How to get Remotivated?

[Mamallama]

So I still can't run. I'm trying to be patient. I can tell the leg is getting stronger, don't limp anymore, can walk up and down stairs now without pain, so this is good. But I need to exercise and I'm just not doing anything. My excuse has been that it's been too hard with all the traveling....and if I can't run, why bother Well, I'm back now, need to get back into some sort of exercise routine and still can't seem to motivate myself to get up and out to exercise----I can ride a bike without pain, or swim or something, but I just can't get myself to start.....maybe writing this will help motivate me in and of itself....I hope so.....any words of wisdom?

[happy scrapper]

I think we are all motivated by different things. Some of us may long for some time alone (or just with your ipod!), some people are motivated by joining groups, or some are motivated by setting a goal. You have to know what motivates you. Set a reward for yourself if you go bikeriding 3 times in a week or call some friends and start a group. We as humans are much more likely to do things, even things we really don't want to do, if we get some element of pleasure out of it! You also have to place higher priorities on the things that you actually want to get done. If exercising wasn't as difficult for you to do before you got injured maybe you have replaced it with something that you don't want to give up. Unfortunately we only get 24 hrs a day!

[Big_Sissy]

Daaaah!!! Motivation is sooo tough.

I really feel for you. I have been trying to get motivated to ... well, pretty much do everything. I want to start training for the 5k, I want to get in shape (workout), I want to get my basement finished, I want to get my "other" van sold (it needs to be fixed first), I want to get the towel racks in our bathrooms fixed....

The list goes on and on I'm affraid.

HS, has some good advise, but none of that works for me, other than the friends thing. If it's social, oddly enough, I'll do it. Just need a little something or I should say someone to help me.

good luck ML, I know you can do it.

Oh, and didn't even mention reading the "book"

[Mamallama]

It is Hard!
Great advice HS, thanks.
And Thanks BS....and I know you can do it too!

Where to begin.....I just need to come up with a plan.....but ahhhhhhhhhhhh
The Procrastination Monster is getting to me......I guess I'll make a plan tomorrow.... Okay, Okay I'll think about it while falling asleep....

It's funny how when you get out of a routine, how HARD it is to come up with a new one.......

[Big_Sissy]

Amen sister, AMEN!

[Dia Minha]

I'm in the same place as you Mama. I have an outline of strengthening exercises, yet, I haven't done any of them. I have a hard time making decisions. When it comes down to it I do better it someone else is telling me what exercises to do, in what order, and for how long. So, I've realized I do better with excersice video, rather then on my own. Does anyone know of a good all over body toning video that is good for beginners? In the past I have enjoyed pilates, however, the video I had was to hard and I found myself giving up because I couldn't do the whole thing.

Didn't mean to make this about me Mama. I had just been thinking last night about why I was having a hard time getting going and had already decided to post here for suggestions and then you had already beat me to it.

Dia

[5ft Diva]

ML, I was going to suggest swimming but then saw that you suggested it yourself. As far as the getting motivated to do it part?????? RAR and I went swimming last year together and that is what got me to the pool. I know that the woman who spoke on Sunday (w/ her cute family) goes swimming almost every night. Maybe you could have her as a swimming buddy until you get back on the motivation wagon again.

[runamyrun]

Yes, I would highly recommend exercising with a dependable buddy. That way if you are fine but just feeling a little lazy (I have plenty of these days!), you are accountable to someone. You are a lot less likely to not go, because you don't want to let someone down! (Sorry that sentence is awful, I couldn't figure out how to say it right!)

[Mamallama]

Good idea. Now to find a buddy....

[natickgirl]

I haven't been able to replace my exercise partner since I moved cross country last year. It is soooo much easier to haul yourself out of bed (we exercised at 5:30 am--her idea) when you know someone is waiting for you. It's too easy to make excuses when it's just you. Exercising with a buddy is best, if you can find one.

However, I have found a FANTASTIC workout routine that you can do at home. I'm not extremely coordinated, but even I can do it. It's called "Turbo Jam", made by Chalene Johnson. I ordered it online at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. It's pricey but worth it. I promise! You get 3 workouts (a learning one, a 20-min., and a 40 min.), an awesome 40 min. sculpting workout, and a 20 min. ab workout. It also comes with diet & menu ideas, a measuring tape, and a chart to track your progress.

I've tried many different kinds of workouts: pilates, yoga, kickboxing, areobics, 15 min. buns & abs, etc. Turbo Jam offers enough variety to keep from getting bored, and it works! [Two of the girls doing the workout with Chalene actually lost a lot of weight with this program; one lost 30+ lbs. and one lost over 70 lbs.] When I am doing these workouts consistently, I look & feel amazing. They have an online support group called "WOWY--Work Out With You" for the times you need that extra kick-in-the-pants to get motivated.

I miss biking with my buddy, but this is the next best thing.

[5ft Diva]

I've totally wanted to get Turbo Jam. I'm so glad to hear that someone loves it. I'll have to look for it on E-bay

[smed]

Hey how about "RICHARD SIMONS"?

This is what my "mom" says anytime someone mentions exercise. So I thought I'd enlighten you all and share the same advice she gives me!

[Meticulous madness]

RICHARD SIMMONS??!!! How hilarious.

So...I'm cleaning out my basement a few weeks ago, and wouldn't ya know...I came across one of his videos. I think it's the "Sweatin' to the Oldies" one. I borrowed it from my old boss (probably 4 or 5 years ago, I'm embarrassed to admit), and it hasn't been put into my VCR even once. What a crying shame. ehehee.

SMED, you should come over and have a Simmons Fest with me before I return it. We'd laugh our butts off that's for sure!

The other reason I get such a chuckle out of the very thought of Richard Simmons is because my little brother does the most hilarious Simmons impersonation EVER! If any of you ever get to meet him, ask to see it. Your funny bone will not be disappointed!

Turbo Jam, eh? I need something new. 5D, I'd be willing to go in on it with you - if you could make a copy when you get it. Is that even 'legal' to ask?

I've always loved the Buns of Steel videos, Billy Blanks TaeBo series and more recently Windsor Pilates (that stuff is AWESOME). My walking buddies are the bomb, too! I agree it's much easier to be good when you need to be accountable to somebody.

[Dia Minha]

I'm beginning to think that motivation isn't something you can force, it's something you have to wait for. However, that doesn't give me permission to sit around and just wait for it. I can help it along by pretending I already have it.

So as I look in the mirror and see all the damage I have done over the last month I imagine myself the way I want to be. I imagine myself a slimmer and healthier person, in control of what goes in my mouth. By imagining I am already what I want to be I start acting like I am already there. This helps me to do what it is I need to, to get there.

Dia

[5ft Diva]

I like your comment about not forcing motivation but to ride it's wave when it comes. Good analogy. I totally have a visual of that one and I can wrap my head around this concept because it's happened to me many, many times. Thanks for the insight!

[Dia Minha]

Diva, I think it is so cool how you can put into words, what is in my head. When I was writing my last post I was thinking about ocean waves. How there is no forcing them to come or to stop you just have to let them do what they are doing and work around it. I didn't even use the word wave and you still saw it.

Dia

[5ft Diva]

Well, I have to admit, I may have cheated. I watched a movie tonight that is a lot about the storms in the ocean aaannnndddd BS and DS#2 are in CA right now and my DS loves the beach so it's big on my brain. Your comment was, to put it simply, timely. You can't tell me that was coincidence.

[Big_Sissy]

did someone say beach? Waves? mmm, SoCal is so nice this time of year at the beach.

[5ft Diva]

Show off.

[Big_Sissy]

Ha ha, I know