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Getting in Shape
s-aries8990
member
"Soft" workouts and post-gym regret
So, I do this thing were I wimp out on workouts, take an extra break during a body pump class, not push my self on the treadmill/ elliptical , stop crunches when it "hurts", don't do enough reps with free weights, etc. Basically I pussy out.
I'm also a softie for food and get lazy- I'll just eat whatever my mom is cooking for dinner that night (I live at home with a 24 year old garbage disposal, I mean brother, and a mother with "texture" restrictions- food that breaks down easily). If there's cake in the house forget it.
What I'm asking is how do you stay motivated? I know that only I can truly motivate myself, but is there a trick that you use to keep a healthy lifestyle in the forefront of your brain? I just always "forget" in the moments that I'm out to eat and then have munchers remorse later.... Any suggestions? Thanks!
I'm also a softie for food and get lazy- I'll just eat whatever my mom is cooking for dinner that night (I live at home with a 24 year old garbage disposal, I mean brother, and a mother with "texture" restrictions- food that breaks down easily). If there's cake in the house forget it.
What I'm asking is how do you stay motivated? I know that only I can truly motivate myself, but is there a trick that you use to keep a healthy lifestyle in the forefront of your brain? I just always "forget" in the moments that I'm out to eat and then have munchers remorse later.... Any suggestions? Thanks!
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Re: "Soft" workouts and post-gym regret
I did the myfitnesspal thing, the livestrong thing and the choosemyplate thing and I just never stick with it more than a month or two. I know how to eat well, I did it all growing up, but once I went to college it was all down-hill.
I'm getting back to my old pre-college eating habits (lots of water, salads several times/week, fruit, yougurt and raw veggie snacks almost daily), slowly but surely, but in highschool I was also more physically active- gym class 3-4/week, dance classes for 5 hours between 2 days, and an active job at the grocery store. Now, my job is MUCH more sedentary and I feel like it discourages my motivation to move.
Is there a mantra that you repeat to yourself? Or a note that you always look at?
This morning I woke up with the song "I can go the distance" from Disney's Hercules in my head and kept repeating it to myself all during bodypump this morning, and it helped. I'm just looking for something that may help me spark remembering how good being healthy feels.
[QUOTE] <strong>You have to find your own motivation - I wish there were something easier to say for it, but everyone has to find out for themselves what pushes them to do what they need to do.</strong>
Posted by entropicbeauty[/QUOTE]
I totally get it. I just always seem to "rationalize" my way out of it. I think part of my discouragement with calorie apps is that I don't have a smartphone (which isn't an excuse but my spidey rationaliation senses get the best of me).
I know if it's something I want, I HAVE to do it on my own- no one else will be able to make me go hard if I don't do it myself. Maybe I'll spend some of my Christmas money on a few personal training sessions - I have never worked with one so I just kind-of wing my workout plan anyway.
I appreciate the responses! I truly do. Thank you!
[QUOTE]I use a few "cheats" that might help you. For workouts, if I'm in pain or having a hard time pushing through, I slow down, rather than stop. So if I'm running, I slow to a jog or a walk if necessary, but I keep moving. If I'm in a class, I do the moves at half speed (i.e., one kick for every two kicks the instructor does, or whatever). If lifting weights, I slow the rate of my reps or move down one weight set (be careful with this, though, since you want to lift to exhaustion and then stop - if your mucles are legitimately exhausted, you don't want to push through to lift more). It also helps if I have a set amount of time that I'm resting for (i.e. "I will walk for this song, but run for the next one"). Fo<strong>r eating, there are two tricks that I find particularly helpful. 1. Drink a cup of tea (no sugar or milk). It's zero calories and frequently cuts through whatever craving I'm having to help me realize I'm not hungry. 2. Set a time for thirty minutes and tell yourself that if you really want cake, or whatever, you have to wait that long. Drink a glass of water during the 30 minutes. Typically when the timer goes off I've forgotten I wanted it. </strong>And finally, identify non-weight related goals. If it's just about losing weight, I can't stay motivated. B<strong>ut when it's about running faster, being stronger, living longer, fitting in to smaller clothes, looking better in pictures, whatever, then I have an easier time remembering why the pain is worth it.</strong>
Posted by kwitherington[/QUOTE]
I'll have to try those tricks for food! Sometimes I can't tell if I'm actually hungry or just used to eating at x time.
