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⍰ ASK How do you stay motivated to exercise?

Staying motivated to exercise is something I’ve struggled with—and succeeded at—in waves over the years. For me, it boils down to shifting mindset from a chore to a form of self-care. When I think of exercise as punishment or just something I “have to” do, motivation quickly fizzles. But when I start framing it as a way to boost my mood, relieve stress, or even just take a break from work and screen time, it becomes a little easier to lace up my shoes. I also try to remind myself of the small wins—like how much better I sleep or how much energy I have after just a 20-minute workout—because those little victories add up and keep me coming back.

Another thing that really helps is variety. If I get stuck in the same routine, I get bored fast, and motivation wanes. Mixing things up between running, yoga, strength training, or even dancing in my living room keeps things fresh and fun. I also find that having a workout buddy or joining a group class adds accountability and a social element that motivates me on days when I’m feeling sluggish. Technology helps, too — apps, trackers, and online challenges make it easier to set goals and see progress, which feels rewarding.

Ultimately, motivation isn’t always constant, and I’ve learned to be gentle with myself on low-energy days while still trying to stay consistent overall. I try to balance discipline with kindness, knowing some days will be tougher than others—and that’s okay. What are your personal tricks for staying motivated to keep moving, especially when life gets hectic?
 
It’s normal to not have motivation for exercising. Exercising… sucks. I mean it’s time consuming, takes planning, is generally uncomfortable (or may even hurt a little), you get all sweaty, etc, etc. But if it was easy, then everybody would be doing it, right? And that’s the difference between those that work out, and those that don’t. Those that do it, do it for themselves, to make themselves better. And nobody can make you do that. And only YOU can make you do that. So yes, YOU need to push YOURSELF.

But, not everyone has the drive to be able to sustain that. For people that want to stay in shape but can’t motivate themselves to go to the gym regularly, I recommend they join recreational sports teams (at least 2–3 different teams, for 2–3 games per week). Your team is now your motivation; if you don’t show up, you aren’t just letting yourself down but everybody else too, so it’s huge motivation to stick to it. Every major city has recreational sports clubs, so sign up an office team, a bunch of friends, or sign up as an “individual” player.
 
Maintaining my motivation to work out has undoubtedly been a roller coaster for me; at one point, it felt like a chore that I had to push myself through. However, everything changed when I began to view it as a self-care measure rather than a form of punishment. Afterward, I tell myself how great I feel: more energy, better sleep, and a clearer head. For me, too, variety has been essential. I need a variety of activities to keep me interested, such as yoga, strength training, and walks. And to be completely honest, it makes all the difference to have a friend to check in with or a playlist I love. I now strive for compassion and momentum rather than flawless consistency. I keep returning because of that mindset.
 
Moving from "I have to" to "I get to" was the turning point for me when it came to finding the motivation to work out. I began to approach it as a reset button—for my mind as well as my body—instead of viewing it as a chore. I find that variety makes it feel less like a chore and more like fun when I mix it up with yoga, hiking, or just dancing while listening to loud music. Even in tiny ways, tracking my progress helps me stay grounded. I've also learned to be patient with myself because it's normal to have bad days. Nevertheless, I show up because I know how good it feels after, not because I feel guilty. That change in perspective was a game-changer for me.
 

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