We all know that exercise is a good thing. It burns calories, improves mood, makes your heart healthier, improves blood sugar control, makes you smarter…and on and on.

But it’s hard! It can be a real struggle to get out the door, especially when it means getting out of your cozy bed a little earlier, or leaving behind your couch and favorite TV show. Sometimes I trick myself into getting started by telling myself I only need to do a little and then I can rest again. I also try to make it easier by varying my workouts so I don’t get bored, and having my shoes and workout clothes all ready so it’s easier to start.

So…what are your tricks for making sure you get in your exercise?

Yeah? What are they......waiting.

My dog.

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For me, exercise has to be goal oriented. If I feel like a hamster on a wheel, I will find all sorts of excuses not to do it. I have had a lot of success with signing up for runs and then working toward a deadline. I signed up for a 5K earlier this year and spent months getting in shape for it. I have a half marathon in a few weeks and a full marathon in 3 months. If I feel like skipping a workout, I remind myself that I'm putting myself behind the training schedule and it could make the run that much harder for me. It's worked very well for me. But for the record, I will never sign up for another full marathon... Maybe just 5Ks next year.

You have to find something that you love to do.

For me, that's Zumba.

I have a gang of friends that I adore and it's like girls night out, 3 times a week.

I have a blast.

If I don't feel like going to the gym, I tell myself to go for just 20 minutes, then I'll leave. I ALWAYS end up staying for 40 minutes to an hour instead, and then feel great about it!

I haven't had surgery yet but I have started exercising. It takes every Fiber of my being to get up and go to the gym! I come a hair of doing anything and everything but exercising. However, what motivates me knowing I always feel better afterwards.

A big motivation for me is challenges on my fitbit! Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose- but I'm m I ch more inclined to get moving!

Finding things I liked in the beginning that didn't make me feel like I was "exercising" made a big difference . I didn't want to sweat, hurt, or feel exausted from the effort of exercising. My choices were swimming and walking. Easy and fun. Later as I lost weight I slowly started running. Now it's swimming, pilates and golf. Finding activities I like helped me stick with 'exercising ".

2 weeks out and I remember the Nurse Practitioner in the preop room say, "Do not cross your legs for at least a month!"... I was like "Why?" and she said "Blood clots, you have to keep moving."

Well since I am done with the blood thinner injection I am scared not crossing my legs and walking around just to avoid clots

Hope that counts as exercise

I removed all excuses. When I started aquafit, my deal was "2 days a week, you can do this!" My other promise to myself was to go no matter what. So if I was running late, go away. *Stuck in traffic, go anyway. I set 3 alarms on my iPhone. I bought 2 bathing suits, and 2 towels. I'd pack my bag the night before and sit it by the front door. If **class was canceled I made myself get in and walk the pool for an hour. To make it interesting I bought a waterproof iPod shuffle. For every barrier that could cause discouragement or give me an excuse not to go, I tried to think up a way around it. I told myself this was not option. I have arthritic knees. My doctor told me this could take knee surgery off the table. That was enough of an incentive for me. I now go to aquafit 5 - 6 days a week.

_{*The traffic is weird. If I leave before 8:40 it take me 15 mins to get to the gym. Leave after and it can take as long as 45 mins.}

_{** Has only happened a handful of times.}

Structure.

I'm all about training plans and checking things off lists and challenges on apps.

Started with Couch to 5k and kept going from there. I am lost without a plan!

I moved from Ohio to Florida so I can walk on the beach every night after work.

I moved from Ohio to Florida so I can walk on the beach every night after work.

I'll have what you're having!

Getting addicted to seeing the scale move. And fitbit taunts and cheers.

@@Babbs - I like the "I'll only go to gym for 20 minutes" trick. Also I found putting on my running clothes kind of tricks me into getting it done when I don't "want to."

I also get good audio books and only allow myself to listen to them while exercising.