“Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far."
– Thomas Jefferson
Are you having trouble getting yourself to exercise. Exercise is something that we all need, yet few of us actually get enough of it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), less than half (49.2%) of U.S. adults meet the recommended physical activity guidelines for aerobic exercise. What's even more alarming, however, is that only 20.8% of U.S. adults meet the recommended guidelines for both aerobic and strength-training exercise. Among the most common reasons for not exercising is a lack of motivation, which can easily be fixed by following the techniques listed below.
Partner Up!
Rather than exercising alone, why not partner up with a buddy? Aside from the social benefits, working out with someone else will give you a natural source of motivation. He or she will likely encourage you to continue exercising, even on days when you "don't feel like it."
Create (and Follow) a Schedule
You can also motivate yourself to exercise by following a strict schedule in which you exercise at a day and time of the week. Whether it's every other day for 60 minutes or a 180-minute workout session every three days, having a schedule will keep you motivated. Just place your schedule in a visible area of your home like your refrigerator or nightstand to act as a reminder.
Learn the Benefits of Exercise
Sometimes all it takes to motivate yourself to exercise is learning the benefits that it offers. From healthy weight management to reduced risk of illness and disease, there are countless benefits associated with exercise.
Some of the many benefits of exercise include:
- Reduced risk of diabetes
- Reduced risk of heart disease
- Reduced risk of cancer
- Improved memory and cognitive function
- Improved mood
- Lower stress and anxiety
- Feel better about yourself
- And much, much more...
Make Exercise a Positive Experience
If you enjoy exercising, you'll feel more motivated to do it again in the future. One study cited by QuickandDirtyTips found that participants who described their workout experience as being "positive," exercised more often in the following weeks. You can make exercise a positive experience by listening to music, maintaining an optimistic perspective, and not pushing yourself beyond your limits.
Take Small Steps
Don't make the mistake of trying to push yourself too hard when you first begin exercising. Some people naturally go for the heavy weights when they first step foot into a gym, but if they aren't used to exercising this could place them at risk for injury -- and you won't be motivated to exercise if you sustain an injury. Take baby steps at first, starting with the lighter weights and working your way up to the heavier ones.
Get the support you need to make important life changes. If you would like to complement your therapy with an alternative treatment option (or need a place to start), you might consider trying hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy can help you sort out your feelings and give you the courage and strength you need to move on with your life, set new goals, and rebuild an always damaged self-esteem.
Call for your FREE consultation. No pressure. No obligation. Let me help you understand what this might mean for you. Hypnosis and Life Coaching have helped many. Let it help you.
