What do u tell yourself when u dont feel like exercising?

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Replies

  • 33gail33
    33gail33 Posts: 1,155 Member
    If I don't feel like doing my workout I usually can motivate myself to do something, so I'll just hop on the bike and tell myself "I'll just do a 20 minute easy ride", and 9 times out of 10 once I get started I just go ahead and do my "real" workout. But if I really am not feeling it I don't feel bad about missing a day - I walk 2 miles every morning with my dogs (they don't let me miss that) so even if I miss my workout I've done something.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    wiigelec wrote: »
    Do you need motivation to brush your teeth?

    Discipline—not motivation—is what’s required to do the things you need to do even when you don’t want to do them.

    Yes, I force myself to floss Every. Darn. Night.

    What do I tell myself when I don't feel like flossing?

    It's time to floss.

    What do I tell myself when I don't feel like exercising?

    It's time to exercise.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Speakeasy76 wrote: »
    For me, I've been exercising for so long now that it's more of a force of habit than anything and feel worse when I don't. I think the key is 1) Finding activities that are actually somewhat enjoyable (Or tolerable) and 2) Finding a variety of activities.

    If you feel like exercise is "punishment" or you must exercise to earn your food (not saying you do), than it will be really hard to stay motivated. Remember, even just going for a walk on a nice day can still be "exercise," even if it doesn't get your heart rate really high.

    I've also heard to just tell yourself to only do 10 minutes, and often times once you've reached 10 minutes you feel like you can keep going.
    Yes, I did the "just 10 minute" thing when I was creating the habit. I always finished the exercise. Now that it is a habit, I don't need to do that anymore.
    dragon_girl26 wrote: »
    This is where I am with it. Even if I somewhat "don't feel like it", I still notice that I've done it by the end of the day because I feel weird if I DON'T do it. Habit is a powerful thing.

    Honestly, I see it as a kick to my mental health too. I can get stressed out or anxious easily, and exercise and activity helps alleviate some of it, even if its just going for a walk.

    One final thing is that with increased activity and weight drop, I've seen my BP improve (I have hypertension). That alone is enough to keep me going! I love seeing that number drop!
    Yes, I feel weird and itchy/anxious if I don't exercise at my usual time.
  • Indialove901
    Indialove901 Posts: 71 Member
    In the beginning, I would keep reminding myself of my goal. Eventually, exercise became a part of my daily routine. Once you start to love the way it makes you feel, you won’t need as much motivation. You will just do it! Good luck!
  • JohnBarth
    JohnBarth Posts: 672 Member
    MissAtomicBomb238 wrote: »
    Sometimes a paradigm shift:

    You dont have to work out; you GET to work out.

    It sounds silly but the concept of “working out” is a luxury. You get to do that. And that is awesome.

    Also, no one ever regrets a quick walk. No one. In the history of ever.

    I sometimes think similarly to this. It's more of a "I'm thankful I'm healthy enough and have the opportunity to work out!"
  • 1poundatax
    1poundatax Posts: 231 Member
    I put on a video and make myself do 15 min. I figure I can do anything for 15 min. even if I don't want to. I rarely stop after just 15 min. I try to exercise 5 days a week, I try to save the 2 days for when my days are jam packed and it is hard to fit another thing in.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,741 Member
    JohnBarth wrote: »
    MissAtomicBomb238 wrote: »
    Sometimes a paradigm shift:

    You dont have to work out; you GET to work out.

    It sounds silly but the concept of “working out” is a luxury. You get to do that. And that is awesome.

    Also, no one ever regrets a quick walk. No one. In the history of ever.

    I sometimes think similarly to this. It's more of a "I'm thankful I'm healthy enough and have the opportunity to work out!"

    Same, particularly after a recent injury, surgery, and recovery. Now I'm more grateful than ever that I "get" to be active. Still a little limited in what I can and can't do, but I'm happy to be making progress.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    JohnBarth wrote: »
    MissAtomicBomb238 wrote: »
    Sometimes a paradigm shift:

    You dont have to work out; you GET to work out.

    It sounds silly but the concept of “working out” is a luxury. You get to do that. And that is awesome.

    Also, no one ever regrets a quick walk. No one. In the history of ever.

    I sometimes think similarly to this. It's more of a "I'm thankful I'm healthy enough and have the opportunity to work out!"

    Good point. Last year I had a series of gout attacks one after another after another that went on from mid May through mid September when Rheum finally fixed me. That was an incredibly hard and painful four months...my family in general is pretty active and we all like to play...I really missed being able to participate in all of that, especially since it was summer and that's when we like to get our recreation on. We did a lot of camping over the summer and I mostly just hung out at camp...I tried once to join the family on a hike that we love as my foot was feeling manageable...I made it maybe 1/4 of a mile before I had to turn back. It's typically about a 4 hour round trip hike, and I knew I'd never make it with my foot and someone would end up having to carry me out of there.

    That really sucked...and I missed out on a lot of adventures last summer. I remember my first walk with my little doggie once Rheum got me straight...it was so great and I couldn't believe how much I'd taken for granted being able to just move around and do stuff without pain.

    I workout some, and play a lot...I namely workout so that I can play and do active stuff...so four months of nothing but pain really sucked...now I play every chance I get.

  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    discipline. that's just the way it is. not negotiable.
  • buddy352
    buddy352 Posts: 35 Member
    I have learned from reading David Goggin's book, "can't hurt me". He says, motivation is fleeting, discipline wins the day. I walk every day not from motivation but because I am disciplined. I'm a walker, it's what I do. No motivation needed. I just do. It has worked for me. Good luck and Godbless!
  • wunderkindking
    wunderkindking Posts: 1,615 Member
    I tell myself to put my shoes on and at least go stand outside for air.

    By the time I've done that I've got momentum instead of inertia and I almost always just do the thing.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    If I don't feel like exercising, I don't. Today I spent about 2.5 hours doing cardio: bike ride and a short hike. Beautiful sunny day. I do a mood of exercise because I enjoy it. So if I'm not feeling it, that's my body asking for a rest day.
  • vanmep
    vanmep Posts: 410 Member
    edited March 2021
    “You don’t have to work out, you GET TO.”

    Love this. About 17 years ago I had cardiac surgery after a medical emergency. I have lived a pretty healthy active life since then. Last year I had a stroke and was complaining to the neurologist that in spite of my healthy lifestyle, I still had this happen. She pointed out that after a cardiac event, most people have a recurrence within 7 years, but for me it had been 17. That has really stuck with me and helped me to feel the absolute privilege and the real life impact of managing my own health.

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