Motivation to Work Out: What Gets You Moving?

05.01.2015

Motivation to Work Out: What Gets You Moving?

Healthy Kitchenability, Nisa Burns Cochran

Getting out and exercising is not easy for me at all. I am not a fan of running on a treadmill; it makes me feel like a hamster. Honestly, I wish I had the motivation to get out and run 10 miles and work out an hour a day. But, unfortunately, I do not.

I do motivate myself enough to eat very healthy, though. I do not eat any processed sugar or drink any soda. So, I am half way there.

As hard as it is for me to get out and find time to work out (ultimate excuse ever, right?), I do have a constant reminder and a buddy who gets me moving. His name is Archer and he is my lab mix. He helps me get motivated. Why, you ask? Because Archer needs at least a half an hour run/ walk a day to not be a crazy dog. Being part lab, he has a lot of energy and will retrieve tennis balls for days. With all this pent up energy, he can become a nuisance at times. So, he keeps me from being a couch potato.

I know that I would love to relax when I get home after a long day at work, but when I come home to a dog that has slept all day long, running circles around me, and inching towards his leash bin, I know it’s exercise time!

During the summer, it’s a lot easier to work out with him with the weather being nicer. In the winter, though, it’s almost torture. When I see how extremely excited he gets when the leash comes out, and the tennis ball is shoved in my pocket, a smile always spreads across my face. How can I deny this cute dog a walk? This simple thing brings him so much joy.

So, as I give in to him, put my tennis shoes on, and put the head phones in, he looks back at me and I know he’s thinking: it’s time to work out, mom.

Archer is truly the best workout partner ever. Do you have a good workout buddy? Someone that pushes you? Or something that motivates you to get off the couch???