Motivated to Move
Nothing motivates like numbers.

You see a set of golf clubs you’ve had your eye on for only $359, so you’re motivated to buy.

You read that 2,500 babies a year are born with brain and spinal cord defects, so you’re motivated to take folic acid during your pregnancy.

You catch 20 black bass, which is the daily limit, so you’re motivated to stop fishing.

You get the idea. You can also use numbers to motivate you to reach exercise goals:
  • Pedal the stationary bike for 35 minutes instead of 30 while maintaining an RPM of 80 instead of 70.
  • Increase the treadmill incline to 6% from 4% and walk 3.2 miles rather than 3.0.
  • Do one more push up.
  • If you have a piece of equipment with a “calories burned” readout, try to increase that number each time you get on. It’s very satisfying.
Or get yourself a pedometer that counts your steps, and try to increase the daily number of steps taken. Fitness experts say we should all aim for 10,000 steps a day, which is approximately five miles!

Make it a competition. I’ve read of a mother who gave a pedometer to each of her young sons to put on first thing when they got up. The first one to 1,000 steps each day got a surprise.

A while back, my husband and I took turns wearing my pedometer to our respective places of work. His number was more than twice mine, which only motivated me to move more. Those numbers get me every time.

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