Confession No. 1: I’ve always been a bit fickle with water bottles.

As a fitness editor who is constantly reviewing new products, I get to test out the newest and coolest models: I’ve tried bottles that remind you when to drink, bottles you can personalize with a photo, bottles that filter your water on-the-go, bottles with retractable straws, and bottles of all shapes and sizes.

Yes, they’re all very cool, but I never seem to hang on to the same one for very long.

That said, I think my latest water bottle obsession might actually stick with me for the long haul, if for no other reason than its pure simplicity and durability. It’s a plain, aluminum (BPA free!) screw-top—covered in inspirational messages that motivate me to get moving. And that brings me to confession No. 2.

Stuck in a motivational funk
Ever since I completed my first triathlon back in July, I’ve been in a major workout funk. Without my rigorous team practice schedule and a concrete goal in my head, I’ve been hitting the snooze button and skipping my morning run more often than I’d like to admit.

My bike? It’s been out of the closet a pathetic two times since the race. And I don’t even want to talk about my nonexistent swimming habits.

In fact, the only thing I have been able to do with any regularity is yoga. On weekends, the new Lululemon store in my neighborhood offers free classes, and that’s how I found my new motivational water bottle.

If you’re familiar at all with Lululemon stores or their products, you know they’re all about positive thinking and inspirational language. What drew me into their store in the first place was the chalkboard sign out front on the sidewalk that simply stated, “Do one thing a day that scares you”—something, I thought to myself, I had not been doing lately.

(Yep, I fell victim to the brand’s “cult of selling,” as Fast Company puts it. But that’s OK!)

Next page: Surrounding myself with inspiration

I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the completion of my first triathlon than with a week-and-a-half vacation to Ireland and Scotland. Of course, I also couldn’t think of a better way to fall off the fitness wagon—hard—than with 10 days of riding in buses, sitting in pubs, and sampling (read: gorging myself on) the local food and drink specialties.

Thank goodness for bike rentals.

Yes, if it weren’t for the rusted, clunky mountain bikes my boyfriend Anthony and I rented for an afternoon in Scotland, our vacation exercise would have consisted largely of raising glasses of Guinness to our lips and stretching in rest-stop parking lots during long bus rides. We walked a lot, sure, but not nearly as much as we ate. And after experiencing such a high following my triathlon the previous week, I was itching for some real physical activity.

Choosing a bike-friendly destination
This wasn’t the first time I’ve rented a bike on vacation: When I spent a weekend in Italy two years ago with a friend, we spent one day cycling through Chianti country with a tour guide and about 10 other bikers, stopping for lunch and wine tasting at a vineyard.

And when Anthony and I visited the tiny island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, over winter break last year, we ended up renting bikes for the entire week instead of a car (thanks to procrastination—every car rental place on the island was sold out!).

When I think back on those two trips, riding through the countryside or along sandy beach roads are among my favorite memories. With bikes, we were able to travel greater distances than on foot, and we saw sights we couldn’t have seen with a car. Plus, we never had to worry about finding a parking space or paying for gas.

So when I started planning our summer trip to Ireland and Scotland, I knew I wanted to find a place we could really explore by bike. We chose to spend a few days in the major cities—Dublin and Galway in Ireland, and Edinburgh in Scotland—but I also searched my guidebooks for more rural areas with good bike routes.

Rainy weather for the first half of our trip thwarted our plans to bike (or do much of anything outside, unfortunately) in Ireland, but by the time we got to Scotland, the forecast had brightened. We took advantage of the first sunny day on the Isle of Arran—known as “Scotland in miniature” because, at just about 55 miles around the perimeter, it’s possible to cover the whole coastal road by car or bike in a day or two—by going for a short hike and then checking out some bikes from the local rental shop.

Hill workouts burn major calories
After completing a 25-mile bike ride in New York City in just over an hour and a half during the triathlon, I thought the lazy, winding road along the island’s coast would be a piece of cake. Boy, was I wrong: The hills in the Bronx are nothing compared to the mountainous terrain of Scotland’s isles, and we quickly realized that the steep uphill climbs were going to slow us down considerably.

At one point we even had to get off our bikes and walk them up the longest, tallest hill when cutting back across the middle of the island. I was quite embarrassed and unhappy with myself (I just finished a triathlon, for Pete’s sake!), until we got to the top and could see just how high we really were.

