Need some motivation/encouragement to work out

[jennifer-in-mi]

Hello Friends of the Forum.

Alot is happening in my life right now personally and alot on my mind with my employment. Plus, my Dad having shingles post cancer survivor and my little brother Mark having his boat explode this weekend (really). Both are doing fine.

Normally, about this time, I would be getting ready to go through my first rotation of Cathe and then finish up with STS. But, it's not even on my mind. Walking has been my exercise all summer

So, what do you do to get motivated? Meeting the MI Catheites will help and yet I still need more. Please share your motivational ideas. Thanks.

 

[meowracer]

Holy Cow - that is a lot to go through. I am sorry that you have had such a tough time! I hadn't seen many posts from you lately - guess I know why! First of all, at least you have been walking. Be proud of yourself for that. I motivate myself by thinking of the rewards - feeling better, stronger, accomplished, happy...and I make sure I am eating right so I feel more energetic. Some days, I am just not feeling it. I either make the decision to go for it and give it a try, or take the day off. Just depends on the situation. If something happens that gets me off track, I just try to get myself started. That is always the hardest part. Afterwards, I feel so much better. Getting back into the routine can be challenging though so each time, I go back to how I felt when I got a workout done. That is usually enough. Before you know it, you will be in the routine again! If possible, try to make time in the AM so you won't run out of time and energy later in the day. All stuff you probably know... all the same, sometimes hearing it again and from somebody else is what is needed. I got really sick a couple of years ago and could not work out. I found, after getting over bummed about not working out, that hmmmm, nice to not use an hour or 2 of my day for working out. I just got lazy. I lost too much weight too from being sick. So, I either was going to stay too skinny and lazy, or get back to it. As I felt better, I missed working out but getting back into that routine was not easy. I did it though, and looking back, am so thankful. It helps me keep my sanity, and I see my body getting stronger and more defined - at 40, it is changing into the best body I've had, and I am proud of that! That is motivation enough for me now. Look forward to the euphoria that comes from a workout - I bet you will go far from there towards getting motivated on a daily basis again.

 

[wake up eager]

Sending you support for all that's going on around you right now...

This is probably a little uncoventional, I don't hear it being mentioned much here, but I'll share my thoughts, I've had more consistent workouts and reaching my goals more then ever before...

I've found that pre-paving worked for me...that is lining up my mental and emotional thoughts before I take action.

Examples of pre-paving things I've done:
- Wrote for 2 or more pages about what I like about working out, just a rambling of my thoughts. "I like working out because..." Nothing fancy, but read the list every day, out loud. Helped me re-remember how much I like it.

- Read the forum regularly
- Read through fitness magazines and fitness books (I like Burn The Fat nad BFL). I have them every where and thumb through often.
- Lay out my fitness clothes, socks and shoes every night (also, buy nice feeling workout outfits, even if I'm the only one to see it).
- Use workout manager now, and still use my sign in sheet in my home gym. I actually sign in, track what I did and time spent, Then at the end of every month I count up # and amount of workouts - and compare how I did with the month before. (I just pulled out my sign in sheets over the last year and felt a great sense of pride - revisiting and acknowledging my record.) No one else sees this, but it makes me feel strong and empowered and sure.
-Set my goals and workout plans in advance. Listing workout DVDs in WM now, really helps with mentally being there and pre-paving.
-Re-visiting my workout in my mind, replaying what I did, how good it felt and just seeing it again.
- Having trainers like Cathe and Coach Sean, plus all the completely cool people here, have helped me stay focused and have called me forward when I couldn't instigate it myself.

For me its become a mental and emotional game first. in the past, without mental and emotional 'work' I've been hit or miss...

I feel more focused naturally and know that this time is different for me. This time I'm 8 months consistent, 10 lbs and 10 inches thinner, smaller clothes-size.

Before I had all the knowledge - I knew what to do, but did not have the internal inspiration.For me the mental and emotional part - visualizing and lining up has made the difference - the internal me is lined up with the external action.

Know this is long - I probably overdid it my explanation...
Feel a little excited about the power of the internal side of all of this.

having said all this...I see you finding the support and answers and inspiration you are asking for...since you're asking, I just know your answers will come to you,

take care,

 

[LaughingWater]

I'm glad your dad and brother are doing okay!

