Curiosity-what do you think about when exercising????

Scoobies87

Exercise is so so so boring. I often wonder what everyone else thinks about when they are exercising.

For example, A thing I like to think about is swanning past my ex (Who called me fat) on the beach in a jaw dropping bikini with an *kitten* that Kylie Minouge would be jealous of. :P

Anyone else???

shelcof

OH man....that's very similar to my thought processes.

I imagine one ex's jaw dropping when he sees me, I imagine the other ex asking for me to come back (to which I laugh in his face of course.....)

Its a great motivator, isn't it?

Heraci

That's a good one. When I'm inside, I'm usually guilty of spacing out completely and not thinking about much of anything or watching tv, but when I run, I just like to enjoy the environment and think about the world around me. It's kind of my own personal 'me time' where I can reflect on the world. It makes it seem more relaxing.

iojoi

I get bored too so I put a tv program on my iphone in the gym and I lose myself in it.
when I am using my punch bag i play the "best of free album" and a "thunder" album I have as they are great for setting my pace and rythmn
I also use the punch bag for stress relief or anger and if I am feeling that way I wil nip in the garage and hit a few

JoeyandChase

hahahahaha ~ LOVE the "ex~factor"!! my thoughts are always, "ok, 30 minutes left....20 minutes left...5 minutes left!!!" LOL

meggers123

I'm usually so lost in the music I don't think of much. But a tiny weeny bikini next summer is a nice thought.......

papastu

hahahahaha ~ LOVE the "ex~factor"!! my thoughts are always, "ok, 30 minutes left....20 minutes left...5 minutes left!!!" LOL

same here

megruder

Interesting question... depends on what I'm doing...

If I'm in an aerobics class, I'm mostly trying to figure out the moves and keep time with the music.

If I'm on a machine (i.e. treadmill, elliptical, etc.), I'm watching TV... so brain dead and not thinking.

Otherwise, I'm playing tricks with my brain/body like... "Only 30 more seconds...(until this interval is over)". Or... "You've done 40 min, what's another 5 or 10."

Skinny625

I picture myself at my goal weight in an amazing outfit doing like a reveal to my friends
and family. And feeling strong and proud of myself what I have accomplished. :bigsmile:

beckyinma

breathing, not tripping on the treadmill, hoping the next song rocks, because the current one won't get me through the next interval, breathing, keeping my torso straight while I jog and not swinging my hands in front of me, only on the sides, because if they swing in front, they catch on the treadmill key and stop my workout abruptly... bad.

Also, if I'm struggling to get through an interval (C25K) I chant over and over "puke faint or die, keep going"
what does my butt look like from behind when I run? Gosh, I'm glad I'm in my basement and not at a gym. I'm rockin' the tank top, but the bottoms, not so much...I hope I don't swing my arms so bad I punch myself in the face, that would s*ck. I wonder what I'll have for a post-workout snack, yogurt? cheese? mm cheese...Cheddar or swiss or jack? I'm so hungry. Water, I need water, when the he!! is this interval over...Don't look at the clock, don't look at the clock, don't look at the clock, darn, I looked at the clock, only half way through this interval.. concentrate on the music, not the time, the music!
LOL.

yankeefamily05

Anything! Everything! My past, current stuff, making an ex jealous, making frienmies even more jealous etc!e

fifon1

my thought varies. but most of the times i fantasize about getting into that super tight dresses at the boutique's display window right infront of my gym. i picked that particular treadmill for this reason. lol!

yankeefamily05

breathing, not tripping on the treadmill, hoping the next song rocks, because the current one won't get me through the next interval, breathing, keeping my torso straight while I jog and not swinging my hands in front of me, only on the sides, because if they swing in front, they catch on the treadmill key and stop my workout abruptly... bad.

