In today's stressed out world, finding and keeping the motivation to exercise is one of the most difficult challenges in maintaining our health and wellness. In other areas of our lives we tend to do a much better job in balancing but for majority of us, exercise gets pushed to the side.

Motivation is what provides meaning for all our efforts. It's what gets us up in the morning. It's what puts a smile on our face. And it sustains us through tough times.

Most of us do have a strong sense of motivation in at least one area of our lives. It's what or who we love: our spouse, children, friends, pets or even a great job. We do anything to protect and be the best we can be regarding it. However when it comes to taking care of ourselves, our motivation often falters. Why is that?

We know that we need to take care of ourselves and that it's good for us. Problem is, knowing it is not enough to get most people maintaining a regular fitness routine. Excuses abound because we've been focusing outside ourselves.

What Motivates Us To Exercise

Motivation can come in many forms. An upcoming obligation or event may be enough to move us into action, like desiring to fit into that perfect wedding gown or tuxedo. New Year's Resolutions usually kick start the majority of people. In fact it's peak season at most fitness clubs.

A wake-up call may have come from our health care provider, warning us that we have now entered the high risk group for heart disease, cancer, or other life threatening illnesses. This may do the trick, but we've just added the extra stress and fear of illness or even death to our decision. It's certainly not a healthy state to be in, but unavoidable to many.

The most difficult hurdle we face to getting ourselves moving is an emotional one. If depressed already, finding the motivation to get on with an exercise routine seems almost impossible. This is despite the fact that regular exercise is a great stress reliever and depression fighter.

So, how do we get going down a path that's so good for us? What helps us take that first step or sustain a program already begun?

Internal Motivation

It starts inside. We need to turn that desire for something better into an intent to become healthier and more fit. We need to internalize the love we have for others into feeling more compassionate about ourselves. Everyone deserves to be fit. Well, we do too. And we don't have to go it completely alone. There are options to help us get focused and keep us on the right track.

Getting Help

Find a friend who will join a program with you. It's a great way to help and encourage each other when one of you is struggling. This friend will not only call you out when you falter, but actually help you get back on track. Be each others champions.

Do before and after Images. Taking pictures after each week will help you monitor you're gradual progress while letting go of expecting dramatic overnight changes.

Tell your friends and family you are committed to this fitness plan and you expect their support or complete non-interference.

Celebrate the milestones, be it a week of committed walking, to a smaller clothes size. Revel in all the victories no matter how small they seem.

Have a back-up plan in place before you begin your program, for those times when you are truly unable to meet your commitment. If you need to be away on a business trip, for example, commit to finding facilities there, either at a club or at the hotel itself. Ultimately, planning is the key to your success.

We can do this. We've seen it work with others now let's give this gift to ourselves