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It’s no secret that we should all be regularly exercising, but that doesn’t stop us from making excuses, does it? Let’s face it — we can find just about any way to justify skipping a workout. Whether it’s staying inside on a cold day to cuddle or telling ourselves it’s too hot to go outside, there’s always an excuse. But we’re to tell you it doesn’t have to be like that! You can equip yourself with an arsenal of motivators to fight the urge to welch on your workouts. Let’s look at a few, shall we?

1. When it comes to goals, start off small.

A lot of the time when you start a new workout routine, it’s normal to set your sights on the horizon toward the end goal. But try to dial it back a few steps and create more short-term goals along the way. Let’s say your ultimate goal is to lose 20 pounds and get totally ripped — that’s great! But how about for the next couple weeks you set a goal to run an extra mile or bench press 10 pounds more than usual? It’s going to be the little victories that keep you going.

2. Pay attention to the gradual improvements.

It can be hard to see progress from a bird’s-eye view. That’s why it’s important to treat your gains like your goals — spend time noticing the small improvements. There’s nothing more motivating than seeing and feeling the gradual progress that comes from consistent exercising. Once you realize you’re the one responsible for all the growth you’re seeing, you’re going to want to keep that trend going and going.

3. Lay out your clothes the night before.

This one little trick can inspire more motivation than you might think. If you lay out your clothes all ready for your workout the next morning, you’ll feel guilty if you walk past them. It’s a lot easier to just throw them on first thing in the morning, then you’re basically obligated to exercise unless you want to be labeled a poser, right?

4. Write yourself motivational messages each day.

Sticky notes are a motivator’s best friend, especially when you’re starting off a brand-new routine. Don’t be ashamed to juice yourself up with some inspirational “go get ‘em” messages stuck to your mirror. You know what will inspire yourself more than anyone, but if you need some external help, there are plenty of options. You can find a bunch of apps that will serve you up a fresh motivational message each day, like FitQuote.

5. Have a friend to hold you accountable.

When you go to the gym with a friend, it’s kind of like you’re tethered to each other. When one falters and has a lazy day, the other can help drag them along. But even if your designated exercise accountability partner isn’t physically near you, it helps to simply send them a text saying that you worked out. Or if they’re up for the commitment, have them text you on a regular basis to make sure you’re sticking to your exercises.

6. Visualize the benefits.

Even before you put on your shoes to go out the door, think about how good you’re going to feel after your workout. You’ll get an amazing dose of endorphins to supercharge the rest of your day right after your exercise, and then you’ll sleep like a baby. Aside from that, there’s the inevitable boost to your overall self-confidence, plus the improvement to your health in general. If that doesn’t get you going, just imagine how smug you can act when you brag to your friends about working out later!

We know it’s not always easy to get up and get going, but you have to start sometime — so why not now? Try out a few of our tips and let us know how it goes!