It's okay it's simple, there's a little button you can press above the post thingy to make it easy for people like us who aren't very computer savvy! hehe.
Most days I am not really excited about going to the gym but I realize that if I keep putting it off, I`ll never go. So, I`ve started bringing my gym clothes with me wherever I go so that I don`t have to go home and change.
Also, I like to make plans to meet a friend to go with me. AND, I like taking group fitness classes because you can't put them off b/c they are only offered at certain times.
Those are all like... big picture things.
For the days I really don't want to go....I just do it. I mean, I know that isn`t very inspirational, but it's the best way I've found. Somedays I feel like I'm fighting with myself just to get up the energy and motivation to go, but I had to stop listening to the voice that said "Go head, take a day off..." or "I'm too tired/busy/whatever."
I have to stop making excuses, stop procrastinating and just go and do what needs to be done to meet my goals.
Plus, I've found that the more I work out, the more I want to. The same goes the opposite way too.. the more I sit around, the more I want to sit around.
I do 5-6 workouts a week... and I've developed the "do I REALLY want *today* off?" mentality . . . and most days, I won't - if only because I know that means I'll pretty much be obligated to workout the rest of the week. And it's not so much that I hate working out as it is that I would not have the option of taking a break. And I'm all about options!
So once you have a schedule set (how ever frequent or intense) -- put yourself in that mindset (and of course, follow-through--if you used up all your break days, put yourself through the wringer the rest of the week)
Last edited by AquaWarlock; 02-01-2006 at 04:17 PM.
If I feel tired or for whatever reason don't want to go to the gym, I've started making a deal with myself that I'll go, and if I feel worse or still really don't want to be there after 5-10 minutes of cardio, then I'll just go home...and I think in the past few years I've quit and gone home only 3 times.
For me, most of the time the hardest part is just getting that energy to get myself there, and then the workout itself picks up my energy--some of my best workouts have been on days when I really thought I'd be too tired to get *anything* done at the gym.
I just make myself do it. Reading forums and such does help a bit with motivation. I don't have a gym membership, so my workouts are at home or outside, or in the gym at school. It's way too easy to say, "I'll workout later..." and then not do it. I try to do SOMETHING every day, even if it's just walking around the living room. Today, I haven't felt well and called out of school (a rarity), so I'm staying put and resting. Tomorrow, I'll have to workout because I'll feel guilty about missing today!
It also helps to do it as early in the day as possible. Then it gets it out of the way and you won't be sitting around all day thinking about it. I've started getting up with my husband at 5 AM (yes, I am crazy...) for cardio. This way it's done and I'm home before I'd normally be waking up.
It might also help to have a set schedule and/or goals. Like say you want to do 3 weight sessions and 4 cardio sessions a week. You can plan it out and you know what your expecting of yourself. This kind of goes back to what Warlock said. Either you end up not reaching your goal or you HAVE to go the next 4 days straight or double up weights and cardio or whatever.
I ususally set goals and they keep me in check.
I try to relax as well, because i noticed when things go wrong in my life i get discouraged from everything and dwell too much.
I always say... 10 minutes is better then nothing at all.
...It's horrible how lazy and how much of a procrastinator I can be.
Hi Melanie. I think one way to help motivate yourself is to stop calling yourself lazy and a procrastinator. These are both things I've said to myself a million times too, but I try not to anymore. I realized that they are lies that keep me down. You create who you are, every day... who you are does not dictate what you do--it's the other way around. When you get into a pattern of doing things, it might seem like it's an innate part of your personality but it isn't. You might be acting lazy today, and you might have been acting lazy yesterday and as far back as you can remember, but that doesn't mean you have to act lazy from now on--you have the power to change anything about yourself through action. And every time you go out and exercise you are beating down that myth that you're lazy and creating yourself as an active person.
I know "just do it" can seem like super difficult advice to follow. But it really is that simple. Can the negative self talk and just walk out the door and do it, and do it again tomorrow, and the day after etc... and before you know it you'll have changed your identity.
the three things that have helped me the most are: music. i make a really cool mix on my ipod that i want to listen to. i've also had my sister put her workout mix on my ipod so that i have something new to listen to. magazines. i know, i know, you're not supposed to be reading magazines at the gym, you're supposed to be working out, but i only do it for 20 minutes during my warm up or cool down. it's like a little reward to myself.
plus, my gym gets EVERY magazine possible. i'll also go when the insider or other celebrity gossip shows are on, that way i can watch the show and it makes the time go by faster. calendar/journal. this may be my most embarassing one, but i have a 3-ring binder that i record work outs, to do list, meals (for WW points), water consumption, and everyday items (vitamins, sit-ups, skincare, etc..). i bought dot stickers in red, yellow, green, and blue. at the end of the day, i get a red sticker if i stayed within my points, a yellow sticker if i worked out, a green sticker if i accomplished most of the things on my to do list, and a blue sticker if i drank all my water. that sounds so grade school, but seriously, i get mad at myself if i look at the sheets and there's not 4 stickers in the top corner. i've also taken a calendar and highlighted the days that i worked out. i hated seeing more white than colored boxes.
the idea of going there and telling yourself that you can leave anytime also helps.
i agree with surferchick - let go of the negativity. positive thinking can do wonders. tell yourself you are strong and can achieve your goals, whatever they may be. perhaps write an affirmation on a card and read it every morning when you wake up and every night before you sleep. write it in the present tense. For example:
I am motivated each day to exercise and eat healthy and have achieved my 30 lbs weight loss.
You would be surprised how well affirmations work. Do mini ones and long term ones. However it is important to be realistic. Please, try not to tell yourself that you want a body like Heidi Klum, as you will never have a body like Heidi Klum - you are your own person and no-one is the same as you. Love who you are and see the potential you have to be the best you can be (at the risk of sounding like the defence forces )
chicagoposter - how organised are you! wow!i also write in my day planner when i am going to exercise and have my month mapped out. so satisfying when you can put a tick next to the task
Edited to add: have a plan A and a plan B for your exercise. If your plan A is to exercise at 6.00am and perhaps you sleep in one morning and then have other responsibilities so you can't exercise as planned, always have a back up plan so you can achieve the goal. Perhaps you have an hour in the evenings spare that can be your plan B so you can exercise then in replacement.
Heeelp, give me some motivation to go exercise! I've got to, yet I'm finding it hard
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