The key to staying motivated to exercising for me is finding something I really enjoy so I don't dread doing it. If I love it, it's not as hard to get motivated.

Yoga works for me. The great thing about yoga is that you don't need to be in good shape to start doing it. When I started, I had a bad inner ear problem and my balance was really messed up. Of all the exercises I've done, I found yoga gave me results the fastest. I noticed it getting easier each time -- and that's very motivating. Each day I was more flexible, the poses were easier, I felt like I was walking taller and was more aware of the power of my own body. It's also so relaxing. It just feels good. So, since anxiety is a problem for me, I find myself looking forward to doing it because I know how good it will make me feel. I find it hard to get myself motivated when I'm depressed, but I remind myself that it always lifts my mood. That endorphin rush I get during a good power yoga workout is awesome and the feeling stays with me.

A lot of people think yoga isn't a weight-loss exercise. I lost 25 pounds in 3 months the summer I started doing it, though. I enjoyed it so much and was improving my balance and flexibility, so I added power yoga twice a week (along with regular yoga twice a week). It works your muscles, tightens them and really makes you sweat. I was agoraphobic when I started doing it, so another benefit was that I could do it right in my living room. All I needed was a yoga mat, some comfy clothes, bare feet and a yoga video (I use the Yoga Zone series; they're very straightforward and explain the poses very well).

It improved my fitness level, I lost weight, felt better and it increased my energy level in other areas. Once I recovered from agoraphobia, I started walking more and I have recently starting jogging again. I still do yoga 3 times a week.

I sound like I'm doing an advert for yoga. LOL. I rambled on, but my point was that I think the key is to find something you enjoy. Some days we feel motivated and other days we don't. Trying to motivate ourselves to do an exercise program we don't enjoy is often a recipe for failure. So, think about the things you enjoy doing. Try some different things and you will probably find something you love. If you can turn it into a hobby -- something you do for fun and just for yourself -- it's no longer a chore that you have to dredge up the motivation to do.

Good luck. I hope you find something that's fun for you and helps you reach your goals.