Motivation to Exercise: Stay Motivated to Exercise – Dollars and Sense!

So you started working out a while back, but lately the exercise motivation is flagging. You know you need to work out using gym equiment, but somehow when it comes time you often make an excuse.

“I’ve got more important things to do right now.”

“I’m still getting over being sick. I should rest.”

“The Rip Torn film festival is on.”

Here’s a trick you can use to get yourself off the couch and working out when you just don’t feel like it.

That’s Gonna Cost Ya, Pilgrim

OK, hopefully you won’t hear John Wayne’s voice, but it’s a fact of human psychology that we hate to lose money. It’s a concept called ‘loss aversion’. It means that while we often won’t get ourselves moving to make more money, we become very motivated when we’re threatened with losing it.

So How Does Missing that Workout Cost Us?

Go sign up for a class. Spin classes, aerobics, yoga, martial arts, Zumba, strength, and conditioning – there’s a host of options for every taste. But here’s the key…

Find a class where you’ll be charged whether you show up or not. Some gyms and types of classes allow you to sign in and only charge again once you’ve used up your quota. But others charge for a set time period. If you don’t show up, you still have to pay for that class.

Unlock Your Motivation to Exercise

Motivate yourself to exercise . Form an exercise habit and make exercise a priority. can often feel like a herculean task, but with the right strategies, it can become an enjoyable part of your daily routine. Whether you’re a fitness newbie or trying to get back on track, these tips can help light up your workout motivation.

Get Motivated to Exercise – Start Simple and Build from There

Begin with manageable activities that don’t overwhelm you. Whether it’s a short walk, a bike ride, or even dancing to your favorite songs, starting with something you can handle sets a positive tone and boosts your confidence. Remember, even 10 to 15 minutes of physical activity per day can have significant health benefits. As the saying goes, “exercise is good” for more than just your body—it lifts your spirits too!

Integrate Personalised Exercise into Your Daily Routine

Make exercise a seamless part of your day by incorporating simple changes like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking further away from your destination. Scheduling your exercise sessions as if they were important appointments can also ensure you prioritize your workout time. Taking the stairs instead of the lift, even for just a few floors, can add up to a significant amount of moderate-intensity exercise over weeks and months to form an exercise habit, becoming a habit that significantly improves your health.

Find a Workout Buddy

Everything’s better with friends, including exercise. Partnering up with a buddy can enhance your accountability and make exercising more enjoyable. If you know someone is counting on you to show up, you’re less likely to skip your workout session. Plus, socializing while being physically active makes the activity you enjoy even more pleasurable.

Reward Yourself with Things You Enjoy

Set up a reward system to celebrate your workout achievements. Treat yourself to a relaxing bath, a new book, or even a small shopping trip after reaching your exercise milestones. Exercise isn’t only good for positive behavior but also makes you feel fantastic, boosting your vitality and making exercise something you look forward to.

Set Realistic Goals

Avoid setting up for disappointment with overly ambitious goals. Instead, aim for achievable targets that encourage progress without the pressure. Acknowledging every small win builds momentum and keeps the exercise routine sustainable in the long term. Recognize that it might take solace that forming a new exercise habit like going to the gym regularly or taking your dog for a jog in the neighborhood becomes easier over time.

Keep Your Gear Visible

Place your workout clothes and gear where you can see them. This acts as a constant reminder of your fitness goals and reduces the excuses for not working out. Seeing your gear can prompt you to get moving and reinforces the habit of being active daily. Plus, if you personalize your space with things you enjoy, like your favorite footy or tennis gear, it makes the idea of exercise more inviting.

Create a Motivating Playlist

Music can be a powerful motivator. Creating a playlist with tracks that have the right tempo can energize your workouts. Choose songs that inspire movement and add an element of fun to your exercise sessions. This simple act can make the thought of going to exercise more exciting and less of a dread.

Visualize the Benefits

Sometimes, motivation stems from visualizing the positive outcomes of exercising. Imagine how much healthier or stronger you’ll feel. Keeping these images in mind can provide a significant boost to your motivation. Visualization is a powerful tool, Keep the long game in mind – it takes around three to four months to form workout habit. Always look for a long-term commitment to health behavior commitment.

Make it Fun

Choose activities that you genuinely enjoy. If traditional workouts don’t excite you, try alternatives like yoga, dance, or even adventure sports. When exercise feels like fun rather than a chore, you’re more inclined to stick with it. Engaging in vigorous physical activity that you find enjoyable, like capoeira or a challenging yoga session, can quickly turn into an “EXERCISE IS ADDICTIVE” kind of habit.

By incorporating these strategies, you can transform the way you view exercise. Instead of a daunting task, it becomes a valuable part of your daily life, filled with achievements and enjoyment. Start small, keep consistent, and watch as your fitness journey evolves into a rewarding lifestyle change.

Even Better – Sign Up For ClassPass

ClassPass allows you to go to a wide variety of different classes for a monthly fee. They operate worldwide and in Australia classes are available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth & Sydney! Because you pre-pay you’re losing money if you don’t go.

As an added bonus, you’ll get to try a wide range of different exercise classes. You might even find a new passion.

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Will Dove

Author
Will is a lifelong fitness nut. He started exercising religiously at the age of 16. Now 52, he still works out 5 times per week and maintains a body fat percentage in the single digits. Will is passionate about helping others to achieve their fitness and body image goals, and believes that most people fail to achieve these goals, not through a lack of self-discipline, but through a simple lack of knowledge.