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9 reasons to motivate oneself to exercise
By admin | January 1, 2010
There are times that we all stop exercising, could be because we get sick or just lazy. When you do stop working out regularly, you feel shitty, tired and depressed.
In this article, I’ve put together a list of motivational tips to not only help myself but hopefully some of you out there as well. Hopefully, the list will get you and me motivated enough to get off our ass and exercise on regular basis (again).
GET HIGH!
It’s proven that one feels “high” after a nice workout. That’s because exercising releases endorphins in your brain giving you the high and satisfied feeling. Whenever you’re down and haven’t worked out, try thinking back to that high feeling you get after a work-out. This at times motivates me to get up and exercise.
GET REGULAR!
When you stick to working out regularly, there comes a point where omitting it from the schedule becomes unthinkable. Your body becomes addicted to the high and awesome feeling it gets after working out and there is no way it’s willing to give it up easily. It’s been said that if you keep doing something regularly for 21 days straight, it becomes a routine habit. So make exercising a habit and you won’t miss another day of it.
GET REST!
It’s been said that exercise also improves the quality of rest you get when sleeping. Your body rests better and gets re-energized when your sleep is more sound.
GET BETTER!
It maybe hard to imagine for someone who don’t exercise. But if you have in the past, you would remember that you used to feel better, look better and even had increased confidence. Why not bring these great feelings back?
GET A PARTNER!
Another best motivator is to workout with a partner. You’ll both feel responsible for each other and it would be hard to let down the other. Finding workout partners is probably one of the crucial reasons why one would stick to a workout routine.
GET GOING!
If you’re usually depressed, the true cure isn’t taking medications. Instead, head to the gym or just walk outside in your jogging pants and run. Force yourself! Run at a steady pace and keep doing it daily at any time for 30 minutes. More than likely, your depression is tied to lack of exercise and low self-esteem. Regular work-out will get rid of it for you!
GET AN IPOD!
Yes indeed an IPOD or some other type of MP3 player, Zune or something…doesn’t matter. The point is listening to something while working makes time go faster and less boring as your focus would be partly on what you’re listening to. I personally download loads of podcasts to my iPhone and listen to them while working out. Not only am I working out but I’m also gaining knowledge from the stuff I hear.
GET A MIRROR!
Take your shirt off in front of a mirror and look at yourself. How good do you look? If you like what you see, then you’re one of the lucky ones and most likely work-out regularly already. However, if you see flabby stomach, chest and resemble a middle aged Jewish guy, then you better hit the gym. If looking at the mirror and hating what you see don’t motivate you enough, then I don’t know what will.
GET ORGANIZED!
So many times we get this amazing urge to just walk out of the house and run or head to the gym or imagine taking karate classes and become the next Dave Magadden. This urge usually comes after watching an inspirational movie but that’s OK. This is a good thought, it doesn’t matter how you get the motivation to get off your ass and start working out as long as you start somewhere and stick to it.
The best way to stick to your plan is to get organized. Write on a notebook or rip out a piece of paper and jot down a very basic exercise plan. Do 30 minute cardio 3 times a week, simply jog outside or on treadmill. That in itself is a huge step forward to get you in shape.
Finally, if you don’t like working out in a gym in general, then find something else that you enjoy doing. Like riding a bike, hiking, jogging with a friend, handball, basketball…whatever.
Anything that gets you off to doing something you enjoy and keep doing it on regular basis. Understand that change takes time so whatever you decide to do on the road to getting into shape, do it in moderation and realize that exercise should be part of your lifestyle. You will not see improvements overnight, it will take time.
Topics: General | 4 Comments »
January 28th, 2010 at 8:22 am
Great post, I always look for new wayt to keep in shape. I’m a health blogger myself, actually. Feel free to check out my blog and tell me what you think; http://quick2slim.blogspot.com
Thanks!
January 29th, 2010 at 4:44 am
Thank you, for all these self motivating ideas. I need to stay motivated because I am overweight. My remedy is to walk, walk, walk. And I have not gained a significant amount of weight since I started doing that. Your article just reminds me that I need to stay motivated.
January 29th, 2010 at 4:45 am
Thank you, Linda, for all these self motivating ideas. I need to stay motivated because I have diabetes and a tendancy to be morbidly obese. My remedy is to walk, walk, walk. And I have not gained a significant amount of weight since I started doing that. Your article just reminds me that I need to stay motivated.
June 18th, 2010 at 6:18 am
I have to print out this workout motivating list.