Even though it is only September, I have re-stocked my Halloween candy supply more than once. I just really love candy corn. After shoving a fistful into my mouth, my thoughts usually alternate between, “Maybe that was too much sugar,” and “I should work out.”

When I see a perfectly toned model whose photo has been edited on the cover of a magazine while I am checking out at the grocery store, I look down at the bag of candy corn in my hand and think, “I REALLY need to work out.”

This is a mantra I frequently repeat to myself. Although I do not make it to the gym every day, I do adhere to a regular exercise schedule.

For me, the difficult part of working out is not the physical challenge, it is the motivation to do it.

I have heard a lot of advice about forcing yourself to work out. Some recommend looking at pictures of the body you want, while others suggest sweating it out in a group setting.

Those are great ideas, although neither has worked for me. Visual incentives can work well from time to time, but looking at pictures of girls with six packs tends to depress me.

I like to zone out and listen to my music when I am exercising, which is why I am not a huge fan of group workouts.

I have found a few things that motivate me.

The first is to gauge how I am feeling. If I plan an intense session and do not think I am up for it, I will do something less rigorous instead, such as go for a walk or do some gentle yoga.

Staying active and healthy is not about pushing yourself to your breaking point every day. Something less high in energy keeps you moving and ensures you will not get sick or hurt.

Other times, I know I am feeling fine, but am just lazy. When that happens, I get up and change into my workout clothes. I even put on my tennis shoes.

After I walk around a little and stretch, I can get into the mood. Within 30 minutes, I am at the gym.

Still, it is a daily struggle. There are so many nights when lying in bed doing nothing in particular sounds better than facing the fluorescent lighting of the YMCA.

However, the rush I get after working out is worth making myself get up. The rewarding mouthful of candy corn I eat when I get home is also pretty good.