30 ways to motivate yourself to exercise.

“80 percent of success is showing up.” – Woody Allen

There are a million ways to motivate yourself to exercise, actually, but these are a few that have worked for me. And trust me, I’ve had days when I’ve struggled with exercise. Most recently, the things that have helped include finding a workout partner (one of the best motivators!) How you feel after a workout. I always feel great after a good workout. It’s a high. And I let that motivate me the next time: “You know how good you’re going to feel!”

1. Time for you. While many people make time to take care of others (kids, spouse, other family, co-workers, boss), they don’t often make time to take care of themselves. Instead, make your “you” time a priority, and don’t miss that exercise appointment.
2. Calories burned. If you count calories (and it’s really one of the most effective ways to lose weight), you know that the more you exercise, the more calories you burn — and the bigger your calorie deficit.
3. Having fun. Exercise should be fun. If it isn’t, try a different kind of activity that you enjoy. As long as you’re moving, it’s good for you.
4. How you’re going to look. Imagine a slimmer, fitter you. Now let that visualisation drive you.
5. Magazines. It motivates me to read fitness magazines. Not sure why, but it works.
6. Cover models. Sure, they’re genetically freaky, and probably Photoshopped to look perfect. But for some reason, looking at how good a cover model looks helps motivate me to work harder.
7. Blogs. I enjoy reading blogs about people who are into running, or losing weight. It can show the ups and downs they go through, and you can learn from their experiences.
8. Success stories. I find the success stories of others incredibly inspirational. If a fitness website has success stories, I’ll almost always read them.
9. Role-model. I have a responsibility to motivate my student, I have to practice what I preach. 
10. Rewards. If you exercise for a few days, give yourself a reward! A week? Another reward. Do it often in the beginning.
11. Fitting into new clothes. Wanna look good in a smaller size? Work out!
12. Being attractive. That’s always a good motivator, as I’m sure we all know. 
13. Adrenaline rush. I get a rush when I exercise. Ride that rush to complete the workout.
14. Stress relief. Wound up after a long day at the office? Get out and work off that stress. It makes a world of difference.
15. Time for contemplation. I love the quiet time of exercise, its like a form of medition. 
16.     A workout partner. With a partner, small group or in front of a class you forced to perform to your best.
17. An exercise class. Sign up for a class, perhaps with a friend, and you’ll be motivated to get there and work out.
18. A coach, trainer private lessons. Worth the money, just for the motivation.
19. An exercise log/graph. For some reason, writing it down is extremely important. Do it for a week and you’ll see what I mean.
20. Your before picture. You often don’t realise how far you’ve come. Take pictures.
21. A 5K race or triathlon. Just sign up for one, and you’ll be motivated to train.
22. The dread of feeling “yuck” from not exercising. I hate how I feel after not exercising. So I remind myself of that when I feel tired.
23. Living long enough to see your grandkids … and play with them.
24. The scale. It’s not motivating to weigh yourself every day, as your weight fluctuates. But if you weigh yourself once a week, you’ll be motivated to have it keep going down or up. Combine the scale with the measuring tape, and measure your waist.
25. Reaching a goal. Set a goal for weight, or your waist measurement, or a number of days to work out, or a number of forms you pratice this week. Setting and tracking a goal helps motivate you to complete that goal. Make it easily achievable.
26. Posting it on your blog. Tell people you’re goal or exercise daily, and report to them. You’ll make it happen.
27. Motivational quotes. I like to print them out or put them on my computer desktop.
28. Mock test yourself. Work you way along the syllabus and see how far you can go, try to reach you current grade!
29. Others commenting on how good you look. When someone notices the changes in your body, it feels good. And it makes you want to work out more.
30. An upcoming day at the beach, or a reunion.