When you have a treadmill or a pair of walking shoes, good golly, those items are often more likely to gather dust than they are to actually get used. However, walking in general is super easy and beneficial exercise, so whatever motivation you need to get walking, well, by all means, use it! Whether you prefer to walk on a treadmill (which needs more motivation- find out why, and how to get it) or to walk outdoors, or whether you hate walking at all, at least learn how to get some motivation so you can get moving!

First of all, when you walk on a treadmill, you don’t vary your speed too often, nor does your terrain change. You just walk, and walk, and walk…and yes, you will be burning an average of 10 calories a minute if you’re walking a moderate pace, but how long can you actually stand walking on that boring old treadmill? This is one of many reasons why when it comes to treadmill walking or walking outside, fitness experts prefer the latter. You just get more out of outdoor exercise all around. So if you have a treadmill and currently aren’t using it, you have 2 options: dust it off or break out the walking shoes and walk around the block. If you still want to use that old treadmill, here are some tips for motivation:

Place that treadmill near a window, so you can crack open that window and let in some fresh air. Studies show that people are more likely to boost their energy levels when they work out in the sun and are enjoying the green scenery than people who work out in a room or in front of a TV. So if you insist upon using a treadmill, at least make it feel like you are outdoors, and make sure to vary your speed every now and then so you can get a somewhat natural feel of the outdoor terrain, which actually varies a lot and uses more muscles groups.

How about placing your treadmill in an area where you will always see it? If you keep your treadmill in the basement or in the guest bedroom, it’s more likely to become a clothes rack than get used for exercise. Do as my mom does and keep your treadmill in the kitchen or another area where it will look you in the face and remind you to use it. Tape a sign to your treadmill that says “30 minutes a day” or something similar to it (an old coworker of mine at the health club I worked at joked that she did this with her exercise bike). It just may work to get you moving!

Another tip that works for a friend of mine is to keep your workout gear and shoes next to your treadmill, so you can guilt trip yourself to work out. This especially works if you paid a decent amount of cash for your shoes and workout top and pants- if you aren’t going to wear them, then you wasted money, and that just may get your butt on that treadmill. But you need to see that gear sitting next to the treadmill so it can stick with you to use it.

To get yourself walking outdoors, get up early. The sooner you get your walk over with, the sooner you can move on with your life- seriously. For myself, I am much more likely to walk my dog in the morning when I first wake up than after a few hours. If you get your walk in before you get too busy with other things, then you can get it over with already, and move on with your day. Plus, you get the nice weather for walking and get to watch the sun come up.

Again, that investment in decent walking shoes will boost you into using them. Have you ever noticed that when you dress the part, you’re more likely to believe you are the part? Works for a job interview, dressing up for a date, and for exercise as well. If you dress like a person who works out, then you will more likely be a person who works out. And walking outdoors allows you to see all that pretty scenery (and boost your immunity to allergies, to boot), which keeps you outside longer.

What matters is that you walk at all, at least 15 minutes at a time. Even a mini workout can yield big results, and remember, you can burn an average of 10 calories a minute, which adds up over time! Whether you want to walk in your own home with your ancient treadmill, or get around to exploring your neighborhood, get those walking shoes on and get moving!

Sources:

personal motivation (myself and friends and mom)

http://www.realage.com/tips/the-best-place-to-walk?eid=1010643054&memberid;=50429726