Need Motivation to Get Moving?

By , SparkPeople Blogger
By Julie Fagan of Peanut Butter Fingers (JL2726)

Sometimes we all need a little extra motivation to exercise. Even if you regularly get to the gym, you're bound to have a day where you feel less-than-motivated to put yourself through a good workout occur every now and then. Additionally, those who are just beginning to make exercise a priority may need a little extra motivation to stick to a workout routine.

Whenever I'm feeling lethargic and uninspired, I look to motivational mantras to change my mood. I frequently rely on motivational sayings to help keep me on track and transform a sluggish mindset into an enthusiastic one. (Want to find your own mantra? dailySpark blogger ~INDYGIRL shared her favorites!)

My name is Julie and I write the healthy living blog Peanut Butter Fingers, which details my life as I work full-time, eat (mostly) healthy, workout and navigate life as a newlywed. I am determined to make my health a priority and try to make it into the gym six days a week. Of course there are mornings when my alarm goes off and I'd rather stay tucked in bed, but that's when I let my mind wander to a set of motivational mantras that I keep in the back of my mind for days when I'm feeling particularly lazy.

My go-to mantras include:

  • I've never regretted a workout.
  • There are 168 hours in a week. The gym is only asking for seven of them.
  • Do it for those who can't.
Through my blog, I put a call out to my readers to submit their favorite exercise mantras about a month ago. Some of my favorite mantras that I received include:
  • You know your limit and this is NOT it. (Meaghan)
  • A body at rest wants to stay at rest. A body in motion wants to stay in motion. (Heidi)
  • No hurt, no mini skirt. (Kelly)
  • When your legs are tired, run with your heart. (Gabriela)
  • You don’t HAVE to exercise. You GET to exercise. (Kimberly)
  • Everyone has 24 hours in one day. What you do with those hours is up to you. Make the most of them! (Jessica)
  • You are just one workout away from a good mood. (Cynthia)
Find the full list here.

In the February 2011 issue of Runner's World magazine, Christie Aschwanden wrote an article about the "Magic of Mantras," stating that "a strong head" is necessary to achieve your goals.

Creating a positive mindset about exercise and altering your thoughts to allow them to motivate you can prove invaluable in maintaining an exercise regimen.

This is Julie's second guest post for the dailySpark. Something extraordinary happened to her: She realized that her body doesn't care what size jeans she wears--as long as she respects it, feeds it well, and moves it regularly. Read more!

Do you use motivational mantras? Share it below!