Regarding encouragement, I'd watch a few of Cathe's DVD preview clips here on the site. Whenever I see those, I get the urge to join her.

 

[fit44]

I'm very sorry to read about all the stress in your life.

I go through spurts like this. There have been times when I have no desire to workout at all. I know I'll feel better if I do, but I have to push myself. The only thing that helps me shake the dread is just go through the motions until it passes. I have to push myself mentally.
I begin by doing one of my easier workouts until the desire kicks back into full gear.

I hope you are feeling better real soon!

 

[jennifer-in-mi]

That's what I need to do is some previewing of workouts again and then put in my head what workouts to do in the future.
It will help me too when it cools down here weather wise.
Thank you all.

 

[lioness]

I'm sorry you are going through so much right now.

Last year I was dealing with tons of emotional stuff. I wanted to workout but when I was working out by myself, my thoughts turned to the emotional stuff and my workouts suffer. I decided to go back to a fitness boot camp that I had attended previously. It helped me to have other people to workout with and got me back on track as far as my fitness goals were concerned. I was able to put aside the emotional stuff for a hour and it really helped.

Maybe recruit a friend or take a class at a gym. You don't have to make it long term, just something that will help to pull you out of the rut.

 

[Boilergal]

Jennifer,

I'm so sorry to hear everything you've been going through. It's so hard to find your motivation when the chips are down (and keep falling down around you, right?) But there is some fantastic advice in this thread for you to follow.

So far, the fact that you are thinking about getting back into the swing of things and have committed to walking so that's a fantastic start right there.

I went through a real rough patch last fall--DH unemployed, family dram-a!, a baby turning a year old, working full time...and I struggled to get back to fitness. I finally decided that I owed it to myself to be fit. I owed it to my daughter to set a good example. And I knew getting back to hard-core workouts would do wonders for my esteem.

I, like you, started with walking. I did Debbie Rocker DVDs and added Cathe Pure Strength. I was realistic and used light weights. I made sure to do Stretch Max twice a week for the breathing and stress relief. Gradually, after walking with Debbie for a month, I got Cathe's Basic Step (taking almost two years off due to pregnancy/post-pregnancy TIREDNESS!! left me back at the beginning.) And I remembered how much I loved step! Then I just grew from there, adding new DVDs (love Supersets/Push Pull for the quick time factor here), and actually craving new challenges (Kickboxing!)

Now I can't imagine now working out regularly, but a year ago at this time, it was all I could do to get out of bed! What a difference time--and a commitment to ME--made!

Good luck and please feel free to PM me if you need more encouragement or want a partner to check in with!!

 

[jennifer-in-mi]

I'm hoping STS will get me motivated. Looking at all those DVDs and readng the posts afterwards just might do it. I walked tonight to relieve stress and maybe Tues night too. Some sustainable relief (positive turn) in the situations would always help too. Lots of talks with GOD and prayers have been heading Upwards today.
Thanks for the support and encouragement everyone.

 

[Dela]

Hi Jennifer,

Another Jenn here (and I lived in MI for 4 years a very long time ago in Troy, currently in NJ).

I'm so sorry to hear of all your current troubles, and it's totally understandable and ok to be feeling this way. From your posts I can tell you are a very positive and up person, don't beat yourself up for hitting a small workout slump. It will all come back, and then some, when you are ready for it.

Here are some of the things that work for me:
I don't have a ton of DVDs yet, just started working out at home exclusively around January this year, so one thing that keeps me motivated is to order a new DVD or two every few weeks or so, I love getting a new one in the mail and trying it out right away. I'm on a big Kickboxing binge right now.

Ok, this tip is a little weird, and I might just be sharing to much information about myself but I love to watch infomercials about workout DVDs on Sundays, I actually go through my TIVO to find the "Paid Programming". I love to watch how people transform their bodies with exercise, I watch them all, P90, Turbo Jam, Barry's Bootcamp, etc.

I try to do my workouts in the morning, that really helps, I lose motivation and drive as the day goes on.

Also, if I'm "supposed" to do weights, but really just don't feel up to it, then I do a kickbox dvd or a bootcamp. I'd much rather do something than nothing.

I try to hold on to that feeling of power and strength I experience after a good workout.

I heard a quote lately "break a sweat everyday", I like it.