Help! How do you kickstart motivation?

[BevP]

I have hit my fitness bottom (and it shows in my bottom!). I have absolutely no motivation to get my butt exercizing. What can I do, what have any of you done, to get back on track? About all I'm managing is my water http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif as you all well know.

I need to get back on track, especially with holidays coming. I don't have time constraints so that's not my problem/excuse. If anyone out there has been here, done this, your experience just may help me.

Thanks.

[Kerri]

I have found that varying my routine helps. If I have been excercising in the morning, I will switch to the night. If I am tired of running, I will take a yoga class or sign up for soccer. Instead of just doing one thing all the time, spend half of it in the gym and using different cardio equipment. For december I think I am going to take my first kick boxing class!

[lindrusso]

Bev,

I'm sorry, this board is so slow that I'm too frustrated to go back and look - what is your current workout routine? In my own, unprofessional opinion, 30 minutes 5 times a week may not get you the results that you are looking for. I do 1 hour four times a week and can still gain if I don't watch what I eat! Just my opinion though and certainly you should start out with something that is reasonable for you and something that you are likely to stick to - if that means 30 minutes, then stick to that!

I know, it's so hard!! Do you have someone you can buddy up with? Would a personal trainer fit into your budget (something good to put on your Christmas list)? Perhaps having to sort of answer to someone else would help. I find that once I start going, it feels good so I get more motivated. What I need to concentrate on is that when I can't make it for a few days in a row, that I don't get off track and stop going altogether.

I know someone who quit smoking and her husband got her a new car - now that's motivation to not smoke!!! Maybe you could work out a deal like that with your husband. It doesn't have to be something as extravagant as a CAR, but maybe a shopping spree for all the new clothes you will need for your new, fit form???

Or all of us on this board could simply inundate you with emails all day long telling you to get to the gym already!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

[kwormann]

It depends on what you want. I knwo when I lose motivation to continue with the "workout--fitness walk, weights--I just spend some time outdoors walking at whatever pace I enjoy. It is still better than siting and I enjoy it...could walk for a long time like that!

Kim

[Laura]

I often struggle with this and had a similar post. I think what works for me is setting a goal and then telling everyone about it. Last year I announced in May that I was doing the town's local triathlon in August. I had to work out 6 days a week in order to meet that goal but boy did it get me motivated!

[emilycat]

Like Laura, I have to say that goal-setting is the thing that gets me out the door for my run if nothing else is working. That, and vanity http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif . I set goals all the time, from trying to run a certain time in an upcoming 5K, or running or setting another time barrier in another marathon. Even doing a certain number of intervals (even though I can't remember the last time I've done them http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif ) one week is something.

If you're not the competitive type, and a lot of people aren't, try a new activity. If you don't really enjoy what you're doing, there's no reason to be excited about it. If an activity really moves you, it's much easier to be pumped to go do it. Try spinning, kickboxing, if you haven't already. Maybe you'd love cycling, racewalking, tai chi, yoga, or even the elliptical trainer (I do! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ) Once you find something you love, getting better at it will be all the motivation you need (well, most of the time...)
Emily

[Laura]

Emily raises a good point. For example this morning I decided to run on the treadmill (3 degrees is too chilly for me to be outside) and struggled through 20 minutes. So I bagged the running and got on the life cycle for 30 minutes. The point is, be flexible, if you aren't exercising because you don't want to face the gym then get out for a brisk walk, or bike or hike or whatever activity seems more inviting at the moment.

[BevP]

Well, 24 hours later and I did a workout. I rented a new exercise video (well, tae bo) from the library. Maybe I just need to pump a little new life into a boring routine. I'll keep trying. Liked the Tae Bo, I'd never done that before.

Lindrusso my work out requirements of 30 min 3Xwk was prescribed by the Doctor. Not for weight loss but for cholesterol. Aerobic activity increases the "good" cholesterol. I have genetically high cholesterol so that's where those numbers come from. Weight goals are minimal. Yes, I'd like to lose and know more than 30 minutes would help but right now I'm having enough trouble getting in 30 minutes 3 times a week.

Current goal is vary and try to excite the workout. If that requires different videos from the library varied with gym classes then that's what I'll try. And I will post each week how I do. If I have to account to ya'll that should help too.

Thanks for your suggestions and encouragement.

[mommywannabe]

Yep, I agree with the reading thing. I get really bored on the treadmill/eliptical trainer, so I bring my magazines with me and read through them. Makes 45 minutes seem like about 1/2 that http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Jessica]

One thing I have done to increase my cardio time is to set small goals. I started with 20 minutes at a time, added 5 minutes every few weeks and now am up to 35. My goal is 45. After a few weeks, the extra five minutes seems normal and I add more time.
Another trick is to get a good book at the library, then only allow myself to read it when i am on the treadmill, freerunner etc.

[Dorothy]

Reading a book on the bike or treadmill is great but what's even better is to get yourself a walkman, go to the library and get books on tape. They are a wonderful way to get lost in whatever you're doing. Other than listening when you're exercising, they're also great to get you thru all the mundane tasks of the day like cooking (ok, it's not always mundane), cleaning, commuting. I've been a fan for years & can't say enough good things about books on tape.

[Argyle]

One of my biggest problems is also my butt. I started working out 5 months ago. I started with one of the firm tapes - The Firm, Total Body Workout. I know that starting is the hardest part in exercising. I guess first thing to do is stop making excuses for not exercising. Start right away! Just don't expect instant results.

When I got bored with The Firm, I switched to doing Claudia Schiffer's Upper Body Workout, and The Firm Lower Body Workout. I've also started doing Taebo.

If you really don't like working out, I think finding a sport is an alternative. You can choose a sport that you enjoy, like tennis or swimming. When I played tennis every other day for 8 times, I've already seen results. You can also try dancing....it depends on what kind of activity you really enjoy.

Well, I wish you luck and pls keep us updated.

Argyle