Ten Motivating Reasons to Work Out (Not your average tips)

I posted a message on Facebook that said, "IT'S NOT TOO LATE" because I wanted to motivate people to get back on track if they have deserted their New Years Resolution to get fit. Someone responded and asked what really, REALLY keeps me motivated to exercise after the New Years resolution period has passed? My motivation is internal, and is driven by how I feel inside; although included in my list below are a few external drivers that many can appreciate.

My exercise motivators are:

• The natural high from music pumping and the energy surge from cardio exercises such as Zumba®,  dancing, fast walking, biking, elliptical, swimming, and rowing. 
• Feeling strong during and after strength training - whether it be with machines, free weights, resistance bands, or simple calisthenics (jumping jacks, push ups, etc) 
• Frequently mistaken for being 10-15 years younger!! 
• Removes those hated 'wings' of fat that can hang from the triceps area and we try to hide by wearing long sleeves even in 90+ degree weather. 
• Don't have to deal with a lot of aches and pains that people often complain about.
• Feel good in your clothes and do not blame the laundry or cleaners for 'shrinking' items. 
• Knowing that you are controlling your food, and it's not controlling you.
• You are taking precautionary measures to ward off diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. 
• Your skin begins to glow from the combination of exercise, eating healthy and drinking plenty of water.
• Ability to run around, jump, and play with kids without thinking "I'm too old and out of shape to be doing this"! 

Let me add a few commonly used steps to ensure success when followed, which include:

Setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely (SMART). A good example is "I want to train for the 5K fun-run that will occur three months from now, so I'll start walking 30 minutes five times per week around my neighborhood and measure how fast I'm walking so I can build up to 3.2 miles in one hour's time".

Vary your workout routine to keep it fun.  These days there are so many different options available such as dance class, or Zumba®, kick-boxing, body pump (strength training to music), bicycling, jumping rope, hula hoop, yoga, Pilates, pickup basketball games, flag football, frisbee golf... you name it, you can find it!

Tracking your progress can be a huge motivation.  Being able to see how much you've accomplished when your clothes fit looser, or how your face has slimmed down is a great motivator.  Your progress doesn't always have to reflect on the scale.

Here are a few quotes to motivate you to keep pushing when you start to feel like giving up:

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. ~Jim Ryan
Fear is what stops you... courage is what keeps you going. ~Unknown
Clear your mind of can’t. ~Samuel Johnson
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Bottom line is everyone has priorities in life, but deciding what to make a priority is key. For example choosing to implement steps to stay fit rather than watch that extra hour or two of TV will make a huge impact on your quality of life.

What other reasons can you think of to stay motivated?