Get Motivated Again

We have all done it. We get motivated to exercise, go at it for a week or two, and then quit. There are lots of reasons why we quit, and even more excuses. But how do you begin again? How do you get the motivation back? There are as many ways to begin again as there were reasons to stop! The question is only to find out which motivation idea or ideas work for you.

New Shoes
Running shoes that is. Or sweats that you really like and want to be seen in. Or even a pedometer. There is something about new workout equipment-even just a pair of shoes-that acts as motivation. The fact that you have invested some cash in good equipment is often enough motivation to begin exercising it. Worn-out shoes or clothes make exercise unappealing. So get more comfortable or efficient ones.

New Friends
Motivation from the people around you is called social support. If the friends you are now spending time with are keeping you from losing weight or exercising, it is time to find some different ones. New friends, that are motivated to exercise and are willing to exercise with you, are a major reason to keep going. Remember, you are looking for a change in you and that means a change in who you spend time with. "Change" means what it says: change!

New Times
You may have begun your exercise program on a schedule that just doesn't' work anymore. So change it! Part of retaining or regaining motivation is variety. If you were working out so often you wore yourself out-give yourself more time to recover. Your body needs enough time to recover and rest between workouts just as much as it needs the exercise. You may be motivated for five workouts a week to begin with, but if you can't sustain it change it. Drop back to 3 or even two times a week and in between rest long and eat well. See if your motivation returns. Or if mornings don't work anymore, switch to after work or even later. Part of getting back into exercise and staying there is using variety to keep it fun and interesting. Consistent doesn't mean always the same.

There you have it, three easy ways to get back into your exercise program. Pick one or two or all three. And GO for it!