12 Tips to Find Your Daily Exercise Motivation

Exercise is vital at every age, but it becomes even more critical as we age. Regular physical activity helps maintain our strength, balance, and flexibility, allowing us to stay safe and enjoy the activities we love. Exercise can also enhance our cardiovascular health, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other related conditions. And don't forget about the mental health benefits of exercise! Regular physical activity has been shown to improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and even improve cognitive function.

Despite all these benefits, it's often challenging to find the motivation for a daily workout. We may feel like we don't have the energy, time, or resources to commit to a regular exercise routine. However, the good news is that there are numerous ways to find daily exercise motivation and make exercise a sustainable part of your life. Here are twelve tips to help you get started!

1. Work Out with a Partner
   

   Exercise becomes more enjoyable when sharing the experience with a friend or family member. Your partner can either perform their own workout routine or adopt yours. If you both follow the same workout routine, you can challenge each other, making things more interesting. Additionally, when you commit to showing up for the other person, it keeps you more accountable, too.
   
   

2. Start Slowly and Gradually Increase
   

   Many of us are highly motivated when we first start exercising. That’s great but getting in shape is a longer-term proposition. If we overexert ourselves early on, a resulting injury or burnout could deter us from continuing to exercise. Try to increase your endurance and stamina gradually by starting at a slower pace and then gradually increasing your speed. You might think this will slow down your progress, but in the long run, you’ll be more likely to stick with the program and reach your goals.
   
   

3. Set Realistic Goals

   Speaking of goals, there’s the idea of a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal), but how reasonable is it? Our fitness goals should be sensible, considering our age, health status, and the amount of time we can dedicate to the effort. It’s okay to have a “stretch goal,” but it should be realistically within our ability, so when we achieve it, it adds to our further motivation. Another idea is to set a series of smaller goals that build toward something larger over time.
   
   

4. Take a Break

   There may be times when it’s best to take a break along the way. It doesn't mean you're giving up. Instead, it is a strategic rest period to give your mind and muscles a brief respite before continuing your exercise journey.
   
   

5. Make It Fun

   An instant motivation killer is to feel like exercise is a dreadful but necessary slog. Look for ways to make your workouts enjoyable by incorporating activities you like. For example, if you dislike running, consider a dance exercise class. If you get bored with lap swimming, look into water aerobics. Another idea is to vary your workout routine. Avoid doing the same set of exercises each time. Mix it up so you don’t feel like you are falling into a dispiriting rut.
   
   

6. Reward Yourself

   Look for ways to reward yourself for sticking with your routine. For example, if you complete seven consecutive days of workouts, treat yourself to a nice lunch or buy something special. The reward can be anything you like, but be cautious of treats that work against your goals. For instance, a large ice cream sundae might seem like a great reward, but would it negate the calories you just burned off at the gym?
   
   

7. Maintain A Positive Outlook

   Cultivating a positive mindset will help you stay motivated. An “attitude of gratitude” in which you appreciate the small steps forward will help to keep your spirits up. Perfectionism is your enemy. Accepting that there may be some setbacks along the way can help you persevere and stay on track toward your goals.
   
   

8. Remember Why You Started

   From time to time, you may feel a lack of motivation. That’s okay! Rather than giving up, think about your initial goals. Are they still valid? Perhaps recalibration of those goals will rev up your energy. Doing a “reset” may help you break out of the doldrums and get back into the swing of things.
   
   

9. Find Success Stories

   Finding success stories of people like yourself can provide a big motivational boost. When people tell their stories, it can make you start to believe in yourself. Thinking that "if they can do it, so can I” is energizing and can help you move faster down the road to success.
   
   

10. Surround Yourself with Motivational Quotes

    It’s remarkable how just the right turn of phrase can resonate within you and turn a sour attitude around. It’s easy to find motivational quotes online. Hang them on your room walls and even write some quotes on a piece of paper to stick on your fridge. Place motivational quotes throughout the house and read them daily. When you see and read these quotes repeatedly, every day, your mind trains you to prepare for the things you have been trying to avoid.
    
    

11. Listen To Music or Audiobooks

    Studies have shown that music and audiobooks are effective ways to boost your morale while working out. Music that inspires you can distract you from feelings of boredom or drudgery. Audiobooks can be motivational stories or just engaging content that helps you think about something other than the unpleasant feelings often associated with exercising.
    
    

12. Hire a Coach

    Ultimately, many individuals discover that working with a fitness coach or professional trainer kicks their exercise motivation into high gear. One reason is being held accountable by another person. Another benefit is that you have more confidence that you are doing the right workouts to meet your goals. One downside of this option is the cost, but many find that the value gained is well worth the expense.

Let us know in the comments below - How do you motivate yourself to exercise?