Part of it is music or audiobooks for me when I do low intensity cardio. I look forward to the time when I can hear music or a story. Since I do not have time to read these days, audiobooks are all I get. And I have invested in cool headphones: I have a set of bone conduction headphones for walks outside (they are safer for outdoors) and nice pretty color well-cushioned over ear headphones for indoor exercise. I even have a very old but functional mini ipod that can be submerged in water and I plan to swim with it come summer.

So audio is a big part of motivation for me. Would something like this work for you?