There’s a reason that the ad slogan “Just Do It” was so catchy… because that’s the trick. Even the hard-core athletes have the days they don’t want to work out… but you have to make yourself do it anyway.
By forcing yourself to go, you get a sense of accomplishment, rather than having fuel to add to your misery in the form of guilt for not getting off your ass.
On top of that, you get the benefit of the exercise itself, which is to feel stronger, release stress, get an endorphin rush, sleep better, clothes fit better, etc.
But it all starts with a first step… it sometimes helps to make it an obligation by having a partner or a trainer if you can afford it. It’s harder to talk yourself out of it if you know that means inconveniencing someone else.
I have had many self-esteem and body image issues resulting from childhood sexual abuse. I have been significantly overweight for about 15 years, and moderately overweight prior to that. In the past 8 months, I’ve lost 36 pounds of fat, and gained 17 pounds of muscle. I’m down 2 pants sizes, and I feel great.
I’m doing it slowly by making gradual changes in my life that are liveable, rather than following some strict program that changes everything and sets unrealistic expectations. You can change if you really want to… just do it.