Exercise and fitness: motivation, part 0

Self-tutoring about motivation towards exercise: the tutor reflects.

In my experience, exercise is less comfortable than relaxing. So how does a person propel themselves from relaxing to exercise? Perhaps just as importantly, how to ensure they work hard enough to get the benefit they want?

One trick I use is calorie counting. Even our 20+ year old exercise bike has a calorie counter. I know how many calories I can manage in 20 minutes (300 on that bike), so I push hard, trying to reach that goal. Later, the 5 minute cool down feels good. A couple stretches after…done:)

After a while I got bored with making 300 calories every time. Instead of trying for more, I tried to make 300 in 19 minutes, rather than 20. That motivator sustained me through many workouts. Somehow, finishing that minute early was worth fighting hard for.

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.