When we don't feel like exercising we come up with a lot of excuses. We say that we don't have the time or that we're too tired, but the true culprit is usually a lack of workout motivation. If we slow down and try new approaches to our exercise regimens, we can push ourselves to continue and better our health.

Exercise Facts and Figures

Only five percent of adults get 30 minutes of physical activity every day, and only one-third of the adult population gets the recommended amount of weekly physical activity. And it's not just adults who need to exercise more. It's said that less than 20 percent of adolescents do not get enough aerobic physical activity. There are a lot of factors that contribute to these low statistics, but one of the most common contributors is low motivation.

Tips for Workout Motivation

In order to renew our energy for our exercise routines, we need to first reflect on what's discouraging us from exercising. For instance, setting impractical goals and not seeing the results that we had hoped for can be disappointing. This keeps us from exercising. We also lose our motivation when we do the same routines over and over again. Once we find the source of our discouragement we can come up with a mindful solution. Bringing a little excitement to your exercises and having fun is one of the most important ways to stay motivated. Lifting weights or going for a morning run may not be exciting for some people. Instead, try physical activities that that can be done with others. For example, dance classes or recreational sports such as volleyball, basketball, or soccer. Exercise can also be turned into a relaxing, bonding event for friends, such as a weekend hiking trip or a trip to the coast for surfboarding. Hiring a professional and rewarding yourself for your hard work can also help you stay motivated. A physical trainer can create a custom exercise program that will keep you challenged physically and mentally. They can also help you set realistic goals so you don't get discouraged. And sticking to a reward system, no matter how small, will give you the initiative to keep going. A little enthusiasm for your exercise program is great, but be sure not to overdo it. Exercising too much can cause mental and physical fatigue known as exercise burnout. Check back later for Mindful tips on how to beat exercise burnout.