Work It Out

Have you found an exercise routine that fits you? When you work out, what messages are running through your head? How you think about exercise greatly influences how you feel about it — and how likely you are to stick with it, according to a study at Duke Diet and Fitness. If your self-talk during exercise is negative, your experience with exercise will be negative, too.

Do any of the following thoughts sound familiar?

I hate to exercise.

I'm not a athlete.

I stink at this.

Everyone is looking at me.

I missed a workout, so I may as well stop trying

I'm too exhausted to exercise.

I'm never going to reach my goal.

If any of these — or any other — negative messages come to mind during your workouts, try replacing them with the following:

I will keep trying new things, until I find an activity I enjoy.

I will get better at this over time.

I don’t care what others think of me.

I may have missed a workout, but today is a new day and I can get back to it.

I'm tired, but I'll try for just 10 minutes of exercise and then see how I feel.

I can and will reach my goal.

After I exercise, I really feel accomplished and good about myself.

This week, pay attention to the thoughts you're having during exercise and focus on replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. Doing so will make your workouts less work and more enjoyable.