How do you motivate yourself?

Ok, I know this is dumb but I reeeaaally, reeeaaally don't feel like going for my run today.  The problem is I really slacked off on all of my runs last week and I have to get back into the swing of things so skipping isn't really an option.  I swim three days a week and run three days a week usually.  I've let myself slack for a while now and gained a couple of lbs back.  I wanna lose them again and drop the last 5 lbs that stands between me and my goal weight (I'm only 4'9.5" so 5 lbs is actually more like 10 on me).  I never used to have problems with motivation because I was always in sports and had practice or meets...

I also find that after I've been going strong and getting in a workout 5-6 times a week for two months or so I get used to it and miss it when I don't.  My problem is just getting to that two month point.

So my question to all of you: What do you do to keep yourself motivated?

Anybody?  Bueller?

Oh I just think of how good I feel after I work out!

Or... I think Closet Smoker... you could have a smoke or go to the gym... what are you going to be more proud of??  Generaly that helps.  That and i have back up plans... If i don't do this work out i can do this one... that way I atleast get SOMETHING done.

I just go! I think "what else would I be doing? Sitting at home, watching tv? just go to the gym!" You know you'll feel way better after it's over.

It helps me to have a fitness goal in mind for working out, other than the weight loss. Maybe you want to run a certain distance, or increase your speed to a certain number, or see if you can run up and down a certain hill or something. Having a short-term goal - what I want to accomplish today, or this week - might get you out there.

Im the only person I know that doesnt feel good after a workout or prior to the workout or working out haha............

I do it because I know if I dont go and keep on missing my workouts or in your case your a runner.........I get into a huge pit and dont come out of it for months the last nonworkout slump I was in lasted at least 3 months!

 The only reason I started back up again was because my kids asked me why I wasnt going to the gym anymore or working out at home and I really had no good explanations for them and didnt want to lie so I told them because mommy is a lazy shlump of a person. They told me to get my butt up and go do it then................

I still find myself wanting to shlump as I call it but if i keep my routine going im fine I hate it still but I do manage to keep on track.

Just dont let yourself be a little bitch and get behind or quit.  Make yourself run on days you are supposed to, i nearly skipped mine but went out at midnight to get it done.   you can do it fine, just get out there and when its done its done, not so bad, right?

I just think about what the run is going to achieve. I find it much more productive going for a run than sitting on my arse at a computer. :P I think about what I really want - do I want my hour of laziness and boredom, or do I want an hour which is going to make me feel better at the end of it?

And I understand the 5poundsbeing10 thing. I'm 5"2 and it's like that for me, and you're even smaller so it must be really difficult.

It's always a mental game for me.  Generally I have a set time at which I always go to the gym or go run outside.  And there are days when I really really don't feel like it.  But I have a few deals with myself.  I can have one day a week on which I don't have to do anything.  So every day I have to think, do I want to make that today?  Or is there going to be a worse day later in the week that I'll want off?  Sometimes I don't even take that day off.  Also, I tell myself, well fine, just go to the gym and do something easier (like only half of my six miles or whatever), because doing something is better than nothing.  And I find that once I'm there I can usually ride out the full work out.  Half the battle is getting there, or putting my shoes on.  At the end of the day, all I really need is a picture of my unhappy self before I lost weight and the reminder that that could easily happen again.

 Hope that helps you in some way.

Thanks for the replies everybody! :)

My motivation was by seeing people achieving their goal.

I achieved mine so maybe I could inspire someone in here?

It's not easy, takes time but with some motivation, you can achieve anything you want.

Loud, cheesy, early 90s dance music is the ticket - ie "Everybody Dance Now" on full blast.  It'll get you  moving, and if you're already off your ass why not just go running?

*Or "Move This (Shake That Body)" by Technotronic :)

Well, if I don't go to the gym, I sit at home and mope and eat because I'm bored and feeling guilty about not working out--- which is doubly counter-productive! So this motivates me to get off my butt.

Results = Do the work = Motivation.

If I want something, my motivation to do the work is that very desire. No games. No tricks. I want this, this is what I have to do. End of story.

I get in the gym, I have my list of exercises, and I don't leave until they are done.


The only thing that ever stops me is injury.

I agree with kate gw.

Just tell yourself that you'll only run or work out for 10 minutes or so, or 1/2 the distance that you go and if you don't want to continue then you can stop and you'll be done (something's better than nothing).  but more times than not, once you're out there, you'll want to keep going.  Everytime that I've done this, I have either done the full workout or more than I said I was going to do.  Good luck~