Motivation is not magical, she says. There's no easy answer. You have to plan to be physically active and exercise, just as you plan a meal or plan a vacation. Understand the benefits of physical activity to you not somebody else, but you. At a recent Strong and Steady workshop, Shumway-Cook asked participants to write down two reasons that they would benefit from increased activity.
Many people say they want to stay active so that they continue to live in their home.
Some reasons may relate to a person's specific needs or health situation. Someone developing Type 2 diabetes may want to exercise to help control their weight and their diabetes. This first way to get motivated is to have a personal reason for exercise. Understand how much exercise you should do, and how to do it safely. Many seniors do not exercise because they are afraid they will hurt themselves.