The one thing that movitates me to workout is going on a multi-sport fitness vacation that involves all my favorite activites, hiking, bouldering, and kayaking.

I haven't decided where to go this year but I'm thinking Kauai, Grand Canyon, or Montana.

Last year we kayaked Lake Powell, hiked and bouldered in Utah, and hiked the Grand Canyon in one weekend. It was so much fun and knowing how much stamina I would need for this kept me training consistently for months.

My other motivation is music. My favorite site to download free tracks is podrunner.

How do you get and stay motivated?

Unfortunately, what has motivated me lately is midrift bulge!

I'm usually motivated by a friend who is waiting for me to either walk or work out.

Well that's great motivation too and having a workout partner helps in a big way.

Better Homes & Gardens interviewed me about this and asked me to design a workout for them called buddy bootcamp (Sept. 08 issue). I told them that working out with friends makes it more fun and go by so much faster.

Most of the time I workout alone because it fits my schedule better but yesterday I had chance to workout with my sister and sister in law and we had lots of fun.

Sometimes I workout with a boot camp clients who is a firefighter and even though we're both typically very tired we help each other get through the tougher exercises and are more open about trying different things too.

Sometimes I go to yoga with clients who have never tried it before just so they feel comfortable with the whole experience. I've had two people get completely hooked on yoga classes just because I went the one time with them.

Having an exercise buddy is a great thing!

I wish I could find an exercise buddy even if it was someone virtual. I used to belong to Lady of America and I liked attending the classes, what unmotivated me was looking at myself if the mirror while I exercised...yuck...lol...plus the cost was no longer in the budget so I let the membership lapse.
I really need to target the ever growing bulge around my mid section. Every night I say that I'll start in the am...in the am I'm too tired to get out of bed. I thought about walking, but it is kind of cold outside.
Weight watchers helped for about 9 lbs, but as the budget got tighter, the $12 a week was out of the question and most of the women in the class were married so I couldn't really get a connection with them because all they talked about were their husbands...which was fine for them, just not for me.
I did have one buddy though, but she liked to go to Bally's at 5am...the horror...lol...

I work out 4-5 days a week. I suggest getting an i-pod or anything you could play good loud music on. This is a great help while you are working out. My motivation comes from the results that I have seen. My body gets better and better, and this pushes me to move forward.What I do is that I take is as a job, and have my rest days. This also motivates me. Now I was the laziest woman on the planet. Walking to a car was seen as a mission, so if I can, anyone can. Lol.

Diane

I'm so laughing at your post because I know tons of people who need exercise buddies and they can't find a good match. I had a friend who wanted me to train with him at 5am. I did that for years for a living but I don't train those horrible hours anymore. I told him he was loco in the head and sorry but he needed to find another buddy.

I'm thinking of starting a free coaching group over at my other site. If you go over there and sign up for my newsletter I'm going to be sending a message about that within the next week or two. You will love the newsletter that's motivating too. I get emails from people all the time about how they get off their butts because I constantly send them workouts and tips and motivation.

The group will be totally free but only for a limited group of people who are serious about getting fit. My list has all kinds of people including younger women, older single women, moms, dads, college dudes. It's a great mix and I think you'll find people you can connect with so head over and subscribe.

Ms D

I think you have a great attitude about seeing it as a job. A job includes having a schedule and tasks and goals and your boss is on your butt if you don't get it done so it's just like that except if you don't have a personal trainer you're the boss. Keep up the good work. And you're right if the lazy people of the world can do it so can anybody!!

Speaking of Lady of America, I went stopped at a grocery store in the same mall today and LOA had actually closed their doors permanently. I was totally shocked!!!
Well Ms. Monica I am absolutely looking forward to your newsletter. Is your other site another Bella site? I want to make sure I'm in the right place because you're probably just the person I need to get up off my...lower region :-)
I get to clicking on things on Bella and totally lose my place.
Just to give you an idea of what I'm working with. I'm 6' tall. I used to weigh 140 lbs. After 3 kids that went up to 199 lbs...well in the past 2 years my weight went to 220, where it stayed until mid Dec '08...now I've moved down to about 210. I would love to get back to about 175.
So I'm ready and willing...as long as it's not at the crack of dawn...lol...

If I don't exercise at least 5 days a week, I feel so sluggish. It also helps reduce my stress levels. Since having my daughter a couple of years ago, my mommy tummy is a huge motivator. I'm new here so I'll have to check out your site and subscribe to your newsletter. I'm always looking for new exercise tips.

Monica,
I found them both Exercise and Weightloss (which had a totally inspiring post by the way). I am now signed up for both of your newsletters!!!

I am motivated to keep my health club membership because I wish to stay healthy and live a long life.I goto the club 3 times a week,1 day on the weekend.I eat right,walk,do some swimming,and just take care of myself.I am not a health nut,but I do like to make sure I am healthy.

My motivation hangs on my closet door in the form of a bathing suit I have to wear in early March when I go to Florida.

Where to? I am going to bike week in Daytona March 4th. I am also lookin' at my suit but am more concerned with looking good in a tank top. I am working my arms big time.

I get motivated thinking that I am closer to 50 now and want to look hot at my next class reunion, plus I am still looking for the lid to my pot, and looking sexy can't hurt.

My motivation is feeling good, keeping my blood sugars normal, and maintaining a healthy brain. I notice that when I don't exercise, my brain doesn't function as clearly. Now THAT is motivation!

Exercise is a panacea for a host of health woes..especially as we age. I used to be motivated by looking good and losing weight but that wasn't enough to keep me going. The threat of Alzheimer's or other illness in the future...extremely motivating! And the benefits that come from exercise are extras!

I have that same thought when summer comes along

My exercise buddies are my 2 dogs. They never miss their daily walk. I also listen to good audio books when I walk.

Last January I joined the Y and Paying my monthly dues makes me want to take advantage of the classes. Once you start going to classes, it turns out to be fun. It's just making time in your schedule to stick with it.

My motivation is my wedding anniversary in July.

What motivates me is seeing a picture of myself and thinking I'm fat. Then I start moving. Thats probably not the best motivation since its reactive rather than proactive

Kristin I feel that most of us start working out for the same reasons. We see a picture, or simply look in the mirror, and get this push. When one reaches their goal, the motivation switches, and you continue working out to maintain the new body. What matters is that we are working out.

My new motivation is that I went clothes shopping recently and clothes just don't fit right anymore. Not finding clothes that look good is truly depressing.

I like working out - it's fun. But sometimes I forget to allow myself 'fun' - of all kinds, when I get really busy.

when i look at magazines or any form of media with good looking people.

I'm losing weight by changing my eating habits. Now imagine what I would do if I pumped up the exercise too? That's pretty motviational!!!

Hey, Di. Been missing in action. Hey, have you started using weights yet? Are what are you doing? Aerobics, running, boxing, what?

cleaning the basement lol...I will do anything to get out of it including exercise