How to motivate yourself to do aerobic excercise

Aerobic exercise, which literally translates as “with oxygen” is one of the most beneficial types of physical fitness you can do to lose weight and get in shape. It includes many activities, such as jogging, walking, cycling, swimming, and dancing.

Sometimes also referred to as “cardio”, these types of exercise help you increase your heart rate and get oxygen pumping through your bloodstream. They also help you burn calories quickly and effectively. With just 30 minutes of regular aerobic activity three times a week you can begin seeing great improvements in your health, level of physical fitness, and lose weight.

The biggest problem for many people however is finding the motivation and the time to get started in these types of activities. If you are very out of shape, it can be daunting and even difficult to get started, as you may feel out of breath after just a few minutes! Here are some tips to help you get started out in working towards a healthier and happier you:

1. Start Off Small: You don’t need to run a marathon your first day. In fact, it could even be dangerous for you to jump right away into a very physically demanding activity if you are very out of shape. Instead, try doing simple and less demanding activities at first. Maybe you will walk for 10 minutes a day for two weeks and then gradually increase it to 15 minutes, then 25 minutes. Once you’ve gotten accustomed to walking, then you could begin exploring other activities such as jogging or doing aerobics videos.

2. Give Yourself a Reward: Sometimes the intrinsic motivation of becoming healthier just isn’t enough. Rewards don’t need to be elaborate or expensive. One good example of a reward is if you spend 30 minutes exercising you give yourself 30 minutes of relaxing time in a hot bubble bath or doing one of your favorite hobbies. You can also set up weekly or monthly rewards, such as a new book to read if you stuck to your goals for the month.

3. Enlist Support of Others: It can be lonely exercising all by yourself. You may be able to get family or friends to join in your quest for a more active lifestyle, or you can even find people online to connect with. Having others to talk to and share the frustrations of getting started can be a great help in staying on track.

4. Think Positively: Instead of thinking “this is too hard” or “I just can’t do it” instead focus on the positives. Think about how much healthier you are becoming or how impressive it is that you can walk up a flight of stairs without losing your breath.

5. Schedule It: We all have very busy lives and sometimes doing aerobics just isn’t a top priority. Create an appointment for yourself – even if you do plan on working out at home. Treat it with the same importance as you would a doctor’s appointment, important event, or meeting. Remember that your health is just as equally important if you want to be able to enjoy the most out of life!

If you follow these 5 simple steps, you’ll find it much easier to begin a workout routine and get in shape. Be sure before starting any exercise program you speak to your doctor or a fitness trainer to find out which types of activities are the most suitable for you, especially if you have a history of health conditions.

About the Author:

Chelle writes about weight loss motivation and fitness on her website LoseFree.com where you can also download a free exercise log to help you track your progress.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How to Motivate Yourself to Do Aerobic Exercise