How to get motivated to go to the gym?

Hey guys,
So I'm almost 5 months post-op so far and down a little more than 110 pounds since my liquid diet and I've been wanting to make the gym my new healthy habit without much success. Don't get me wrong, I've lost a lot of weight because I have been very active playing hockey twice a week and walking the golf course 2-3 times a week too but I'd like to fit going to the gym into my active schedule. Since I need to lose more than 200 pounds, I know my skin and body will need some toning and that's why the gym will help me in those aspects. I just don't know how to get motivated to go. It's litteraly a 2 minute walk from my place and I can't even "find" the time to go. Always some lame excuses. I got my membership 2 months ago and went 4 times since and haven't gone in the last 6 weeks. Can someone please help me out? I want to make this a routine and enjoy going to the gym. Has anyone overcome this in the past? Can you force yourself to like something? Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks guys! 

Derek

For me, I HAVE to make myself go first thing in the morning (we're talking 5 a.m.) or it doesn't happen. Work gets crazy, and the kids always have something after 5 p.m. or I do. I used to try to do it during my lunch hour at work but the to/from and getting ready and changing clothes ate up too much of the workout time. If I get there at 5:15 I can stay until 6:30 and make it to work by 7:30 if I have to.

It really DOES help with the skin, IMO. Especially on my arms - I've gotten numerous compliments on my tricep muscles, lol.

I wish my gym opened that early. It opens at 6am but my ride for work gets at my place at 6:30am. If it wasn't for the free ride in the morning and at night I would be going in early but my work schedule doesn't accomodate it. For the past two days I've been going right after work. My plan is to hit it 5 days this week. Thanks for the tips! 

Go early in the morning.  It makes it easier to turn into a routine and looking at all the other people at the gym at that hour makes me want to work harder.

I wish I could but my gym opens at 6am and my ride gets to my place at 6:30am. Not much time for a workout if you ask me.

For me, I have to find other ways to get my exercise in besides going to the gym.  I take a 20 minute walk in the morning, I walk during my two 15 minute breaks at work, I do a 30-60 minute walk with a buddy at night, I lift weights while I wait for my computer to boot up at home and during the commercials when I watch TV.  Going to the gym has always seemed like such a production to me, which is why sneaking little bits of exercise in throughout the day works better for me.

Wow Terri! You go girl! All that seems a little much for me. I do enjoy my 30 minute evening walks with my fiancée and our dog but always moving around like that is just too busy for me. But in the end, you have to find what's right for you. It looks like you've found it. Congrats!!! 

Good call! For me, my goal this week is to go 5 days straight and see how my body likes it. Next week, I will try to do the same. "However not going also becomes a habit" is stuck in my mind now. I know I have to break this cycle. I don't want "not going" to become a habit. Thanks for the post.

If you can start by setting a small goal.
I'm going to go for 2 weeks straight, something like that.
It really does become a habit.  However not going also becomes a habit.

You have to treat it like a job initially. Make yourself known to the people at the gym so they'll call you out if you miss sessions. If you can find time for golf walking you can certainly find time for the gym. You just need to change your mindset about what's important. If it was important to have the surgery, it should be even more important to stay healthy.