What is the prompt to exercise?

Why is it that when I'm home I don't exercise even though we have a treadmill and a recumbent bike as well as free weights to work out with? I go to Pilates and work hard at it, but on the off days I'm no where near as diligent. There was an interesting article in the ADN this week about this phenomenon. The researchers looked at people who owned exercise equipment vs. those who didn't. Although both exercised, those with the equipment didn't keep it up! Or something like that. I am proof of that. I continue to exercise away from home, but have a hard time carving out the time to go downstairs and get on the treadmill. I would rather fool around on the computer, read or practice my accordion!

I have to admit that when we are doing crunches and other activities in Pilates I am thinking in my head "and WHY am I here? Why am I paying for pain?" It has actually become somewhat of a social event since I got to the same classes and the regulars all know each other now. We don't do anything together, but we often talk after class. And I can see/feel the results. I think that may be why being on the treadmill or bike is so hard for me. I don't see results. Although, I guess from my stress test, that I do have results, just not evident to me.

What does motivate people to exercise? I know Richard (see his blog to the right) does it for health. I technically do, but I'm no where near as motivated as he is. I can barely stand 1/2 hour on the equipment and he does 1 1/2 hours!