I found the last few days quite difficult - between computer problems, getting my kids into their school routine, food prep, workouts, homework and so on I have felt overwhelmed to say the least.
I have to be very honest and say that I do not enjoy working out. I don't know if I ever will.
For those of you who do like it please share with me what your secret is or what you like about it.
I am serious please help me love it. For me exercise is like medicine a necessary evil.
Don't get me wrong I am not a couch potato. Most days I get up at 7 am and I don't sit down again until 7 pm . But when it comes to an actual workout it takes every fibre of my being to get up and do it.
This morning my son was having difficulty getting his shoes on and I was telling him to use two hands and he said 'but thats uncomfortable.' To which I replied 'It may be uncomfortable but just do it and get it over with.'
I will take my own advice.
I wish I could be the one to help you love working out, but I don't love it either and so will be watching the comments with interest. What I DO love however, is the moment the workout is over! That feels amazing and I have this spreadsheet with 90 numbers and 90 boxes. Every time I finish my workout I tick a box and I'm going to enjoy watching the check marks fill that empty page. Strange, but the visual feels good! Sometimes just knowing how good something is for you can trick you into thinking you like it...
ReplyDeleteYep - same here, ladies. I don't love working out. I just do it. Because the benefits are real and totally worth the pain. You will start to feel better and better and more energetic as the days go by and that will probably help with motivation.
ReplyDeleteOther things that help me get thru it: music, focusing on breath, focusing on the muscle doing it's work, and YES - knowing I will feel so good when I'm DONE.
I enjoy working out because I'm always in a better mood after doing it. I maintain motivation through a variety of techniques.
ReplyDelete1. Checking things off a list. I work very well by following a checklist. As I work my way through the exercises I check them off. So similarly to Erin, I like to see the visual.
2. Good music. When I lack the motivation, I select my "Go Get'em" playlist and just do it.
3. Setting goals for myself during the workout. Such as if the range is 13-18 reps and last time I did 4x15 reps of lunges per leg, this next time I will do 4x17 reps per leg. I get a lot of satisfaction on conquering even the littlest of goals.
4. Believing that following the PCP guideline to a T, I will get the results I want.
Ok, I don't know if it will help during the PCP as we are on very set guidelines for activity, but here is my advice. Search for something you don't hate. Me - I like walking and, heh, bellydancing though it has been years since I've done it. I'm looking around for a studio in the area that offers it though.
ReplyDeleteFailing that, keep a very visible reminder of why you are exercising in a prominent area. I'm thinking of pulling my wedding dress out and hanging in my closet where I can see it on a daily basis.
Thank you Sarah, Erin & Ellen!
ReplyDeleteMUSIC - I haven't been listening to any, i think it will really help.
Lists and checking off gives me great pleasure - I'm going to hang a paper calendar in the room I workout in and check it off.
And you are right Ellen, you always regret NOT working out but you never regret working out.
Thanks guys, I'm felling better.
Susan the dress is a good motivator.
ReplyDeleteI like walking too and I have always wanted to try belly dancing.
I really enjoy yoga as well but like you say its not on the program - yet?
I just ordered a picture of Terry Fox (do you know who he is?) to hang up in the fitness room.
Thank you
Look at your workout as you would brushing your teeth or making the bed. You don't love it or hate it, it's just a part of your day.
ReplyDelete(In a few weeks you'll find yourself in your heart of hearts actually liking them though!)