For My Fellow Treadmill Warriors!

Sweet_Lady_4

Hey guys! I've been relying on some heavy time on the treadmill at the gym (in Florida so the more walking indoors, the better). I have a Fitbit and am always trying to reach my step goal for the day, and exceed it whenever I can.

I was on for about 45 minutes today and thought to myself...will this be a sustainable habit? How long will it be before this just gets too...boring?
Sometimes if I'm really lucky I'll get a great book on audio that can keep me walking for about 45 minutes without it feeling like an eternity, or bringing a tablet along and watching an episode on netflix.

Soooo...what do you guys do on the treadmill to keep things interesting?
Also, if anybody is looking for a fitbit buddy feel free to message me and I'll add you!

Thanks for reading, happy stepping, have a great one!!!

-Stephanie

ssjones999

Wish I knew.....Dreadmill in my book!! Good luck. I read still gets rough.

Sweet_Lady_4

Haha Dreadmill! Love it!

LoneWolfRunner

I have discovered that the only thing that helps me with the treadmill is to skip it altogether. The only things that drive me to the mill are lightning and ice.... if I absolutely have to use it, I just throw a towel over the screen, put on my iPod and just go.... I can't watch movies or read or watch TV... they just remind me that I'm not outside...and I play non-stop with the speed and the incline...

brynnsmom

Well, I'd be lost without my iPod. I find that when I do one of the programmed workouts, where the speed and incline vary every minute or so, it's less boring. I'd much rather be walking outside, though.

meshashesha2012

i do a combination of outdoor, track and treadmill for walking and running.

i basically use the treadmill for workouts i want to control the speed and incline and i like doing intervals to take my mind off the treadmill. here are just 2 examples

1. walking intervals : turn the speed up to 4.6- 4.9 and the incline to 6 or higher. walk without using handrails for 15 seconds and rest on with feet on the sides for 15 seconds. do this for 20-30 minutes

2. running intervals : walk for 1 minute on 3.7, run for 30 seconds on 6.5-75 (vary the speed each running segment). do this for 20-30 minutes

other options i do are intervals involving both hills and speed. but i never sprint on the treadmill because that's just asking to fall on my face :laugh:

brynnsmom

I walk/jog backwards and side ways. I saw others at the gym doing this because it works other muscles. Start off slow or you might slip.

Interesting, I will have to try this out!

Mexicanbigfoot

I watch tv on DVD, only shows I really love so I look forward to doing it.

(I have to cover the time because otherwise it drags for me.)

Currently I am watching Sex and the City. I am almost done with the 5th season and I ONLY let myself watch it while I walk.

Next up is M*A*S*H!!

*edit: I prefer the treadmill to outside walking because I can better control my pace and also because there is no uneven terrain :noway:

Chain_Ring

Running is for criminals but if it must be done, it should only be done outdoors. What am I, a hamster?

donnat238

Listen to my music or watch tv. Vary the routine - the workout programs. I also use the elliptical and I walk at work

kiniece

tv shopping channels while listening to good music! anything on my dvr. getting some miles outside and finishing indoors. gathering fitbit friends for friendly 7-day step-total rankings (that's really fun if you're competitive!) whatever it takes....I just do it :flowerforyou:

Hey guys! I've been relying on some heavy time on the treadmill at the gym (in Florida so the more walking indoors, the better). I have a Fitbit and am always trying to reach my step goal for the day, and exceed it whenever I can.

I was on for about 45 minutes today and thought to myself...will this be a sustainable habit? How long will it be before this just gets too...boring?
Sometimes if I'm really lucky I'll get a great book on audio that can keep me walking for about 45 minutes without it feeling like an eternity, or bringing a tablet along and watching an episode on netflix.

Soooo...what do you guys do on the treadmill to keep things interesting?
Also, if anybody is looking for a fitbit buddy feel free to message me and I'll add you!

Thanks for reading, happy stepping, have a great one!!!

-Stephanie

lisaanne1369

I am from Florida too and thank God for my treadmill! All I need to do to not get boared is go run outside! As I now I am breaking the poor thing down.

schulersam

Are there cardio classes at your gym? I vary aerobics, kickboxing, spin, zumba, treadmill, eliptical, rowing machine, stairclimber, weights, step....what ever is going . Burn calories in a variety of ways to keep the interest up. I live in Trinidad and run outside very early in the morning (It is still hot)

coolraul07

I get by with multitasking via a home treadmill desk. See my blog entry for details:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/coolraul07/view/wtf-is-a-deskmill-694152

stackhsc

best thing you can do is take it outside. tm are great to start and to use if its really really crappy out. trust me i know running in weather extreems can be hard but thats part of the challenge. you and your body will adapt. take water, dress appropriately, try to go early or later in the evening....... you will never look back

DannehBoyy

I find that doing HIIT (high intensity interval training) works better for me and i don't have to spend half the time on running. I hate treadmills. :yawn:

loralye211

I do the same thing: treadmill and fitbit. Loooove my new fitbit and it came in handy on vacation where I didn't have my beloved treadmill to tell me how many calories I burned from jogging.

