INSPIRATION


We’ve all been there—we make up our minds that we’re going to start exercising, and then we get stuck in a rut. We may have trouble finding the motivation to keep going or struggle with the feeling that it’s just another box to check on our to-do list. But if we take a moment to look inward, we can find our own personal “why” for exercise that will help us stay motivated and positive. Here’s how!


Exploring Your Why

The first step is exploring what motivates you. Ask yourself why exercise has become important to you. Is it because you want to increase your overall health, or because you need to feel better mentally and emotionally? Do you want more energy? Or do you want an activity that will help relieve chronic pain? No matter why you are starting an exercise routine, taking some time to identify your “why” can be incredibly helpful in keeping yourself motivated.


Once you’ve identified one or two strong motivations for exercising, start thinking about how those reasons might apply to other areas of your life. Is there a way you can use these same motivators in other aspects of yourself? For example, if staying fit is important because it gives you energy, ask yourself if there are any other activities that make you feel energized and fulfilled—maybe learning a new skill? Or volunteering at a local cause? Understanding how these motivators tie into other aspects of yourself will help keep them fresh and relevant during challenging times in between workouts.


Making Exercise Manageable and Sustainable


Having a clear understanding of why exercise matters to you will also help make it more manageable and sustainable in the long run. When deciding which exercises are right for you, consider what kind of activities bring out the best in yourself—not just physically, but mentally too. This may mean trying different things until something sticks—and that’s okay! If running isn’t quite working out (no pun intended), try swimming or yoga instead; if strength training isn’t doing much for your mood, try going for a hike! The key is finding something that works for YOU and YOUR body, not necessarily what everyone else is doing or what’s trending.


Making It Fun

Finally, make working out fun! Exercise doesn’t have to be boring or intimidating; no one said anything about running on a treadmill for hours at a time! You might find something exciting and different that also gives you the results you’re looking for. And don’t forget the power of community; meeting people who share similar goals can take away any sense of loneliness associated with exercising alone at home or outdoors.


Understanding why exercise matters to YOU is an essential part of building a routine that works with YOUR body and YOUR lifestyle. Identifying your motivations helps ensure that all aspects of fitness—from nutrition to physical activity—are approached thoughtfully and with intentionality so that they will be sustainable over time rather than burnout-inducing short-term goals. So take some time today to think about what motivates YOU when it comes to exercise! It could be the difference between success and failure when striving towards achieving your goals (whatever they may be).


Good luck!







Jaime Glassman

Jaime has been helping individuals with pain, injuries and illness move better, feel good in their bodies and regain their independence. Jaime is passionate about teaching people how to integrate exercise and movement solutions into their lives to make it easier to be better more often.