Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

How can I stay motivated to exercise?

5 Answers
Last Updated: 03/14/2022 at 1:19pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United Kingdom
Moderated by

Tanyia Hughes, Adv Dip Psy

Psychotherapist

I have been through a lot in life too, which helps me to be able to empathize with situations, thoughts and feelings that we have. Sometimes, it's not easy just being human.

Top Rated Answers
Mistah
August 9th, 2020 5:41pm
Always remind yourself of the purposes and the reasons behind why you started to want to do that in the first place. This generally helps to keep one motivated to do things, because sometimes it eventually becomes routine and it gets boring and tiring, but when we remind ourselves with the flame that ignited our will to start doing that thing in the first place it helps us to get up and do the work. Also I find it helpful to make exercising -or any other activity- more fun, by for example playing music while doing it or doing it with someone else.
Anonymous
August 11th, 2020 3:58am
Personally, I find that it is easier to stay motivated when I have a purpose. Let’s say I want to watch TV. I’m only allowed to watch the TV show after I finish exercise. Whatever you’re trying for, make goals and periods to sort everything out. Coming back with a refreshed mind and saying “I’m going to do this, I can” also helps. You can always refresh yourself by doing something calm and motivating. Believing that you should be doing something can also help. When I don’t do it there’s always something that says “You should be doing this.” Or “You should be doing that.” It reminds me to do something and I try to take away what I’m doing thats making myself slack off. I make sure to lock my iPad and set timers and everything to help me stay on track. Knowing what distracts you and getting rid of them or asking them to be hidden away from you is also a good way to start.
akay06
August 12th, 2020 10:29am
I put little notes around my place like on the fridge and the bathroom mirror saying things like: - Did you go running today? - Have you walked the dog? It's a gentle reminder that gets me outside and exercising. Doesn't work for everyone, but I think it is worth a try. Oh and my apple watch yells at me quite a bit so I log all my workouts and look at them weekly which makes me feel proud of myself! I am a data-driven and visual person though so if you are not this might not work for you. Maybe you could find a running buddy to keep you motivated. Hope this helps and good luck!
Anonymous - Expert in Exercise Motivation
August 13th, 2020 11:20am
motivation for exorcise doesn't just come from the thought of it, now its an activity that requires a lot of investment mentally, emotionally and physically off course, it also requires discipline, this discipline develops into routine and thus you get an position where you are always dedicated to give what is worth to achieve something you want. Dr. Carol S Dweck demonstrated in her research that adopting a growth mentality can change our resiliency and motivation over time. You’re already on the right track here, because you believe you can change. View your motivation like a muscle. As you exercise it (just like going to the gym) it will get stronger, too. Start by making one small change and sticking to it. Overly-ambitious goals can tank anyone’s resolutions. For example, you might focus on making it through the day with one small candy at first for a couple weeks. After pulling this off successfully, switch to something a little healthier. It’s tempting to take on big challenges by making big changes, but most people do better with incremental steps. Mayo Clinic talks about “goal confidence,” the metric that represents how confident you feel that you can tackle a challenge successfully. They teach patients to choose goals that they feel fairly confident they can meet, and to revise expectations if they don’t feel confident. This change might help you make more progress. When we feel we are moving forward, it tends to buoy our motivation and becomes a healthy reinforcement cycle. The secret to having the motivation you need to work out, to eat well, and to follow a diet based lifestyle is simply to go out and get it. Motivation doesn’t just come to you if you wait long enough.Motivation isn’t kind, patient, and readily available whenever you want to accomplish something. Instead you have to wrestle it away from apathy and excuse. Motivation likes to be chased, and you will have to actively pursue it, tackle it, and bend it to your will. It will be very difficult at first, but motivation does come easier once you begin to see results, as your health improves, and as your fitness levels grow.
BethListensToYou
March 14th, 2022 1:19pm
Exercise motivation is tricky-- but the way to approach exercise comes in a few steps - finding first and foremost something you enjoy doing activity wise. - Start slowly with the activity don't go all in all at once or you'll get burnt out or lose motivation -Work your way up to the levels of activity you want to do consistently -listen to your body when you're sore, tired or not feeling well -Recruit a friend or two to get in on the activity with you / the friend makes it more fun and then you have someone who wants to be accountable and keep you both on track on being fabulous and healthy together