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by: Ray Kelly
No
matter who we are, we all have days when we just do not feel like
exercising. The weather might be grey, you’ve had a busy day, or
you might just be bored with your program. Whatever the reason,
you just don’t feel like it!
It’s
on these days that we need that extra motivation.
I’ve
been exercising regularly for most of my life so I’ve had plenty
of those days. To get me through, I’ve compiled a list of tactics
to help motivate me.
Read
something inspiring! It could be a biography, quote, poem, or song.
Use other people’s experiences to give you that lift.
Start
a walking group! It's more social and you all get to feed off the
motivation of each other. Think of exercise as a menu rather than
a diet! Make a list of activities and choose 1 each day.
Use
a training journal! By keeping track of your activities you can
see the improvements in your fitness week to week.
Start
an interest or hobby that requires physical fitness! It could be
bushwalking, rock-climbing, tennis, golf, or scuba-diving. If you
require physical fitness to enjoy the activity you will be more
inclined to train for it.
Increase your incidental activity! This is the amount of activity
you do in your normal course of your day, the activity not generally
classed as exercise. You could: walk to work, take the stairs instead
of the elevator, get up to change the channels instead of using
the remote, or play with the kids for 15 minutes per day.
Try
cross-training! If your exercise program is always the same then
break it up with one session per week of swimming, bike riding,
jogging, sprints, or circuits. You could even play a different sport
and use it as a training session.
Use a Personal
Trainer! Personal trainers can provide motivation as well as training
variety.
Use
an exercise video! If exercising in public places is not for you,
then try training at home. There are many forms of training available
on video including: boxing, aerobics, pilates, and yoga.
Just
start! You will always be able to find excuses not to train so don't
think about it, just walk out the door.
Listen
to music! Put on the stereo or use a walk-man. Music certainly helps
the time go faster.
Watch
TV! Most fitness centers currently have a cardio theatre where you
watch your favorite shows whilst you work out.
Read
about the benefits of exercise!
We
all know that exercise is good for us but do you know why it is?
Reading a reputable publication on exercise can inform you of the
great ways exercise can improve your life. It's more than just being
able to walk up those stairs!
Don't
complicate things, make it simple!
You
don't have to find a fitness centre or join a Tai Chi group. Just
find a nice park and go for a walk or run.
Create
a list of reasons you want to be healthy and read it regularly!
It
may be to improve health, play with the kids, or trek through India.
Whatever the reasons write them down.
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About the author: This is just 15 of the 50 motivational tips I
have collected. To see the rest go to:
http://www.free-online-health.com/weight-loss-motivation.htm
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