How Can I Get Motivated to Exercise?!?!??!?!

Short answer - suck it up!

Seriously, when I get out of the habit of working out, I literally have to force myself to go to the gym. I hate it.....for the first couple days, then I'm back in the swing of it and enjoy going again.

I like Christine's answer but for me, I started using the Y classes- I put my child in day care and go 2-4x week, it is social, fun and nothing as boring as my treadmill which I despise.

You have to find something you love to do! For me this was yoga! It is good for my mind, body and soul! I prefer going to classes but can do it at home with or without videos as well. And I agree, you have to lose weight too -- I haappened to come across a magazine at my hair salon called Clean Eating. OMG it is amazing -- the recipes are all healthy and so flavorful and delicious! You can check out their website at www.cleaneating.com

Where do you live? Do you have someone who can be your accountability partner? Feel free to email me at ____@____.com and I would be happy to help you too!
E.

I so need motivation too. I have 2 kids and yes they do take out all of my energy. I started last year with Pilates and I've actually kept up with it. Let me tell you, that's the most of my exercise I've ever gotten. I mean I do try to do the occasional walks but still, that's slowly declining. But back to to your question about motivation. Mine is my kids. I know you're probably thinking it's easier said then done and I totally agree with you. Whenever I think I can't do something, I think to myself, do I want my kids to be that way too? I want to live a long healthy life for them. Don't get me wrong, sugar and carbs are my total weakness. Some days are good and some are bad. As long as I try and I put some effort, I am happy. Plus I think to myself, I don't want to be one that let's themselves go. I don't want to think later in life, "Oh how I wished I had done that differently." I don't know. That's just me.

I have a machine in my house as well and I just stare at it. I get more motivated if I go to the fitness center in town to workout. I started joining a class two days a week. Other people seem to get me motivated. I need to be out of the house or it doesn't happen for me. It feels like work because I am always at the house. Try to find a friend who will do it with you.

I could have written this question! Before pregnancy I worked out 4 days a week, and stuck with it through the first few months. I was on bedrest the last 2 months of my pregnancy, my son was born in April. Between being exhausted from getting used to mommyhood, the freakishly hot summer that kept me inside, and being so out of shape from weeks on the couch I can't find any motivation either. I know before if I didn't get up and go in the morning, I wouldn't work out at all. Maybe start slow with a walk in the treadmill first thing in the morning? I always felt better after going to the gym, it was just getting there that was hard. I'm going to force my hubby to start walking with me and our little one now that the weather is nicer, having someone hold you accountable is helpful. I think the main thing is to start slow and don't expect to be like you were before right away. Good luck! And let me know if you find some good motivation!

Find any lesmills classes. They have motivating instructors, music, & you will see results that will keep you coming back for more. Group classes are the best!

Is there someone you could partner with to keep each other accountable.

Not sure where you live but check out lakecitiesbootcamp.com. It has motivated me to get in shape the group of people at the bootcamp are amazing. And the instructor really cares and wants you to succeed.

Start slow. MAKE yourself do something for at least 5-10 minutes for starters. Once you start feeling better, you'll probably get more into a routine. Just go for it! Set a time and schedule it in. Tell a friend or your hubby to ask if you've done your exercises. That'll help too. LOL Good luck!

I had become like that for nearly 3 years since pregnancy. One fine day I went to shopping with my friend who is in great shape and I realized just how out of shape I had let myself become. And I resolved to use the numerous home exercise DVDs that were gathering dust in my cabinets. Took the first one that appealed which was Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. It seemed doable since it was just 20 minutes each day. First week was pain and embarrasment. But there after it became a habit. "Do a task for 21 days and it becomes a habit". Have been doing it since End of this July and I now feel bad and miserable if I miss it even for 1 day! Just do it until it becomes a habit!

the 1st 2 weeks you just have to make yourself do it. then it gets to the point where you look forward to it and dont want to miss it. That 1st 2 weeks is just a matter of doing what needs to be done. Like claeaning the house for me...the more i sit around and think i need to do it, i ought to do it, i should do it, the less i get done and the worse the problem gets. But if i can get up off the couch and take the 1st few steps, doing the dishes, starting a load of laundry, before long i'm in overdrive deep cleaning everything and enjoying it. Sometimes I'll invite people over as a motivator to get up off the couch. Maybe that could work to motivate you to get started. Plan a night out with hubby and an outfit that is a timy bit snug. You know you need to get it done for the outfit to fit right. Maybe that will get you off the couch until it becomes routine.

