I'm so not motivated!

[BlondieK143]

Anyone else have this problem when it comes to working out/eating right? I can commit for a week or so then my body just wants to go back to the same old ways. What do you all do to stay motivated and keep pushing yourselves? :)

[wildeyed]

1. Getting started is the hardest part.

I read somewhere that if you can do something for 30 days, it becomes habit and therefor much easier to continue :)

As far as working out, pick something you like to do, then set a schedule. Then stick to the schedule just like you would to a commitment you made to anyone else. But this is a commitment to yourself. There was a thread Skinner started in here that had tons of great advice for exercise newbies.

I never really learned to eat right until I got pregnant. I would not do it for myself, but I would for my baby's health. Not that you should get preggers just to improve your diet, but that is how it went for me.

You can check in here everyday on our daily exercise thread. Help keep you honest ;) Good luck!

[BlondieK143]

10. Thank you!

I'm going to seach for Skinner's thread now! :)

[emulatorloo]

2. I found this website motivating when I was starting

It isn't updated much anymore -- I think the guy who started has moved on. . .

But basically it is a site w 16 pages of interviews, tips, and before and afters of regular people who intially committed to a 12 week program of good eating and exercise.

http://www.bodychangers.com/interviews.shtml

[BlondieK143]

11. Thank you for the link!

I'll take the time to look over it this morning!

[MissMillie]

3. I kept telling myself

It takes 3 weeks to make a habit and 3 days to break one.

So for 3 weeks, I went to the gym/track. At least 5 times a week (most often more than that).

After 3 weeks, I was hooked.

[BlondieK143]

12. Really??

That's wonderful! Congrats to you!! 3 weeks, huh? Maybe that's why it never worked, I never gave it that long of a time.

[vikegirl]

4. This thread had some great tips, too

http://tinyurl.com/9krnp

My problem when I first started working out was I went gung-ho until I was exhausted. I learned that taking baby steps is better...start with maybe a one mile walk and not a five-mile run. Build up to that run (I think Miss Millie is an excellent example of slowly but surely building up her fitness level). And if you do have a setback, don't beat yourself up. Just go on. And be sure to reward yourself for each success and milestone.

Myself, I find out working out first thing in the morning is perfect. I get it out of the way for the rest of the day and don't dread having to exercise after work.

Good luck! :-)

[MissMillie]

6. gosh

thanks for the vote of confidence, vikegirl!

I agree w/ you about first thing in the a.m. No matter what else happens during the day, I've had my work out, as long as I do it FIRST.

[vikegirl]

8. You deserve it!

Your progress is an inspiration! :thumbsup:

Morning workouts aren't for everyone--I have to get up at 5:00 - 5:30 a.m. to fit mine in--but it's nice to come home from a hard day's work and RELAX, knowing my exercise has been covered!

[BlondieK143]

13. Thank you so much!

Morning workouts will definitely be my thing as well! I have to be at work early so it would be the best option for me. And I think you made an EXCELLENT point about the rewards thing! It's good to treat yourself and make you feel proud of what you've accomplished!

[flvegan]

5. I can honestly say that I do not.

The "selfish" reason: I love working out. I look forward to it. I like seeing the changes in my body, and I feel really good after a good workout. Several years ago, I was about 80 pounds overweight, so I can appreciate it that much more. Also, as a CPT, I sort of need to "look the part" so to speak.

The "non-selfish" reason: As a vegan and advocate for animal rights, I'm creating a billboard that soundly (in my case, at least) debunks the "unhealthy vegan" myth. I'm never asked about my protein intake. I can't count the number of times that when this fact is discovered, I hear "you're not what I picture when I think of a vegan" My motivation oftentimes IS my motivation.

As for eating right, as a vegan, it's a little easier to eat right when you make so many very conscious decisions about what you eat.

As another poster stated, the thread that Skinner started a while back has some really great advice.

[BlondieK143]

14. Good for you!

That's so wonderful that you DO feel motivated for many reasons! :yourock: And thanks you for taking the time to post!

[JI7]

7. what is your plan ?

what is your workout/eating plan like ? do you totally deny yourselves certain foods ? and if you give in to that food you feel you have failed ? do you feel you have failed if you stray one day from your plan ?

i know for many they feel if they miss one day then they just totally give up. but don't dwell on that, just go back to your plan the next day.

maybe the plan you put yourself on is too tough. you need to start out a bit "lite". and as you get used to that and it becomes easy add a bit more to it.

do you have any goals such as losing a certain amount of weight or do you just want to be more healthy overall and stay that way ?

[BlondieK143]

15. Mostly, I'm looking to have more energy.

I work a split shift most days and when I go home from my first one, I feel like I need to sleep, so I do. Then, I get nothing accomplished and end up feeling worse when I have to go to the second half of the job. I want to be healthier, whether or not that means losing a substantial amount of weight. I just want to make sure I don't have a lot of health problems at such a young age. And, it wouldn't hurt to go down a size or two. :)

What I used to do is that I'd go to the gym right after my first part of work and be there for about an hour. Sometimes I'd have this EVIL trainer who would kick my butt all over the place, and other days, I had a really cool trainer that made me work hard without killing myself. I cut out my fast food (which isn't easy since my schedule can be kind of hectic) and limited myself to one caffeine drink a day. Then I added more water to my diet. That was pretty much my plan, and then it would work for a few days or a week. But then, I'd be tired again and I just didn't want to drag my lazy ass to the gym (to be perfectly honest).

The only food that I couldn't possibly live without is pasta. And we all know THAT isn't the most healthy food around. Other than that, I really don't eat that badly. I don't eat a lot of sweets (though I do eat some) and I try to have three balanced meals a day (not that THAT always works). Sorry, this post got long! :)

[JI7]

18. it seems your problem is finding time to workout when you aren't tired

and not the actual workout itself.

i guess a good suggestion would be from some posters who said they workout first thing in the morning after waking up. it might mean going to sleep a bit earlier than usual so you don't lose any sleep time and end feel tired during the workout and at your job or school.

or just try to figure out any other plan to fit the workout into your schedule when you aren't feeling tired. but make sure you don't cut out any needed sleep time. maybe you need to add more sleep time so you don't feel tired during the workout.

[IronLionZion]

9. work out with a buddy

you can support each other and drag each other to go workout or whatever. Same thing with eating right.

Someone on this board showed me this site: http://www.bodyforlife.com It's really helpful. Apparently, healthy food doesn't have to taste bad. And you are allowed to eat what you want once a week.

cheers
ILZ

[BlondieK143]

16. Thank you for the website!

And since I'd be doing my workouts in the early morning, not so sure if I can drag someone out of bed at that time. :)

[emulatorloo]

17. Yes - that "bodychangers" site I gave you above all did "Body For Life"

Well most of them anyway. . .

Good Luck and keep us posted!