Women Share How They Stay Active When It’s Not Easy

'Cause we know how hard it is to get moving when it's not just the couch keeping you down. Make your life easier with Poise Active with wings, available at Walgreens.

We asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us how they motivate themselves to get moving. Here's what they shared.

1. Knock it out first thing in the morning and feel good about yourself the rest of the day!

Bfk92 / Getty Images

"The only way I find myself successful in staying active when I’m busy is to wake up, get out of bed, and JUST DO IT! Knocking it out first thing in the morning let’s you go through the rest of your day and get tired and have coffee or energy later, but at least you already got your workout covered."

—GinaRogers9

2. Feeling unmotivated to get out? Get your steps in your own hallway!

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"Nothing has helped me more than getting steps. I literally walk back and forth down my hallway when I don’t feel like going outside. I have lost 131 pounds from just getting off my butt and walking."

—addleaddle

3. Try to put everything into perspective as a way to recognize how far you've already come.

lizd48bfde3f6

"I had a double lung transplant almost four months ago. Staying active and exercising my new donor lungs is so important. There are times though I am so tired from doctors appointments, tests, and dealing with post operative complications exercising and being active is the last thing on my mind. I have to remind myself of this precious gift I was given and that I am so lucky to be alive so even if it’s a walk around the block or just 15 minutes on the elliptical, it’s more than I was able to do four months ago."

—lizd48bfde3f6

4. Getting active can be as simple as a walk after lunch.

"When I was pregnant with gestational diabetes, I made sure I went for an afternoon walk at lunch. It was really hard to do when I was eight months pregnant, but it kept my blood sugar low enough where I didn’t have to go on any medication. Now that my baby is born, I hope to do the same when I go back to work so that I am not sitting all day long."

—bethanyp4c7450957

5. You can make getting active less of a chore by also making it the time to catch up with the ones you love.

Michaelpuche / Getty Images

"I try to get a walk in every morning while also drinking coffee and talking to my mom on the phone. On the days she doesn’t answer, I’ll listen to an audiobook or a podcast. That’s accomplishing three things at once all before 7a.m."

—tanyap4557375de

6. Listen to your body; know when to push and when to take it easy.

"I have two chronic illnesses and suffer from tight Achilles. I've had to realize active for me is different than active for other people, and to not put others work out regimens or standards on myself. Some days I get two walks in, some days I can only manage two stretches in the shower. I try to listen to my body and learn when I can push it and when I need to go gentle and easy."

—alexandram1991.

7. If you hate the gym, skip it! Get moving in a way that works for you.

Alexey05 / Getty Images

"Being active can be fun! For a while a I was struggling to not only find time but motivation to go to my gym and work out not to mention expensive for something i didn't really enjoy. I got in roller-skating and haven't looked back since. I found a super-supportive community [that] welcomes beginners. I now go to skate parks/roller rinks and just everywhere in these. I work out without even thinking about and it's fun to take with you on trips. The possibilities are endless."

—s47658d883

8. Be kind to yourself. If you need a day, take it.

"Being kind to yourself is a huge part of a successful fitness plan. If you’re in a really bad headspace and you just need a day, take it. Don’t beat yourself up about it. If I wake up dreading something, that’s my signal to take a step back for a day or two and then get back on the horse. I’ve had a lot more success with that approach than pushing myself to the point where I’m miserable and then start finding reasons to not continue with whatever regime I was on."

—courtneyf4a6e1c9fb

9. Progress pictures can be powerful motivation. Take some!

mackenzielynns

"I remind myself how far I’ve come! Having progress pictures keep me motivated. Can’t stop now!"

—mackenzielynns

10. Find a friend or join a workout group that puts an emphasis on community. That way you'll have support from people going through similar journeys.

Rawpixel / Getty Images

"Find a great group of people to workout with. I would never get through 5 a.m. spin and bootcamp classes if it weren’t for the group of people who push each other."

—jannao2

It's not easy to get moving, but when you do it's life-changing. And if you're dealing with incontinence, make life easier with Poise Active with wings, available at Walgreens.