My own worst enemy

BootyfulBikerZX10r

I have this bad habit...and I wonder if anyone else ever does this and how do you keep yourself in check?

-Lets say you're doing good on your 1 daily workout, then you start to set unrealistic goals/expectations, expectations that you cannot hit, for example 3-a-days. Then when you obviously don't hit those goals and fail, beat yourself up over it to the point that you don't end up working out at all...for weeks on end.

This is something I constantly have to check myself on. 3x-a-WEEK is okay right now. I don't have to jump start with 3x-a-DAY workouts. I just need to be proud of myself for the one workout I did do today.

DebLaBounty

Three times a week is a real accomplishment! Three times a day might be a punishment of some sort. Make an appointment with yourself to work out, put that appointment on your calendar, put on your workout clothes, and get out the door to do your workout. That's what I do. Life sometimes gets in the way and I'll have to skip a workout, but I get right back to it the next day. Here's why: it's really hard to start over and over. When you have a couple weeks under your belt of success, add another day or two of exercise and see how that goes. Maybe reward yourself for working out for a week (a dinner out, a pedicure, a new workout shirt, whatever). Sounds like you're back on track!!

Graelwyn75

I have this issue myself. I am supposed to have 2 rest days per week but I tend to feel really bad about it and I also get quite angry if, on my workout days, I cannot perform as well as the last time or cannot do as much. I think we can be our own worst enemies at times.

Katniss326

You may want to look up S.M.A.R.T. goals. I think that the R. stands for "realistic". Meaning is your goal realistic? There are many graphics and charts available for free just by Googling "SMART goals" or "SMART goal tracker". Hope this helps.

Suzanne_the_foot_lady

If you really can't stop yourself doing it, perhaps count a 1 mile power walk as a workout. Its quick and easy to do and wont burn you out.

NewTnme

I wish I didn't look at working out as another job. I'm struggling with working out and eating better. In the morning I am so motivated by late afternoon i'm over it and all control is gone. Then i beat myself up the next morning

88olds

This is what worked for me. 6 days per week.

Monday- Friday on the exercise bike in my basement. Saturday, when I had more time, a long walk. Sunday off. I found that thinking of exercise as daily thing helped. But always appreciated the day off.

But here is where we are sort of alike. My first workout was 8 min. That was the most I could do. But soon I was at 10 min, then 12. And increasing the resistance on that bike.

Then one day I started thinking about coming home for my workout and dreading it. The push for more and tougher will wreck a workout program.

I started making this deal with myself, which was a real deal and not just a trick. I'd agree to do maybe 60% of my workout. Or all the time at an easy pace. Sometimes, once started, I would do the whole thing. Sometime not.

Working like this, exercise became a habit. I don't feel right if I don't get some kind of workout in.

Nobody is going to stick for long with a torture program. Exercise is a form of recreation. It's not such a great weight loss tool. But it does great stuff for your body, particularly your brain. BTW, at his peak, Arnold did 2X per day. You don't need to do 3X. Or even 2.