Motivating Yourself to Exercise

The Benefits
The benefits to getting in shape are innumerable. They include everything from reduced risk of heart disease to reduced occurrence of depression. The important part of getting in shape is getting started. Once you begin exercising you will feel better physically and you will also have greater self-confidence. Exercising in public can be intimidating, and for this reason it is important that you choose an exercise that you can enjoy, in a comfortable and convenient setting, otherwise it will be difficult to stick with it.

How to Motivate Yourself
You can do the most awkward exercises, such as sit-ups, at home, and then take the rest of your workout outside. If you enjoy biking, but are uncomfortable biking in public, consider buying a stationary bike. Try biking during your favorite news-hour or television series. Know that you will only watch the show while in motion, and try to make it first through a half-hour sitcom, then a whole hour. You can do the same with running, substituting the stationary bike with a treadmill.

If you are having trouble motivating yourself at home, then get out! Walk for thirty minutes at first. You can force yourself to do so by walking to the grocery store, or walking to the cleaners. Increase your distance every week. Try carrying small weights in your hands or strapped around your ankles. Don't force yourself to make the decision everyday of whether you are going to work out or not. This will just drive you nuts, and chances are that more often than not, you will opt not to exercise. Set a schedule for yourself, such as Monday, Wednesday, Friday, from 12:00 to 1:00, and don't let yourself stray from this schedule. It is too hard to make the right decision all the time, so give yourself a break and only make the decision once, when you set your goals.

The Bottom Line
Remember to start with manageable, attainable goals. Setting your goals too high can be frustrating, and can lead quickly to burn out or injuries. If you are not used to exercising at all then start slowly, and give yourself time. If you stick with it, you will quickly notice the results.

REFERENCES
a listing of scientific articles and texts used.