10 Tips to Change Yourself From a Dedicated Couch-Potato to a Gym Enthusiast - ThinnerTimes

nextbigloser · 02-27-2008, 11:02 AM

I stumbled across this and thought I would post it. Maybe it will help motivate someone.

Written by Gretchen Rubin

1. Always exercise on Monday. Starting the week on the right foot makes it easier to stick to your plan.

2. Never skip exercising for two days in a row. You can skip a day, but the next day, you must exercise no matter how inconvenient. This rule dramatically increased the number of times I exercise over the course of a month.

3. Remember, exercise GIVES energy. If you feel too tired to exercise, remember that exercise boosts energy. It took me a long time to notice that I’d drag myself to the gym, work out for forty minutes, and leave feeling far more energetic than when I went in.

4. Any work-out “counts.” Give yourself credit for the least effort. My father, a runner, always said that all he had to do was put on his running shoes and close the door behind him. Why does this work? Because if I know I can quit after five minutes, I get started—and once I start, I usually follow through with my usual routine. Getting out the door is by FAR the toughest part.

5. You don’t have to shower. One problem—mostly for women—is that taking a shower can take too much time. Look for exercise like strength-training, yoga, or walking, that don’t make you sweaty.

6. Throw money at the problem. Spend more to go to a more convenient gym, or to get an iPod, or to work with a trainer. Exercise pays off BIG in your quality of life, so this is a place to splurge.

7. Don’t set the bar too high. I have a friend who thinks it’s not worth exercising unless she’s training for a marathon – and so she never exercises. She’d be better off going for a one-mile run five times a week.

8. Don’t kid yourself. Belonging to a gym doesn’t mean that you go to the gym. Having been in good shape in college doesn’t mean you’re in good shape today. Be honest about what your habits really are now.

9. You have time. Just take a twenty-minute walk. If you can’t do more, do that! Just a twenty-minute walk will really pay off.

10. Exercise for SANITY not VANITY. I find it more motivating to think about the fact that exercise is going to make me feel happier, calmer, and more energetic, right now, rather than to think about vaguer long-term benefits, like strengthened immunity or longer life. It’s not clear that exercise has much impact on weight loss, so don’t be give up when the pounds don’t fall off. It’s worth doing for so many other reasons.

soon2bthin · 02-27-2008, 12:37 PM

These are all so true, but actually doing them is an entirely different animal. How is the gym going?

Cassie

nextbigloser · 02-27-2008, 12:42 PM

I worked my butt off last night. I just called my brother to see if he would babysit for an hour tonight so I can get a work out in. I wish Josh was a little older and could babysit for an hour. I totally trust him now but its Miss Thang that I worry about.

What about you. Gym membership yet?

soon2bthin · 02-27-2008, 12:48 PM

From the way you talk she sounds a lot like Gatlin. Josh I would trust to babysit, Gatlin not so much. He can't keep up with his shoes much less Christian, and plus they fight constantly. And most of the time the three year old wins. We always tell Gatlin hey you taught him to do it so deal with it. No membership yet, but I have been gazelleing an hour each night. I have been tivo-ing hte Denise Austin 30 minute workouts in morning so I may do one of those tonight. Did you workout by yourself? I just for some reason have fear of that. Call me crazy. I just need to suck it up and go join by myself and do it damn it.

Cassie

nextbigloser · 02-27-2008, 12:52 PM

I go with Jon but once we get there we go our separate ways.

Audrey and Gatlin could be twins. The school is pushing for me to put her on something just like they did with Gatlin. She idolizes him. If you could hear her talk some times you would think it was him.

Lord help me I have two of them!

soon2bthin · 02-27-2008, 01:13 PM

I think once it got there and learned really how to use all the machines I would be ok, but it is just getting there. I guess I am a little shy about it. Tell her to idolize josh, the brother who does not get in trouble as much. You know I think sometimes the school just wants to put a kid on medication to keep from having to mess with them when that is their job anyway. Good luck with it.