Saturday, February 28, 2009

Great Tips For Staying Motivated To Exercise!


Written by Carrie Wiwcharuk, author of Tea Time.
You probably read the title and said to yourself “Yeah, yeah, I know, drink water, have goals and keep a positive attitude! I have read this before!” But you haven’t read this list yet!!! Check it out; something might stand out to you this time!
What do you do when you don’t feel like exercising:
You set realistic goals:
Customize your goals to fit your life. When you were single, a daily, 60 minute workout might have worked but now, a mother of three, you are ecstatic to get in three workouts a week.
You treat yourself: As you reach your objectives, celebrate with a night out, a new pair of pants or a trip to the spa.
You track your progress: When you are frustrated ,taking a look at where you started can help you realize that you can do it! Maybe you started out walking for ten minutes and now you are up to 15 minutes.
You exercise for a cause or sign up for a race: Committing to someone else, besides yourself, may help you follow through.
You imagine: Picture it!!! Think of yourself exactly the way you want to be and keep that image stored and easily accessible in your head!
You listen to music: Some lively music can often get you into the groove.
You become creative: It is never fun to do the same thing over and over again….change it up. Discover new ways to exercise and have fun with it.
You challenge momentum-stealing thoughts: Confront "I am too tired!" with "I bet I will feel more energetic if I work out!". Thoughts are powerful.
You call a friend: Partnering with someone that will cheer you on and support you leads the way to success. We all need cheer leaders in our lives.
You surround yourself with knowledge: Check out books, magazines, websites and blogs that relate to your healthy lifestyle. The more you feed yourself with positive, helpful information the more likely you are to continue on your quest.
You start a competition: If a little rivalry is what spurs you on, go for it! Start a competition and be sure to include prizes.
You get into your workout cloths: Sometimes getting dressed is half the battle!
You incorporate activity into your day: Simple tasks like taking the stairs instead of an elevator, parking so you have to walk further and carrying your own groceries all contribute to being active.
You schedule A.M. workouts: Working out in the morning can help motivate you to make healthy choices for the rest of the day.
You join a gym: Being in a supportive and positive environment can give you that extra push towards a treadmill or class.
You try again: If you fall away from your goal, don’t berate yourself, jump right back in. An overall effort is what will keep you on track.
Print this list out, put it some where handy and when you are in an exercise funk, read through the tips again! You just might find yourself back on track!
Resources: About.com, eHow.com, Women's Health, Men's Health

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