Exercise is a vital part of being healthy and staying in shape. We all know this, yet knowing it and actually working out are two very different things.

Lack of motivation, procrastination and not having enough time are some of the biggest obstacles we face in sticking with a regular workout routine. Our success is often determined by how much we want it and what we are willing to do to get it.

Momentum

The hardest part of any undertaking is taking that first step. Once we take that first step we start to gain momentum. With momentum comes a great surge of motivation.

After we start to gain motivation the workouts get easier and easier. Staying motivated is the key to long term success.

Now that we have talked about how momentum creates motivation, let’s take a step back and ask ourselves…

How do we get the motivation to take that first step?

Motivation in the form of a conscious decision is what is required to take that first step. That is what often makes that first step so hard.

We have to create the initial motivation to begin, after all, “energy in motion wants to stay in motion, while energy at rest wants to stay at rest.”

Motivation

Motivation is the catalyst for creating momentum. A little motivation goes a long way and can create endless momentum if channeled properly. Staying motivated takes a conscious choice and decision to keep going.

Find your reason for working out and use that as motivation. The more you want it the more motivation you will feel.

Imagine for a moment the things you do in your life on a regular basis, and why you do them.

For example, if you watch football every week without fail, consider why?

If you love to go to the movies, as yourself why?

Do you mow your lawn every week, why?

Do you clean your house regularly, why?

Do you go to work every day? Why?

All the “whys” are the motivators that keep you doing those activities.

While some that were mentioned may be fun activities, house cleaning and mowing the lawn are not so much, and still we do them on a regular basis.

Work is another good example of something we may not necessarily enjoy, but, we still do it. Why? Because we have to work to earn money to buy food and pay rent or else we will end up homeless and starving.

Well at some point you accepted these facts and do not question them as you go off to work even on days when you would rather do anything else.

It is possible to reach that same level of commitment to fitness, with the proper motivation that is.

Common Motivations To Workout

Here are some of the most common reasons people commit to fitness:

• Health
• Being a role model for the kids
• Weight control
• Having a hot body
• Preventing chronic disease and early death
• Healthy aging
• Energy and vitality
• Meeting new people at the gym

You must find yours and take it seriously for just as you can wind up homeless and hungry when you don’t go to work, so you can end up sick, fat and facing early death without exercise.

Action Steps To Stay Motivated

• Set a goal and focus on it and put all your energy into it. Don’t overwhelm yourself with a bunch of tasks all at once. Even taking it a week at a time can work wonders, as you build momentum and go from there.

• Be passionate about what you are doing. Passion is motivation in a bottle.

• Stay away from people that will hinder your motivation, such as, the couch potatoes that we all have in our lives. Instead, meet people at the gym that have a fitness mindset and create a network of fitness minded friends.

• Pick a set time to workout and stick to it. Use TV, or social time as a reward after you have done your exercises.

• Keep track of your progress and the goals that you have achieved. These achievements are key to helping to maintain your motivation.

• Practice a healthy lifestyle along with your workouts. Eat healthy, be healthy.

• Have fun with your workout routine, choose wisely from the hundreds of available workouts, enjoying your workout will make it much more likely that you will stick with it.

• Challenge yourself! Don’t let your exercise routine become boring. Add new challenges to stimulate and motivate yourself.

• Join a group fitness class. They are fun and highly motivating and they also offer a wide variety of ways to meet any fitness goals.

There are many different ways to increase your motivation and to keep it strong, as long as you are willing to take action and create the momentum needed.