Mental motivation during workout

This sounds like me :(

I read while I ride my stationary recumbent bike...the better the book, the longer I ride:)

My throwing coach in high school taught me this one, and I love her for it:

Count down, not up. Don't count "1, 2, 3, etc." when counting reps. Count "15, 14, 13, 12, etc." It's a small thing, but it's so much easier to just push through "3, 2, 1" than "13, 14, 15"!

lately I've been struggling to get out and move. I think mental motivation has something to do with it.

music with a driving bass and up tempo drums.

In addition to fast-paced music that I enjoy listening to in order to keep my energy up, if I'm feeling like I need help finishing out the set, I think encouraging thoughts such as "You're strong" or "Doing great" or "Let's try for one more rep" or something like that.

Thought process or visualization for mental motivation during workout.

Thought process
- I join a class,or workout with a friend -- I don't want to be lazy in front of others
- I tell myself I only have to do 10 minutes, usually once I start, I can keep going, the hardest part for me sometimes is to get started.
- I set up a pattern in the workout sometimes counting off the seconds from one interval to the next

I listen to music

Music does it for me. If I forget my earbuds, I just can't quite get it together in the gym.

When I am doing cardio on the Adaptive Motion Trainer or Stationary Bike, I can often talk myself into going for "just one more song" or there has been a time or two when I felt just done and a certain song will come on and it is just, "Oh YEAH!"

I will finish my sets when doing weights, even if I pause and drop down a level to do it.

Today I put on an exercise DVD that I hadn't done in a while. It was purchased when I was younger and it is now much too fast paced for me. I did what I could and kept moving even though I couldn't follow her at all times. When the 25 minutes were done, I threw the darned thing away and took out another dvd that I enjoy for tomorrow. Moral: congratulate yourself on doing ANY extra movement that is above and beyond your ordinary routine and find something you truly enjoy. Congratulate yourself every day on any small steps you take......they add up! Thinking you're not doing enough is a sure fire way to lose interest in exercise and not do anything at all.

If a workout is too hard for me, I must confess I don't push through it.
I do as much as I can do comfortably, and I increase intensity or duration gradually, as I get stronger.
I'm a lazy woman if it's about intensity - but I'm good at consistency so eventually get there!

Mantras help. "Fitter every step," is a good one for walks, run, treadmill, stair stepper, elliptical. "Fit and Fine, fit and fine, fit and fine" helps on any task.

Those work for me. Perhaps something else will motivate you. Best wishes!

My biggest challenge is keeping mental focus. i lower my intensity because my mind and body get distracted. i dont always need mental motivation, i need to stay focused

I tell myself I can do 8 more. Or just 10 min. When I am running I chant "just keep going" until I am done. Hope some of tips help.

Mine is always the thought that I do not want another heart attack! So daily exercise for me is non negotiable and I actually love it.

Just thinking how much better I will feel & look.

Definitely music.

If I'm not following a workout video then like other's said music helps to keep distracted but if I am following a video and I'm feeling like quitting early I try to visualise Wonder Woman and try to make her proud

Mine is music for sure....good fast beats make the workout fly by

As long as those last few reps aren't more than you really should be doing (!)… just take a deep breath, remind your inner child ---you know, the whiny one--LOL---WHY you are doing them, and that you really DO have the inner strength to see it through. Having a serious conversation with yourself always works!!

I also have a few old favorite songs which I will actually *sing the words to* to distract my mind when I get in a difficult place out biking or hiking....
patti

Music. Certain songs always make me want to push harder.

Loud music pumps me up! High beat dance music usually does it for me.

My playlist is what gets me through...alot of fast paced rock n roll,rap metal and heavy metal .....kinda gets the anger factor going

Does anyone have a good mental thought process or visualization you use to push through a workout? Sometimes on set 2 of a strength training workout I stop a few reps early because my muscles feel tired. I always feel a little disappointed in myself for not pushing through.