You have resolved to get into better shape. You want to exercise because you know it is good for your heart, lungs, bones and mind. Yet like the majority of busy, responsible adults, you struggle with getting motivated to exercise. You regret wasting money on gym memberships that you never used. You regret buying exercise equipment that just ended up taking up space in your home. You like the idea of exercising at home, as you don’t need to spend money on another health club membership or waste the time driving to and from your club. Read the following guidelines to help you find inspiration for your home exercise program.

Think about your goals for exercise to help you find motivation. Likely, you want to lead a healthier life and be alive to enjoy your children and grandchildren. The most common goal for exercising seems to be the desire to lose weight. Maybe you hope to build your cardiovascular endurance. Set a daily goal (exercise for thirty minutes today) and a weekly goal (I’ll exercise at least three times this week).

The secret is training yourself to develop “intrinsic motivation” or internal motivation, so that you rely on yourself for emotional strength and inspiration. Most of us depend on “extrinsic motivation” or external motivation, and place the center for control of our lives in the hands of our spouses or partners, children, neighbors, co-workers, or even strangers. We typically wait for the people in our lives to inspire us and get us moving, but people tend to disappoint us, and everybody has their own problems and worries to manage.

Keep an exercise journal or blog. Every time after you exercise, record in your journal or blog the date, the amount of time that you exercised for and the type of exercise that you did (ie; April 10 – 45 minutes – swimming in backyard pool). Expand on each entry if it helps you feel inspired to continue with your exercise program. For instance, you can record your feelings that you experienced before, during and after exercising, and you might want to record your body weight once per week.

Ask your spouse or partner, your child or your close friend to act as a “personal trainer” or “exercise accountability partner” for you. Talk with you spouse or child about the exercise that you perform each day or week. Better yet, encourage your spouse or child to exercise with you. Call your friend once a week for a weekly “check-in” and tell her or him about the types of exercises you performed during the week and the duration of your exercising routine.

Music is a powerful and healing motivator. Invest in different genres of music and different bands that inspire and energize you. Play music as you do your home cardiovascular and strength-training exercise program. Play relaxing and soothing music when you do your stretching and relaxation exercises.