Developing the drive for exercise

By Dr Darren Morton

Dr Darren Morton, PhD is the Director of the Avondale Centre for Exercise Science, Avondale College, Cooranbong, NSW.

The answer to this question lies in understanding the difference between motivation and drive. Distinguishing between the two provides a framework for making a long-lasting commitment to exercise

Motivation versus drive
Motivation is something you have to strive for – it is a conscious attempt. Therein lies the problem; you have to ‘think’ about it and since thoughts are fickle, so is motivation. Drive on the other hand is something that you don’t have to work at – you just naturally gravitate towards it. When you are driven you cannot help but go for it. So the obvious question is, 'How do you develop drive?'

The home of motivation and drive
As motivation is a conscious endeavour, it involves the thinking part of our brain that is referred to as the neocortex. Conversely, neurophysiologists have identified the site in your brain responsible for our drive as part of the subconscious called the limbic system. It is the limbic system that decides when to go hard and when you give up. Scientists have learnt that if your limbic system is positively stimulated you become driven; if it is not, you don’t budge.

What is interesting is that brain researchers have found the limbic system responsible not only for our drive, but also our feelings. In fact, biomedical textbooks now refer to the limbic system as the ‘emotional brain’. And since it is responsible for both these functions by linking them together, it provides us with the key to unlocking our drive.

Essentially, the things you are driven towards are always a response to a feeling. Why don’t you exercise even when you know you should? Because you don’t feel like it! Indeed, apathy is really a state of emotional blankness. Conversely, drive is a direct result of heightened feelings, where the stronger the feeling, the more driven you are to act.

Get emotional!
The bottom line is, that to experience long–lasting behaviour change you need to get emotional about it. In order to make an ongoing commitment to exercise you need to go beyond merely thinking that you should to feeling that you must.

One strategy to help execute this is to write down all the positive feelings you will experience when you follow through on an exercise program. Reflect on what it would feel like to loose those extra kilograms and be able to fit into the clothes you desire; or how wonderful you'll feel when you have better fitness levels and more energy to do the things you want to. Immerse yourself in the emotions you'll have when people tell you how fantastic you look.

Next, record all the negative emotions you will experience if you don’t follow through. Remember, the greater the emotional intensity the more you are driven. Generally, painful thoughts are the more powerful movers; you are more driven to avoid pain than gain pleasure, so you may need to be really graphic and creative, especially with the second list

Once written, the lists should be read regularly and emotionally felt, as each item is considered.

Believe and achieve
Feelings are important in determining our drive, but what determines the way you feel about something? The answer is our beliefs. Our beliefs act as a reference for the way you feel in any situation. Beliefs drive behaviour.

Of course, we all have different beliefs and this explains why we all have different approaches to things like exercise. Importantly, our beliefs can either serve us or do us a disservice.

Identifying the beliefs that drive our behaviours can take some digging, but it is well worth the effort. Sometimes people hold a core belief that they will 'always be fat and unfit,' but they're not actually consciously aware of it.

Exposing beliefs that do not empower and replacing them with ones that do, is a crucial step towards prompting our limbic system into action and developing a drive for exercise.

Conclusion
Often in our lives, we know what to do but just don’t do what we know; for many, exercise is one such area. The secret to following through and achieving your health and fitness goals, lies in being not only motivated, but driven. Only by feeling the benefits will you be transformed from a couch potato into someone who prizes regular exercise.

Belief drives behaviour!
What do you believe about exercise? How you view the statements below will have a tremendous affect on how driven you are to exercise:

 1.  Exercise = hard work + pain + sweat + discomfort.
 2.  Exercise is fine for those who are naturally fit.
 3.  Everyone should exercise if they have time left over at the
      end of the day.
 4.  Prioritising time for exercise each day is one of the best things you
      can do for yourself.