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.

Set a goal - that is achievable
Take photos - track your progress
Pay money to train (I never used to) I spend min $200 on studio time, so I want a return on my investment. (ie if you had a cleaner, you'd want a clean house, or if you went to the hairdresser you want to walk out the salon feeling amazing)
Work out as a team - my work pays for us to have a trainer once a week and I'll be damned if the men in the office are fitter than me..... I find fitness really empowering, the minute you want to give in is the minute you need to push harder. It's amazing what the human body can achieve.
Good luck OP !

I book and pay for my classes in blocks of 10 sessions and feel guilty if I don’t turn up. I also found exercise I enjoy and instructors I like.

I force myself to my burlesque chair fitness class every week. I have fibro and am always tired but once I am there it's fine. I always feel better for it too.

Really helpful things here. I am desperately unfit and today I am going to return to yoga after a long break. Reading these to ensure I go and don't make excuses!

I have to walk past my gym on the way to work, the way to school, walking the dog. My trainers can see me out the window. It holds me accountable and makes me go 4 times a week!

I hate exercise for the sake of it. So boring. My life is full of dull things I have to do already.

So I do things like walk to work. That's it.

wilt I think you haven't found an exercise you really love. I agree, if you feel you're doing it just for the sake of it then it's really dull.

To maintain fitness I had to run on a treadmill a few times (couldn't get outside) and I hated it and I imagined that's what it must feel like for people that don't enjoy running. There is NO WAY I would do my running if I didn't get the buzzy buzz afterwards.

wiltingfast

“Exercising for the sake of it” would indicate there’s no benefit.

Exercising, no matter what you do or whether you find it dull, has health benefits.

So there’s always compelling reason for doing it, despite how you feel about it.

I would say don't rely on motivation because there are times where you won't be motivated, whatever you do. Build it into your daily routine so it becomes second nature. Taking a shower is boring, but I still do it. Brushing my teeth ain't a barrel of laughs either, but it has to be done. Just add it to the list of things that need doing in the day. Don't think about it, just do it

TeeBee

Exactly Tee. That’s worked for me and now I’m pretty much addicted and feel very peculiar when I don’t work out. Like I’d feel a bit gritty if I didn’t shower and brush my teeth.

Remind yourself that each time you exercised in the past, afterwards not once did you say "I wish I hadnt done that".
You always feel great afterwards.

Absolutely agree with the posters saying it isn't about motivation, it's habit and discipline. I started C25K a year ago and now run around 8K twice a week. I hardly ever feel motivated to do the run and quite frequently hate it whilst I'm doing it. However I am 43, overweight and I like nice food and alcohol so if I'm going to have any chance of a healthy old age something needed to change!

After a while exercise becomes a habit. I book the same classes at the gym ( Spin and yoga) after a while I felt mentally uncomfortable if I had to cancel one or couldn't go. I do yoga at home every morning and again I get a vaguely anxious feeling about seizing up if I don't, sort of conscience kicking in. I'm not running at the moment but when I did after a while it became second nature to leap out of bed and into my running clothes on the days I did. If anything disrupts the established schedule, such as Christmas or holiday it becomes more likely to end, I've really struggled this week to get back into it all after the Christmas and New Year break.

I walk a lot as well as exercising 'for the sake of it'. It's just how I get around so doesn't require any motivation.
Another things that motivates me to go swimming is seeing how it has improved my body. I love the muscle tone in my arm and shoulders and feel confident in a vest top in the summer. Not bad for a woman of 57.

I use my elliptical trainer to 40 minutes a day. I'm exactly like you. I hate thinking about it and getting through it is torture. But once I'm off it, I feel great, although achy and worn out but the end of the day. it helps keep the weight off too.

I do find phases where I don't work out for month and then back to it for another month. I have promised myself to continue at least 3 times a day once I achieve my weight goal and keep my diet the same as it helps me feel great too.

Good luck!

The key for me has been getting into a habit/ routine. In particular I find it easier to do it in the mornings as it's harder to find excuses not to!

I do it at the same time every day (after I've taken the kids to school), and I try and take a photo every day whilst I'm doing it. Walking is my exercise of choice, and I live in the Scottish Highlands, so there is always something to photograph! Sadly I've not been able to go for a few days (I hurt my knee), and I really miss it. Got to rest up, though.

For me it doesn't help if I think "I paid for it so I need to go". I just need to force myself and think about it as something I have to do BY DEFAULT, not going it's not a choice. So I've set my mind on it, I have set days, classes and times, and just go. No further comments from my stupid mind.

Sorry when I said exercise for the sake of it, I meant exercise on its own such as going for a run. Not that exercise is not beneficial.

I dislike all exercise. There it is. I've tried a lot. It is v dull. And there's plenty of dull crap already going on. No way am I handing over more precious life hours to jogging or the gym.

So. I walk to work. 25m. Have to go there anyway. Might as well walk. It's regular. It's necessary. It fits in easily to my life and does not eat up precious leisure hours. Job done.

In case it helps anyone: last night I really couldn’t face going for a run, so I decided to go for a walk instead. Got walking and then realised I did feel like running. Similarly I sometimes tell myself I’ll just do (say) 20 lengths in the pool but once I am in I can normally face doing more

I've been running regularly for 12 years and did 2 half marathons last year and I still have to force myself to go out I just see it as time to myself, to be alone with my thoughts and also a way to enjoy being outdoors. I think running is very encouraging because you can see yourself getting better each time.

But, honestly, if you could bottle whatever it is that makes you put your trainers on and go, you'd make a fortune!

I agree with pp that habit is the important thing. I exercise at the same times every week, 3 days before work and 2 after, so it's just another part of my day. Running in the mornings and yoga in the evenings.

So. I walk to work. 25m. Have to go there anyway. Might as well walk. It's regular. It's necessary. It fits in easily to my life and does not eat up precious leisure hours. Job done.

People driving to the gym always make me smile

I really genuinely enjoy walking and cycling but I live in a lovely place. If I was in a city it would be different.

Is that 25 miles walk to work?

Or 25 meters (unimpressed)?

If it's miles it would take you all day there & back. Maybe it's a typo. 2.5 miles?

I think it's 25 minutes species