exercise motivation

Are you a couch potato?

I used to think the only thing keeping couch potatoes from the gym was, well, themselves!

But, it seems there's some evidence to suggest it's not merely a motivation problem, but also genetics separating the fitness fanatics from the slouches.

The Art of Doing What You Can

Here's my confession... I've been in a workout slump - a particularly long workout slump. I have been settling for sporadic and often half-hearted attempts at lifting, sports, etc. And boy do I feel it... I'm achy, more irritable, sapped of energy and generally feel "soft". Perhaps some of you have gone through (or are currently going through) this sort of thing.

Resolving to exercise more, lose weight, eat healthily and so on can lead to a constant uphill battle. If your lifestyle is naturally sedentary and your eating patterns have been constant for years, the "new you" will struggle to constantly find motivation to do things differently - old habits are hard to change.

Instead of trying to make resolutions, then, focus on making good habits - and breaking bad ones. Here's how:

That quote (from Jim Rohn) was printed on the back of my gym's members card some months ago, and it's stuck in my mind ever since I first read it.

It seems like a cruel irony. The majority of those who suffer from low self-esteem are the ones who stand to benefit the most from exercise. Self-esteem (self-efficacy) appears to be make-or-break factor when it comes to exercise adherence. In fact, a recent study showed self-efficacy alone boosted exercise adherence by 139% over the course of a year. Let's take a look at how to help facilitate better self-esteem and keep with exercise long-term.

The theory that music motivates us to exercise harder has been put to the test by Brunel University's School of Sport and Education researcher Dr. Costas Karageorghis.

A shy, plump boy of thirteen sets off alongside several others at the start of the four-hundred meters track. Arms and legs pumping furiously, he's fallen behind within seconds. After a hundred meters, he gives up and stumbles along, breathing hard. Someone shouts, "Who ate all the pies?" and the rest of the class snigger.

You might think Jack is just plain lazy and Joe is self-disciplined ... but new research suggests that their different activity levels could be down to genetics.

It's unfortunate that a lot of people believe exercise is for the young, and that "old folks" are destined to be frail and weak.

Obviously that's just not true. In fact, if you're not yet elderly yourself but would like some instant workout inspiration: try exercising with a bunch of senior citizens. I did recently, and here are five tips I got from watching, listening, and trying to keep up with these folks.

If we know something is good for us - why don't we do it?

Two large studies show that physical activity will add years to our lives. A number of other factors will help too. What are they?

Feeling a little tired? Just not "up for" a run or hike? That trick knee a little sore? Just starting to figure out what’s going on in 'Lost’?

Whatever your reason for not getting yourself moving lately, here are some stories that I hope will inspire you:

Only 38% of Britons would be motivated to do more exercise if their life depended on it. Ironically, our lives may well depend on it.

The British Heart Foundation claims that someone dies every 15 minutes as a direct result of physical inactivity.

So what percentage of people find exercise fun?

Are you ready for this?

Don't get excited, scientists haven't invented one yet. But how many times have you heard that if they could put exercise in a pill it would be a miracle drug because of all incredible health benefits exercise provides?

It's an interesting mental exercise to pretend that it's already happened. Suppose there was now a pill that could burn the same number of calories, build the same muscles, and provide all the same health benefits as any amount of exercise you could do.

How much exercise would you get?

We are generally very adept at starting exercise and programs and dietary regimes... and we pretty much suck at sticking to it.

One of the most formidable reasons for this is the failure to permanently ingrain our newfound healthy habits into our psyches. Before the physical aspects of reaching your goals take place, we need to re-program our minds.

Here is a 3-step process to help you not only stay on the wagon, but get you driving the darned thing!

There a hundreds of reasons why we don't exercise - just read the excellent comments on the post Why Don't You Exercise.

Here are 10 different ideas or techniques to help you pursue a lifetime of health and fitness.

STOP

If - deep-down - you really don't want to exercise, then don't bother reading further. You will need to get to the bottom of those feelings before moving on. Ambivalence and double-mindedness will only lead to a constant cycle of disappointment. But - if you want to reap the many mental and physical benefits of exercise -- then read on.

Does the headline of this post make you feel guilty? I feel guilty just writing it.

We live in a time when 1 out of 7 Americans have tried a weight loss supplement. That is a lot of people.

Exercising, however, is not popular.

Why not?

Weight management and health is so much more than diet alone. Unless you have an active occupation then - in all honesty - you need to give your exercise routine some thought.

Gyms the world over fill up over January as people attempt to get some exercise into their life.

The word "gym" is enough to make many of us groan and reach for another packet of "cheetos" - but it doesn't have to be this way.

Some health conditions are reversible - thanks to exercise - and you don't need to go over the top to feel the benefits. The people at Duke University have spent a year looking at the effects of physical activity - and the outlook is comforting.