Staying Fit

We all have to motivate to exercise. For me the motivation is knowing I'm going to feel better afterwards and it's good for my long-term health. I love the endorphin rush. It makes me feel so awake and alive after a good workout. Somedays I'm tired and don't want to exercise, but I make myself at least do something. Here's a list of exercise "rules" I've read, heard, or experienced that seem to hold true:

Prioritize - Make exercise a priority in your life. There's always going to be something that comes up, life can be hectic! But make sure you take a few minutes to yourself and do SOMETHING.
Start small - Don't set out to become the hulk all in one day or you'll be setting yourself up for failure. Start with what you can do, even if that is just walking around the block or taking the stairs. Then gradually add on time and intensity. It may take longer to see results but those results will be something you can maintain.
Find a friend - One of my best motivations is knowing I have a friend waiting for me. Getting a friend or spouse involved with your exercise routine will not only motivate you to workout and make it more fun, but it will also get your loved one in shape.
Don't make it all or nothing - No time or energy for the gym? Go for a walk, lift some free weights at home, or something to get your blood pumping. It doesn't have to be an intense workout every day or failure (I have my walk around the block days!), but if you're going to skip your workout do at least a little something. And don't skip the workout as a general rule.
Toss the scale - It's not about how much you weigh, it's about how you look and feel. Do your pants fit? Can you walk up the stairs without getting winded? A lot of times when people start workout out they may gain weight because they are gaining muscle tone. That doesn't mean you won't be looking and feeling better though.
Change it up - Do you go to the gym MWF, use the elliptical for 20 minutes, and then leave? It's great you're doing something, but your body needs a change or it can't progress. Change up your workout periodically to keep your body working towards the next goal.
Do what works for you - If a cute gym outfit gets you in the workout mood, put it on. If the sound of Rocky on repeat pumps you up, download that baby to your IPod. If you love to run in the rain, move to Seattle.
Year round - New Year's resolutions are great, but find a workout routine you can maintain after January ends.

Bottom line - As long as you're doing something you're on the right track.

It doesn't have to be the gym!

Don't get me wrong, I love the gym. Maybe I'm an endorphin junkie but I love the cardio and weight machine options, the pool, the aerobics classes, the racquetball courts, and the fact I can workout at the same temperature all year round. But just because it works for me, doesn't mean it'll work for you. If you hate the gym, or you're looking for new ideas, here are a few suggestions:

Greenways/Parks
Meetup.com exercise groups
Fight Gone Mad ($)
Dance Classes (Many options, just look up "Dance Classes Charlotte") ($)
Pole Dancing Classes ($)
Yoga (Many options, just look up "Yoga Charlotte") ($) or Free Yoga
Jazzercise ($)