport/exercise we enjoy if it's to become a part of our daily life.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 09/01/2018 11:50

I would love to experience that 'can't wait for a run' feeling, although I never ever have. I positively loathe it in the build up, even while getting my trainers on. Afterwards I feel amazing though which I suppose is what I think of when I'm talking myself out of it. I am trying to lose weight but it is not really helping so far.

buggyrunningmum · 09/01/2018 13:42

buggyrunningmum.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/mile-munching-mojo.html

I wrote my running motivation ideas here.

megletthesecond · 09/01/2018 13:46

I know I'll feel the benefit afterwards.
I'm less likely to get ill.

extinctspecies · 09/01/2018 14:01

I have joined a running club in my local town. They could not be a nicer, more inclusive. I am old (54), unfit & overweight but they made me feel very welcome, even though I am usually last.

I find if I go out with the club one evening a week, it motivates me to go out on my own a couple of times too. I like the flexibility of running but try to timetable it - so that I will go on the same times & days (unless it's raining, when I'll make up the time as soon as I can).