Exercise Motivation Tips –
Turn Your Workout Routine into a Habit

Everyone needs exercise motivation tips from time to time to maintain the consistency necessary to achieve their fitness goals.

We’ve all experienced the highs and lows that go with starting a new exercise routine. You may begin with great enthusiasm as you think about the weight you’re going to lose, the muscles you’re going to chisel, or the time you’re going to spend relaxing and forgetting about the troubles of daily life.

Then you hit a wall as daily obligations interfere with your schedule, you lose your mental focus or physical energy, or what sounded like fun in the beginning becomes something akin to a hamster running on a wheel.

Exercise can easily become a chore if it doesn't fit your lifestyle and interests. If you don’t properly align your workouts to your goals, you may become frustrated as you hit plateaus or fail to see results as expected. You may think that tough love directed toward yourself is the answer, but these exercise motivation tips will prove otherwise.

Adjust Your Focus & Your Attitude

Studies have shown that exercisers are more committed to their fitness routines when they gain some form of immediate gratification. For instance, you’re more likely to stick to your exercise program if it's a fun experience that you want to enjoy on a regular basis. Even if you are one of those people who is totally focused on the long-term benefits such as weight loss, six pack abs, or success at a fitness competition -- enjoy the journey!

Change your perspective and attitude. If you focus more on the short-term benefits like enhanced energy for your daily life, or time to focus exclusively on your needs, you’re more likely to view exercise with a positive attitude. That positive attitude and the focus on immediate rewards will help you maintain exercise motivation.

The Power Of Habit

In his book "The Power of Habit," Charles Duhigg explains how habits can be changed. Using cutting-edge science, Duhigg says that changes in one area of life brings positive effects in other areas because "they change our sense of self and our sense of what is possible."

Keep It Rolling

An introductory physics class will teach you that bodies in motion remain in motion. Bodies in a sedentary state tend to stay motionless. Using this as an analogy -- while it’s difficult to get your body moving in the form of starting a new exercise routine, it becomes easier and easier to maintain that motion as your body begins to crave those wonderful little endorphins that are released during exercise. This theory of acquired motivation is based upon the cost of pleasure and the benefits of pain.

The next time you want to skip a workout or quit altogether, remind yourself that consistency is the best way to build a lifestyle habit. Keep going, even if you have to set a timer and throw yourself into the process at times.

One of the very best exercise motivation tips is to not set unrealistic goals. Choose activities that are sustainable challenges rather than opportunities for failure. If you are training for a marathon or another extreme event, be sure to give yourself plenty of time (such as a year) rather than doing too much too soon. Even if your goal leads to failure, don't give up. Figure out what didn't work, train smarter, refine it, then do it again -- only better.

If you are bored with your routine, mix it up by trying something new. Give yourself permission to shake things up or change courses when you need something fresh. If your exercise routine has become boring, add some music, or get outside and stop to take photos and focus on the beauty around you. Just continue moving forward. 

Music For Exercise and Workouts at Amazon

Visual Reminders -- and Using Your Mind

There are no right or wrong answers as long as you’re giving your body effective workouts that blend well with your daily life, maintain your enthusiasm, and help you reach your goals. Here are a few exercise motivation tips that may help you keep your edge.

• If you’re motivated by seeing results, one of the best exercise motivation tips is to give yourself something inspiring to look at when you hit a low. If your goal is to lose weight or to improve muscle definition, you might take monthly photos.

• Keep a blog or a journal. It's another great way to remind yourself of what you’ve already accomplished and overcome. 

• Chart your weight or your waist-to-hip ratio. 

• Cognitive-behavioral therapists tell us that our minds direct our behavior. Visualize yourself exercising. Visualize your goals completed. 

• Maintain a positive outlook and stop the negative self-talk.

• Take care of both your body and mind, remembering that lasting change takes time and effort. Sure, sometimes the going gets tough and you may have to dredge up your last ounce of discipline that day; but, be sure to have lots of fun along the way.

• Think about all of your exercise activities. If you don’t get excited thinking about one of them, replace it with something that motivates you -- something you look forward to doing.

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