How do you motivate yourself to exercise?

[Sofarris]

I'm trying to be a little bit healthier and do some exercises around the house but I'm struggling to feel motivated. I tell myself that I'll do it before lunch when I wake up, but then I start tidying the house and run out of all energy to do anything.
I'm not looking to join a gym or run a marathon, I just want to do some exercises in the living room to get in better shape but I can't find the energy to do it.
Does anyone have any tips on how to get my blood pumping? Maybe an exercise CD/playlist? Any help / advice will be helpful.

Thanks, Sof. x

Do it first thing even before your morning coffee

Get dressed into.your 'gym' stuff. It's easier than making the decision/effort to.change.

Tell.Someone you are.doing.it.

You need to just do it without lots of thinking and planning, and, well, excuses!!

The hardest part when you start a new exercise programme is making yourself do it, but it will only take a few weeks to start seeing the results, and all the endorphins once you've finished a routine will make you feel great and give you a real sense of accomplishment. Honestly!

You will only stick at something you enjoy though, so you may need to try a few things. If it must be at home then an exercise DVD is great, look at some clips on youtube, but there are loads of threads here. Initial outlay would be £13 for the DVD, £10 for a mat and maybe another £10 for some weights but you could use tins from the kitchen. Workout in your underwear or pjs.

I'd also recommend getting out for a walk, plan a route or a destination that covers a few miles, put your headphones on and get going.

Yep, it's all about routine. Helps if you find something you enjoy.

I have a spreadsheet...spot the geek! Every time I exercise I add what it would have cost at the local leisure centre for an equivalent length class and at the end of the month I take that amount of money and use it for a treat. I try to keep it non-food based so I don't undo my hard work.

I go to the gym-if I was left to exercise in the house or outside I would never do it but actually going out to the gym works for me. Plus I love the warm shower at the end -my own shower at home is crap and from a practical point of view it saves me scrubbing out the shower at home after I have washed my hair in there lol
I have started to think of it as something I have to do rather like going to work or college-I couldn't just skip either of those things if I didn't feel like it so I try and look at exercising at the same importance.
I always feel better for going and have the motto- the only work out you regret is the one you don't do.

I run. Even though I always feel fantastic afterwards and I know how good it is for me (both physically and mentally ), I still find it hard to make myself get out of the door sometimes.

I agree with previous posters though - get into your kit first thing and do it as early in the day as you can. The longer I leave it, the less likely I am to do it. Also, try and look at it as 'me time' rather than another chore to fit in between all the others!

I agree... although I'm saying I look at it as being as important as work or college, I see it is me time-a bit of escapism from my busy life where I can stick my music on and zone out....that's probably why I can't exercise in the house as I'd be distratced by housework and other chores xx

I exercise a lot, running, swimming, gym , yoga and rarely have problems with motivation. However I really struggle to exercise at home ( and we have good equipment at home ). I have to do structured stuff - a coached swim session, meet a running group, have a session with a personal trainer etc. basically go somewhere !
For me, when it is at home it is too hard for me to push myself, and actually I'm like you I just keep putting it off. And I am super motivated exercise -wise.

Maybe if you could go out for a run/ walk when you get back you'd be in the mood for some home exercise? Or is there a local class - it can be so much better when there's a social aspect.
I think what you are currently trying to do for you may be a bit unappealing and boring.

I have found that there is no point relying on motivation, I have to be in a routine of exercising and just do it! I go to hiit classes twice a week - at 9am after school drop off and I go out in my exercise gear so I just carry on. I also do a decent walk with a friend twice a week and again we just crack on with the routine. I do generally fit in a couple of other sessions - either home work out or a run twice a week but these are always far harder to fit in / motivate myself as I am not in a specific routine.

Routine and doing it first thing- can't remember who said ' what gets first gets done' but it's so true. I get up at 5.30 3 days a week and go to Crossfit before school run/ work and then I run the other 3 days. My kids are young and I work 25 hrs pw so exercising means planning/ tag teaming DH (on Saturdays I run am, he runs pm) so that motivates me a bit more as don't want to ' miss my slot'.

Agh- should be ' what gets done first gets done' sorry.