Shut your brain off! (works wonders)

IriniSev

Hi everybody! Recently I've developed a "skill" which has had tremendous effects on my accountability. But be careful, it's harder than it sounds. We all have days where we are super motivated and everything is going great. On these days you most likely have amazing workouts where you hit PRs in the gym and beat your time in running. But on other days you just don't feel like it at all...You come home from work or school and just want to snuggle up in bed and watch Youtube or TV the whole evening. But actually these are the days where showing up matters the most! And to be honest with you, when you just show up, no matter how bad of a workout you have, the day is already a success! Don't count the cost, just get up, put your shoes on and get moving! Turn of your brain, listen to your favourite music and get it done. You need to have the mindset of a machine, I'm going to do this no matter what! Instead of listening to your brain, focus on the movement you are doing, do a body check during each rep. The minute you find a valid excuse for why you should not do this today, you've lost the game..The minute you just don't think about it and show up 90% of the game is won! It's all a matter of how bad you want it, how much does it mean to you. How much value do you hold to your name and to your words? And lastly, remember that this pain is only going to last about an hour maximum after that it's done and I guarantee you that you will feel much better than when you started. It's an uphill battle, but if you stick to it you will go higher than you ever thought you could go!
Take care everybody and just keep going!

Wolfena

Rest days ARE needed sometimes... and it is GOOD to listen to your body.

I agree that talking yourself into a workout most times, ignoring your brain saying "Hey, let's just watch TV & eat ice cream tonight" is a good thing most of the time, but you shouldn't NEVER rest.

Willbenchforcupcakes

Or, you know, have a goal that you are training towards instead of simply working out.

When every session is working you towards a goal, it's a lot harder for your brain to even try the "I just want to lay on the couch" thing.

Madux1818

Thanks op, words to live by on days that little voice in my head tells me to skip my run that day.

Christine_72

I read mfp whilst I'm walking, it took a lot of practice and 2 broken toes, but i have power walking while reading nailed now. I can walk for miles while being engrossed in the many debates that happen on here. I save the 20+ page threads for when I'm walking

Lounmoun

I like to spend my time thinking during my exercise. It makes it go faster for me.
I suppose it is how some people like group exercise and some prefer going it alone, some people like a gym and others want to be outside. Depends on you.

dlm7507

Interesting. I usually do the workout when I don't feel like it because I know that I am always glad that I did afterwards. While doing the workout I think about what I'm doing. As much as I love music I don't want the distraction while working out.