my biggest problem with exercising is motivation. I know what exercises to do, which ones work what muscles, and how to space out the parts of my body that I work on, but I cant seem to get myself to the gym. I always find my self saying "oh I have to do dishes" or "I have to clean" or "I have homework" or "I need to run errands" so by the time I am done with everything I no longer have time for the gym!

What tricks or tips do you have for making sure you make it to the gym?

I started doing my workouts first before other chores and commitments. I also have decided to just do things I enjoy...I love yoga and Pilates so I go to those and them fit in the circuit weights before or after but it's the fun stuff that gets me to the gym. But whatever works for you. Right now I've got a new strength routine I'm working on and it isn't very many exercises I can do it in under 30 minute sessions 3 times a week.

And I prefer to be outside walking rather than doing cardio at the gym, that is joyful for me and easier to do later in the day.

1. Exercise in the morning, first thing!
2. You brush your teeth? If you didn't you'd look pretty awful after a while... You balance your check book? Probably, and if you didn't you'd be screwed when it comes to paying the rent, bills, etc... Same goes with exercise, add it in your schedule and DO IT!! No ifs, ands or buts, after a while it's second nature you just go about your workout routine...

These things help me stay motivated:
1.) If I make it a routine. At certain days at certain times I exercise. I just get used to it.
2.) If I have an exercise buddy, I don't want to let the person down and stick to it more often.
3.) Posting my exercise on a forum or blog helps.
4.) Thinking of myself as a person who works out and is in shape and not wanting to "break my identity".
5.) When I don't feel like exercising, I try to trick myself saying: "I'm just going to do it for 10 minutes." Usually I end up doing it longer.

I gave up the gym because it was too complicated to get there and park...then time consuming and finally expensive, so I had every reason in the book to avoid going.

I decided to stop the charade and I invested about $200 in exercise equipment (less than HALF the gym membership fees) for home. I got a spinning bike, a rebounder, yoga mat & blocks and some dumbbells.

Having everything at home, I though, would be motivating enough, but it's not!! If I have a coffee first thing in the morning, I am guaranteed not to work out that day.

Like others, I have to work out FIRST THING before I even brush my teeth or have a coffee. It really works for me. I used to hate getting up an hour earlier than my bf just to work out, but I'm so used to it now, it's become a habit. And I like the solitude and quiet of working out at home early in the morning.

I get my workout clothes out the night before and put them on before I have time to think. I then lie to myself and tell myself that I"ll only do 15 or 20 minutes but I always do more...it's easier once you get started.