Top of the hill: Anthony takes a break before heading down the other side

We ended up riding hard for four hours, with just a few water or walking breaks—and we only covered about 36 miles. I’m not sure how much total distance we covered vertically, but the tallest point was about 770 feet above sea level, according to a map from the Arran Bike Club.

But here’s what shocked me: According to Health.com’s interactive calculator, four hours of light cycling burns almost 1,289 calories. Four hours of mountain biking? 1,824. No wonder we stuffed ourselves on Isle of Arran cheese and beer after returning the bikes! (No, we weren’t technically off-road mountain biking, but I think the hills we climbed took about the same amount of exertion.)

Next page: How to plan a bike vacation

Back at my transition area after the race

I am officially a triathlete! On Sunday I completed the Nautica New York City triathlon with an impressive (for me, at least) time of 3 hours, 3 minutes, and 57 seconds. Here’s a quick recap—well, as quick as I can manage without skimping on all the juicy details—of the day.

Wake up time: 4 a.m.
To avoid oversleeping or stressing ourselves out too much, my fellow Brooklyn teammates Sarah and Sharon and I planned a sleepover at my place the night before the big event. After a delicious pasta dinner (yay for carbo-loading!) sponsored by Team in Training, we headed to my apartment to write our names on our jerseys with Wite-Out and go over our packing lists one final time.

After a screening of True Confessions of a Shopaholic (I highly recommend mind-numbing chick flicks to distract from prerace anxiety), we made it to bed around 11 p.m. and slept surprisingly well. All the running around that day—dropping our bikes off at the transition area and touring the course one last time—had apparently tired us out more than we’d realized.

The alarm went off at 4 a.m., just about the same time the sky opened up and it started to pour. We were momentarily panicked: We’d prepared for almost every scenario, but no one had ever told us what would happen if it rained! But at this point there was no turning back, so we grabbed some bagels with peanut butter and bananas, hopped in a cab, stopped for some coffee, and headed uptown.

I couldn’t help but be amused by all of the people we saw on the streets, trying to hail cabs after leaving the bars that had just closed minutes before. Which is crazier, we asked ourselves: what they’re doing right now, or what we’re about to do?

Next page: The setup and starting line

Preparing for our final swim practice in full race-day gear

Last week, our coaches took the time to frighten us—er, prepare us—with stories of previous triathlons and their own race-day experiences: missing equipment, pre-swim freak-outs, all the ways we can accidentally break the rules, and so on. Now, with our first triathlon less than two days away, they explained, it’s a little late to make sure we’re ready physically. At this point, it’s all about being ready mentally.

One way to do that is to have a race mantra, they told us—something we can repeat over and over to ourselves during the toughest part of the course, whether it’s the swim, the bike, or the run (or heck, maybe all three!).

One of our coaches told us about a particularly nervous triathlete whom he coached through a panic attack, standing out on the barge in the middle of the Hudson River a few years ago. As she was seriously debating whether to jump into the water or just turn around and call it a day, he looked her in the eyes and said to her, “It’s not about the swim.”

After the race, Coach said, that girl found him and thanked him, saying the only way that she made it down the river and to the finish line was by repeating with every stroke, It’s not. About. The swim.

That same coach also told us how he found his own mantra. Much like myself, he’d never considered himself a strong runner (I’m personally terrified of this weekend’s run much more than the swim or biking), and during his first triathlon he was really struggling for the first mile or so on foot, after dismounting from his bike.

He shuffled by someone in the crowd who looked at him and yelled, “Come on, you can do it, you’re a runner!” Coach explained: “Well, after I picked myself off the ground from laughing—this guy obviously did not know me very well—I started repeating it to myself over and over again for the rest of the race: I’m a runner. I’m a runner.” And that phrase has stuck with him through every race he’s done since.

That’s why our coaches encourage all of us triathletes-in-training to have some type of mantra of our own: If we can keep our mouths moving and keep the rhythm going in our head, we can keep pushing our arms and legs forward as well. This is especially important in situations where safety and race rules prohibit the use of MP3 players. (Here’s a good reason why music players aren’t allowed, by the way.)

Next page: My friends’ favorite mantras

With my triathlon just four days away, I’ve entered the wonderful period known as tapering—short, easy workouts and lots of downtime this week. Which is great, because it’s given me more time to enjoy another type of exercise I’ve recently rediscovered: yoga

I’ve taken yoga classes on and off throughout the years, but mainly I used to think it was a waste of time: I’d much rather spend an hour blasting calories with intense cardio or building muscle with weight training. Even though I enjoy the way yoga refreshes and relaxes me, I always felt like during class I should be doing something…more.

