How do I motivate myself to exercise?? - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Native2u · 06-13-2009, 02:49 PM

Find a girlfriend to go with you, that will help motivate you. This way you guys can walk & talk or do whatever you guys decide to work on that day. It works for me to have someone to go with. Although I have gone by myself. I have started running again, I'm in heaven!! I'm at the point that I miss the gym if I don't go.

usairdebw · 06-13-2009, 03:00 PM

I hate it too. I joined planet fitness...it is only 10 bucks a month. I have to talk myself into it everytime. I first tell myself that I will just go for a few minutes on the treadmill. After I get past about 6 minutes, I start feeling better and I usually finish my workout. Just talk yourself into getting in the door. Sometimes I get on the treadmill next to an older person.....then I start feeling guilty because they are often in better shape than I am and I shame myself into at least staying on as long as they do. Just some possible strategies

Good luck!

RNCCRN9706 · 06-13-2009, 11:44 PM

Thanks for the awesome responses everyone!

The gym I joined is top of the line. There's THREE pools, we have a sauna, steam room and whirlpool in each locker room. The treadmills have TV's on them, or I can plug in my iPod and listen away. It also charges the iPod while I'm listening.

I work 3rd shift too, and that's another issue. Some are 12 hr shifts. So, which means, I go home from work(a 40 min drive one way), go to bed to get up in 7 hrs and start all over again.

Dawnelle · 06-14-2009, 06:36 PM

Kelly,
I understand you work 12 hours shifts and commute, however the success of your surgery is even more important. Remember the surgery is a tool. I also work 10-12 hours per day however I do have 2 days off a week and sometimes 3 days off. on your days off make it a priority the first thing you do. I used to HATE exercise however now that I hsve a routine and a plan I loo forward to my days and my exercise. You just have to DO IT. Good Luck

Kcnolan21 · 06-15-2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usairdebw

I hate it too. I joined planet fitness...it is only 10 bucks a month. I have to talk myself into it everytime. I first tell myself that I will just go for a few minutes on the treadmill. After I get past about 6 minutes, I start feeling better and I usually finish my workout. Just talk yourself into getting in the door. Sometimes I get on the treadmill next to an older person.....then I start feeling guilty because they are often in better shape than I am and I shame myself into at least staying on as long as they do. Just some possible strategies

Good luck!

HAHAHA...this is what I do! I always say..."I will just do a half mile or a mile..better than nothing" And before I know it I did 3 miles! LOL

possum · 06-15-2009, 08:33 PM

Hi,

I completely empathise with you about exercise - it is so hard to stay motivated.

My thoughts are get a dog - they are the best personal trainer around. They look at you with those big soppy eyes and get SO excited when you are ready for their walk. And if they are a cute dog, people will always smile at you and talk to you and want to pat it - so it becomes a social activity. Find a great place to walk - a river, a bush walk - and con another friend into going with you. Even if it is only two - three times a week, better than nothing. And you can have a skinny latte with them after the walk.

And what about DANCING!? You don't think of it as 'exercise' - because it is fun. There are so many different types of dancing that it can fit in with anyone - and you don't have to be fit to start.

Saying all this, I still know - the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak - you have to fight this inward desire to be slothful, read a good book, or watch a movie etc etc.

Good luck - we are all in this together .

girl1dir · 06-15-2009, 08:40 PM

It takes 21 days to make a habit. Make a date with yourself every day -- for 15 minutes.

If you exercise every day (even if it's walking for 15 minutes) for 21 days -- you should instinctively just do it on day 22. But that is every day -- no skipping -- no vacation -- no "tomorrow".

But this is coming from someone that hasn't gotten her booty off the couch / computer chair in a long time.

I have though -- learned to manage my work calendar, but not my dates with myself. :/

danr · 07-18-2009, 12:52 PM

I still haven't solved this one for myself...

I only ever enjoyed exercise one period in my life, and that was for about 4 months when I was really into it... but that faded away.

I can't say I have a really good exercise routine yet, but let me tell you what I've done that has increased my exercise level (sometimes to only a few minutes per day, but that's much more than it used to be).

1) Treadmill in front of the TV. The televisions engages my mind which would otherwise get bored by the monotony of the treadmill. (There's nothing like watching "Charlie Rose" at 3.5 mph)
2) I do a few minutes of treadmill when I get antsy or stressed. This has the added benefit of keeping me from eating at those times.
3) Handing out flyers. Your church or social club or little league or some other non-profit in your neighborhood could probably use some publicity. Or, heck, maybe the local pizza place will pay you.

mburgs · 07-21-2009, 01:37 PM

I literally close my eyes while I'm on the elliptical machine and imagine what I want to look like and the clothes I want to wear and the life I hope surgery will help me get.

When I'm blasting my music it's not too bad

UndercoverDiva · 07-21-2009, 01:57 PM

In the beginning, I had to literally FORCE myself to get up at the crack of dawn to go. Then it got to be a habit. I still hate tread work, but crank up my iPod and walk/run (and lipsync!

) to the music. The music makes it more tolerable. Mostly, you just gotta wanna!