For me, I have to be TOTALLY distracted in order to spend any length of time on the treadmill, especially for jogging. Netflix and YouTube have been my best friends to get through my morning workout. If you have an iPad or tablet, this could help keep it from getting so bored with it you can't do another treadmill mile. I've also found that when I start to get bored or complacent, I either switch up my treadmill routine (I do HIIT) or I put on a workout video. That helps stave off a plateau too.

Working out on the treadmill IS a sustainable habit. Your endurance will increase and you'll be able to increase the speed you do, which will keep it a little interesting than doing the same thing every day. Since you're going to the gym, check out the elliptical machines. Those really work you out!

Good luck!

bluehenjen

Intervals are the only thing that keep me from being acutely aware of how slowly time is passing on the treadmill. I also listen to podcasts and language CDs (I'm trying to learn Hungarian).

RockWarrior84

couch 2 5k

Jim_Barteck

I download movies onto my tablet and watch them while I work out. I've thought about reading too, but so far it's just been movies....

MadDogManor

Movies - I only watch them on the treadmill or elliptical. It's my one and only motivator for exercise right now

_Waffle_

Sweet_Lady_4

Thanks for everyone who replied! You are all so amazing I'm definitely gonna put these tips to good use! I will love to get outside and explore some new trails in my area and check out interval training for sure!

And that video is great!

Sweet_Lady_4

Update!!!!

Today I went to gym first thing this morning, tablet in tow! I started a new series (new to me anyhow) called True Detective, and while watching I was alternating between walking slower at a steep grade and lowering the grade and walking a lot faster, increasing the pace as I went.

Would you believe it but I was on that thing for 75 minutes!?? Knocked out my fitbit 10,000 steps goal for the day all in one shot, now I'm ready to conquer the day!! Boom!!

Hope you are all having an awesome day!!

StaciMarie1974

Read. Either on tablet/Kindle or a real book. For actual page turning I've found it better to walk a little slower (for me that means 3.5 or so) and crank up the incline. Watch Netflix, or something recorded on the TV. (Treadmill is in the basement.) Hubby has wireless headphones and they work with the tv which is nice.

romankhar

I listen to audiobooks (cost $ on audible.com) and some excellent free podcasts. here is the list of my favorite audio books and podcasts:
http://kharkovski.blogspot.com/p/favorites.html

vegkitten

The treadmill I use at the gym has an "Alpine Loop." I vary the top speed and incline every time I use it, so it's like a slightly different work out every time. Keeps me entertained. :P

s_pekz

Currently listening to 1st To Die by John patterson. long series. so far so good.

amandzor

I live in Seattle, so treadmill's are a must unless I like running in rain boots.

I have books on tape, there are tvs at my gym, hulu, Run! Zombies, anything that lets me space out.

My fave book series has 30+ books, so I never run out! (the In Death Series by J.D. Robb if anyone was interested. Yay crime/romance)

That being said, I do the same when I do have the chance to get outside. I'l crank house/dance music up on my ipod so I don't have to hear the inner voice that tries to tell me to give up.

Best of luck!

onefortyone

Loving the tips! When I first started running on the treadmills I was so focused on breathing enough so my lungs didn't collapse, and trying not to fall off. But now I am comfortable at 5.2mph - but 20 minutes seems like an ETERNITY and I keep looking at the timer every 30 seconds saying 'ok 15 minutes left... okay... 14.5 minutes left...' the whole time, which makes it drag!

I like the idea of throwing a towel/jacket over the whole thing. And I don't have wifi/data on my phone but I might download something to watch on iTunes before I leave to help with the boredom.

And AWESOME job knocking out 10k steps first thing in the morning! A pedometer might be what I need to get my butt up and more active throughout the day

allisonjforsyth

I love my treadmill!! I love that I can put the incline on really high and burn a lot more calories in the same amount of time than just walking on flat sidewalk that way. My favorite thing to watch on the treadmill is NBA games. I'm a huge sports fan and especially the NBA, with such a quick pace and lots of action, is my favorite sport to watch on the treadmill. I turn on music and keep the game sound down so it keeps me pumped up watching amazing athletes run and dunk while listening to good music with a good beat. I can also put a fan on a chair right in front of me so it helps me stay cool while working my booty off. I also put wrist weights on to up the challenge level even more.

Right now the NBA is not is season (although I am watching the USMNT play) so I will put on shows that I otherwise don't give myself time to watch. Project Runway, Bachelor in Paradise are two examples. BTW- true detective was such an awesome show!!! I've been doing the treadmill as my go to exercise for weight loss for years. I love it so much. I do find I need to switch it up when weight loss gets stalled though. Put the incline higher, do interval runs, run, switch a day to workout videos or swim etc. But I live in Ohio so the treadmill is my lifeline to year round fitness. Snow and ice covered sidewalks don't do it for me. lol Good luck with everything!!!