Hi Everyone!

Please Help! I cant Stay Motivated to excerise! WHY? I eat Pretty Good I have about two bad days a week. Which I am working on. But I can never stay motivated to work out I live pretty far from town so I dont have a membership to any gym. I dont own a bike or any work out equpment excpect for the fitness ball. I do have a few cardio work out tapes but it seems like they get pretty boring and I cant find any at Walmart that I like. I do walk sometimes but It doesnt seem to get my heart rate up at all. I cant run cause Im just not that fit yet. I was wondering if any of you have tried the tampoline? I saw them at Walmart and thought I would try it. its small so it is easy to store away and it was only 30$ Is it really a good workout? just bouncing up and down?

Amanda

I have tried the trampoline but my problem was that after just a few bounces, I was running to urinate. This is probably more age related and may not happen with you. Mostly, I just use walking for exercise.

If you're bored doing exercise tapes, you're gonna get bored on the trampoline.....

You really need to start by looking at your "motivation". I hate that term, because for me, motivation doesn't come into it. My preferred word is "commitment". When I started exercising I wasn't motivated at all. I knew form my research that exercise was my best chance of losing the weight and more importantly, keeping it off. I soon discovered the more I exercised, the more I needed good food to keep me going, so it was easier to stay on plan with food.

I started by making a deal, 3 sessions, 30 minutes each, every week, six weeks. Then I could give up.

Well those three sessions became 4 then 5, 40 minutes, then 50 minutes...and on it went.

Now I exercise every day in one form or another. The trick is to find something you can love, or even just tolerate.

You can run at a heavy weight, it isn't easy, but there is no reason why, if you feel ready, you can't add say 4 minute walks, two minute jogs, at intervals.

I'd urge you to get into a routine with what you have already, before you buy anything else!

Kykaree is right - you can't wait around to be motivated. If that were the case, I'd be on the couch every night. I once asked a friend how on earth she got up every morning at 5:30 and went to the gym. She told me that she didn't allow herself to ask herself if she wanted to - she just made it a commitment and did it. After awhile it was a habit. Dr. Phil (who is not my favorite, but he's right on this) says you need to have a program, because motivation and willpower will only get you so far.

If you're serious about this, you need to make a plan, and write it down, and then follow it. Many people here exercise quite effectively at home. Walking is very good, and needs no special equipment. If you're bored, alternate your cardio tapes and walking, and even the trampoline if you decide to get it. (Too bad we're not closer - I have one in my storage shed I'd give you. )

Make a commitment to yourself, and in a month or 6 weeks you'll see the results (which then will motivate you to keep going!)

Try to mix up you exercise routine. Walk as fast as you can, slow down, and than more speed walking for 30 minutes, than use your work out tape, or just move around by dancing, jumping, or whatever you can do to get your heart rate up. Make out a exercising plan that will keep you excited or at least one that you know you will do because you need to do it to get in your exercise.

Over the years, my 'motivation' has changed to focusing on the health benefits. I researched the benefits of the different types of cardio and lifting, and made up a program that addresses most of them.

As I got better at exercising, the 'motivation' became self-feeding.

If you have no access to a gym or equipment, work with what you have. Walking, and the variations in a walking-based program, is excellent. My sister-in-law lost 40 lbs through walking (and diet). A stability ball is excellent in developing your core strength. Make those your goals.

Hope this helps...

I agree with kykaree and Pat -- motivation isn't what you need. I hate exercising too. When I first started, I'd be strapping on my shoes and grumbling and moaning about it. But I just do it. I set up an exercise goal (in minutes) for the month and it really helps keep me accountable.

Another way to look at it is this. Are you motivated to go to work every day? Pay your bills? Brush your teeth? These are things we do because we have to whether we want to or not. I'm trying to view exercise the same way.

As for what to do, walking IS great-- I like to walk to music and love my ipod! I have a hard time running or jogging because of back issues, but I use the music to keep my speed up! We bought a treadmill and that's nice for when the weather is bad.

But you DO need to find things you like! Keep an open mind to possibilities!

