What motivates you to get up at 5:30 a.m. every day? More than likely, it is so you can prepare to go to work and bring home the bacon. Getting up is part of our daily routine. You do not debate it. You simply do it. You do it because it gets you a desired result.

This same idea should hold true for exercise. However, it does not. According to a study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, 62 percent of the adult population never engage in any form of physical activity. Lack of exercise in this same group of people contributes to their own weight problems and obesity. In general, these people know what to do, but they just do not do it. What is even worse, most people who start an exercise program quit within six months.

So how do some people find the motivation to exercise regularly? The solution is to set up a goal and reward system. However, this is not the only answer. You must also find joy in your physical activity and set yourself up for success.

Find Joy in Your Fitness Program

Maintaining one’s motivation is all about enjoying physical exercise as an activity. You have to find enjoyment in the activity at that present time.

When you start an exercise program, you must first assess your values and discover what is most important to you. Perhaps spending more time with your children is valuable to you. Look at the ways good health can help you accomplish your purpose and mission in life.

Set Yourself Up for Success

By erasing the entire negative self-talk, you change the way you look at exercise. This goes a long way to helping you stick with your exercise program. What kind of self-talk can prevent you from sticking with the program? I suggest that you listen to your self-talk and look over those that keep you from accomplishing your goals. Here are some tips to overcome negative self-talk:

• Negative self-talk: I’m too tired. Positive self-talk: I’m tired because I don’t exercise. Exercise makes me feel more energized.
• Negative self-talk: I don’t have time. Positive self-talk: I have the same 24 hours every day like everybody else who does exercise.
• Negative self-talk: It’s too difficult. Positive self-talk: I find it easier to exercise when I’m healthy. It is difficult to exercise when I do not have a choice; i.e. following an injury.
• Negative self-talk: I don’t feel like doing it right now. Positive self-talk: I have never exercised and regretted not doing it. I feel in a better mood when I’m through exercising.

It is very important to be consistent and make small life-style changes you can live with instead of going from couch potato to Tour de France cyclist in a short amount of time. For instance, determine ways to increase your physical activity level during the day. Try climbing the stairs to the second floor at your job instead of taking the elevator. Park further from the front doors at Walmart and utilize the distance for exercise. Consider joining a cycling or walking club for the motivating social interaction. In due time, the feeling of becoming more physically fit becomes a reward to you.