Don’t hate them—copy them.
Do it to feel good
 |
If you think that every workout you do needs to
be at 110 percent, you may get discouraged when you have an off day.
“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to go hard every single
workout, just getting enough in to feel good," says Sydney Stargatt, 27.
(These common exercise moves actually work against you.)
Let it inspire you
 |
Some people find inspiration when they are
sweating. It may be one of the best ways to decompress the mind and
leave room for new ideas to transpire. “I work out so I can think about
other things. I write scripts in my head, produce video, plan my next
photo shoot. Working out time is sometimes my most creative time of the
day,” says Annmarie Bain, 50. (Here are 15 great reasons to take a 15-minute walk.)
[post_ads_2]
[post_ads_2]
Choose activities you enjoy
 |
If you hate running and think that’s the only
way to get a good work out in, think again! “Doing what you love versus
working out just to workout is key. You won't catch me doing SoulCycle,
but I'll be on my road bike," says Lolita Cipriano, 37. (Commuting to work on your bike can actually help you beat stress all day long!)
Hire some professional help
 |
You can also leave it to the professionals to
come up with a workout plan for you and keep you motivated. “Having a
trainer means I feel accountable to work out. I won't miss a workout or a
class regardless of the time if I convince myself that the trainer or
instructor would be devastated if I missed class,” says Hilary Rainey,
28. (These are secrets personal trainers won’t tell you for free.)
Schedule your workouts at the beginning of the week
 |
When you add your workouts to your calendar,
you’re less likely to bail on that class. “I put recurring events with
10-minute pop-up reminders on my work Google calendar for Monday and
Friday bootcamp and Thursday yoga. It helps me set a timeline for the
week,” says Olivia Lin, 28. (If you need some motivation to exercise,
here are some tricks you haven't tried yet.)
Choose a time when you have the most energy
 |
If you aren’t a morning person and choose to
work out then, you’ll find it to be harder to staying committed. (By the
way, here's how to become a morning person.)
Instead choose a time that you know you’re usually alert. “The more I
work out, the more I want to continue working out and the better it gets
so its important not to break that stride. I’m a morning person, so I
know that harder workouts need to happen in the morning because after a
work day, I’m usually too tired to do anything too strenuous, except
yoga, which I can do anytime,” says Bibi Nunez, 36.
[post_ads_2]
[post_ads_2]
Surround yourself with people who GET it
 |
If you’re constantly surrounded by inactive
people chances are you will follow in those same footsteps. Instead you
have to find workout buddies who you can bond with over a sweat session.
“You have to spend time with people who are already that way. Find
people who inspire you (instructors, influencers, friends) and orbit
their circle. You become like the people you spend the most time with!”
says Emily O’Connell, 28. (Here are some ways you can sneak in workouts even when you're out with friends.)
Stay in the know in the fitness world
 |
If you explore different avenues of fitness,
you’ll find it’s easier to remain active. “I like switching up different
types of exercises and classes according to favorite instructors, and
working toward a new goal, such as a race,” says Silke Haassemann, 44.
(Make sure you don't make these group fitness class mistakes, though.)
Explore the options that are out there
 |
Depending on where you live, you may find that
the fitness world is thriving with lots of chances to get fit. “NYC is
awesome for this as there are abundant studios and classes and clubs and
free workouts! If you overslept and missed your workout, there's a
lunch option; if you couldn't make it for lunch, there's a night workout
option,” says Bernadette Chan, 31. (Here are 11 fitness myths you need to stop believing.)
Have some healthy #bodygoals
 |
It doesn’t hurt if you have a specific
aesthetic goal such as toning up your legs or losing some weight. ”I
always remember the feeling of accomplishment I get after a workout.
That and I keep in mind that I’m working toward getting a bigger butt!”
says Kristine Santiago, 30. (These are 40 of the best weight loss tips we’ve ever read.)
Use it for an energy boost
 |
Believe it or not, exercise can replace your
morning cup of coffee if you do it right. “Exercise is my fuel. I make
sure to move first thing in the morning, especially on my busiest days.
It clears my mind, gives me lasting energy, and enables me to be more
productive. On days where I need more rest or I'm limited in time, I
make sure to simply move whether it's squats in my apartment or a series
of sun salutations. I believe that success is DRENCHED in sweat,” says
Michele Gordon, 27. (Here are 9 things your sweat says about your health.)
[post_ads_2]
[post_ads_2]
Exercise at home—Not just the gym
 |
Don’t restrict yourself to JUST the gym to
workout. You can easily get fit at home using minimal equipment. “I go
to sleep in my workout clothes so I just have to roll out of bed and put
on my sneakers. I work out from home five days a week for 30-minutes
and go through phases of going to the gym as well a couple days a week,”
says Katie Ervin, 29. (Here’s how you can get stronger arms without even lifting any weights.)
Use it as a natural stress reliever
 |
Life can get hectic sometimes all you need is
alone time to sweat the stress away. “I work out to keep my sanity.
Working out keeps my mind, body and soul balanced. Working out is up to
60 minutes of just you with no outside world noise," says Amanda
Margusity, 29. (Here more expert-approved stress management tips.)
[post_ads_2]
[post_ads_2]
Get addicted to the endorphins
 |
There’s a reason why a “runner’s high” goes by
that name. Endorphins play a big role in the way exercise makes you
feel. “The rush you feel while running, and the strength to feel after
accomplishing your goal for the night. There's nothing like it,” says
Rosa Guerrero, 27. (Here are some other ways you can boost your endorphins naturally.)
Change up your scenery and head outdoors
 |
Being outdoors is not only great to get fresh
air, but you will also trick your brain into thinking you’re doing
something new. “I bike just about every day. First thing in the morning
it clears my head and sets my mind for the day. I love to see the
sunrise and of course seeing the occasional wildlife make me happy,”
says Jill Ann Zocco, 44. (Plus, nature is your brain's miracle medicine!)
[post_ads_2]
[post_ads_2]
Set aside a few days out of the week to be active
 |
Even if you can’t get a full hour of exercise
in, it’s still important to move one way or another. “It's gotten to the
point where if I don't workout for more than two days in a row, I need
to do something like push-ups or else I'll feel off," says Laura Dolce,
27. (These are signs you have a sedentary lifestyle and need to move more.)
Don’t put pressure on yourself
 |
If a workout feels like “work,” it’s not a bad
thing to listen to your body and NOT exercise that day. “Just get there.
If you're still not happy about it within 10 minutes of beginning, give
yourself permission to leave it and come back another time. Chances are
you'll want to keep going. But if you don't, never punish yourself,”
says Caitlyn Seitz, 28. (Try using this trick to actually enjoy exercising.)
[post_ads_2]
Form habits that stick
 |
Sometimes it can be as simple as the monetary
aspect to get you going. “Everyone has a different way of forming
habits, but for me it was about the monetary incentive as in signing up
for a class that I am paying for versus paying for a gym membership, and
forcing myself to schedule this once a week,” Alex Miller, 33. (Here
are secrets for saving money on a gym membership.)
