Can you believe it? Some people don’t like to exercise…So many people in the world WANT to get fit, they like the idea, want to look better, and love the benefits that they KNOW will come from it. So what stops us? Well, some people don’t like to exercise. It’s that simple, but how do you motivate yourself to exercise when you don’t like it?

I’m a health and fitness coach, and even I grew up disliking exercise as much as the next person. I was overweight, exercise was strenuous, no one in my family encouraged me to exercise, and I wasn’t even good at sports. For lack of motivation, effort, and a fear of looking stupid, I didn’t see a need for it.

It wasn’t until after my son was born that I started to exercise.

I had given up my job during my pregnancy, gained 50 pounds, and didn’t feel confident after giving birth. One day a friend of mine convinced me to take a fitness class with her, and my life forever changed. I found a way to have my children with me, feel great about my body, and be able to serve other women as an instructor.

Once I discovered the benefits of regular exercise on my body and knew that I was helping other women get in shape, I was hooked. I wanted to know more, learn more, and help more people live their healthiest lives ever.

I had a goal and drive to change how I wanted to feel like a fit mom. Now my life has completely changed when it comes to exercise. Is it still hard to get going some days, of course, but I have my systems that I am sharing with you today in place.

The Hard Truth About Motivation

One of my podcast listeners, let’s call her Brenda, shared this with me recently, “I don’t make exercise a priority because it’s just not fun. I should be less stressed because I work from home, but I’m not. It should be simpler, but honestly, I hate sweating.”

Brenda is an example not far off from many of us. Knowing that it’s good for her and that she SHOULD do it is overrun by the fact that it’s just not fun, and she hates sweating. These are common reasons we talk ourselves out of exercising. And when merely thinking about exercise turns you off, you tend to do anything more enjoyable at the moment.

But feelings of guilt and defeat linger, with an inner voice saying she could do better. Does that sound familiar?

Reality Check: Motivation Alone Doesn’t Make You Enjoy Something

Brenda is motivated enough to think about exercise but then gives up because her mind association has told her that it’s not a pleasant experience. Because exercise is not a priority in her life, she tends to stick with what her mind says she does enjoy and prioritize, such as reading, and she can rationalize that this is also a good choice. Brenda might be able to become motivated if she found something that’s FUN, and she didn’t have to sweat, changing her mind’s parameters of what exercise means.

Know that it takes effort to start anything new. Prepare your mind that it might not make you feel good in the beginning, and yes, it’s hard, but you can tell yourself that doing something enjoyable to start is the best option. What if you didn’t think about it as exercise at all but merely a promise to walk around the block 3 times each week, play with your grandchild in the park, or even go to the gym and try classes until you find one you like (maybe only because the music is good!)?

How to Motivate Yourself To Exercise When You Don’t Like It

3 Steps to Get You Moving (Even If You Don’t Like Exercise)

1. Try NEAT (Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis) – this is the energy expended for everything we do that is not sleeping, eating, or sports-like exercise. You can walk in place, stand up and sit down, dance, and walk around the kitchen aisle. Outside you can park further away from your destination, toe-tap, do garden work – be creative, and find activities where you naturally move!
2. Hire a trainer that holds you accountable. Sometimes, all you need is one person who can help you to get the very best out of yourself and leave you feeling proud and fabulous.
3. Join a group of motivated women who help you get moving by making it a social event where you can talk as you move! It’s a great way to stay accountable, make great friends, relieve stress, and get more in shape without your mind nagging that it’s unenjoyable!