How to Motivate Yourself to Exercise (Even on a Bad Day)

Sometimes, no matter how much you want it or need it, getting the motivation to get that booty moving can be nearly impossible. Here are a few tips and tricks to get you going anyway:

1: Have an inspiration board.

Now, this could be an actual board of images and quotes up in your room (usually called a “dream board”). Dream boards can be wonderful, and there are so many different ways to make them, so you're bound to find a way that suits you and your bedroom/home decor. 

This could also be a Pinterest board dedicated to quotes that inspire you, and workouts or pictures of fit people that just really remind you of what it is you're working towards.

I have both a fitness board (with workouts and inspiring images), and an inspiration board dedicated to anything I find inspiring in general. Having these can be super beneficial, and can really give you a way to find that oomph that you need to get motivated.

Another awesome way to remind yourself that you really do want to exercise is Tumblr. 

There are amazing Tumblr blogs out there, run by people who know what it's like to be uncomfortable with yourself, and know what it's like to have bad days and weeks, and they've pushed through anyway. Having someone to look up to that has been through the same kind of thing can be an incredible incentive. A few of my favorites are peanutbutterbrunette, thefitally, and addicted--to-healthy. They're run by lovely young girls who are very open about their struggles and their progress. Even on my worst days, they really help get me out the door, and I'm sure they'll help you too!

2: Schedule it!

Scheduling your workouts and treating them like you would any other calendar event can work wonders for your activity levels. Often times, we find ourselves avoiding the gym because we "don't have time." Well, add that workout to your calendar, set a few reminders, and voila! Suddenly not only do you have time to work out, you actually have scheduled time to work out!

3: Love yourself.

A lot of us start exercising, or want to for the wrong reasons - because we hate our stomachs, or because we don't look like that awesomely attractive person we saw in an ad two days ago. And, while that can be enough some days, often times, it's just another reason to stay in bed. Hating yourself will never get you anywhere. But, if you love yourself, you'll want what's best for yourself. Just like how you want the people you love to make the most of their lives, and do what's best for them, you'll want to eat better and work out more, because it will make your body healthy and happy. When you love someone, that's all you really want for them, anyway! 

Loving yourself can be really, really hard, so I try to take time every day to just look in the mirror and say (no matter how I really feel), "You're strong. You're beautiful. You're smart. You can do great things. People love you. I love you."

Over time, something like that can change your entire outlook on yourself, and life in general.

It can be difficult sometimes to find the drive it takes to get off your butt and get things done, but with the right amount of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, you can do it. But let me be very clear; your mental health is just as important as your physical health. So, if you're trying and trying to find that motivation, but you just can't, don't beat yourself up. Some days, our minds need us more than our bodies. Everyone has a down day sometimes, and that’s okay. 

So, make that Pinterest board. Put it on your calendar. But always put your emotional health first. 

Now, get on out there and crush it!