FitSugar

Need a Little Exercise Motivation? Try These 8 Techniques

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0700

There are a million excuses you can come up with not to work out - you're too tired, you don't have time, you forgot your sneakers at home, or you have your period and would much rather eat chocolate. We've all been there so here are some fail-proof ways to motivate you to follow through with your workout dates.

Plan ahead. Get out your calendar and jot down exercise appointments before anything else comes up. Call personal trainers to set up sessions, sign up for salsa dance lessons with your partner, or mail your deposit in for that flying trapeze workshop you've had your eye on. It only takes a short amount of time to organize your exercise commitments, but once they're set up, you'll be more likely to stick with them.
Get into a routine. Either work out at the same time every day, or if that's not possible, get into a routine of working out the same days each week such as Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. It will be tough to get going at first, but soon it will become as habitual as brushing your teeth.

To see the other six ways read more

Keep a fitness journal. It allows you to keep track of every aspect of your workouts so you can see your progress, and also forces you to be accountable to the commitment you made to exercise.
Set a goal. Maybe you want to reach a certain weight, fit into your pre-pregnancy jeans, or train for a race. Having a goal you want to reach by a certain amount of time can give you the push you need to exercise regularly.
Be creative. If you do the same workout every day, in the same place, you're bound to get bored. So run or bike a new route, use different weight equipment, take a new fitness class, or follow a brand new exercise DVD. Your body will become stronger and is at less risk for injury when you challenge it with different activities, and it'll also keep your mind stimulated.
Be flexible. If you always work out at noon, but today a surprise meeting came up for work, don't let that ruin your plans. Figure out another time to fit in exercise that day.
Do it with other people. Humans are social creatures and exercising with one or more people not only makes you keep your fitness dates, but it's also more enjoyable.
Reward yourself. The physical and emotional benefits of exercise may not be enough to push you to stick with it, especially when you're just starting out, so try a tangible reward. Once you reach mini goals, such as losing a pound or being able to do 10 push-ups without your knees on the ground, buy yourself a new exercise shirt, a CD of music to work out to, or a chocolate truffle. When you reach bigger goals, get larger rewards such as a massage or pedicure. The rewards should be something you'll really appreciate, but make sure it doesn't undo all the good you've done.

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78-Year-Old Nun Trains Daily For Many Triathlons

FitSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:00:00 -0700

This is one sister act that would be tough to follow. With more than 320 triathlons under her belt - 40 of which were Ironman-class events - 78-year-old Sister Madonna Buder is truly something special. This 5'7", 115-pound energizer nun told ABC News, "Well, you know, as long as God is giving you your health, there's no reason to stop."

Remarkably, Buder began running at age 47 when a priest suggested she try it for spiritual enrichment, and five years later she added swimming and cycling to her athletic acumen. Following her own advice to "never give up and never slow down," Buder schedules her seven-days-a-week training regimen around working at her church.

You don't have to wear a habit to get into this healthy one. Get inspired by this incredibly dedicated nun and triathlete when you watch her in action. To see a video of this active sister, just read more.

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Get Motivated: "Raven" Runs 8 Miles a Day For Nearly 35 Years

FitSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:00:00 -0700

All of us have excuses for not working out - all of us except Robert Kraft, who has run through hurricanes, pneumonia, and crippling back pain. The Miami resident, nicknamed "The Raven" for his all-black attire, has jogged the same eight-mile route every single day since January 1975. This weekend I happened to catch an Outside the Lines segment on ESPN about the runner and found it alternatively inspiring and bittersweet. Here's a clip:

Since he began, Raven has logged more than 100,000 miles. He says he used to do it to keep himself disciplined, but now he does it to motivate the group of runners who join him daily on his "Raven run." Though it's taking a toll on his physical health - sometimes his feet hurt so bad, it's hard to walk to the next room - the activity and the companionship keeps him going. After watching this video, I want to go running with the Raven! What do you think of this story?

Get Motivated: Marathoning With Cystic Fibrosis

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:00:00 -0800

Ryan Reynolds ran the NYC Marathon for quite a noble cause. He wanted to raise awareness of the Parkinson's Disease. I found that truly motivating, but what got me off the couch today was the story of 37-year-old Cris Dopher.

