Before I started working out regularly, I always wanted to get in shape, but I lacked the motivation, self-esteem, and maybe even the courage to hit the gym. Any time I would gather enough nerve to go to the gym, I would see how strong everyone else was and notice how they navigated the gym with ease, whereas I looked like a lost toddler. It was discouraging and I would give up before I even started.

I found myself constantly searching online for ways to get and stay motivated to work out and to overcome the intimidation I felt every time I set foot in a gym. I found a lot of great advice, but nothing that really resonated with me. Lots of sites suggest that motivation comes from within. But how do you find the kind of internal motivation that can’t be sidetracked by low self-esteem or intimidation? Here’s what I discovered