{"id":1483,"date":"2010-01-27T08:44:53","date_gmt":"2010-01-27T16:44:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=1483"},"modified":"2013-09-27T10:26:15","modified_gmt":"2013-09-27T18:26:15","slug":"use-your-mind-to-get-you-moving-6-energizing-exercise-motivation-techniques","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/use-your-mind-to-get-you-moving-6-energizing-exercise-motivation-techniques\/","title":{"rendered":"Use Your Mind to Get You Moving: 6 Energizing Exercise Motivation Techniques"},"content":{"rendered":"
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“I’ll go for a run just as soon as I finish this article. \u2026 Right, should return that call from Roger. \u2026 Well, now I’m hungry and I can’t run on an empty stomach. \u2026 Now I’m feeling too full. \u2026 Rain clouds?! Better wait and see if it clears up. \u2026 Great. It\u2019s getting dark now. \u2026 What a shame; I really was<\/em> going to have that run. There’s always tomorrow!\u201d<\/p>\n

We lie! To ourselves and anyone who\u2019ll listen. You see, part of me knew<\/em> I had no intention of going for that run. Actually, I honestly love to exercise. And not just because it helps me sleep deeply and increases my energy.<\/p>\n

I know that exercise motivation doesn\u2019t come naturally to most people. It didn\u2019t for me. I had to work at getting and keeping myself motivated to run, do yoga, and weight-lift.<\/p>\n

The following tips work for me (and for many of my clients who need to exercise). I know they’ll help your exercise motivation, too.<\/p>\n

Tip 1: Don\u2019t think; do<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t give yourself time to think about exercise; over-thinking saps motivation. If you scheduled exercise for 5.30 pm and find yourself thinking about it during the day, make yourself think about something else. When 5.30 comes, just do it<\/em>. Analysis paralysis is not the way to exercise motivation. It\u2019s like getting out of bed; the more you think about it, the more time you spend in bed. Just do it. There are times when it\u2019s best not <\/em>to think.<\/p>\n

Emil Z\u00e1topek, one of the greatest middle- and long-distance runners in history, said: \u201cIf one can stick to the training throughout the many long years, then willpower is no longer a problem. It’s raining? That doesn’t matter. I am tired? That’s beside the point. It’s simply that I just have to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tell yourself your upcoming exercise session is ‘non-negotiable’. Are you a contender or not?<\/p>\n

But if you do start thinking about not <\/em>doing it \u2026<\/p>\n

Tip 2: Imagine how not exercising<\/em><\/strong> will make you feel<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

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This is a strange one. After all, most motivators try to get you to focus on how great you\u2019ll feel (which also works). But this tip is shockingly effective.<\/p>\n

If you find yourself trying to squirm out of exercise, focus on how you\u2019d feel later if you didn\u2019t<\/em> exercise. If you don\u2019t go for that walk, yoga, or aerobics session, you feel: disappointment in yourself, weakness, the lack of ‘feel good’ chemicals that would be circulating if only you\u2019d been motivated enough to exercise.<\/p>\n

Strongly imagining how you\u2019ll feel if you don\u2019t <\/em>fulfil your scheduled exercise session may be enough to propel you into action. And, really, there is only ever one exercise session to think about.<\/p>\n

Constantly telling yourself, \u201dI have to exercise three times a week\u201d or \u201devery day\u201d can feel overwhelming. Why do that? Just tell yourself, \u201dI am going to exercise today.\u201d That\u2019s all. All those single exercise sessions soon add up.<\/p>\n

Tip 3: Remember the wonderful physical benefits of exercise<\/strong><\/p>\n