Having trouble getting my butt off the couch

noexcuses0626

I used to LOVE running. I signed up for all kinds of races, I loved training, I loved mapping different routes, I felt alive only after I ran first thing in the morning. Then, I got shingles. I never fully recovered and I was always struggling to regain the endurance I had built up and I got frustrated and depressed and running was no longer enjoyable. Then I found a friend to run with and it was enjoyable again until I tore my calf muscle.
Long story short, I am just getting back into running, but now I live in fear of injury. I've accepted that I have to start over (I've gained LOADS of weight) and am now on week 7 of the couch to 5K. So, this week I have to do three 25 minute runs... and I feel great when I'm finished, but I just can't seem to find the motivation or energy to actually get off my butt and do it!
Any suggestions?
I NEED to get back on the exercise wagon! How else is all of this weight going to come off?

mel35645

Maybe you could try walking. I completely understand the fear of re-injury but as for the motivation sometimes you just have to force yourself to do it even when you dont want to. Maybe commit to a shorter time period so instead of 25 minutes start by trying to do it for 10 or 15 who knows once you get started you may hit your original time goal!

cmriverside

It doesn't have to be running. How about kayaking, swimming, hiking?

CrabNebula

Technically, you don't need to exercise at all to lose weight. You just need to eat less.

People ask me at work how I manage to get to the gym everyday. I tell them that I don't let it enter into my mind that I am not going to. I just do it. I don't argue with myself about it. If I am not feeling a workout, I simply lower the intensity instead of not doing it altogether. It is just like getting up and going to work every morning. Most mornings, I'd rather not, but I like money more than staying in bed. I don't maybe want to exercise everyday, but I'd rather have a fit body than a butterslug one.

If running is too much, you might consider another form of cardio like the elliptical or rowing. Running is hard on my right knee, so I had to lower my mileage a bit. It seems to really respond well to rowing, my knee always feels better afterwards, so I added that back into my cardio routine.

tulips_and_tea

CrabNebula wrote: »

Technically, you don't need to exercise at all to lose weight. You just need to eat less.

People ask me at work how I manage to get to the gym everyday. I tell them that I don't let it enter into my mind that I am not going to. I just do it. I don't argue with myself about it. If I am not feeling a workout, I simply lower the intensity instead of not doing it altogether. It is just like getting up and going to work every morning. Most mornings, I'd rather not, but I like money more than staying in bed. I don't maybe want to exercise everyday, but I'd rather have a fit body than a butterslug one.

If running is too much, you might consider another form of cardio like the elliptical or rowing. Running is hard on my right knee, so I had to lower my mileage a bit. It seems to really respond well to rowing, my knee always feels better afterwards, so I added that back into my cardio routine.

This 100% I could've written the exact same post. My gym time is factored into my work day. It's not an option. Some days are better than others, but I don't think about it. I just go.

How's your diet? You don't need a bunch of strenuous activity to lose weight. Focus on your nutrition and on just being active more.

Lizzy622

Exactly - don't think -DO. I am best at keeping up with my exercise when I have it scheduled. Schedule your time and get out and do. You don't need to always be perfect but you do need to get out there and do something.

noexcuses0626

I am losing weight (eating <1500 calories per day for now), just not as quickly as I'd like to, I guess. I'm averaging a loss of about 1.4 lbs per week. I just feel guilty when I don't so anything, which seems to be more often than not right now.
I'm considering joining a kickboxing gym, which is sort of like "Curves" in that it's a 30 minute circuit that focuses on martial arts and self defense. I did a free trial a few weeks ago and it was a great workout.

Lizzy622

noexcuses0626 wrote: »

I am losing weight (eating <1500 calories per day for now), just not as quickly as I'd like to, I guess. I'm averaging a loss of about 1.4 lbs per week. I just feel guilty when I don't so anything, which seems to be more often than not right now.
I'm considering joining a kickboxing gym, which is sort of like "Curves" in that it's a 30 minute circuit that focuses on martial arts and self defense. I did a free trial a few weeks ago and it was a great workout.

Sounds very interesting. I wish we had something like that near me.

rbfdac

Well, you may not be training like you used to, but week 7 of couch25k definitely sounds like you're back in to it to me-- takes motivation to get that far, for sure. As far as the rest of it- maybe you're just over running. Try another activity!