22 Jan 5 minutes may be all you need to get motivated to exercise

The “five-minute plan” may be all you need to get motivated to exercise.
If you’re too tired or unmotivated to work out, or both, give it a try for just five minutes.
Even if you really don’t feel like exercising, start on the treadmill, elliptical machine, exercise bike, free weights, or whatever else you generally do to exercise for five minutes.
Walk, jog, climb, ride or lift at an easy pace for five minutes. Your heart rate will start to increase and your body chemistry will start to get you into the mood to workout.
Ninety percent of the time, you’ll follow through with a near-complete or complete workout.
If after five minutes of this little warm-up you’re still not in the mood, then it obviously wasn’t your day to exercise. Take the day off.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Just try to get back on track the next day.
In all likelihood, though, you’ll be in the mood to at least get a decent workout in if you try the five-minute plan. Oftentimes getting your body in motion is the hardest thing to do, but once you get a little sweat going it’s easier to keep going.
The single hardest thing about following a workout plan isn’t having a great workout. It’s having good workouts day after day, week after week.
Consistency is the key and the five-minute plan is a great tip I’ve learned to help people stay on track.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. Consult a doctor before making any significant changes in your exercise routine or diet. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com