Everyone knows that exercise is a KEY element to good health. The trick is keeping yourself motivated to exercise, if you’re a person who naturally relapses into the couch-potato pose.
It took me years of prodding, but I’ve finally managed to turn myself into a dedicated exerciser. I never push myself very hard (at all), but I do manage to stick with a routine.
Personally, I find it more motivating to think about short-term gratification like “I’ll sleep better” than long-term considerations like “I’ll live longer” or “If I have surgery, I’ll recover quicker.”
Here are some things to keep in mind, if you’re trying to keep yourself motivated to exercise:
1. Exercise boosts energy. It took me a long time to notice that I’d drag myself to the gym, work out for forty minutes, and leave feeling far more energetic than when I went in.
2. Exercise provides an outlet for feelings of pent-up hostility, irritation, and anger. I always find that I’m far calmer and more forbearing on days when I’ve exercised. I have a jittery, high-strung nature, and exercising takes the edge off.
3. Repetitive, rhythmic motion of exercises like walking and running brings a serene mood and clarifies thinking. I’ve had all my best writing ideas when walking or running, and sometimes assign myself a particular problem to think over during a walk.
4. Sticking to an exercise regime raises your self-esteem for the very fact that you’re sticking to an exercise regime.
5. Exercise offers a chance to be alone and uninterrupted—a relief if, like me, you’re often surrounded by distractions. Or, if you prefer, exercise also offers a chance to get together with other people–a relief if, like me, you spend a lot of time working alone. I have both kinds of exercise during my week.
6. Regular exercise helps to keep your body chemicals in balance. When you experience stress, your body prepares for “fight or flight” with a huge number of biochemical reactions. A stressful event these days, however, is more likely to require a phone call than a sprint uphill. The potentially damaging byproducts of the stress response, such as cortisol, nevertheless continue to pump through the body, and exercise helps offset that effect.
7. Exercise helps you fall asleep more easily and sleep more deeply. The Big Man really notices this in himself.
8. Pure vanity can be a good motivator. Remember that people who exercise move more easily and energetically, and appear more youthful.
9. When I don’t feel like exercising, I remind myself how lucky I am to be able to move easily and without pain—no wheelchair, no crutches, no brace, no trick knee or bad back.
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Oh, my goodness. I really needed this.
Thank you, Gretchen!
This is a great article and you have motivate me! I love the concept of just thinking about the immediate benefits.
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I feel I have to comment . As someone who is recovering from a debiitating accident – from former 6-pack abs to an extra keg worth of weight – I am trying SO HARD to be motivated to regain decent shape and overcome what is now a lifelong disability. So I clicked on "9 reasons" for some support….until #9. Good for you that you don't have pain – but for those of us who do, we still have to overcome. I suggest you broaden your horizons before dishing out idealist pseudo-insight.
I really like your article. I've been thinking this way this year. I have breast,liver and bone cancer. This time last year I couldn't walk from the living room to the kitchen without being out of breath as I was taking chemo then. This summer I have so much energy I feel great. I still can't do alot of physical things due to the bone cancer but I can do some walking and I have been painting my outside furniture, anything to be outside. Just reading your article reminds me what I can do compared to just a year ago! thanks so much!
VANMAN~
Its obvious that you are very angry at your condition…and Im sure rightfully so. However…I dont believe she was giving idealist psuedo-insight. I feel she was stating the fact that we all are fighting our own battles, and that we all tend to get down on life. Realizing that we all take advantage of our abitlty to move about…..she recognizes that things could be much worse in her world. So, that is a motivator to her….as Im guessing that it might have been once for you as well. Im sorry that you have a disibility that will affect you for life. I wish you the best of luck in your recovery. She is just trying to help motivate those who lack the drive….like ME!
Thank you and I agree with each point. The important point about exercising is that it just makes you feel good. You have that quiet time devoted just for you and it's free.
There are 1,440 minutes in every day. Schedule 30 of them for physical activity!
Regular exercise is a critical part of staying healthy. People who are active live longer and feel better. Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight. It can delay or prevent diabetes, some cancers and heart problems.
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People have to realize that exercise is so important not just for looking good but for living a better quality of life. Exercise gives you more energy, deters you from getting injuries and helps you stay healthy. Those 3 things alone should be motivation enough to do some sort of physical activity at least an hour a day. You don’t even need a gym to get physical activity, you can just take a flight of stairs, or park at the end of the parking lot or ride your bike to the store instead of driving. These little things can really help you stay healthy and happy!