12 Different Ways to Keep Yourself Motivated to Exercise

Even your trainers have those days in which you feel, well --mehhh!. It's a daily struggle for everybody, exercise takes physical and mental work. I could understand why most people choose not to exercise. But this is a new year , we are setting up new goals, and there is no better time than now to change things around and start a new healthy habit. Let me help you!!

Here are some powerful ways to motivate yourself:

1. Make a List of Personal Reasons to Begin Exercising: The more personal the reasons are, the more likely you will commit yourself to start an exercise program. A lady I trained once told me her motivation to work out was to see her children grow older. She had been diagnosed with Level two hypertension and she knew there was a high risk of it in her family. So she decided to start a work out program to reduce the risk and become an example for her growing children. She did not want to be part of that sedentary lifestyle cycle that her family had been in for a long time.

2.Think of the After Work out Feeling:  It's a great feeling. It 's a feeling of accomplishment, personal satisfaction.It's knowing you are one getting one step closer to your fitness goal. You feel healthy, inspired, happy,enthusiastic,energized, relaxed. It definitely helps you clear your mind of daily hassles and stresses. Most importantly you know you are improving the quality of your life.

3. Exercise Promotes Positive Thinking: Studies have shown that those individuals who are part of workout program tend to live happier, more active and positive lives. Enough said.

4. Read: Get involved in the exercise/fitness/ nutrition community. Seriously!!. Read articles, studies, books, journals, blogs related to these topics. Read testimonials. Read of the people who have succeeded in these fields and you will definitely find yourself inspired. Most importantly, you will learn why these people have been successful and that may be enough to help you get started and motivated.

5. Hang Around People Who are Successful at it: Keep in touch with your friends, relatives who like to be physically active. Ask him/her if you can join his/her workout sometime.

6. Work in Pairs: exercise with a personal trainer or with a friend, brother,husband, wife etc . Working in pairs has been associated with higher rates of success. Odds are the person you are working out with also shares the same struggles that you do and both of you can motivate each other.

7. Work with a Trainer: A trainer will guide you through the entire process. Keep you motivated and feeling energized. He will help you work at your own pace and develop a progressive program that fits YOUR needs.

8. Start a Blog: seriously, I started to blog because I am passionate about helping my clients and anyone out there who wants to learn more about fitness. Maybe you can do the same, and start writing about the success of your workout, learning experience, fall backs, questions you may have,etc.

10.Make a List of Possible Excuses:  Everyone has moments in which we down talk ourselves. Be prepared for those moments. Write down ways you can overcome those moments.  A trainer can assist you in these situations.

11. Invest in Your Health: being healthy and fit requires an investment ( time and money). Invest in a good pair of work out shoes, a gym membership, a trainer ( optional) ,  and possibly even a nutritionist who can help you with your diet.

12. Learn About Nutrition: You get what you put in. If you eat unhealthy, you WILL feel it.Your performance and motivation will be much lower. Eat the proper nutrients that your body needs and you will see a major difference in how you feel.