My plan is to be stronger, healthier and fit into a pair of jeans that I have hanging in my room. I'll need to lose roughly 30 lbs to get there, but I'll start looking at old pictures and get the images into my brain. And I'm sure actually trying to put those jeans on will help a lot.
Thanks!!!!!
I've lost 120 pounds through diet & exercise alone. There is no magic pill and all the "you're going to have a heart attack or stroke by 30" threats from my doctors, "you're too fat"s from friends/family, hirings of personal trainers by my mother or anything else did not motivate or inspire me. Nor with they inspire or motivate you (most likely).
YOU HAVE TO WANT IT.
When you want it...when you are truly HUNGRY for change...and when you stop making excuses for yourself, then and ONLY then will you be ready.
I lost that weight a decade ago. And aside from a 20-pound fluctation over the last year, I've kept it off.
It was hard. Really hard. I had to change my entire lifestyle. I had to push myself to run and go to the gym when I didn't want to.
But then I started looking and feeling amazing. People treated me differently. Not because I was the thin hot girl, but because I ACTED like a confident beautiful woman.
Cold harsh truth: that's what it takes. Wanting it and DOING IT. Opening yourself up to the possibility of change.
That's life. When you really want something, you make it happen, be it a job or a move or losing weight.
For me? i was just tired of being fat and feeling bad. In my early 20s, I gained a bunch of weight over the course of a couple years--literally, 80 pounds. I felt awful. I looked awful. I hated my life. So I changed it. I wanted it bad enough. I joined Weight Watchers, taught myself about nutrition, walked to/from work every day (6 miles), ran on the weekends, weight lifted, and then got really involved in activities--sailing, skiing, hiking.
I am a completely different person now. So this 20 pounds I put on over the year? I'll take it off. Because I WANT to. No excuses. Just doing it.
Good luck!
I appreciate you sharing your story. Thanks Jenferian!
[QUOTE]<strong>Start out by finding a work out you enjoy doing and doesn't seem so tedious.</strong> I play in some volleyball leagues and when I'm playing I'm enjoying it and not thinking of it as a work out. I also started kickboxing which was so hard at first but I kept going and now I love it. If you don't like doing something you will find excuses for not doing it. Also, have maneagable workout goals in the beginning. I am not a runner (I actually hate running) but started a<strong> couch to 5K app on my phone and it's really reasonable so I feel like I can do this without beating myself up because I set my sights too high too early.</strong> I am up to running 5 minutes at a time! (When I started I could barely run for 1 minute.) It seems silly but the app gives you little badges for rewards and it's encouraging to try to keep going. Good Luck!
Posted by ifeelgoodifeelgreatifeelwonderful[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I find most workouts tedious, which is why I stick to classes- I took dance clases and work better in classes or with groups than on my own. I'm looking into the c25k- I have family that does a 5k every year and would prefer to not be in the sidelines this time! Unfortunately I dont have a mobile device (no iTouch or iPhone/Android) so i can't use the app. Womp womp. I really want to try doing this starting next week!
Thank you ladies so much! It's nice to have a sounding board!
This is why it's so frustrating!!!!!!
Edit: My brother is autistic and although I love him deary with all of my heart! It is frustrating because he'll just watch me work out or stretch, or he'll ask all sorts of questions and stuff, making me uncomfortable and self concious. I know he doesn't mean any harm, but it does affect me.
[QUOTE]I hear you on the working out at home thing. We live in an apartment building with zero sound proofing, and although I could workout at home, I'm too conscious of the noise that it makes. I don't want to be disrespectful to my neighbors. <strong>One thing I'll do is go workout at a track.</strong> If there are any schools near you, they should have one. You don't necessarily need to run or anything - I don't feel like I've ever gotten sidelined for doing strength training in the middle of the loop or anything.
Posted by kwitherington[/QUOTE]
Winter is full blown in New England right now, but I'll keep that in mind for spring time! I live close to the elementary school and I know they have a track there!
ALSO, it doesn't help that my house is located on a more rural road with no sidewalks and limited street lights making working out outside dangerous this time of year! I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, but I feel like the only way I'll get a good workout is if I go to the gym, and if a class doesn't fit in my schedule, I flounder a little bit :/
I really do appreciate all of the advice! <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" /> You ladies are awesome!!!!