Sometimes, its hard to talk yourself into working out. In fact, the motivation to get started can easily be considered the most difficult part of the entire Workout. How many of us know that when we workout, we’ll feel amazing, and still really don’t want to get started on any given day? Be honest with yourself now; everyone has been there at least once.

We give ourselves so many excuses, to justify skipping a workout:

“I’m too tired.”
“I have cramps/a headache.”
“I worked twice this week.”
“One day doesn’t matter.”
“I’m too busy, I don’t have the time.”
“I ate healthy today, I’m covered.”

And even as we make these excuses, we know they are weak, and lazy. We know they are detrimental to our goals, we know that later on, we’ll feel guilty and regret not making the effort…. and still, it can be really hard to get up and get started! Our mental resistance will provide a thousand procrastinating alternatives that might sound wonderful, but we’ll pay for it later.

So what can one do about a lack of motivation?

The answer is different for every person. What Motivates you may not work for your workout partner! So it is important when starting any sort of fitness program, to take a moment and consider what motivates you to get moving. Is it the summer, and bathing suit season? A friend who has made great progress? A celebrity bod or picture you’ve found online? A pair of skinny jeans sitting in the closet?

Once we know what really motivates us, we need to find a way to make them visible, and a constant reminder of why we are struggling and working hard. Inspiration boards, screen savers and desktops, putting those skinny jeans out where you can see them every day, or trying them on once a week, are all good reminders!

So, to kick start everyone thinking about their personal motivations, I just wanted to share some of mine!

The cold: The cold is not necessarily a motivator for working out, its a force.  When its cold outside, I open the windows, and let myself freeze. This only gives me motivation to get up and work myself into a healthy sweat as a way to warm up. If I don’t allow myself a sweater, or to close the windows, I am forced to do what I should be doing. This works particularly well in my current living situation, as I am in the basement. Winter brings enough cold to get me moving no matter how much I don’t want to.

Zuzana of Bodyrock.tv – Not only does Zuzana have the body that I am working hard for, she shows you how to get it. I appreciate a woman who understands the importance of both cardio and resistance training (in her case, mostly body resistance) to get fit, and demonstrates exactly what she does for everyone looking on. I also think that Zuzana is incredibly endearing and has a great attitude towards health and fitness – she is not afraid to admit when she hasn’t been eating right or working out as often, and sets goals for herself that other people can follow along with.

Jamie Eason – Shes such a beautiful, wonderful example of feminine fitness! Jamie is considered to be the ‘World’s Fittest Model’, and one look is enough to tell you why. This is a woman who works hard, plays hard, and enjoys doing it. She has clearly earned the results shes worked for, and as a result, makes me want to work just as hard to get to where she is. (Side note: I also love that Jamie Eason is 5’2: she’s my height, and looks amazing. This proves for all those tiny girls out there that it can be done! You can build muscle and look this good!)

The P90X infomercial – I cannot watch this without getting revved up and excited to work out. Even at 3 am. Not only because P90X is such an amazing program which delivers effective, dramatic results (I’m writing a full review of P90X to be posted in the near future, keep an eye out), but because watching the results of every day people changing their lives is empowering. Housewives getting ripped, and overweight men bringing out the six pack is exciting, and motivating! Every time this comes on, I want to jump out of bed, and do Plyometrics. You hear that Tony? You’re part of the reason I don’t sleep!

Tony Horton – I worship at the shrine of Tony; he is my personal fitness guru. Not a day goes by where Tony fails to make me smile, or make me want to work out. I must respect someone who has such endless and genuine enthusiasm for what they do! Moreover, Tony’s attitude is always a positive one, and he doesn’t let you make excuses. He does not allow you to say that you can’t do something. He believes that everything is possible with the right amount of hard work. I also love that Tony has no pretensions about what he does. He does not think himself above the people he is training, which is a vice many,many trainers seem to fall into. Any time he tries to surpass them, it is done in playful competition.

University – this may not make sense at first glance, but my schooling really motivates me to be fit and active. Why? Because the physical activity of the body help to stimulate mental activity, allowing us to perform better. So when I see an assignment coming up, a paper due, or an exam, I want to work out so my brain is functioning at is best capacity!

Music – There are certain types of music in which I find it nearly impossible not to get up and start dancing, or at very least moving my body to the music. (Some of which can be found here) And once I am moving, there is no excuse for not turning this movement into a cardio workout, or picking up some weights to bring the resistance into play.

Inspiration – Hearing from other people that I am an inspiration, or have helped them in any way shape or form towards their fitness goals is my biggest and most powerful motivator. I cannot NOT work out when I know that someone, somewhere might be looking to me for an example.

So here is the best possible time to say thank you to all my readers and commenter, and anyone who has expressed that I have helped motivate them or provide inspiration to their goals.😀 Thank you so much, you all fuel my fire!

Overall, the fact is is that exercise is important to our lives, and necessary if we want to be fit and healthy. Despite our natural inclination to slack off, we need to be aware and accountable, and therefore, the more motivation we have, the better.

So Questions of the Day: (Comment and let me know!)

• What is the most common excuse you make to justify not working out?
• What is the most ridiculous excuse you’ve ever made?
• What motivates you to work out?
• What motivation do you wish you had?
• How do you keep your motivation present?

Tagged: motivate, motivation, motivators, P90X, personal, personal motivation, school, Tony Horton, university, workout, zuzana