How did you get into the gym habit?

jlcrph

I did two things.... 1. I made a few appointments with a trainer to get me started 2. I met friends at the gym Both made it more fun/interesting and also built in some accountability so I had to show up.

40andFindingFitness

I just got fed up with being tired. I have two young kids who are wearing me out and I though, "Man, I have to do something about this." So I convinced a coworker to come with me. When she couldn't come anymore I just kept going. I feel better and have more energy afterwards. To get me going I have a dance mix on my iPhone so it helps to keep me there once I get there.

mrslcoop

Never did because there is no way I’d do it. I have gym anxiety and if I attempt to do anything other than cardio I feel like I’m being watched and judged constantly. So I removed myself from that situation and got myself a home gym (yoga mat, free weights, pull up bar, a chair, and wall are honestly all I need to get it done). I love lifting and having everything right at home there is ZERO excuse to not do it the second I get home. As for cardio, I just run around my neighborhood.

Edit: I'm aware it's all in my head

romach79

Find a buddy - challenge each other and git er done!

wormstrup14

I joined a weight loss competition at a local gym...which included two group workout sessions a week with a personal trainer. My sessions were at 6am two days a week, and after the 12 week competition was over I just continued going on those days as it was already part of my routine. I gradually increased the days and now go 3-5 mornings a week.

smarionette

I don't go home before I go to the gym. When I go home I'm done for the day and don't go out again, so rather than a gym close to home I have a gym close to work. It helps a lot. Also financial penalties (classes with late cancel policies for example) tend to get me to go.

becky10rp

Ditto that of Bluebombers - I invested in a treadmill, a recumbent seat bicycle, an elliptical, a universal weight machine, and free weights.......I have a variety of equipment, it's in my house, I have NO EXCUSE NOT to work-out everyday. When I get home from work, the first thing I do is change my clothes and work-out - no excuses. It also 'helps' in that I have an 81 year-old Father who works out 4 times a week - if he can do it, at 47, I REALLY shouldn't have any excuses.............! Blast the tunes, and GO!

howardheilweil

To be honest, it's a pain in the *kitten* to get there. We are all really busy and a lot of the time, something else has to give to make time for this, but so be it. It's that important that you need to rearrange your schedule to ensure that there is time. Ultimately, once you start seeing results, it gets easier. Good Luck!

jesand86

I had the same problem for many years. Due to lack of funds atm I am not going but exersize from home, but when I did and got into the habit this is how I did it.

I Went to a gym, most of my friends that go recommend. I hate, absolutely hate standing in the gym lifting weights, doing cardio is fine but not weights. So I found a few weight lifting classes, like body pump and the likes instead. Forced myself to try all of them and then chose 2 classes that I found more fun. I forced myself to attend each class atleast 5 times Before i got to give up. Since I have stayed with one type of class and learned to love it. Even find myself missing it atm.

chezjuan

Persistence. When I first started, it was easy to consider skipping a day because I was "tired" or "too busy." I did my best to power through those times and now I have a hard time not working out on a scheduled day.

I started working out at home, which did a great job of starting to get me into shape and to develop the habit of working out. Eventually, there was a lot more that I wanted to do exercise-wise, so I joined a gym so I could keep expanding my routine.

mygrl4meee

I have been a member of the ymca for quite a few years and have thrown a lot of money away. When I got serious after joining mfp ipicked 3 days a week and called them "y" days and I went no matter what almost as if it was a job. My family started expecting me to go so that helped keep me going on the days I didn't feel like going. I still have "y" days and then at times I pick up an extraay and start going on a 4th day but I am not as strict with the 4th day.

cwolfman13

I got up, drove to the gym, obtained a membership, went to workout...and then just kept repeating this 3x weekly. After a few weeks, it just becomes habitual and I actually get rather pissed if I have to miss a session.

It also helps if you have an actual plan and that you enjoy whatever it is you are doing at the gym. The only reason I joined the gym was because I wanted to get back into lifting and no way I could get all of the requisite equipment in my house (though that would be friggin' awesome). Even though I enjoy lifting, it was somewhat difficult intially as I would get off work and "just not feel like it"...but I made myself do it anyway. It would be almost impossible if you were going to the gym to do something you didn't enjoy. For example, I'd rather dig my eyeballs out of my head with a dull spoon that drone away on an elliptical..but that's just me.

navyrigger46

Thank you all so much for your advice! I had a feeling it was going to come down to just doing it whether or not I want to, although I was still praying there was some magical thing that happens one day where I become uber motivated and just get to it!

As a matter of fact, you will hit that point. After about a month it'll become second nature, then you'll notice that on non-gym days you miss it, and as a result, you'll be uber-motivated to go the next day. My gym was closed all last week and it about killed me, I was going through severe withdrawals.

Rigger

HermioneDanger118

I'm so amazed by people who go super super early in the mornings. I thought I was hot stuff going to a 6am BodyPump class because it was SO EARLY - you all are rock stars! :drinker:

justal313

Foursquare. I gotta defend my mayorship.

That and it's 24/7 and a 1 minute drive or 5 minute walk.

I just lost my mayorship to my 1/2 marathon training because I would rather run out side. I am exercising 6 days a week but if I can manage it 4 of them are NOT at the gym but running outside because running on the treadmill is boring as all get out.

shannashannabobana

Bring gym clothes to work and change their and go straight to the gym, before you go home. That works best for me. It's somewhat problematic when you forget your gym clothes, though...