I'm working to find all my motivation again. I had a bad Sunday, was very discouraged, but I'm definitely not quitting. I took the time on Sunday to reflect on areas where I need to work harder. Working out is the area that I have been lacking the most. My job is sedentary so I'm at my desk all day. Sure I take breaks to walk to the restroom, go get more water, or walk around a little of the city doing errands on my lunch break, but the majority of my day I'm sitting at a desk. My eyes were really opened to my lack of exercise during my assessment period using the Weight Watchers ActiveLink. It is good that I am not more conscious about my daily movements and just how much exercise I am really getting.
It motivates me when I read about people who have successfully lost weight as well. I enjoy reading books written by people who have reached goal, success stories online, and of course the other weight loss blogs on here. It is inspiring to see that regular people, just like me, are able to do it and keep it off! Each story is different, but there are some common aspects to each. One of the main things in common is that to lose weight and keep it off exercise almost always needs to be part of the mix. Examining myself and my activities, I've found that I am really lacking in this area. It is easy to make excuses after a long day of work because I'm "too tired" to work out. Instead I'd wind up watching tv for the night and going to bed, again being completely sedentary. Well, I've been getting my motivation back, really helped using some of the tools and ideas I discussed last post, but reading about exercise and writing about how I am going to do the exercise and actually doing the exercise are very different things. I'm very proud of myself to say that I am making a real effort to incorporate more exercise into my day.
I'm making a lot of small changes. I'm drinking more water, I haven't had any Diet Coke since I recently quit all pop all together (yeah!), and I've been using my elliptical. I went on the elliptical for 30 minutes after work on Monday and then I woke up early and did 20 minutes before work and 40 minutes when I came home on Tuesday. Today I plan to do it again after work. I'm trying to keep this up and form a habit. When I was in high school and college I swam every afternoon/evening for 2-2.5 hours a day. Now, I can't imagine how I was ever so motivated. How did I spend so many hours a week swimming in college? I need to find that drive again of forcing myself to get on the elliptical and challenge myself more and more. Baby steps.
A big part of it I know is the feeling of how long will it take to see results. The amount of weight I need to lose is daunting, but I need to remind myself to be patient and work on making these healthy changes habits and then maybe it won't seem so difficult.
How often do you work out? What work outs do you enjoy the most?
You'll get where you want to be - it really is all about patience, and even moreso, commitment. Knowing that it won't happen overnight, and that it may not be easy, are two incredibly important parts of the entire process.
ReplyDeleteI personally work out six days a week (and would the seventh if it wasn't for that whole "you need a recovery day" thing) - but I almost never do the same thing more than twice a week. I run and lift weights, plus I teach Pilates, Piloxing and Spinning throughout the week, too. Variety keeps you from getting bored ... and potentially giving up!
When I first started working out I felt I had to put in 45-60 minutes every time or I felt like I failed. That was very discouraging. My aunt who is a fitness instructor told me to stop because I was going to get burnt out. I didn't listen to her, but then I started reading a lot of books about health and fitness. What I learned is that it's better to start off small. If you give yourself this huge goal of working out long periods at a time then your body will get used to it. To keep losing, you will then have to work out even longer. Since you like reading you should read a book by Jackie Warner. It's called "This is Why You're Fat, How to Get Thin Forever." I found it really helpful and I'll mention 2 reasons why. One was that she said to start working out, work out 20 minutes. In that 20 minutes, go for intensity. Really push yourself as hard as you can changing the speeds and the inclines and that will enough. Jillian Michaels says the same thing. They claim that 20 minutes of intense workouts will top spending an hour on the treadmill keeping at the same pace. The second thing Jackie says in her book, and I love this... Being fat is not your fault. Staying fat is. That always motivated me. :) No matter how slow the progress is, it will add up and you're doing something about it. That's something to feel good about.
ReplyDeleteAnd to answer your requestion, I've built myself up to work out 3-5 times a week. When I can't work out in the gym I'll work out doing weights in my living room and when it's nice out I'll go for a walk outside. Personally, what gets me to the gym is music. I have a playlist on my phone of nothing my favorite songs that make me want to dance. I listen to that and then I get motivated to go.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your motivation! Maybe I will need to introduced more types of activity, but as silly as it may seem I feel too out of shape to join the gym. It is very interesting that you teach all those classes and I will be definitely checking your blog out. I appreciate your encouragement!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the advice and book recommendation! I will definitely check it out. I feel like I have been in the mentality of needing to do longer workouts, but the 20 minutes of intensity does make sense. Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteI've just read recently someone else talking about how making a new playlist can really help with motivation. Looks like I need to build a new one!
ReplyDeleteI try to get on the treadmill and walk every day. I went through a period where I wasn't allowed to, but I'm starting slowly. If I walk at least five times that week, I buy myself a new song for my iphone (which I listen to on the treadmill.) The tunes keep me motivated, are inexpensive, and help keep me moving while I walk.
ReplyDeleteI like your reward system of getting yourself a song. Good idea!
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