Fell off the exercise wagon - ThinnerTimes

tracyarps · 10-26-2004, 12:04 PM

Does anyone have any advice on how to get motivated to exercise again. I try to go outside for a walk and that doesn't work, I try my video and someone is always hogging the tv.

It seems to me that the longer I wait, the harder it will be for me to get back into it.

I don't want to be flabby. Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks,
Tracy

skinnymonkey · 10-26-2004, 12:07 PM

Is it possible for you to join a gym? That has always helped motivate me to exercise.

If not - maybe you could splurge on a small TV/VCR combo for another room in your house where you go to exercise, and make it clear that it's for you to exercise, so no hogging allowed.

Hope that helps!

Ooh, also you could find a walking buddy - might make walking more fun.

Americanwoman397 · 10-26-2004, 12:35 PM

I would say the gym thing to because I go to La Fitness and its 27 a month. That gets me to go. I am only going 3 or 4 days a week right now but that's because of being so busy. If you do join like La Fitness I'll be a work out buddy if you need it. I'm in Escondido but my boyfriend is in El Cajon so I'm down there a lot.

Christina · 10-26-2004, 12:38 PM

Tracy,

I had the same problem here recently. I am forcing myself back to the gym. I have to realize that this weight aint gonna lose itself anymore..

So I am going to have to do what I did in the beginning... Set my alarm clock across my room and set it earlier than I normally wake up. When I go to hit the snoose I have to move my FAT before picture before I can click the button. That usually motivates me to get up and exercise. You can even get up eariler and do your video when nobody is awake so that they aren't hogging the TV. Good luck to you.. I hope you get back on track soon. I know how easy it is to fall back to bad habits and not exercising. We're here for ya..

bridgetgirl · 10-26-2004, 01:14 PM

i am with you on this one Tracy, I have been so unmotivated to exercise even though I know how important it is for my heart and muscles. I think the best way to get my butt motivated would be to have a friend and I meeet for a walk. Every Saturday I use to walk with Karen until she moved away... but lately I havent been doing anything. I am not the gym type, there is just too much energy to be spent getting into the car, finding parking, waiting for a machine, etc ..... my advice is to get a workout buddy. Kim, Stacie and I had the idea to call each other every night at 7:45 and then we would get on our treadmills and walk.... so far that hasnt worked yet either, but at least its an idea.... good luck sugar pea!

Dara · 10-26-2004, 02:39 PM

Tracy:

If you hate to exercise like I do, the best possible advice I can give you is to get a walking (or workout) partner and truly commit yourself to a regular schedule. My walking partner and I are extremely faithful with our walks. I know I have to get my butt up in the morning at 5:45 a.m. and get going because Melanie will be there waiting for me at 6:10 a.m. In fact, we're now trying to figure out how we can walk in the rain, so we won't miss a walk!

Red Feather · 10-26-2004, 03:32 PM

No kidding, then you're not exercising for you, but for your dog. I don't know how you are about putting yourself ahead of everyone else, but if there is an excuse, i'll find it - I won't however neglect my dog! She's my third child, and she needs to be walked daily! Anyway, works for me!

Karen Wright · 10-26-2004, 04:28 PM

Good advice from everyone. I can't really add much but just wanted to say...do NOT get discouraged and give up. You CAN get back on track with exercise...I think a lot of us go through stages of not working out or walking. Just remember where you came from because it can be too easy to return to that place!

Oh yah...and Bridge....you know I would be walking with you if I could....ya'll NEED to get together and walk...it was freakin' fun!!

lealphachienne · 10-26-2004, 06:23 PM

I've never been a lover for organized exercise, especially now that it's get dark and colder. I have an old Nordi track that I get on 4-5 times a day during commercials. I have a variety of weights that I play with 2-3 x week. I do short bursts of exercise and when i get really bored, then I head for the gym at 2 am when I can't sleep. I also take my dog herding each week, so I think I'm doing enough for myself at this time.

brutherford · 10-26-2004, 07:20 PM

All of the advice is really good, but I think the core is that you need to find something that you enjoy. Exercise should be fun - that's how you'll stay on a long-term routine is by finding something that you love to do. So maybe you haven't found the thing that you love yet, which means that you'll need to try a few things and see what works for you. Here's some ideas that maybe you haven't tried yet: hiking (tons of places in San Diego to hike), swimming, tennis, walking, karate or self-defense classes, etc.

I exercise regularly, but don't always do everything that I planned to do during the week because things come up. My general exercise plan: Sun jog and yoga; Mon weight training at the gym; Tue jog; Wed yoga; Thurs jog; Fri gym; Sat off. Sometimes I don't make yoga on Wed, or the gym Mon and Fri. Or, like last week, the weather makes it hard to jog because I prefer to jog outdoors rather than on the treadmill. My point with all of this is that exercise should be something you look forward to, not something to stress yourself about. A few months back, and pre-surgery, I would feel really bad about myself if I missed a workout - that feeling only builds for me, and I end up missing more than one or two. I've since just tried to take it easy on myself and not beat myself up if I can't get to everything.

The truth is that we're losing weight even when we don't exercise. Exercising just makes everything look better, and I crave the feeling that I get after a really good workout or run. That's essentially what should motivate you - do you feel and look good? If so, then you're a-okay.

Good luck! B