You have to determine your Why! Why do you want to get healthy and lose weight? What does that look like and how will you feel when that happens? Do you have a favorite dress you want to fit into, be able to play with your kids, or maybe it is medical? Then post your Why where you can see it every day. If it is BIG enough it will get you going and keep you going! Getting started is half the battle. Also don't get hung up on perceived "failure". That is not being able to finish an exercise that you use to be able to do...you will get there. This is a process so set small goals. Maybe your first goal is "I am going to get up first thing in the morning and workout ____ times this week." Next voice your goal to your husband, friends family. Also find an accountability partner...I would love to help you in that area if you are interested. Remember nothing worth having is easy...YOU have to work for it.

Keep Pushing Play,
M.

Get the carbs out of your diet and once you start seeing your weight go down use that as motivation for getting to the gym. See what Dr. Jim has to say about low carb living at http://www.drjamescarlson.com. You can read the first 10 chapters of his book free on-line. FYI his blog is hilarious. Good Luck.

The hardest part is getting started again. Start with what you like even if it just 15 minutes a day. Go for a daily walk or what ever it is you like. Make it a part of your daily routine. Make it a workout that works for you and don't worry about what some one else is doing. Little by little you will start to feel better and more fit. You will be amazed at just how much better you feel day by day. Work on cutting back on the bad stuff in your diet then increase your exercise routine. I would also advise that you get a physical to see if you have any health issuues that need to be addressed. Now go for it get those tennis shoes on go. Today seems like a good day to get started:) God Bless

It sounds like you might be depressed. Maybe some counseling might help. I'm not saying to go get on meds for it, but maybe just working out your issues w/a counselor will help. Also,try finding a friend you can share this process with, that might help motivate you. I definately agree w/the moms that said to start w/your diet. Its most important that you learn how to change the way you eat. So find a book or magazine or website and work on planning your meals each day. Don't just wing it or your resort back to whatever is fast quick and easy. Find ways to cut out Sugar and Bad carbs and learn to increase your fruits veggies and lean meats. Also start praying about it everyday. Through God you can do all things! Good Luck!

Set small goals and reward yourself. For me, I found motivation in the fact I was fat. I didn't want to be that way and I wanted to be able to play with my kids without feeling fat.

So I started WeightWatchers and riding my recumbant bike. I set small goals and the more I met my goals the more motivation I have found to keep going. I have now lost 10% in 4 weeks and feel and look so much better that I am motivated to keep going.

So start small, and build from there.

I registered for a 5k so I knew I would work to get into shape for it and not risk looking pathetic, lol. Then I did the couch 2 5k program on my treadmill and now I'm registered for a 10k! Having a specific goal where I know I will look like an idiot if I'm not prepared helps me :)

Ha! Kids! They suck your energy even if they are at school all day! :)

Don't feel bad - I used to be a major exerciser too, but once my son came along finding the time to work out is unbelievably difficult - and I work from home too.

I find if I don't get out first thing in the morning, after I drop my son off at school, then I won't exercise the rest of the day. No amount of promising myself that I will works.

During summer travels I tried out a Zumba class - it was a lot of fun and I'm not even remotely coordinated. There were all ages and all sizes in the class. Some of the bigger women had already dropped quite a bit of weight. I only did about 5 classes and noticed a difference in toning.

The Zumba classes around here are kind of pricey, so I'm thinking of trying the DVDs at home. I'll post back if I think they're any good.

Best of luck!

First, you need to lose weight, then start exercise regimen. I am not kidding. Loosing weight has nothing to do with exercise. Work out a diet, loose weight, then you will be motivated to exercise because you will need to tone up and it will be so much easier and enjoyable since you will be soooo much lighter.

Good luck.

You sound just like me. I'm going to scope your answers from people and hope I can get motivated, too. Good luck! I wish we lived closer, I'd suggest we try motivating each other! :)