That changed last year while I was training for my first half marathon. I was running faster and for longer distances that I ever had before, and my muscles were paying the price. I returned from every long workout session (and woke up every morning) with tight hamstrings, even tighter calves, and general aches and pains all over.

I turned to stretching—and yoga in particular—to help balance out my long runs and give my body the cross-training it needed. And I soon began to look forward to yoga classes whenever I could squeeze them in.

More than chanting and hocus-pocus

“When athletes are sent to me to prepare for the draft or a new season, they’re usually under the impression that yoga is ‘soft’ or ‘just for girls,’ and that there’s going to be a whole lot of chanting and over-the-top hocus-pocus,” explains sports yoga trainer Kent Katich, who recently designed a series of Yogaletics DVDs and products for Go Fit (on sale mid to late August) based on a program used by his clients such as NBA stars Reggie Miller and Blake Griffin and MLB All-Star catcher Mike Lieberthal. “I have these massive guys wriggling on the floor, sweating buckets in their first session saying it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever done in their career—there’s really something to it when they begin to see results and can’t wait to come back again.”

I recently had the chance to tour a new YogaWorks studio in SoHo, New York City, a beautiful space that puts you at ease the minute you walk in the door. (If you’re in the city, I highly recommend checking it out!) When I mentioned to the staff that I was training for a triathlon, they put me in touch with branch manager Liana Sheintal for her recommendations as to what styles of practice I might find helpful.

Ashtanga
I’d never given much thought to this type of yoga; to be honest, I’ve pretty much stuck with typical Vinyasa Flow classes. But Sheintal explained that Ashtanga is actually a specific type of Vinyasa, in which every class follows the same set series of poses.

Since there’s less variation in Ashtanga than there would be in a more instructor-driven class, I assumed I would get bored with the repetition—and I’d guess that for some people, that’s probably what happens. But after a few classes, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself automatically repeating the moves I’d learned, allowing my mind to focus on other parts of the practice, like breathing, that I’m usually too distracted to even think about.

Ashtanga starts with sun salutations and a lot of standing poses, which are great for runners because they help with strengthening and improving balance. And it closes with back-bending inversions, which is reeeealllly nice for cyclists who are hunched over on their bikes for hours at a time and swimmers with tight upper-body muscles.

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Iyengar
This is another weird word that I’d done my best to avoid on yoga schedules throughout the years, knowing only that it had something to do with posture and thinking that it didn’t really seem “active” enough for me. And the truth is, an hour in an Iyengar class is more relaxed (and considerably less sweaty) than one spent in my typical Vinyasa flow class.

But I do certainly see the benefits of this practice, which focuses on proper alignment, executing the poses correctly, and using props such as belts and blocks. This helps you really get deep into your poses, opening up your hips, your chest, and your shoulders to an extent you might not get on your own. I left this class with a whole new appreciation for flexibility, and a new understanding of the poses and postures that can help keep me injury free.

Next page: Strength training and more resources

I seem to be experiencing typical runners’ knee pain at a very convenient time—in terms of blogging about it, at least. (Not so convenient is the fact that my first triathlon is next Sunday.) Maybe it’s just the season for outdoor running and overuse injuries, or maybe it’s all the headlines about pain relief lately, but everyone seems to be talking about what’s safe, what works, and what’s best.

Painkillers: Are they safe?
First a federal advisory committee recommended that the government lower the daily recommended dosage of acetaminophen, based on the idea that it is relatively easy to overdose on the drug, and that it’s been linked to liver damage. Acetaminophen is in Tylenol, of course, but it’s also in plenty of other multipurpose medications.

That information led runners and other athletes—many of us who pop pills often to combat achy joints and muscles—to wonder exactly what we should be taking; after all, acetaminophen is supposed to be safer and gentler on the stomach than other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories like aspirin. Luckily, my friends at That’s Fit (who have a great triathlon training series going on, by the way) tackled this tough question just when I needed answers.

They interviewed Robert Sallis, MD, the codirector of Sports Medicine Fellowship at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center, who assured them that Tylenol is still likely the safest choice for most people, and that athletes who take less than 2,000 milligrams a day (about six regular-strength tablets) shouldn’t worry. Of course, persistent pain is likely a sign of tissue damage, he added, so it’s best to get checked out if you find you’re turning to pills on a regular basis.

