how to get motivated for fitness

I have been active and healthy as long as I can live.. I started in the early years where my dad would take us (my sister and I) to the swim hall, go for bikerides or just long walks on Sunday afternoons. I found a huge appreciation for the sport called Handball (European), when I was 12. Later in my teens I discovered the gym. I was scared of it. Big men with massive arms, sweaty ladies and their unshaved legs.... thumbs down!! But there was something about finishing a work out that just felt good to me. I liked it. And now, I can check of pilates, running, hiking, climbing, weights, indoor cycling, swimming, fast walking, yoga, dancing and many many more things that we relate to work out that I have tested out, tried and failed, loved an hated.

At this point in my life working out is essential. I am 24, married I'm eager to stay fit, stay healthy and grow old strong! Some people look at it like this: I run for 45minutes today, and I will have to do it again, and again, and again. You can just feel the low motivation, low energy that is evolving around such an attitude. But then again, that might exactly be where the problem is! Low motivation for working out. "Why go to the gym and waste my time, when I could be hanging out m´with my boyfriend?", "I think I`d rather eat less...." "I hate sweating" You would be surprised by how normal that statement is!!

I personally LOVE working out. Love sweating, love running, love pushing myself, love drinking lots of water, love loud music to do cardio to. One time I just had to run, far, and did not give it much thought that it was over 100F/40C outside and only to get even warmer. I sat out for this loop around our lovely rivertrail in Redding, CA. Its exactly 5.8 miles, and counting a couple more as I ran from my house. It didnt take me long before I was very dehydrated and nearly feverish so that my body could deal with all the heath! I just pushed trough and did not have the funnest couple of days after it. Why? Because I had not been very smart. I didn't look ahead to plan what the outcome might be. But that how you learn. SO =) here it is: some pointers on how to have a succesful work out. Before and after and LOTS of fun!

1. Dream a little...or a lot!
    It`s OK to want to be thinner, healthier, have a bouncier butt, run a marathon, or loose 10 pounds. 
    Be honest with yourself and DIG UP those dreams that so easily can get lost in all the business         around us. What do you need from yourself in order to be happy? Write it down, talk to a friend about it,
2. Throw out the trash!
    Is there a pile of trash hindering you from reaching the door? It can be a negative experience, hurting friendships, a stressful job or a messy economy that is holding you back from reaching your goals. When you are ready to be real about achieving your goals, you do whatever takes to clean out your walk path so you can get anywhere. And that takes us to our next step...
3. Be proactive!
    Don`t listen to anyone saying that "if it isn't more then 40 minutes on the treadmill a day then its not worth it. A 20 minute walk is better then nothing! 10 minutes of weightlifting in your living room is better then not doing it. Just do something. Get a new pair of running shoes, put on your favorite Natasha Bedingfield song and dance your heart out, watch The Biggest looser and get motivated. The hope here is that you start walking, moving in the direction of your dream by doing something. For the longest time I would go to Barnes and Nobles and just read trough all the fitness magazines I could find. I loved getting new work out ideas, seeing other peoples achievements etc. I longed for my own achievements one day but at least I was surrounding me with what I am passionate about.
4. Who`s your daddy!?
    Are you surrounding yourself with people you wanna become like? It is absolutely vital for your future in health and fitness that you surround yourself with people that has gone the path your on. It might just be getting around a friend who goes to the gym weekly. Or, if you dream about becoming a swim teacher for kids, go find a place in your town that offers that and get to know the people in charge. It is the only way your gonna get better, is if you are around people that are better then you. Allot of people needs to stop thinking they can rely on themselves to achieve something they time after time have proven to fail. It`s OK to seek help from other people. =)
5. Plan it!
     I know your busy and don't have time for anything else to be added to your schedule. But one way to get lots of stuff done, is to schedule your work outs, meals and maybe even laundry..
Smart successful people have an ability to look ahead and be realistic: If I go to bed at 10PM, I can wake up rested till about 6.30AM, go straight to the gym and have a great work out. Then head to the grocery store and stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables. Make a nutritious smoothie that I'm drinking while I get started on laundry. Then I jump in the shower and get ready for the day and its only 9AM. Boom. Had I decided to go to bed at midnight, I would have needed to sleep till 9AM....
Just sayin =)
6. Play and have fun!
    Not only for motvational purposes, but for so many more reason should you mix up your active playtime everyday. Go running outside in the park one day, take a zumba class the next, sign up for personal training twice a week, go for a swim at the lake or bike there... There is so many options for staying active and getting fit. It`s not OK to be bored in working out!

.......Hope this was helpful for someone.
Ill probably add more later.... But for now, I have to go and spend my time well. I have two days ahead full of Spinning fun so that I can become a Spinning instructor. WooooooP!!!;)