The always wise and informative Eric Barker recently blogged about the best ways to get motivated to exercise. You can read the entire post here, but we thought you’d like a summary.

1) Don’t focus on the start of the workout:
The beginning might be painful, but the rest of it can be great, especially the feeling at the end.

2) Make a plan:
The more specific the better. Write it down. Post it on your fridge. Send yourself reminders on your phone. Anticipate how the plan can go awry and figure out in advance what adjustments you’ll need to make.

3) Make it a game:
You’re more likely to work out if it feels like you’re playing. Hmmm, sounds like Punk Rope!

4 ) Play the music you love:
Music motivates movement. Think about the last time you were at a wedding reception, but really wanted to be anywhere else. Then your favorite song came on and you tore up the dance floor.

5) Find a workout companion:
Misery loves company. Okay, seriously, if you exercise with a friend you’ll have accountability plus a buddy to push you and vice versa. Plus the more time you spend with people who are willing to exercise the more time you’ll be likely to exercise yourself.

6) Exercise is bliss:
When Matthew A. Killingsworth and Daniel T. Gilbert of Harvard studied 5000 people around the world ages 18-80 they found people were happiest during three activities: Socializing, exercise and sexy-time. 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.