Want to feel motivated? Tell yourself you ‘get to’ or ‘want to’ rather than ‘have to’

In the WebMD article titled “Getting Motivated to Start a Workout Program,” UW-Green Bay Chair of M.S. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology Alan Chu is quoted on how to make realistic plans, focus on fun, “fake it until you make it,” and find workout buddies to stay motivated. In order to sustain the motivation, we can tell ourselves we “get to” or “want to” rather than “have to” exercise. These evidence-based strategies apply to not only exercise settings but also other areas of our lives.