From spending summers in the wilds of Montana to becoming captain of the varsity alpine ski team, Tess Wood is always looking for the next mountain to climb. After four years at Harvard as a NCAA athlete, she's scaling a whole new slope as a Nike Field Reporter correspondent.

Getting motivated to hit the gym can be a tricky thing sometimes. All sorts of obstacles can get in my way: There's a sitcom that I need to watch, I want to avoid the traffic jam at the cardio equipment, or maybe I just don't feel like it. Never mind motivation to get my butt to the gym -- sometimes, it's hard enough to be persuaded to make the more active choice and, say, bike instead of drive to work.

But I have a weakness that can convince me to get going: Looking fly.

I'm not just talking about the awesome-body results of a healthy workout (which, yes, can be motivation enough) but rather the fact that if I look the part, I'm going to work it and work it out.

For example, I'll take something I'm already a fan of and make it an even more irresistible option. I love biking instead of driving not only because I don't have to worry about finding a parking spot (OK, let's be real, there's no shortage of space in Montana), but because I had the genius idea to customize my ride. Yes, that neon-pink-and-sparkly wonder belongs to me. So, even if it's 35 degrees and a tad windy, I'm going to ride that 10-speed with pride.

Speaking of the cold, a warm jacket does not need to look like a deflated comforter or shapeless sack of wind-breaking material. Venturing outside in these cooler months requires preparation and nothing extends your time outdoors like proper insulation. To cut the wind and make me look super-stylish, I invested $1.75 in an '80s track jacket from a thrift store. Satiny, pastel, and stunningly retro, it's hard to say if I wear this item more for performance (it's surprisingly windproof) or for compliments.

And while on the subject of apparel, there's one trick that seals the get-to-the-gym-Tess deal: Donning my workout gear. Though it might take an hour or so to warm up to the idea, once I put on a sports bra, shorts, and a shirt, I'm going to put them to use. So whether it's right when I wake up or as soon as I get home in the afternoon, getting in workout mode starts with getting outfitted for it.

How do you make sure you stay active? Saucy cross-trainers that just beg to be used? Or maybe a favorite gadget that keeps you on track? Let us know!