Next page: Muscle relaxing gels, stretching, and strengthening

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I may have overdone it a bit with the running in the last month or so—ramping my normal 10 to 12 miles a week up to 16 or more, way faster than I should have—and so it was no surprise when my knee started to bother me during speed drills or hill repeats.

You see, I’d been skipping my team’s Tuesday night practices in favor of my own leisurely a.m. runs, making excuses about how I didn’t like giving up my evenings and how I much preferred morning workouts. But the truth is, I don’t push myself nearly as hard when I’m running by myself, and as much as I hate running with other people, I’ve finally decided it’s necessary if I want to get better.

Too much, too fast
When I finally did make it to a Tuesday night practice last month, I faced a rude awakening. I struggled to keep up almost from the get-go, and the workout kicked my butt way more than anything I’d been doing on my own. So I began ramping up the intensity of all my runs—and while I have noticed a bit of improvement, I also think I added a little too much, too fast.

Two weeks ago after an intense 25-mile stationary bike ride at the gym (stupid rain!), I hopped off the machine and almost collapsed: My left knee felt wobbly and unstable, like it would give out at any second. The feeling went away after a few minutes, but during my soccer games (three!) later that day, it twisted during a quick pivot, and I had to duck out: It felt like I’d jammed it and I couldn’t straighten it, like it needed to be popped back into place. Now I’ve had achy knees for as long as I can remember (I was told last year that I have what’s called moviegoer’s knee, a risk factor for osteoarthritis), but this strange twisting sensation had actually happened a few times in the last two months, and I was getting scared.

Some stretching seemed to help and I was able to walk it off after the game, but it continued to feel sore for the rest of the day; I was in plenty of pain Monday too, just sitting at my desk. It felt fine for my run Tuesday night (this time on my own again; I wasn’t taking any chances and didn’t push myself harder than an easy, flat jog), but I knew I should see an orthopedist if I wanted to get my confidence back.

Doc’s advice: Pills and PT
On Tuesday of this week, I was finally able to get in for an appointment. My new doctor, a sports medicine specialist recommended by my primary care physician, said the X-rays of both of my knees looked fine, and that I appeared to be coming down with some tendinitis—inflammation of tendons that can interfere with movement and cause pain. Luckily, he didn’t seem too concerned with me doing a triathlon in a few short weeks.

He warned me against overtraining and reminded me of the 10% rule of running, which I knew I really should have been following the whole time. Fortunately, preparing for a triathlon means plenty of automatic cross-training, so I don’t have to worry about running every day—and biking and swimming are both great alternative exercises that are easier on the knees. He also gave me a prescription for anti-inflammatory meds I can take when the pain starts to bother me.

The doctor also prescribed physical therapy (PT) two times a week until the race and a subsequent follow-up visit with him. When he said this, I had to fight the urge to whine: Twice a week? You think I have time for that, on top of training and everything else? But I caught myself, remembering that his alternative solution was likely to be to stop running altogether.

So Monday is my first PT session, at 8 a.m. sharp. I’ll be switching my morning yoga class for an afterwork one instead (if I make it there at all), and I’ll likely be doing work over the holiday weekend to make up for missing an hour or two in the office that morning.

I’m reminded again, as I have been so many times during triathlon training, that this is all about time management and keeping my priorities straight. And right now, my biggest priority is getting through the month—and through the race on July 26—without putting myself through further injury. I can look at the bright side too: At least I have an excuse to kick back and take tonight off.

Previous posts by Amanda MacMillan:

Oh, geez: My first triathlon is in exactly one month.

As Health.com’s resident fitness blogger, I’m used to trying new exercises and challenging myself to stay in shape while balancing work and a personal life. But a triathlon? Six months ago this was just a crazy idea in my head—and now it’s almost here.

It all started when I ran my first half marathon last year. I did finish and I did learn to enjoy it, but once it was over I quickly became lazy again. I couldn’t motivate myself to get out and pound the pavement regularly without a goal in mind. And soon, I was struggling to run just three miles at a time. How could all the progress I’d built up have wasted away so quickly?

So I knew I needed something new to strive for; something, preferably, that didn’t involve so much running. A triathlon seemed perfect: I love swimming, I love biking, and, well, I can tolerate running. A few friends were signing up for the Nautica New York City Triathlon—then still half a year away, far enough to not really think about—so I tagged along to the organizational meeting, not really knowing what to expect.

