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?

@@tg273957 - I don't live THAT close to the beach but I do enjoy the Sunshine State! I actually like to mow the lawn and I have enjoyed doing that the last month or so - I have had to fight the hubby to get the push mower (he has a riding lawnmower)!

we have a new house and I would much rather be outside in the nice weather than inside dusting ;/

@ I love in St. Pete. I am 3 miles from Madira beach where I work. New job took me to 7 minutes from Clearwater beach. I will do what ever it takes.

@@Babbs I swear, getting dressed is sometimes the hardest part. Starting the workout is the hardest. :-)

I put a calender on my fridge to write down my workouts. When I don't exercise, that day stays bare and I hate staring at those empty days for the entire month so I am hyper motivated to fill in as much as possible each and every day!

I need accountability and structure. I workout with a trainer.

The #1 motivator for me was being held accountable.

The week after surgery I told everyone that I was starting a walking program.

People at work saw me walking before work and at lunch, and asked me how I was progressing - almost daily.

My mom, dad, and my best friend asked me how I was doing and encouraged me to keep walking.

When I started the C25K jogging program, I make an announcement on my Youtube channel to let everyone know I was jumping into it.

And that kept me on track.

There were days when I would have skipped the workout if I didn't know there were supporters out there waiting to see me succeed.

If you want to reach your goals - whatever they are - let the people around you know.

Make it public.

Be held accountable.

Compare what you say you want against what you actually do.

Do they match?

If not, it’s time to change and figure out what really matters.

Once you do, line up your priority with the actions you need to achieve it.

And then become the person you need to be to achieve the big goals and dreams.

I put my gym clothes on first thing in the morning and it motivates me to make sure I go to the gym. Plus I started a mom and kid stroller walk on Saturdays since I live near a nice paved trail and moms always want others to talk to.

yoga and water-based exercises usually aren't a problem for me because I actually like them. Strength-training I hate, but I look at it like I look at flossing my teeth - it's just an evil that has to be done. Period. Plus I keep reminding myself that I can get through all the machines in under a half hour - not so bad, right? I have also tried that trick others have mentioned - I've told myself on days that I *really* don't want to go that I only have to stay for 10 minutes. But I've always ended up staying for the whole time, so it does work......

I need accountability and structure. I workout with a trainer.

I want to get a trainer because I want to start lifting more weights, but I want to make sure I'm doing it correctly. I cant afford it right now but I may treat myself to 3 mths of training with my income tax refund.

Thanks for all the advice! With all these tips, it sounds like there’s no excuse not to get active. Accountability is a great one, whether you use a trainer to stay accountable, or take advantage of your friends and family who know if you’re exercising or not. And writing down your exercise is a good way to stay accountable to yourself, just like tracking your food.

Being prepared and getting rid of excuses/barriers is another theme. And, I love the mental games. We all play them!

BLERDGirl, I don’t know if you belong to a gym or not. If you do, you may be entitled to a free demonstration of how to use the weight machines correctly. And good for you for removing all excuses.

Veronica Page, Starting a mom’s group is a brilliant way of getting in your exercise! It gives you company so it’s more fun and it holds you accountable because there are other moms depending on you. Way to be a leader!

Great thread, Alex. Thanks for starting it.

Helpful for me has been:

* A fitbit

* Finding a beautiful park to walk to and then walk around. It's truly beautiful and calls to me.

* Cute gym and walking clothes

* Moving 2 blocks from the YMCA (I love also love the "moved to the beach" idea. )

* Telling others about my exercise.

* www.mapmywalk.com

* Walking poles (without tips in the country and with tips in the city)

* Hubby brags on me

* My shrink rides my ass about my "exercise metrics"

Other things that would help me ...

* Getting up and getting dressed immediately in workout clothes (rather than sitting around in my robe)

* Walking with friends (would help them, too)

* Getting a personal trainer (don't want to spring for that expense

* Learning how to play radio tunes on my cell phone (can't believe I'm so stupid!)

@@Alex Brecher - I do belong to LAFitness and they are very good about demonstrating the machines. I just want to build up a routine of sorts.

@@VSGAnn2014 - I agree, an activity tracker is like your personal Jiminy Cricket reminding you to get up and move!

My dog is now conditioned to go when I get up, so if I were to sit or lay back down in the morning, he would give me grief until I took him for his walk. I also sleep in what I'm going to wear to work out in, so all i need to do is slip on my shoes and go. I also tell myself that Friday is my rest day, so it is only ever a few days away, but I always end up exercising then, too because I know I just feel so much better when I do.

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?

I have a family of four; spouse, and an 8 year old and 2 year old, so life is hectic, so I fit it in when I can. I almost always do something at lunch, I run home and run my dogs for 30 mins. Not only is it good for me, but its good for them.. Then I am an avid cyclist, so I'm always looking for afternoons after work where I can fit in an 15-25 mile bike ride.. Sometimes I cycle at lunch. I also love lifting and crossfit. I've started building my garage gym, so sometimes, once the kids go to bed at 830, I'm in the garage doing a WOD.

I feel like there isn't enough time to get my exercise in! I'm always planning out my week on Mondays so that I can fit my workouts in. I average 5 days a week.

I've also found that making friends in the gym helps tremendously.. Its can be social time for me. I have a group who works out every Saturday morning at 8am, and a cycle group that cycles together on sunday evenings. I have found that people are GREAT at finding excuses not to exercise.. I've had friends who "need" to work out and its been 4 years since they were going to start.

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.

I've heard a lot of people say that, and after that first 1/2 or first full they are addicted. One of my major goals in life is to complete an ironman. I'm far from that, but I know I will do it. I also want to be an ultra runner.

Edited September 21, 201510 yr by Chrystee