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You know that exercise usually makes you feel better, but sometimes life, or excuses, can get in the way. You can spend 20 minutes debating about whether it might rain, or focusing on all of the reasons why right now is not a good time to walk — or you could just lace up your shoes and go.

When it becomes easier to talk yourself out of exercise than it does to just get out there, don’t give up: Give yourself a motivator. It never hurts to have goals (and rewards!) in place to help give you that extra push out the door.

“Me time”

If you can convince yourself to think of exercising as “me time,” and not just another chore you have to check off your list, you might be able to see the act of exercise as a reward in itself.

Whether you’re at the gym, on a walk, or riding your bike, no one is likely to bother you. Think of it as a break from your normal reality, and it might even start feeling like the best part of your day.

EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com.

© 2016 Eating Well, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.