It’s been a long few months, to be honest, but completely worth it so far. I’m training with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training, one of the largest fundraising athletic organizations in the country. And in return for raising money for their cause, the LLS gives us coaches, practice schedules, and even a wetsuit. I have to say, it’s a pretty sweet deal.

My first open water swim practice: Coney Island at 8 a.m.!

I’ve kissed my Friday night social events good-bye and swapped them for 7 a.m. Saturday practices in the park. I’ve grown fond of the lingering chlorine smell that sticks with me after my morning swims, no matter how long my showers last. And I’ve actually learned how to change a bike tire. (It’s harder than it looks!)

Having a structured workout program back in my life has been a welcome change. When I’m following a routine, I feel like I’m more productive throughout my whole day, because I have less free time and I value it so much more. I go to bed earlier, eat healthier (healthier quality, at least, if not quantity), drink less alcohol, and generally feel more energized. I’ve never had a drug or alcohol problem, but I can totally see what these former addicts mean when they cite their new fixation on triathlons.

So now, with one month left, I’m back in pretty good shape—I can swim a mile, bike 25 miles, and run six miles, all with relative ease. Only problem is, I still haven’t tried to do all those things back to back. And during these last 30 days, I know I really need to concentrate and stick with the program.

To do that, I’m adding a new element to my training regimen. I’m determined to blog at least once a week from now until the race on July 26. To me, it’s extra incentive to keep up the hard work and resist the urge to quit while I’m ahead.

I’ll share my tips and strategies leading up to the big day, and hopefully will have a full recount when it’s over. For more frequent updates, you can follow me on Twitter, and check out my teammate Jenna’s blog over at Shape magazine, too. With your support, we’ll both make it to the finish line. Wish me luck!

Previous posts by Amanda MacMillan:

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For a lot of people, exercise and dating don’t really go well together. Working out is something you do at the gym, either by yourself or in a room full of sweaty classmates. Going on a date, on the other hand, usually involves sitting, eating, watching movies—and maybe a long walk on the beach if you’re lucky.

OK, so maybe you’re too old for mini golf and batting cages, but there are other ways to enjoy quality time with your sweetie while still being active. (And if you ask me, the batting cages are still a blast too.) Here’s our guide to finding—and keeping—a fit fella.

Recruit an active partner…
If you’re single and looking for love, you can better your chances of finding a fitness enthusiast by looking in the right places.

The gym might be a good place to start, but let your interactions happen naturally. If you’ve ever been hit on by an overbearing meathead while huffing and puffing on the treadmill, you know that fitness-club pickups can be awkward and uncomfortable if not done right. Instead, join classes or clubs with people who have similar active interests, or start hanging out in parks and public places where there’s a lot of activity going on.

Last year a friend of mine met a great guy through online dating, and he recently told her it was her interest in tennis, listed in her profile, that gave him the motivation to first email her. It was a subject they initially bonded over, and now they barely go a weekend without squeezing in a match or two.

If you’re really serious about finding someone who shares your passion, check out online dating hubs like Fitness Singles or the multi-community site TangoWire, which features dating groups for cyclists, runners, dancers, weightlifters, yogis, and more.

…Or convert your sedentary one
My boyfriend and I take turns teaching each other activities we enjoy. He’s coaching me to do pull-ups and “real” push-ups, and I show him new yoga stretches after we run. It’s helping us both learn new skills and gets us more involved in each others’ lives.

Even when one of us isn’t in the mood to get off the couch, we can usually strike a deal: He’ll buy me dinner at the new restaurant I’ve been craving, for example, but only if we walk all the way there and back instead of taking the subway.

Don’t let differences get in your way
I’ve tried running side by side with my boyfriend. It doesn’t work. He annoys the heck out of me with his “helpful” advice about my breathing, my stride, and my pace. Plus, I run much slower than he does, so he has to either run ahead or he doesn’t get as good a workout as he should.

We’ve come up with a good compromise, though: We jog to the park together, stretch, and then set off on our separate runs (and we savor that alone time!). We meet up at the end to run some stairs together, and then cool down and walk home together.

If you and your significant other are on conflicting fitness levels, there are plenty of ways to work through it: You can bike or skate while he runs, for example, or you can hop on side-by-side treadmills at the gym so you can stay close at different speeds.

Five fantastic exercise dates
Working out together not only is a great time-saver, but it can also strengthen your emotional relationship and even boost your physical attraction to each other. If you’re looking for an active, unconventional date, try these suggestions.