Also, if I'm struggling to get through an interval (C25K) I chant over and over "puke faint or die, keep going"
what does my butt look like from behind when I run? Gosh, I'm glad I'm in my basement and not at a gym. I'm rockin' the tank top, but the bottoms, not so much...I hope I don't swing my arms so bad I punch myself in the face, that would s*ck. I wonder what I'll have for a post-workout snack, yogurt? cheese? mm cheese...Cheddar or swiss or jack? I'm so hungry. Water, I need water, when the he!! is this interval over...Don't look at the clock, don't look at the clock, don't look at the clock, darn, I looked at the clock, only half way through this interval.. concentrate on the music, not the time, the music!
LOL.

Hahah all of above!

RiseWayward

hahahahaha ~ LOVE the "ex~factor"!! my thoughts are always, "ok, 30 minutes left....20 minutes left...5 minutes left!!!" LOL

HAHAHAHAHA SNAP!!!!

sammys1girly

At the gym I am kinda a people watcher so I see what other people are up to or wonder why the guy in the corner feels the need to wear sunglasses while lifting, etc... haha:laugh: Mostly try to NOT look at the minutes left and usually am thinking about what I get to eat for lunch afterwards!

Yayi724

Most times I just think about finishing but probably could benefit from thinking of something more inspirational.

KittMahan

LOVE IT!!!

If my exercise is a walk its outside and usually I'm enjoying time where I don't have to work. I'm basically a single mother with many teens, there is so little peace for me that it's a pleasure to be able to blank out with Evanascence or some dance music playing in my ipod.

If my exercise is yard work or house work I'm thinking about how nice it would be to have kids who picked up after themselves all the time without being reminded

botography

I cannot exercise-exercise. I have to do something. I do housework, yardwork, go dancing, anything but exercise. It bores me and I know it will not last it I hate it. So I simply find something to do that takes energy. So far I am not without projects, things to do.

Azdak

This has been a topic for runners since the "running boom" in the 1970s. There are two types of approaches: associative and dissociative. As the name implies, those who dissociate tend to detach mentally from the activity and occupy the mind with external thoughts.

Association takes the opposite approach-the runner stays focused on the exercise activity, paying attention to all of the physical sensations, monitoring performance and maintaining an internal monologue to stay relaxed, in control, maintain form, etc.

Studies show that elite athletes tend to associate and recreational exercisers tend to dissociate.

suzycreamcheese

This has been a topic for runners since the "running boom" in the 1970s. There are two types of approaches: associative and dissociative. As the name implies, those who dissociate tend to detach mentally from the activity and occupy the mind with external thoughts.

Association takes the opposite approach-the runner stays focused on the exercise activity, paying attention to all of the physical sensations, monitoring performance and maintaining an internal monologue to stay relaxed, in control, maintain form, etc.

Studies show that elite athletes tend to associate and recreational exercisers tend to dissociate.

i do both of those things at different times

jo_marnes

This has been a topic for runners since the "running boom" in the 1970s. There are two types of approaches: associative and dissociative. As the name implies, those who dissociate tend to detach mentally from the activity and occupy the mind with external thoughts.

Association takes the opposite approach-the runner stays focused on the exercise activity, paying attention to all of the physical sensations, monitoring performance and maintaining an internal monologue to stay relaxed, in control, maintain form, etc.

Studies show that elite athletes tend to associate and recreational exercisers tend to dissociate.

I dissociate for sure. Clearly not an elite athlete, lol

Noonoo757

this is weird i know but i pretend sometimes i am in a marathon when im running and that there is only 3 people left to win $50,000 for our favorite charity lol mine is ST Judes childrens hospital so i imagine all the little kids cheering me on. Weird yeah i know but it works hahaha

swaymyway

I've never really thought about this and trying to find an answer is leaving me blank - so I guess I am one of those that just shuts my brain off as much as possible and thinks about every thing and nothing!

When I am running I know that I tend to sing along to my music but that's about all.

jenthestrawberry

Studies show that elite athletes tend to associate and recreational exercisers tend to dissociate.

When I'm outside, I usually really focus on something about what I'm doing, like the perfect stride, deep breathing, or my arm movements. When I do that the exercise becomes more like playing an instrument, creative instead of boring. But I don't always have the drive for that, especially on long evening walks. So then sometimes I set the iphone running app to say "One minute, steady", "one minute, fast"... to help break up the time and my focus. If that still doesn't work, then I either listen to an audiobook or make my "family phone calls" and attempt to pass the hours ahead.

