How to begin (exercising)???

OspreyVista

I walk over to the mirror, that gets my *kitten* moving every time.

Seriously, find something you LOVE to do. For me it's weight training. I look forward to my training days.

d
^ This. Finding something you love to do can help in so many ways. One thing that motivates me is that I love the feeling after I work out. I also feel lazy and unaccomplished if I don't work out. On my rest days I do some light stretching yoga so I don't overdo things.

LorinaLynn

I walk - and run - outside 3-4 days a week. Strength train on my off days. But I find that if I go outside and I promise myself 1 mile (or 2...) then I find that after that 1 mile I have to go back home too. So I get two miles anyway. I know that seems stupid and just common sense, but if I "trick" myself into that first bit of effort, I get more out of it.

I do that, too. Even if I'm having a crappy day, I promise to go at least one mile. I very, very rarely do less than three.

ndj1979

ummm get off your a#s and start doing it....

once it becomes a part of your daily routine then you will feel like crap if you do not work out...

Lesa_Sass

Having a small goal.

I started out walking 2 miles a day 3 years ago. Now I can walk between 5 and 6 miles in less than an hour and a half. I can run a couple of miles with out stopping and can hike 10 in less than 4 hours.

If you keep putting off the C25k, then just take a walk. You will start craving it, you really will.

Powerfocus

Watching weight loss shows really get me motivated an that fact that I want to get to my goal in 3months. Some people say exercising is fun I don't know that is the case for me To me it is about self control and disciplining my body to do things that are healthy for it. Exercising does relieve stress an help me focus an think clearer also I like to listen to my favorite tapes and I am starting to enjoy the ME time not to mention how good I feel when I reach my exercise targets

McKayMachina

I've read every single reply from you all and I want to sincerely thank you for every sentence you wrote! For taking the time to articulate helpful suggestions for my benefit, I am incredibly grateful. You are WONDERFUL!

@BellaIron: Actually, one of the things that motivates me most is full-length mirrors, too. But, for some reason, it's got to be a fitting room in a clothing store. I get one glimpse and I'm like, HOOOOOLY POO...who be dat? Then I get all depressed. Then...determined! I think I need to go try on clothes more often!

@Blakerb29: That's basically where I'm at right now. I totally hear you.

@lcvrablik: I'm most intimidated by pressure. Signing up for something with a deadline will almost assuredly end in failure due to being overwhelmed by pressure and giving up. But this approach is GREAT for competitive people so I'm glad you mentioned it!

@suzeya: THANK YOU! This is where I always go wrong. I think: there is no WAY I'll have time to workout today! Thinking I've got to go home, change into work out clothes, stretch, work out, cool down, shower, change and do my hair and makeup all over again, etc. But it can be so much simpler than that. THANK YOU.

@cockney365: You made some EXCELLENT points and your post was so well organized and easy to read. I wanted to thank you sincerely for that effort. You're awesome and I took every word to heart.

@BillRicks1: I am downloading that mp3! That mantra can be applied to my entire life including exercising. Thank you so much for sharing it with me!

@cwolfman13: I want to ride my bike because I genuinely love it. It's just difficult to find a place to ride it in the area I live in. Tiny little blocks and tons of stop lights. The closest trail would require me to load my bike and drive there and back (which is something I am going to do but I only have time for it once/week). I want to run because I overheard someone at work say they placed 3rd in a running event when she runs a 7:30 mile. My best mile was 7:22 and I really wasn't even trying. It was a lonnnnng time ago but I think, with training, I could beat my time and potentially place at a run! I want to do Insanity because it gives me energy and I see it starting to tone my body almost immediately. Certainly within a week. I don't bank on this for weight loss but for aesthetics. I have definitely put a lot of thought into all those things you asked about. And I totally do the net calories thing. So, I hear ya! Thanks.

@pu_239: Can you tell me what you're referring to? I don't remember you at all and it doesn't sound like me to say something like that for no reason... But I agree with your last sentence to a point. One piece of motivation got me through those first ten months. I guess when that motivation changed, I stopped feeling it. So now I am hunting for a new one. But that may not exist!

@WhitneyT586: I loooove that idea. That is an ongoing, self-propelled form of motivation. I am going to start doing this! Thank you!!! I might even make it a competition with my boyfriend...I work out, you pay me. We both work out, no one owes. lol! Yay!

I really did read EVERY SINGLE reply and, again, thank you all SO MUCH. I think you're wonderful people and I feel like this thread has really set my mind right. I'm going to bed tonight and starting my day with renewed vigor and dedication to my goals.

THANK YOU!!!

:drinker: :flowerforyou: :drinker: :flowerforyou: :drinker: :flowerforyou:

McKayMachina

I think your comment is spot on, pu. Thanks!!!

blakerb29

Glad some of the responses helped, get to work and shed those pounds!


-Blake

McKayMachina

I totally did! Got up, aired up my bike tires and rode around running errands all morning. I didn't realize how much I missed it!

meramirez2012

First of all, congrats on your weight loss! WOW!

I was JUST LIKE YOU, except you seem to already like working out more than I did. I'm not athletic and I just couldn't find anything that I enjoyed doing. I finally tried yoga and pilates, both of which I had been avoiding because I didn't think I would get results from something so low key and I didn't want to waste my time. I was WRONG. I am addicted to both yoga and pilates, and I have to force myself to only do it 6 times a week. I feel amazing, have lost inches all over my body, and have never felt better mentally. It's not for everyone, but I finally found something for me. You will too.

mdcoug

It totally is about creating the habit. I used to work out in the evenings, and I did OK for a while, but it was so easy to just say I was too tired. Now I work out in the mornings. I make it a point to go to bed at 9:30 (I used to procrastinate on going to bed) and I get up every weekday at 6, to get in my workout before having to get ready for work. This way it's done and I can't put it off in the evenings. Moving my workout to first thing in the morning has really been a game changer for me.

erinsueburns

A) It is the habit, once you do get the momentum going for most people it seems to be easier to keep going.

Find an exercise that you like, that seeing progress in will motivate you with.

C) Why are you doing it? What are your goals? If those aren't clear it makes it that much harder.

For me it is weights, heavy progressive free weights. I tried walking/jogging/intervals, dancing, DVD's, WiiFit. It all sucked. I switched to body weight exercises like pushups and squats. I started hitting goals and pushing my limits. And THAT was supremely motivating. It eventually got me into a gym despite my high anxiety about the whole thing and I LOVE it. On trips where I have to stay in hotels, I even plan around which ones have better on site gyms. On the other hand, I work with someone who finds that stair machine incredibly motivating. She gets super excited about every extra minute she can go, every extra speed she can attain.