<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

This is a second summary to my request for people's experiences with
exercise.  Even though only one person reported a physical problem with
exercise, a number of people have expressed difficulty with motivation.
The following suggestions may help:

Exercise with other people.   Running clubs, events, or with friends.
Particularly regularly scheduled meetings with friends.  It is harder to
skip a workout when someone is waiting for you, and friends and groups make
it more fun.

Add variety to your workouts.  Not just for the benefits of cross-training,
but for the variety of experiences.  Keep it fresh.  This includes variety
within types of workouts as well as cross-training.  If you are running,
mix shorter faster runs with longer slower runs, or mix in fast and slow
intervals together.  Runner's World magazine has some excellent strategies.

Exercise in interesting places.  Parks, historic neighborhoods, rural and
urban settings.  There are a lot of different places where you can walk,
run, or ride a bike.  You might even make your next vacation plans based on
exercise opportunitites.  Pick an event you would like to participate in
and plan to go there.  Give yourself time to prepare for the event, but
having a goal is great motivation.

Set goals.  Make them accessible and challenging.  Include others in your
goals so that you can meet them together.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day, not just before working out.
That makes you feel heavy during exercise and takes the fun out of it.  Do
drink water during and after the workout, too.  This keeps you fresh while
your exercising.  Also, eat a good source of complex carbohydrates after a
workout to replenish what you have lost.  Raisens and other dried fruits,
rice cakes, and fruit are good choices.

Stretch.  Stretch every day, not just before a workout.  Stretching after a
workout is actually better than stretching before (do be sure to warmup
before your workout or stretching) since your muscles are at their loosest
at this point.    Stretching on off days, after workouts, along with
reloading carbohydrates and staying hydrated are the best ways to avoid
injuries, soreness, and fatigue that can impede your motivation.

Rest.  Don't workout everyday unless you have built up to it and feel
comfortable with that schedule.  Take it slow (this is for a lifetime,
remember), listen to your body, and plan days off into you schedule.
Consistency is important, but don't sacrifise your long term goals for a
schedule.  If you are tired or injured, rest.

Well, this is getting pretty long and I think I've covered the basics.
Thanks for all of the great advise and encouragement.

Bradley E. Hoge
Wetland Center for Biogeochemical Research
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Dept.
Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston, TX  77005-1892
(713) 527-4919