Positive Attitude

The theories the study was based on essentially see an individual’s intent to exercise as a weighing of positive over negative feelings.  Therefore, the research authors suggest that increasing positive feelings over negative ones would be most ideal for individuals to maximize their potential to exercise and to attain their goals.  The study authors also suggest that gym employees help overweight members feel as comfortable and welcome as they can, the aim being to raise positive ideals and emotions about working out at the gym for overweight members who might otherwise skip out because of their size.

Ideal Environments

It goes without saying that finding the right fit for your exercise regimen will help to boost your motivation.  It can inject a sense of accomplishment, mutual support and a welcoming feeling that can go a long way to achieving your weight loss goals.

Positive Outlook

Seeing the gym as a bad place to workout because of the fit looking people inside will never get you through the door.  It's better to see a gym or health club as full of people who are seeking to better themselves through exercise and most of those people probably feel the same way you do, with their own weight loss goals to achieve.  Whether they look fit and toned or not, they’re all working hard to maintain the way they want to look and everyone is there for the same reason.  Once you get over the intimidating feeling and start to understand why all those people are in there, you’ll be fine.

The Right Place

The fictional bar Cheers was so popular because it celebrated the feeling of welcoming and camaraderie to everyone who went there and the right gym for you should provoke the same feeling.  If your gym or club doesn’t feel welcoming and doesn’t encourage you to want to exercise, then you need to find a better place to suit you.  Of course finding a gym with the right equipment, staff and facilities is just as important, but it’s definitely the feeling of comfort and belonging that matters most.

Friendship Boost

Mutual support can be a thing of beauty if you’re willing to share your weight loss goals with a friend.  The benefit of mutual support is if you decide to do something and your friend also sticks with it, the shared goal between you can be a great system to depend on.

Motivation Invigoration

The gym doesn’t need to be a scary place, as long as you realize that all the people exercising inside are the same as you.  Everyone is working towards a common goal, all sweating it out for the same overall purpose.  The only intimidation necessary ought to come from inside you directed at the extra pounds you’re planning to eliminate!


Sources:
ScienceDirect.com
LA Times
ScienceDaily.com