I was working with a client a while ago who had already lost weight but said that she always ran out of enthusiasm to exercise even though she knew it would help her to stay on track to lose more.

We went through a few of the benefits she’d definitely gain if she exercised more. She agreed that she’d have better levels of energy, improved self-esteem and a sense of knowing that she was more in control.

When she sat and thought about these for a moment she realised that having these feelings were more powerful and in fact more natural than having to resist exercising.

I then helped her imagine the different ways she could introduce physical activity into her day, what she’d be doing and when it would happen. I encouraged her to use her imagination in every way so that she could really feel and experience what it would be like and how good she’d feel afterwards.

She now reports that she’s finding it much easier to exercise than not. Her weight is steadily reducing and her sense of achievement is growing.

Are you regularly too tired to exercise?

Stop and ask yourself why this keeps happening. Consider when in the day do you usually realise you’re too tired? What can you do differently? It may mean going to bed sooner so that you can wake up earlier feeling refreshed and more like exercising. Or perhaps insisting on a lunch-break so that you can get outside for some fresh air and a daily walk. Or you might put some simple and gentle exercises together to do before bed. Perhaps playing some good rock and roll music will help get you in the mood. Remembering that you always have choices empowers you to look at things differently.

Do you keep putting your diet and exercise plans off ?

Remember the last time you had a great workout. Recalling how brilliant you felt afterwards will help motivate you to make it a bigger priority. Never enjoyed exercising or eating well?
There are other areas of your life which you handle with grace, confidence and discipline. What is your strongest area? Reminding yourself that you excel in other areas allows you to become more objective and empowered when it comes to your weight.