by Michelle Wilkinson

Created on: May 29, 2009   Last Updated: December 11, 2011

It is important to find the motivation to exercise, since the health benefits associated with exercise depend on how frequently you participate in physical activity and how much effort you put in. If you find it difficult to stay motivated you are likely to give up before you even start, and half the battle of making exercise a part of your life depends on your psychological commitment to getting fitter.

Therefore, you need to find ways of motivating yourself so that even when exercising becomes part of your regular routine, it can remain something that you enjoy doing, not simply be something you have to do.

It is important for you to find an activity which you like to do that fits in with your lifestyle and which you can do on a regular basis. There is no point setting your heart on canoeing if you live miles away from any water and are unable to access facilities which allow you to practise your chosen activity frequently. In order to become fitter you need to choose an activity which you can do at least a few times a week so that you can build up your stamina and so that you will actually be able to notice a difference in your performance.

If you choose running as your favourite form of exercise you will notice that you are able to run faster and for longer. You might also notice muscles developing where there were none before or that you have lost weight, especially if you combine a calorie-controlled diet with your exercise routine. Being able to run without puffing and panting as much will make you feel good about what you have achieved and make all the hard work you have put in seem worthwhile. The likelihood is that you will want to continue with your exercise plan so that you can retain your improved fitness levels.

Some people find varying their activities can help them stay motivated, particularly if they get bored easily, as they get to master different skills and techniques for each activity they participate in. Others prefer to stick with what they know. In either case, though, it is important to be consistent in your approach to exercise. There is no point exercising your heart out one week and doing nothing at all the next - consistency is key.

That is why some individuals find it is useful to set aside a particular time of day for exercise, with morning being popular for many, as once they have done their exercise for the day they no longer have to worry about it. Exercising in the morning can also wake them up and make them more alert for the day ahead.

Staying motivated to exercise requires you to set goals which challenge you but aren't so unrealistic that you are unlikely to ever reach them. You need to think about what you want to achieve so that you can work at achieving it. You might find that it helps to work out with other people, and to have the competitive element of sport to drive you forward, but you should never lose focus of what your aims are.

If you still prefer the comfort of your bed to going to the gym or going for a run you only have yourself to blame if you end up overweight or with health problems.

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