1. Get your exercise done first thing in the morning
This can be really hard if you are not a morning person or if you have a job that requires you to be at work very early in the morning. However, if you can find a way to exercise first thing in the morning, you’ll be able to cross it off your list and get on with your day. Chances are you will have more energy and feel better during the day too.
The thing about waiting until the afternoon is that you can find a million excuses NOT to exercise. For example: (1) You are too tired from your day and just want to sit down. (2) You were assigned a last minute project and have to work late. (3) You need to cook dinner, take your kids to soccer practice, do laundry, etc… So many things can come up later in the day that can derail your exercise plans.
2. Exercise with a friend.
It is so much harder to bail on exercise when a friend is counting on you to show up. If you are exercising solo, it is pretty easy to come up with excuses to skip your workout. Knowing a friend is waiting for you at the gym or down the street will provide some extra motivation for you to lace up those sneakers.
3. Listen to music while you exercise.
Some people, like my husband, enjoy peace and quiet while exercising. They use that time to work through issues in their mind or meditate. Others, like me, need the boost that music can provide. Listening to your favorite tunes while exercising can help you feel more energized and make your workout go by faster. Make sure to keep your playlist updated, so you don’t burn out on the same songs being played over and over.
4. Listen to an audiobook or watch TV while exercising.
Have a favorite TV show? Record it using your DVR and watch it while you are running on your treadmill. You’ll be so engrossed with your show that 30 minutes will go by in a flash, and 300 calories will be burned in the process. If you are an avid reader, try downloading a audiobook on iTunes and listen to it while you walk. If it is a particularly good book, you’ll be especially motivated to get your iPod out and get moving!
5. Find new ways to get exercise.
Tired of running, exercising on the elliptical, or going to the gym over and over again? Think outside of the box! I loved roller-skating when I was a kid, and it turns out I love it as an adult too. I also love the fact that I can burn a bunch of calories doing something that is a lot more fun than running. Other activities, such as dancing or swimming, can help change things up and keep exercise from getting boring. If you belong to a gym, try out a new class like kick-boxing, boot camp, Zumba, or Hip-Hop.
6. Buy a new exercise outfit or electronic gizmo.
If you buy a high quality and flattering outfit for exercising, you’ll feel better about how you look and be more motivated to work out. Wearing a pedometer, a heart-rate monitor, BodyBugg, or other electronic gizmo can tell you how many calories you are burning while you exercise, which in turn can help you stay motivated to keep on sweating!