By Kim Fredrick (Florence, SC)

I wish motivation was a one-size-fits-all prescription. If that was true, I would happily use up many prescription pads daily getting people to exercise. But alas, I cannot prescribe motivation.

Motivation is a personal “thing.” What drives you to take action may not even register on someone else’s radar.

Each of you needs to look inside of yourself to find what will motivate you to move, get sweaty, strain your muscles, challenge your body and create a better and healthier version of you.

Some of us who work in the fitness industry are a “special kind of crazy.” We love the burn in our muscle fibers and the impending soreness causing us to oh so gracefully do the granny flop when trying to sit down. The athletic challenge to see how we can use our bodies to get an even better workout than the last time motivates us.

But even those of us who are passionate about fitness — who cannot wait to sweat, try a new workout, conquer another lift or add one more mile — need some encouragement. At times, even personal trainers need a workout partner to motivate, challenge or show us something new.

What could your motivation be?

An emotional feeling — Empowerment or confidence brought about by accomplishing a workout can give you a resolve and steadfastness to push beyond your comfort zone. The feeling of strength and achievement after finishing a tough training session motivates many people.

You do not have to deadlift 1,155 lbs to have these emotional responses. Each of us has endorphins, which are hormones released during exercise. Endorphins are similar in structure, and affect us like, opiate drugs, hence the term “runner’s high.”

Knowing it’s best — Most of us know or at least have heard how important exercise is for the human body. Yet not all of us have experienced the rewards first hand when it comes to easing pain through exercise, enabling us to continue some semblance of movement or helping our bodies stay together.

Prior to being injured, a friend’s motivation for exercise was adding a mile to her run or more pushups to her workout. Now living with chronic pain due to her injury, her motivation is to have and maintain the healthiest body possible. Exercise helps her to feel better and allows her to move more easily throughout the day.

After being rehabilitated from multiple back surgeries, where more than 50 screws and a metal rod were placed in his back, my father exercised regularly. He knew his body needed all the help it could get to literally stay together. One of his motivations was to help the hardware do its job thus easing his overall pain by maintaining strong back muscles.

Your self image — The physical results you can see in the mirror or when pulling on those jeans can serve as motivation. Exercise is also a wonderful opportunity to have “me time” to recharge from the worries and stress of your job or raising children. Exercising is a nonselfish chance to focus on no one else but yours truly.

For others — Do you want to be healthier and stronger for your family? Being fit and healthy allows you to better care for your loved ones and to perform better at your work. Sometimes being motivated by what others think can actually benefit us. We all know about working on becoming better for someone special. Whichever reason drives you, the benefits of exercise are the grand prize.

Support system — Other fit people, who by sight, word or letter challenge you to make changes, can motivate you to follow in their footsteps. A training partner, friend or personal trainer can all give you the extra incentive to not skip a workout. These same people who motivate you to get started will generally keep you going by being your personal cheering squad.

I challenge you to find your personal motivation! Surround yourself with others who will encourage you on your healthful journey. Make for yourself a wide web of encouraging, motivating and challenging friends and family members.

Find your “thing,” the crucial element that will cause you to make exercise a habit.

Readers: I challenge you to be excellent to your body!

Kimberly Fredrick is a certified personal trainer at McLeod Health and Fitness Center and a mother to three children under the age of 12. Currently Fredrick is also serving as a group trainer and the emcee for Florence’s Biggest Loser competition, hosted by the United Way of Florence County.

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