Dopher was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) when he was only four. Classified as a a genetic disease, cystic fibrosis causes a steady decline in lung function where mucus builds up in the lungs. CF generally leads to a shortened life span. Exercise has been part of his a major part of his treatment, but due to the disease, Cris's lungs work 30 percent less than normal lungs. Even with his diminished lung capacity, he ran 26.2 miles in five hours, fifty minutes and 12 seconds. From someone who has only stood on the sidelines of marathons, I am beyond impressed.

On his decision to run the marathon, Dopher said, "Maybe my body isn't built for marathon distance. But to me, I need a goal." Motivated by the memories of his friends that have lost their battle with CF, he was able to keep moving through the duration of the race. He hopes to do more marathons and to just keep breathing.

Get Motivated: Actions Speak Louder Than Reasons

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:30:16 -0700

The mere act of taking some time to write down what you want to do for exercise each week could actually help you accomplish getting moving. In fact, recent research has found that people who write down what actions they are going to take each week to exercise (join a gym, run at the track, etc.), rather than just the reasons why they want to exercise (get healthy, lose weight, etc.) were inspired to exercise more. As a result, the folks who wrote about their actions saw their fitness levels skyrocket.

You're well on your way by reading FitSugar, and hopefully you've started a fitness journal. But why not go a step further and start your own fitness blog on OnSugar? It's free, and blogging is fun (trust me, I know), and it could help motivate you to get to the gym more. Who knows? Maybe you'll even end up motivating someone else to hit the gym too!

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Get Motivated: Grandmother Runs Down Purse Snatchers

FitSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:00:00 -0700

One of the reasons I stay active is that I want to be able to run with my grandchildren. While I am hoping that life change is at least 20 years down the road, I know I want to be one fit granny. A recent news story about a British grandmother has me motivated to run today, tomorrow, and well into the future. Janet Lane, 68, was waiting for a friend on a park bench. On the bench next to her sat her purse with money from a recently cashed pension check. Two youths snatched her bag and took off running. Lane, a cross-country star in her teens, took off after the unsuspecting thieves. In true grandmotherly fashion she caught one of the snatchers by his collar, and he dropped her purse. She was pleased as punch to get her bag back, although neither of the purse snatchers was caught. Claiming to not have run that fast since she was a girl, Lane currently stays fit by swimming and walking. All I can say is "Run, grandma! Run!"

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Get Motivated: Set One Smaller Goal

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:00:00 -0700

If your main goal of exercising is to get healthy overall then that is great. The problem is that it can be hard to measure "overall health," and it can be frustrating if you are plugging ahead and have no proof for all your hard work. Instead, while on your way to optimal health, pick a goal or two that is attainable and measurable. Choose something simple such as being able to run 10 minutes without stopping, lifting heavier weights, or being able to touch your toes, and focus on getting it done. Once you accomplish your goal, reward yourself and start progress toward another small specific goal. Doing so can keep you motivated in your endeavors, and would even work well in taking you through a dreaded plateau.

I would love to hear your new, specific goal. Share it in the comments section below.

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Get Motivated: Turn Up the Tunes

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Having a hard time keeping motivated while working out? We've all been there, but one thing that you can do to keep from hitting a slump is to make sure your iPod is packed and updated with toe tapping beats. New research has even found that the right music can enhance endurance by 15 percent and actually improve how you feel while exercising, which ultimately allows you to enjoy your workouts more. I'm all for that!

Got any ideas for music that is perfect for working out? Share them below, I know that my iPod needs to be updated and I would love the suggestions.

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Ten Sports Movies to Get You Motivated!

FitSugar — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

I had so much fun when I asked you guys about your favorite motivational sports movies. Better yet, I got a lot of great ideas for new films to watch, as well as some forgotten favorites. If you're looking for a little motivation, look no further than these 10 sports-centric movies.

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Speak Up: What Sports Movie Motivates You Most?

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0700

While I was getting all choked up about A League of Their Own, I started thinking about how motivating a great sports movie can be. Whether it's a weepy figure-skating story (Ice Castles, anyone?) or a classic baseball flick like Field of Dreams, sports movies can be emotionally riveting and highly entertaining. So speak up and tell me: Which sports-centric film motivates you the most?