So I'm starting back at the gym this week after doing no exercise for... um... well I try not to think about how long ;) All those dedicated gym-bunnies out there (here's looking at you Wayne, and others) - how do you stay motivated? How do you force yourself to go get fit even when you're tired and can't be bothered? Any tips?

Tania......... good for you.. getting back into the circut....
I go to the gym 6 days a week.... To stay motivated, you have to think of the benefits of a good workout.... the after buzz... and give yourself time to maybe go for a spa or swim afterwards.
Set a goal... and try to stick to it.....

I know you can do it.... keep me posted... Tam xx

i need to go on a diet... i have always been little and i have taken it for granted. i havent ever worked out of the gym but i am feeling like i have put a bit of weight on and feeling like i am no looking my greatest... so any advice would be wondeful... especially easy simple diet tips that arn't extreme please... i dont do extreme!

well "im on this diet where i dont eat any thing and then when i feel like im about to faint i eat a cube of cheese"! lol (from the devil wears prada) im terrible i harldy do anything(dancing is pretty much it oh and i love skipping!) my bf is a triathlete so he does enough for us both i recon!

Through my teens I used to be involved in sport/exercise around 6 days a week. But at 18 I kind of quit everything sport-related and really started getting into music. It's only in the last 2 years I've started getting worried about my health.
What I've realised is that I've lost almost all the discipline I had when I was training back in my teens, which is a real pain in the ass. I really think getting that discipline back will help with exercising but right now I am my worst enemy its terrible.

Just take it slowly and focus on consistency. Everytime someone I know joins a gym, they end up going hell for leather for 3+ times a week. It's better to go maybe two to three times a week consistently and keep going, even when you don't feel like it.

I just go about it on fixed days now. A few weeks ago, I was juggling between running on alternate days to going to the gym and ended up exhausting myself too much. So now it's gym twice a week, running twice a week and resting the rest of the days.

It's tough initially to push yourself, but keep going :) It's worth it!

Thank you everyone - I somehow missed all these responses, I thought no-one had replied. :D Anyway it's all good advice - I'm certainly not one to over-do it so a few days a week is more than enough for me to start with. It's also a matter of being insanely busy all the time - I simply don't have enough time to spend hours at the gym every day. But i'm looking forward to feeling healthier, maybe loosing a kilo or two and just generally toning up.

get a friend (i go with my mom, 3 mornings a week- neither of us are morning people) and then when u dont wanna go, they drag you (and when they dont wanna go, you drag them). but trust me, the best motivation comes as soon as you see some results!

as soon as my life settles down a bit (it is crazy chaos at the moment... one of those totally YUCKY moments) i am going to start pilates i think... 2 times a week sounds good... i am not a gym do the circuit push myself type of person i dont think. Plus I just need to tone, i'm not trying to loose huge amounts of weight or anything. Is Pilates the best option for me?

I agree with ruru; having a friend to go with is the best motivator because you push each other along.

Try to find someone who is at about the same fitness standard or slightly higher; having a friend who's a gym junkie can be hard to keep up with and just disheartens you if they leave you in the dust (not that I'm implying you'll be left in the dust, Tania; just a general observation of people saying "well you can't talk! you've been doing this for years!").

And Corrine; the best diet and exercise regime is to take is slow and slowly introduce changes; going at it like a bull at a gate is too sudden and you're more likely to 'rebel' and do exactly what you're trying not to. Try to avoid really refined foods and if you're hungry, snack on fruit or veggies or nuts; they'll keep you fuller for longer and it helps to fight against junk food addiction! Pilates is a fantastic option; it helps increase strength and flexibility and you can start off slow - I say go for it!

Hope this helps!

This has been a Courtenay Bisson presentation.