• Hiking: Nothing says romance like a walk through the woods and a picnic lunch. Climbing steep or narrow off-road trails requires communication and trust, so it’s a great way to bond while breaking a sweat.

• Tennis: Get your competitive juices flowing with a one-on-one match or loop in another couple and test out your teamwork with a game of doubles.

• Day at the beach: Take along a volleyball and some boogie boards, lather each other up with sunscreen, and spend the afternoon in the surf and sand.

• Walking tour: Explore a new neighborhood, choose a restaurant a mile away, or walk to the theater before your weekly movie night.

• Canoeing or rowing: An hour on a lake gives you plenty of time to get to know each other—and plenty of upper-body exercise.

Related links:

Previous posts by Amanda MacMillan:

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Last year when Reebok was conducting market research for their next big product launch, they looked at a survey of 15,000 women across 25 countries—and discovered that although nearly half of all women know that exercise is very important to their overall health, less than 25% participate in fitness often. Why? Nearly two-thirds said they’d work out more if it were more fun. More than half felt that exercise was a chore.

That next big product launch turned out to be their Jukari Fit to Fly fitness classes, a very cool experience that I can tell you firsthand makes fitness more fun. But even after I tried out a Jukari class, those survey results stuck with me. Sure working out is often the last thing we want to be doing with our valuable time, but it’s sad to see that the “un-fun” factor is turning so many people off from exercise completely.

It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Sometimes it just takes some creative effort to figure out what you really enjoy—and don’t enjoy—doing. Hate running? Join a walking or biking group, or try a new sport, such as roller blading, instead. Can’t stand the gym? Take your workout outdoors in the summer, and bundle up for some hiking or skiing in the winter. Still can’t get motivated? Try these tips.

Join a club
Sign up for an adventure club that organizes weekend activities, or search web sites such as meetup.org to find informal group meetings near you.

Involve your friends
In lieu of joining an official club (and paying official club fees), my girlfriends and I have worked out our own system in which we take turns planning ski trips, surfing and kayaking lessons, fitness classes, and hiking explorations. As an added benefit, it has also inspired me to work out more on my own. No one wants to be left in the dust on the slopes!

Try new equipment
Testing out the Jukari Fit to Fly class was fun for me because it was a totally new experience—the same way I felt when I first attempted snowboarding. The novelty of doing something unexpected helps distract from the actual work involved, and it’s a great way to work muscles that don’t normally get used.

Make it a game
One of the most physically demanding days I’ve had in the last month (and I’m training for a triathlon, so that’s saying a lot) was when I competed in a New York City–wide scavenger hunt—a fundraiser for a friend’s charity. We spent the afternoon running around Manhattan, snapping photos and tossing souvenirs into our backpacks, while racing against the clock—and other teams. It definitely took care of our 10,000 steps (and then some!) for that day.

Revisit your childhood
Remember when running around all day was actually fun? Dedicate a day to gather your friends and do something you haven’t done since you were kids: Host a skating party at the roller rink, set up a kickball game after work, work out with a hula hoop, or ride the roller coasters at a local theme park—just be sure to spend most of your day walking, rather than just standing in line.

Reward yourself
Give yourself something to look forward to once you’ve finished your workout, like a relaxing night in with a movie and a glass of wine. Or set a larger fitness goal and a larger reward for once you’ve reached it, like a hard-earned day at the spa.

Get results now
Maybe losing weight and getting healthier aren’t enough of a motivation for you—or you just don’t see results quickly enough to really care. Instead, participate in an activity where you can feel like you’ve really made a difference even after just one day. Spending a day planting flowers in your garden or picking up litter in the park gives you all the benefits of exercise, plus you’ll feel extra productive after a job well done.

Learn what you like
Think hard about what types of activities you enjoy and where you’d like to improve, and develop a fitness regimen around that. If you need help getting started, ask yourself these questions.

Most people who don’t enjoy exercise have a hard time because they’re not used to it. And if you’re carrying around extra pounds or are plagued by injuries, it can make getting started that much harder. But once you find a routine that’s safe and doable for your fitness level, these activities will slowly start to get easier and you’ll start to enjoy yourself more and more—both during your actual workout and, as you become more fit, in your everyday life.

How do you make your workouts fun—or at least bearable? We asked our Facebook fans the same question and here’s what they suggested. Please share your own strategies below.