Hello everyone-
I'm new here-my first post- I am 18 years old, 5-4 and 155 pounds, i've been trying to lose weight, I have been eating good and avoiding snacking, however, I can never find the motivation to exercise, it's not that I don't like to exercise, I just always seem to find "better" things to do. I live in a college dorm and there is a lack of space to exercise here. Any ideas on how to get some motivation to stop putting off exercise and just do it?

Being moved to the Exercise and Fitness board

To be blunt, there's really nothing we can say to motivate you, you just have to do it. I'm sure you already know you'll feel better, have more energy, look better, etc. Those are the reasons to exercise and if you already know them (as most people do) there's really nothing more we can tell you. Motivation to do something is all about you.

Now, the best way to motivate yourself is to just do it. You'll start to feel better and, for me at least, that makes you want to do it. Once you start to see noticeable results, that'll push you more. Sometimes I don't want to either, and that's all about self control and just forcing yourself to go exercise even though there's something you'd rather be doing. Get a friend or two to join you if you can, then you won't be missing out on doing stuff with others if they're all going to work out with you. Also, if you don't feel like working out some days, don't worry about it. In the long run, one day of not working out isn't going to make a big difference and you're still ahead of the game only working out 2 or 3 days instead of the planned 4 or whatever than if you had not worked out at all. In the end, though, it's all about you and what you want out of life.

I had no motivation to start exercising either. I joined a gym and wondered if I was wasting my money on the fees. Honestly, it was the best thing I ever did. Some mornings when my alarm goes off, I want to roll right over and go back to sleep, but I love the way I feel after I'm finished working out. Plus, it's nice knowing that by 8 a.m., I've done my workout for the day. :)

I live in a college dorm and there is a lack of space to exercise here. Any ideas on how to get some motivation to stop putting off exercise and just do it?

Hi Sara.....Welcome to the board.

Here's an idea for you:

If you live in a dorm, then there HAS to be someone there who is into keeping fit. There HAS to be. It's just natural that out of 100 people there are a few who keep fit. Find those people and ask them if you can become one of there exercise buddies. Let them know you are asking them so that you can get and stay motivated. I am sure if you ask a few people that you'll find someone who will exercise with you. That will help get you motivated and stay motivated.

Just a thought.

--
John

Enter a 5k run. Find one for this summer. Sign up now. Then train and do it. Buy a book or find articles online that will provide you with a training plan. You will feel great and be so proud of yourself when you complete the 5k. If that goes well, maybe shoot for a 10k or triathlon, etc. Or just do a few 5ks every now and then. I find when I have a specific goal with a deadline, like a triathlon, I not only find motivation to exercise, but I become obsessed with exercise. Merely having a goal of "getting in shape" or to "begin working out" is too nebulous of a goal for many people, I think.

What motivates me is people that are out of shape. I look at them and realize I could look like that if I don't do something about it. Another thing that helps me is two pictures on my wall: one is Arnold Schwarzenegger and the other is Bruce Lee. Waking up every day and seeing those two on my wall doesn't leave much room for me to waste time. And if that doesn't work I can always pop in an Arnold, Bruce, or Rocky movie. Those movies pump me up so much I'll be ready to hit the weights, the bag, or the treadmill in no time! But this works for me. I have no idea what would work for you.

the first two weeks are hard. After that you cant stop! =)

I too struggle with motivation to exercise. What I find is, if I'm able to get into a routine by pushing myself to stick to my workout schedule for at least 2 weeks, then after that I feel bad/guilty about breaking the routine, and I feel proud of my self and great for sticking with it! I guess that sounds strange but it's the only thing that really works for me since I get no pleasure from exercising.

Also, it helps to make a really good mix cd or ipod playlist to listen to. I'm often excited to go to the gym just so I can listen to my music! I don't notice my workout as much when I'm distracted by good songs.

Ok in short what I can say will hit home and make you realize that you need to step up.

