How do you stay motivated? I cannot seem to get myself back into the routine of exercise. I really need some motivation and you seem encouraging. I was just curious as to how you get motivated.

Thanks,

April Marie

Hello April Marie- I assume you are new? I've just been back on this board about a month and haven't seen a post from you before.

Staying motivated is hard. It's easy for me to lose my motivation. I think the two best things for me are:
1. After you exercise, notice how great you feel! Even if you are hot and tired you have a feeling of accomplishment and you can feel you are breathing deeper, relaxed, etc. Remember that good feeling so the next time you don't quite feel like exercising, think about how good you will feel afterwards.
2. Sometimes you have to take a break from it because of your schedule or you are ill or something. Don't beat yourself up about it. Just get back to exercising even if it's only 15 or 20 minutes the next time you can.

Marvin & Pam: I usually either get stress headaches in the back of my neck and shoulders or sinus ones around my eyes and forehead. For the sinus one, I actually have one of those blue vinyl ice packs with a cut out for your eyes and I lay down and put that on. At work sometimes I just get a cold can of soda and put in against my forehead between sips. It probably looks stupid but it helps. For the neck and shoulder ones, gently, slowly, rotating your head in a circle a few times in each direction helps release the tension. Breathe in through your nose as you head goes back and breathe out as you circle forward. Reverse. We do this in yoga. Raising and lowering your shoulders (shoulder shrugs) can help or something warm (heating pad) on your neck and shoulders.

Marvin, sorry the house isn't coming along as quick as you'd like. Sounds like the aquasize is a great idea for you though. It's easier to do, especially with the baby weight and it cools you down.

Pam, I think you're right not to stress too much about the weight while you are expecting. I retained water some when I was pg and the baby can go through growth spurts.

Well, my story - I didn't have a great exercise week after Monday. Wednesday night we went out to eat and I didn't exercise. Thursday night I got in the pool for just about 20 minutes. But at least I did something. It was only 65 outside when I got in but the pool was 80. It was cool here this week after having such a hot week during July 4. Friday night I went to a 7 to midnight crop (scrapbooking) and my only exercise was carrying all my stuff up and down the steps. This morning I went to yoga and I intend to either swim or get on the Eliptical trainer later.

Well, sorry if this is a long post! Have a good weekend everyone! and stay cool if it's hot in your area!

Stamper,

Thanks.

I am not new, really. I have been around since last August; however, I lurk often; just reading and reviewing what others have to say.

I appreciate your tips. I know how to stay fit, but it's just a matter of motivation.

Thanks,

April Marie

April - I know what you mean. I know what to eat and how much exercise to get - motivation is the key and that's the hardest part. Good luck!

Ack Marvin, sorry to hear your house is taking so long!

I ate so bad today cause I was so stresssed, hopefully tomorrow will be better. I'll be focusing on the fruits and veggies tomorrow ya know. Got a walk in tonight, helped sooooo much with the stress. Dh got the little pool for Em set up tonight so maybe tomorrow we'll play in that. We just don't have the yard room for running around.

Stamper, I have such an urge to stamp/scrapbook tonight. Really should get my butt off of here and do it, hehe. It's been so long, sigh.
In Christ,
Pamela

Pam, glad you got your walk in. Sometimes the stress gets us all. I had a day like that last week when I stopped at dairy queen on the way home!. Before we had our pool, I used to like to sit in the yard with my daughter playing in her little pool and I would sit in a lawn chair by her and she would "water my legs" with a watering can. It really does cool you off.

Marvin, thanks for the encouragement. Sounds like you've been busy but you're getting your excerise. Good luck with the Ultrasound.

Sunday it was cloudy out so I went over to my friends house and stamped all afternoon and my dd played with her kids. Then when our dh's got home from golf, we all went out to eat. I thought I picked a good choice but I felt stuffed when we left so when we got home I went out and swam about 20 minutes.

Monday I was in the pool about 45 minutes and I am getting ready to go out now for a workout. I got on the scale this morning and I am down 4.5 pounds since I started back on the board. Hopefully I won't be back up tomorrow. I seem to keep yo-yo ing back and forth a pound or so.

April, what motivates me to excerise is how good it makes me feel. Plus the added benefit of losing weight and getting toned helps too. I'm just a nicer person when I do it. I see the world through much better eyes.

Ate somewhat better today, LOL. We walked almost the whole Mall of America so that was a nice workout. Went to a movie with my sister. Bawled my eyes out (it was Ice Age, btw, LOL). So yeah.
In Christ,
Pamela

Yay on your ultrasound!!!

Ate a little too much at lunch but that's cause I went too long between breakfast and lunch (had a La Leche League meeting). *sigh* I *will* have a good rest of the week.

Excercising is getting really hard, even just walking. I've gotten quite the belly all of a sudden (I'm not eating *that* bad, I don't think!!) and my body overall is having a hard time adjusting. Lots of hip and low back pain. Trying to do what I can, but yeah...
Trying to do lunges or plies makes me dizzy. But you know what? After the baby's born, I can do it again! I am just going to be more careful.
In Christ,
Pamela

Toilets are very important! What's your move in date officially?? I'm so excited for you!!

Emmett and I had a virus the past couple of days but seem to be doing better now. I'm in another not wanting to eat phase which is good cause I ate all last week! Baby is really kicking! I'm loving it!
In Christ,
Pamela

Marvin, sounds like progress is being made - you have a toilet! It's great that you are getting your fruits and vegies and some exercise!

Pamela, sorry to hear you and your son are under the weather - hope you are feeling better soon.

I got a lot of exercise Sat, Sun and Monday. I worked until 10:30 tonight and didn't get to exercise, but on the other hand, I've been too busy to eat much and don't seem to be craving anything yummy the last few days. I usually am a stress eater but I think I am too stressed to think of food. So I've just been eating when I'm really hungry. I know that's not always good either.

Anyway, my mom had wanted me to lose 5 pounds by her birthday and I did it. I wanted to lose more but I guess my goals are always a bit over-optomistic.

So now I am down to 208. I have such a long way to go.