TiffyBear415_xx

hahahahaha ~ LOVE the "ex~factor"!! my thoughts are always, "ok, 30 minutes left....20 minutes left...5 minutes left!!!" LOL

same here

ditto!

JNick77

Exercise is so so so boring. I often wonder what everyone else thinks about when they are exercising.

For example, A thing I like to think about is swanning past my ex (Who called me fat) on the beach in a jaw dropping bikini with an *kitten* that Kylie Minouge would be jealous of. :P

Anyone else???

Great thread topic. The mental portion of lifting is really important. I try really hard to put some upbeat music on and just focus on the muscle I'm working and the bar. Unfortunately real-life comes into play and it's not easy. When I'm doing olympic style lifts is probably when I'm most focused though. There's just no way you can half-*kitten* a Clean or Snatch, you either do or don't.

Ara531

Well, if i'm on at home or on a treadmill i like to watch t.v. or listen to music, so i'm usually absent minded, but if i'm at a gym(and i usually am) I try to invision what i'll look like when i'm healthier, in better shape, and skinnier. And of course, exactly what most of you have commented which is what my ex will think or do when he sees me or guys in general who blew me off before because of what i looked like

sarina87

For me, it depends on what type of excersise i am doing.

On my bike rides i think of music because i always listen to my headphones while riding.

On my workout dvds, i think of slowing down my breathing, catching up with the pace of the people in the dvd and finishing strong.

Thriceshy

I have a little Galaxy tab, and I run a music program on it so I have tunes the whole time I work out. While that plays in the background, I play games, do quizzes or facebook, send messages or emails, or just load up Google Sky and study the constellations while I ride. Of all the things, the tunes are the most important. They inspire me and give me something to keep time to.

Kris

LorinaLynn

Usually I think, "Holy crap! I can't believe I'm actually able to do this!!!" Sometimes, "Just one mile left. That's less than ten minutes. You can do this.... Half mile left. That's less than 5 minutes. You can do this.... Quarter of a mile. You'll be home before this song is off. You can do this!"

I get lost in the music sometimes. If I'm at the gym, I try to find something interesting on the tube. Ellen is my favorite because it's always positive and funny. The Ladies of the View annoy me.

Yesterday I didn't realize I forgot my music until I was about a half mile from home. Something seemed wrong, but I didn't know what! So I mentally sang "Scotland the Brave" to myself. :laugh: It fits perfectly to the cadence. But I don't know all the words. I know many more of the words to the Tartan Terrors parody, "Scotland's Depraved."

Bring me my whiskey, mother!
I'm feeling frisky, mother!
Bring me my sheep,
For I am lonely tonight.

Gosh knows I'm really randy.
Good thing I'm very handy!
England is prim and proper.
Scotland's Depraved!

Chorus:
Bah bah bah-da bah bah bah
Bah bah bah-da bah bah bah
Bah bah bah-da bah bah bah
Bah bah bah-da
Bah bah bah-da bah bah bah
Bah bah bah-da bah bah bah
England is prim is proper.
Scotland's Depraved!

Bring me a lover, mother!
No, not my brother, mother!
Bring me my sheep,
For I am lonely tonight.

No, not my sister, Mary.
Her legs are very hairy.
England is prim is proper.
Scotland's Depraved!

(chorus)

I'm as a horny as a clansman!
I will even take a Saxon!
Bring me my sheep,
For I am lonely tonight.

Scotsmen wear their kilts all day:
Zippers scare the sheep away...(so I've heard)
England is prim is proper.
Scotland's Depraved!

(chorus)

vodkaandbones

I usually have a lot of school work to do when I get away from the gym, so Im planning the rest of the day trying not to think about how much my legs burn. And planning when I will get all of my work done. Some days Im actually doing work on the elliptical.

Im planning my meals for the day and how many calories I should burn before rushing to the change rooms to shower and run to school.