Do you sometimes struggle to stay motivated to exercise? Are there days you would rather lounge on the couch than head to the gym or go out for a long, energizing run?

If you experience ebbs and flows in your motivation levels, it can help to give yourself a little pep talk to re-energize your physical fitness enthusiasm.

Focus on the following five factors and you just might feel motivated enough to spring off the couch and into your running shoes.

How to stay motivated when you don’t feel like exercising.
1. Learn to be patient with yourself
2. Remember that exercise makes you stronger
3. Remember why you started exercising
4. Stop comparing yourself to others
5. Remember that results come with hard work

1. Learn to be patient with yourself

Learn to be patient with yourself when you don’t feel like working out. Everyone has off days when their motivation wanes.

If you focus on pushing through your feelings of complacency, you’ll end up being proud of yourself for being strong enough to do what is right for your body.

2. Remember that exercise makes you stronger

Remember that the more you exercise, the stronger you will become. You don’t start out feeling like you can run a marathon; the strength to purse your physical fitness goals comes with time and effort.
Increased stamina is the reward for consistent effort; know your efforts will be rewarded with a better body and increased health.

3. Remember why you started exercising

Remind yourself why you started working out in the first place and focus on your original motivation(s). When you remind yourself of the original impetus to start working out, your attitude will improve and you will be enthusiastic about exercise again.

4. Stop comparing yourself to others

Don’t compare yourself to others when you are feeling less than energized.

Comparing yourself to others who are in better shape does nothing to motivate you to succeed. Understand that you are on your own physical fitness journey and your path to increased health is yours alone.

5. Remember that results come with hard work

Understand that results only come with hard work. Wanting to be in better shape or wishing you had a healthier body won’t get you anywhere.

It is only with a willingness to put in the work necessary will you achieve your physical fitness goals. Remind yourself that wishing is for fairy tales; real athletes do the hard work necessary to achieve their goals.

Whether you are trying to lose weight fast or build a more toned physique, exercising is a necessary part of meeting your goals.

It is only with consistent effort that you will be successful. Remember these five tips the next time you are feeling less than motivated; you’ll be surprised at just how helpful a little motivational talk can be. Is this the year you commit to living a healthier life?