"What do you want to be like when you retire" <- yes that will be a long ways off for you but it takes a life long work to get to it. I would just say as others have look around what do the happy people look like. And I mean truly happy people. They usually are energetic and over flowing with happiness and great energy? They sure don't get that way form sitting around and doing nothing.

Exercise does not have to be all about hitting the gym. Go out and do some walking climbing or anything like that if your dorm area really doesn't have the space. Maybe you jsut might have to take the stairs everywhere you go or park further back. I know its all the old trick. But I swear once you get going and start to have the endorphine's kicking in that will help spur your motivation even further.

Best of Luck!

Hello everyone-
I'm new here-my first post- I am 18 years old, 5-4 and 155 pounds, i've been trying to lose weight, I have been eating good and avoiding snacking, however, I can never find the motivation to exercise, it's not that I don't like to exercise, I just always seem to find "better" things to do. I live in a college dorm and there is a lack of space to exercise here. Any ideas on how to get some motivation to stop putting off exercise and just do it?

I used to never exercise and then I started running. I've been addicted to it for 4 years now and it's totally for the way it makes me feel afterwards. The main thing is you just have to get up and do it. It may take a couple of weeks for your body to get adjusted to the new physical activity, but you'll notice that once you're into it it's very hard to go back to not exercising. I find that if I take more than five days off from exercising I feel awful, my emotions are down and I just feel sluggish. Good luck, just remember that you'll feel great afer you do it!

I cannot agree more!!! Give it time for your body to adjust but it is then a drug that just needs more. I know the feeling of having the off days. And I will tell you if you learn to live on the off days it won't be long before you have to start all over. So keep it up!

I used to never exercise and then I started running. I've been addicted to it for 4 years now and it's totally for the way it makes me feel afterwards. The main thing is you just have to get up and do it. It may take a couple of weeks for your body to get adjusted to the new physical activity, but you'll notice that once you're into it it's very hard to go back to not exercising. I find that if I take more than five days off from exercising I feel awful, my emotions are down and I just feel sluggish. Good luck, just remember that you'll feel great afer you do it!

Hi-
Felt the need to inject my 2 cents..
When you think of anything as a chore, you tend to not want to do it. Ever.
There are so many things you can do to keep yourself in shape that you may not even consider workig out. You dont have to go to the gym to get a good workout in...
Find an "exercise" that you like ot do and that will really help you stay motivated. When I was in college, I started my day with Tae Bo because I wanted to lose weight but hated the gym. I would go into the student lounge in the morning with my tapes and I found that after a few days, people were coming in to do it with me. We made it less of an "exercise" and more of a way to get together and bounce around like idiots and laugh while we were getting in shape.
You can go for a bike ride through the woods instead of on a stationary bike, you can take a walk around campus in lieu of the treadmill.
Finding a way to enjoy waht you are doing makes it much easier to get yourself to do it. Does this make sense?

Sara,

Here is what i have done for my motivation (both exercise and weight control).

I play sports (Volleyball and DiscGolf) and I use a Pedometer all the time.

Staying in shape to play a sport -- especially Volleyball or any similar sport -- means keeping your weight down and keeping your stamina and strength up. When I exercise i am doing it for this purpose (and to support my teammates too). I don't worry too much about my weight or body build -- all that happens anyways while you are playing around.

And the pedometer? That just gives me a short term DAILY goal that says get off your butt and do your 10,000 steps for today. Then I go off and do something to get the 10k. It is like a digital health-o-meter -- just pop it open and you can tell right away if you are a slug or a gazelle for that day (so far). I use an Omron HJ-105 -- rugged and keeps tabs of steps for 7 days.

Pick your sport or activity FIRST .. then figure out what you need to get better at it -- including healthy diet and all that.

Good Luck!

jim

Honestly????
I keep my motivation up by putting a picture of me when I was bigger on the fridge. Everytime I see it,,,,I close the fridge. ;)