Yep. "motivation" (or lack thereof) is overrated . Oh, how I wish I could just buy some and take it whenever needed! Which would be pretty much always... a motivation IV drip!

Good advice given by the ladies above and I can't add anything to it. Matter of fact, I'm trying to absorb what they've said, 'cause I also have problems with getting/staying motivated to work out.

Anyway, regarding the tramp, just be aware of the weight max if you decide to get one. DH and DS got me one for Mother's Day. When I told them that was what I wanted, I hadn't noticed that the weight max on the model I had selected is 200 . I didn't notice until they got it home and presented it to me. It was right there on the box. Uh oh...

Actually, THAT has given me some motivation. I can't take it back for a refund or exchange without explaning to the family why it needs to be exchanged. Neither of them has any clue that I'm over the limit and I'm not gonna tell 'em now.

So, now I'm sort of commited to getting under 200! This thing is NOT gonna break on my turn!

By the way, it is fun. I put it on with my IPod and dance/bounce along to a song. Haven't used it for more than 1 song at a time, though. Lately, I've been switching things up a lot -- 5 minutes on bouncer, 5 minutes on treadmill, 60 crunches on Ab-Lounger, back to bouncer... that kind of thing. May not be "efficient", but I figure it's better than vegging on the couch.

I'm pretty much going to have to agree with everyone who has already posted here, but I'm going to add that I'd really encourage you to keep searching for forms of exercise that you find fun as well as calorie-burning. Replace the "chore" of exercising with a hobby that will last, and grow with you as you move beyond a few hours of light exercise each week.

I'm playing racquetball, with some squash and badmitten mixed in. It burns a heck of a lot of cals, but more importantly, it's fun.

Suggestions? Buy a bike and go on picnic rides, buy a cheap digital camera and take up photography to make walks more entertaining, look into what parks, trails, and beginners hikes there are in your area, start a garden, check out the local sporting opportunities (you'll be surprised at how "out of shape" you can be and still be more than welcome to join in- and since you won't be out of shape forever, you'll have a great knowledge of the game when your body changes and lets you move the way you want), and probably 5000 other ideas. If it gets you off the couch and you move your body while doing it, it's a great candidate.

Then, replace some of your "non-motivational" workouts with your new hobby. Not only will you be adding more entertainment in your week, but (I've found) you'll find yourself enjoying (or at least appreciating) your traditional exercise more as well, since it will have a direct effect on helping you perform your hobby better.

I know that this is the only way that I'll be happy adding exercise to my life. I'm hoping to have another 40 or 50 years to live with this lifestyle, I don't want to spend a significant portion of that time dreading a few hours of each week.

Motivation IS overrated. So is willpower, to an extent. I don't think even willpower can take you any further than you're ready to force yourself to go. Just my two cents, feel free to ignore it.

Lots of other folks have said it, but I have to agree--motivation comes and goes, as does willpower. The only thing that gets results is COMMITMENT.

I made a commitment to myself that every work day I would take my lunch hour at the gym. Since I started going I've only missed one day, and that was out of my control. Now granted, I really LOVE going, so it doesnt seem like a hardship. It's the days that I will dread going that my commitment to myself will have to take over.

Thanks Everyone!

I think I got it! Working out does'nt need motivation or will power, you just have to DO IT! if you want to see results in losing weight. Even if you hate it you still have to get out anddosomething cause once yougetyour shoes on andhead down the road you wont think twice about turning around all you think of isfinishing the walk and seeing how far you can go! I think Im going toget off line right now and go for a long walk thanks GALS

Great advise Afrom everyone Amanda ... JUST DO IT!!... How was your walk?

Lots of great advice here! I found I began to get consistent when I set small goals for myself, like I signed up for the Presidential Fitness Challenge and was aiming for at least 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. I did finally hit the 6 weeks in a row of that, even though it took me a LONG time of some real close weeks. I think that was the most consistent I got with exercise. You just need to make it a habit, and keep reinforcing that habit no matter how your life changes. It isn't easy, but we all JUST DO IT. Good luck!