Teens are notoriously unmotivated when it comes to exercise - especially girls. But a recent small study led by a graduate student from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that the single most important exercise motivator is personal fulfillment.
More than 200 middle school students completed several questionnaires about their fitness level and what factors led them to exercise, including desire for weight loss, parental encouragement and peer influences. Of all factors, "personal fulfillment" received the most votes - in other words, the exercise was fun.