after taking a hard look at my exercise routine, i have come to the conclusion that i am still taking the easy route, never pushing myself, only doing the bare minimum etc. today is my first day with my new attitude towards exercise. i woke up this morning and did day one of week one of the couch to 5k program, and that was the LONGEST 20 minutes of my life, which itself was an eyeopener to how wimpy my routine was.

my biggest issue with exercising is finding motivation. gym membership is not an option for me right now, so i have been doing a few pilates dvd's and i have some weights 1,3,&5 pound that i use, but with no real routine in place. my SIL is loosing weight with me, but her only interest is the diet portion of it, so with no one to go at it with me, i slack like crazy. HELP! what are some things that kept you guys motivated when you first started?

I say register for a 5K race for at the end of your program! Then you will have something to trainer for, and you'll get a cool T-shirt when you're done.

I enjoy exercise, but I do like to have a goal to shoot for.

that is a great idea!! is there a website that i can go on that tells me if there are any races in my area?

Toss that 1lb weight!

You are 5'4 and 150lbs, time to start some real strength training! If you prefer videos, I would recommend Jillian's 30 day shred. Get started with pushups!

I would second the 30 day shred! I have just started using it and it is very tough and only 20 minutes long which for me is a big advatage.

I am very much like you in the way that, yes, I was working out, but totally slacking. Some weeks I would do 3 days, some weeks 1 day, some weeks not at all. I have discovered to secret (for myself) to consistant exercising!

Waking up 1/2 hour earlier then usual and just getting it done. This has been effective for me for a couple reasons a) I am going to be groggy and out of it no matter what time I wake up b) the biggest reason I slacked before was I could come up with a million excuses to miss a workout after work. There is nothing going on for me at 6.30 am that would stop me from working out.

I also feel amazing when I workout in the morning. I am energized through the day. All that being said, if you work really early in the morning, maybe not the best choice, but if not, give it a try!

yeah, 3 kids and hubby, about the only time i can do it is in the a.m. but getting out of bed is kinda hard for me, although this morning i did the 10-10-10 thing, (how will this affect me in 10min, 10months or 10 years) and realizing if i didnt get my butt up, in 10 months i could be back at 180 got me up today. i just dont know about tomorrow...

and where can i get the jillian shred dvd that isnt online?

I got my DVD at Target and tomorrow I am going to start doing it in the morning instead of the evening.

i've seen it at walmart to and mejers but look around should be easy to find

I got my DVD through amazon.ca

ok... snuck out to target last night and picked up the shred... got up early this morning, and WOW. i am so glad that thing is only 20 minutes. i can def. feel my body right now, and i know i will be sore tomorrow.. thanks guys!!

Good Luck with C25K. I've done W1D1 several times now, most recently about a month ago. I've never been able to get through more than half the workout, even with my dog pulling me forward (she could run all day). I really really want to do it. I just haven't been able to complete day one yet.

I've come to the conclusion that if I continue to take brisk walks 3 times a week and lose weight, I will eventually be able to do it. Once I lose my first 15 pounds, I'm going to try again.

Most of my motivation to regularly get out there comes from my dog, I think. We live in a small apartment with no yard. In the winter I throw a sweater on her and go. In the summer I try to wait til later in the evening. But she HAS to get in a few good walks each week or she bounces off the walls inside.

I also try to do things I enjoy. Instead of just going to the jogging track at a local park, I try to find long hiking trails in the forest so Lucy (the dog) can get in some good sniffs, and I can enjoy nature. I switch up the parks and try not to go to the same one twice in a week. It doesn't feel so much like exercise when I'm out hiking in a new environment each time.

rocketbunny-
on the c25k program, it says that it really isnt about speed and i take that to heart!! i may be just barely jogging, but it counts! i know if i keep on doing it, one day i will 'really' be running!!