How do I...

[jlp651]

...get started. I work out on and off all the time. Except this time I cant seem to get motivated. I'm really bummin' any suggestions or help would be great! I just want to feel healthy again-right now feeling like a lump on a log!

 

[becka]

Well I am certainly no expert and getting motivated and sticking with it but one thing I find helpful is to really break it down and keep it simple. Don't try to start a new eating plan, drink tons of water and start an exercise program all at the same time. For one day just try to drink you water, the next day try to get your 5 servings of fruits and veggies, a few days later try to add some exercise, etc..

This usually helps me not feel so overwhelmed and after a week or so I really feel like I have it all together.

 

[LuvTigger]

I've learned for myself, I have to take baby steps. I used to try and be gung ho and say, "okay, I'm going to work out 3 times a week." While it would last for a little while, I wasn't consistent, and eventually I'd stop altogether.

What has really helped me is a pedometer. I found that while I don't mind going to the gym, I don't motivate myself to go unless I have to meet a friend or something. With the pedometer, in the beginning, I'd get an idea of how many steps I walk during the day. If I do nothing but go to work, eat lunch in, and go home, it's about 3000 steps. The goal was to get more steps, and I'd do it gradually. Walk to the farther bathroom. Catch the elevator 3 flights and walk the 4th, etc. Dont' worry about getting the closest parking stall. It may not seem like a lot but ANY kind of movement helps! It doesn't have to be about jumping on a machine, lifting weights, or the aerobics class. The goal is to get up to 10,000 steps a day, and while it seemed unlikely in the beginning, most days I get at least 8,000 steps!

BF and I also found a walking buddy. We have a standing arrangement to walk every Monday and Wednesday after work. If one of us can't make those days, we try to reschedule for Tuesday or Thursday. What keeps us accountable is that she doesn't drive, so we have to pick her up.

I also learned that there are a lot of commercials when watching tv! I figure, if a show is scheduled for an hour, there are about 20 minutes worth of commercials. You could get a lot done in 20 minutes! Get a pair of light dumbells (2 lbs, etc.), and just lift those during the commercial -- heck, you can even lift them while you're watching tv! I also have those stretchy band things. Sometimes I just stretch my muscles out. If you're really ambitious, you could do some crunches during the commercials.

You get the idea...just take it slowly and keep in mind that ANY MOVEMENT HELPS. Fit in small things in those little pockets of time you have.

You can do it!!!

 

[Rajah]

You know, I could have written that post two weeks ago. Hm... I think I did write one almost like it! LOL! I'm *horrible* about motivation, but I've discovered that three things are keeping me going (2.5 weeks now for me!).

1) WISH. The combination of a journal and the threads asking what you did to exercise yesterday are giving me more encouragment and motivation than I expected they would.

2) Baby steps. I'm not trying to do an hour a day or even just 3 times a week. I'm not even trying to get 30 minutes a day in -- though I'm finding most days now that once I get started, it's not uncommon for me to go 30 minutes before I'm ready to stop. I'm going for just 15 minutes a day. Rarely have I done just that, usually it's 20-30, but as long as I set a goal for 15 minutes a day, I've been able to do it. Once I get the 15 minutes into my routine regularly, I'll start increasing it. But it's amazing what you can do in just 15 minutes a day.

3) Find something you enjoy. I've tried arm crunches, exercise bike, treadmill, exercise tapes, and so on. But what I found I enjoy the most is a combination of yoga and tai chi. Because I enjoy them, I find it much easier to fit 15-30 minutes of some combination of Yoga and Tai Chi into my day every day, and on those days that I don't feel like doing the Yoga or Tai Chi, I just sit on the exercise bike for a couple of miles and consider that a "resting day". The point is to find something you enjoy -- not just something you can tolerate, but something you find fun, and you'll find it much easier to fit that little bit a day into your routine. If you don't enjoy it, you're much more likely to find excuses *not* to do it.

Hope that helps!!

 

[KathyTX]

Step one is deciding what it is you want to "get started!"

What are your goals (losing weight, getting fit, lowering your BP?) Have you selected an eating plan, or thought about what kind of exercise you want to begin with?

First, set your goals. Then just ease into it, one day and one step at a time.

 

[jlp651]

thank you for all your suggestions. I really dont want to loose anything-just tone up some...I'm not overweight by any means...just need to get motivated to feel good. I feel best when I work out and sometimes I loose track of that...
I like the baby step idea...next week I'll try to get in at least one day a week of exercise...so, who is going to hold me to it? How do I start a journal?
Thanks again for all your help!

 

[Rajah]

Come over and check out the "did you exercise today?" threads. We'll hold you there.

And you start a journal by going to the "WISH Journals" link at the top of the page, then creating a topic which will be your journal. You can check out my journal if you'd like an example of an exercise-only one. Like you, I don't *need* to lose any weight -- I won't complain if I do, but I'm fine if I don't. My biggest thing is toning and getting into better shape. Of course, my journals are long because I enjoy writing. You don't have to do anything near as long as what I write if you don't want to.

Welcome to the exercise club! And you don't have to wait until next week -- get started tonight! Head by the library and see what their exercise video options are so you can get an idea of what you'd like to do.

Do you like high-impact or low-impact? Aerobic or anaerobic? Fast or slow?