How do you get the motivation to exercise?

I can't remember if I posted on this before, but I am still struggling. I have had (seriously) about 15 people tell me I should exercise. Will keep weight off, help my flexibility and balance, and lift depression.

I have no excuse. I have a free gym membership and they offer lots of good classes. My husband and son are willing to go with me and work out while I am in a class. I'm not working so I have time.

Someone suggested I start off with walking but I get anxiety about walking out in public. I get the feeling people are staring at me and criticizing me.

This is the main obstacle to me feeling like I am in a fairly decent recovery.
Any ideas or suggestions?
I just hate to exercise. I never get that "high" they talk about.

I don't get that "high" people talk about either, but I do find that I have more energy and feel better overall if I exercise regularly. It doesn't do a lot for my mental health, but certainly improves how I feel physically.

If you're not comfortable going out, you can do aerobics at home or buy an inexpensive set of free weights. If you Google it, there are tons of sites and free videos which will give you basic 15-20 minute work-outs you can do at home with minimal equipment. Maybe that would be better for you at this point than going to a gym.

Don't know if its affordable for you but maybe a treadmill would help.

I got one so no one could see me exercise too! I also got a fitbit.

Here is a link to my article on it.

http://thebipolarmaniac.wordpress.co...r-heard-of-it/


It's helped me lose 16 lbs. just by walking! I have 80lbs. to lose mind you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Depending on where you live- you might be able to use a local walking trail during the day time when it's not busy. The weather is ideal for walking- but I completely understand the anxiety that comes when you think that people are comparing themselves against you.
Try to do baby steps- start parking further away when you go to run errands; give yourself a reward for going to the gym (e.g., let yourself see you favorite movie); read-up about birds / flowers local to your area and do nature walks where you just focus on identifying the species.
Good luck!

When really depressed the high doesn't happen for me either, but I noticed my depression was less severe if I exercised regularly.

I also had some anxiety initially, but I would ask myself, "Who are these people and what reason do I have to care what they think about me?"

I recommend walking at a park if you can, get some sunlight and fresh air. If that's too much effort just go out of the house and walk. If even that is too much do jumping jacks, situps, running in place, pushups, or yoga, or whatever is physically demanding for you so that it raises heartrate, and do it for about thirty minutes or more.

I try to mentally visualize how I will feel in the afternoon and evening. If I don't exercise in the morning I know I will have a horrible day. Exercise for me isn't about long term results, it's about a daily dose of another medication that helps me stabilize my moods. Start small and accept that without doubt. Don't get overly concerned with how you will look and how much weight you will lose. Focus instead on how you will feel even if you do a little each day. I also try not to get carried away because then you'll feel so tired you won't want to exercise the next day.

Why not try starting with Yoga at home ? Its not hell bent cardio but it promotes balance physically and mentally .. and Yoga can be a very good work out ... I use it daily as I can no longer be a gym rat like i use to be because of my Fibro ..

Google some youtube videos on Yoga you will be amazed how it is a very effective exercise.

There have been times I couldn't work out and it was related to meds and I never found a way to get out of it. I was just simply too tired. However, I got off those meds so I could work out normally. How about swimming? The machines at my gym have tvs or you could take your ipod? In the end it's up to you whether you exercise...not anyone else. I hope you feel better soon.

Music, seriously, listen to music. If you listen to music while you workout you can get lost in the rhythm of the tunes. It helps.

Does your gym have a women's only section? Have you considered walking in the mall when it's pretty deserted?

Hi there, thanks for posting this ! Here are some things that motivate me:

- Extreme anger that comes from every other aspect of my life (people at work, lack of people in my life, my eternal psychopathology) ... I'm able to channel that anger and all the other negative emotions into an unwavering determination and devotion to my fitness. Even while in the gym, I lift those extra few lbs with the help of that anger. Believe it or not, while I'm lifting, I actually remind myself of the negative events from my past (being rejected by women, being mistreated by family, being ridiculed at work, being bullied as a child, etc).
- Seeing progress (my body changing shape). Not only with exercise, but with anything, when someone sees their efforts paying off, it helps motivate them to do more and get to the next level. The key is once you start exercising, GIVE IT TIME, AND STICK TO IT ! You WILL SEE RESULTS. Those results will then trigger the positive reinforcement cycle: progress -> motivation -> more progress -> more motivation, and so on.

Some tips:
- Start off as slowly as you'd like. No need to figure this out overnight. If you overwhelm yourself when you start off, you might get the wrong impression about the activity and give it up when in fact all you needed to do was to take it easy, and your body will say, "Whoa ! I can't do this anymore. This is too hard.", and you'll give up. Instead, start with baby steps, and over time, you will definitely get stronger and fitter and naturally feel the desire and ability to get to the next level.
- Explore different types of exercise. It's needless to say that different people enjoy activities: Try biking, hiking, walking, jogging/running, swimming, lifting light weights, yoga, pilates, kickboxing, whatever. Maybe also the group classes you mentioned. Try a little bit of different activities (whatever interests you), and figure out what you like doing. Let's face it - if you don't enjoy it, chances are ... you won't continue doing it.
- Whenever you do start exercising, if possible, do also take nutrition into account ... a lot of times, the benefits of exercise can be multiplied when done in conjunction with a good diet.

Fitness is my religion, I'm studying to be a certified fitness trainer, and I have trained many people in the past, so I have some experience with this stuff.

Feel free to PM me with any questions ! I'm sure you'll find something you enjoy or even love doing