How do you motivate yourself?

[WipsGlitter]

I've done C25K each summer for the past two years but end up stopping at the end of the course or giving up. I've been out for two runs this year, bought new trainers and down loaded new music but I still can't motivate myself.

Last night after a weekend if procrastination I thought "ok, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday". Am now in pjs after not running. Tonight's excuse is I'm wrecked after a 5.50am start for work.

Part of the problem is I have a disabled child who I have to carry and I think this makes me physically tired. Plus nearly FT work.

So, how do you / I get some will power?

I am managing I stick to the 5:2 diet but not losing stacks of weight.

I should add when I do run I enjoy it!

maybe try and improve your running time? a bit o fcompetition with yourself?

local parkrun on a Saturday?

sign up for some races?

oh,i joined a running club at end of c25k,was in same position as you. made new friends as well as got new goals

If I feel a bit crap and tired and don't want to go out for a run/to the gym I make a deal with myself that I can come home after 10 minutes if I'm not enjoying it. I never give up and come home.

In order to motivate consistent training I enter races, either agreeing to parkrun with friends in advance and at different points around London, or entering longer races to do together - we have a half marathon in a few weeks as a result of this.

I enter loads of races throughout the year and following different types of training plans so that I'm not doing the usual runs. Mixing it up with hill or interval runs does help.

Or sometimes when I really cant be bothered then I put my running gear on anyway and tell myself that if I really dont want to go in half hour then I wont. 9/10 times I end up going as I have everything on anyway.

Are you on the general running thread on here? Posting on there used to help me, they are all v supportive! Plus thinking of how pleased / good I'll feel after the run really helps? Also have you tried weighing yourself before / after? If I do between 3 and 5 miles I'll generally lose 1lb, 5-10 it's generally 2! It's not necessarily 'real', but good for motivation! (Particularly when I know i be eating and drinking loads later!)

Similar thread on this a few weeks ago... here. Some good ideas .