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.

Forget motivation, it will only get you so far. What you need is discipline, which means you do it even when you aren't motivated.

Im running 2.7 miles on my treadmill every other day.
I havent lost weight (i need to).
However, if i dont run, my joints hurt and i get ratty or depressed.
I run for strength, lung capacity and mental health.
Im always trying to increase my distance whilst in the 30 mins and i love the music.
I can inflate a big lilo in under 10 mins without fainting.
Nobody else in my fam can do that. 🤣🤣🤣 I've got great lungs....shame you cant see them 😂😂

I find it better to not be too hard on myself. So, if I miss a session, then I don't beat myself up about it. It's best not to think so negatively about myself and exercise. Just try hard to pick it up again when I can.

I think the best thing is to pay attention to how you feel and your body. Some days you will feel totally energised by doing a 1 hour session. The next day, you may be having a stressful day and a 20 minute slower paced session is more appropriate.

I also try to schedule it in. Find a slot in the day when I can manage. I tell myself if I manage to do 20 minutes today, then I'm doing great - when in actual fact I end up doing 1 hour, so I try not to pressure myself.

I don't know, but I find thinking in this way it becomes more part of my life and intertwined with my daily schedule.

Also, find a mode of exercise that you really really enjoy, but be open to changing things up every once and a while.

Geeky i'd be interested to hear about the yoga app and the facebook group, if you don't mind sharing details?

Wow thanks so much. These are such fantastic replies. I feel motivated by every one of them and some great ideas too.

Yes to not being too hard on myself. I usually swim 2k. When tired or recovering from an illness I tell myself I'll just do 1k. By then I'm warmed up and almost always do 2. So feel pleased with myself

Really guilty posting here as I haven't bothered to do today's run but the best way to get running is to set a target race and make sure you can't back out (eg get charity donations or a friend to come along). Then you have to train towards it. Also try and go out with a friend. Failing that get a running buddy on facebook you can post to and/or join one of the running threads on mumsnet - I woulnd't have done my first HM with out the lovely ladies here.

Forget motivation, it will only get you so far. What you need is discipline, which means you do it even when you aren't motivated

This.

Also I play team sports and channel my Mum who never let me miss team training or matches except if totally dying sick. “You can’t let the team down and you’ll enjoy it once you’ve done it”. She’s almost always right.

I'm v unfit at the moment, but in the past, when I exercised regularly, the key was to make it part of regular routine. It never occurred to me to miss it, as I didn't feel I could miss a scheduled appointment, even if that was only in my own calendar

I go to Zumba, Pilates and Yoga. I wanted to tone up and be more flexible. It's quite a sociable group, so that's a bonus. It costs about 80 pence per class.

I'm a swimmer. I used to have to force myself. I put myself into the mindset of being a person who exercises and doesn't make excuses, so I still went if I had a cold or if it was freezing cold weather. It was like rebooting myself.
I go as often as possible now, 5 times a week (apart from school holidays) and if I have to miss a session I make the time up on my next few sessions.
Yes I'm addicted. I don't know how it happened but it did.
I think it's the way it makes me feel, like an athlete, a strong person.
Just hang in there, OP, and if that feeling doesn't come eventually then try another sport.

I cycle as part of my commute so have no choice !
And gym costs a fortune so make myself

For me it's just easier to eat less

I don’t know what yoga app was referred to earlier but Yoga with Adriene is brilliant and there’s a free channel on Youtube.

I have a pair of size 10 skinny jeans. If I cant get into them, I'm motivated ..... (currently, they're on the tight side after Christmas .... so back on the exercise bike and chocolate free diet the day after tomorrow - its my birthday tomorrow, hence the one day of grace ...!)

For those asking which yoga app I use, it’s called DDP Yoga. It’s on Android and iOS and here ddpyoga.com

If you’re going to sign up for it give me a pm as with in app purchases it can work out pricey (as apple / google take a cut) but I have a code for a month free and then £6 a month moving on.

There’s a DDP Yoga group that is very active, the challenge group is locked and hidden to private until the end of this month’s challenge but again happy to PM info for then :)

I don't motivate myself. I just do it, whether I want to or not. I treat it as an essential, like going to work or doing a food shop or cleaning the bathroom.

Motivation ebbs and flows. You just have to get used to doing it consistently whether you feel like it or not.

Foxyloxy - those classes are cheap working out at 80p each - could you tell me why it's so cheap - as its money that stops me going - it's a minimum of £5,a class here and yoga around £11. Thanks

I started with something different which I found I loved - martial arts. Boy that got me into shape!

From there I got back into running and used to run to my class. I lost so much weight and had muscles!

I'm now training for a triatjlon and still doing a combat class once a week. I do weights as well.

I exercise 4-5 times a week but it's varied and I put my runs/swims/cycles on Strava. I'm quite competitive so this helps with motivation!

Even though I'm 39 and will never be an Olympian, I see myself as an athlete and take my training seriously. That helps.

For me it's just easier to eat less

Being slim doesn't equal fit. I am naturally slim but feel utterly shut if I never do any exercise.

OP you need to find something you actually enjoy. I can't stand running so I don't do it. I cycle and sometimes swim if the weather's awful. We also go on long family walks/ I go on brisk walks at lunchtime.

Join a running club.

Do parkrun most Saturdays.

Enter 10K or half marathons or triathlon.

Run at lunchtime with colleagues.

Run with DD while she cycles.

The dog won't let me not take him for walkies

For cycling, it gets me from A to B and cheaply.

I can't stand exercise without a purpose - to my mind going for a run is basically running around in circles, and what's the bloody point of that?

Eating less is absolutely irrelevant here. If you read the op you'd see she's already slim and doesn't need to lose weight. Op wants the physical and mental benefits that come with being fit.

Oh yes, put your runs etc on Strava and join a Facebook running group. See what others are doing and when for a bit of inspiration. Parkrun gives you time and ranking by age and sex, so you can see how you compare to others like you or all runners, you also get a tshirt if you do 50 or 100 runs or something I havent.

A bit of peer pressure works wonders on adults as much as children

Look up the health benefits of exercise, OP. That should help motivate you. Exercising regularly reduces the risks of some cancers, diabetes T2, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and other illnesses.