Establishing My Routine, Finding Motivation

AnnaValek

I have recently begun my path to a better looking, more physically fit me. Unwilling to conform to any of the strict diets established already, I've created my own. I haven't so much created a plan so much as I have just become health conscious. I don't want to commit myself to someone else's plan which involves completely avoiding one type of food or another. By watching what I eat and how much I eat, I hope to eat a little bit more often (3 meals regularly with a max of two snacks between meals, including 2 snacks) and to develop an exercise routine. Every morning, at the encouragement of my biggets supporter, Gabby, I have begun to run around my neighborhood. I have just started a few days ago, so I have limited myself to running one mile in ten minutes coupled with stretching and Core exercises before and afterwards. Since I don't necessarily have a set of rules to follow, I'm hoping that this website will help me to remain health conscious. It gives me a record to watch and modify, which helps me retain a hold on my concept of health.

Today is only the second day of my plan, and already I had difficulty staying motivated. I woke up around 7 to drive my father to work and when I returned home, I just wanted to go to sleep. It took me a good thirty minutes before I told myself I wouldn't create excuses for myself (to avoid running this morning) and that instead I would continue with my routine. As I've heard, it takes a good week or two before your body and mind gets into the habit of performing a repeated task, such as daily exercise routines. I'm hoping I can keep myself on track.

Of course, if I make one life altering decision, such as the choice to become more physically fit, then I must also modify the rest of my behavior in order to keep a sort of resolve. For example, I've actually begun to religiously study my foreign languages in order to retain my conversational skills. By maintaining an overall habit of making good choices, I know I can make it easier for myself.

I understand that no plan out there will work better than a plan I form for myself. However, I'm not a dieting professional or physical trainer. But I'm not going to make excuses for myself, in order to project the blame elsewhere. No matter what is going on in my life, in the end it is I who decides what happens as a result. I hope, with this introductory topic, to find people who feel the same.

missymcc

I love your attitude and echo your sentiments. What are your weightless or fitness goals?

MrsRobertson1005

Go you! Sounds like a great plan!

abbigail_r

This was motivating for me this morning. As I sit here staring at the computer instead of working out. Guess I will be throwing on some workout clothes and heading down to do something. Thanks!! Its a hard road but we have to take it if we want it!! Keep up the motivation!

cydonian

I have some problems with motivation myself, and I've always hated exercise. Therefore, I tried to incorporate exercise INTO my daily routine without it being a separate action that I do every day. I bike ride 3 times per week for my cardio and to build tone in my legs, but I now take the stairs at work and walk to the grocery store and local restaurants instead of driving. Just walking for 30 minutes burns 125 calories for me, which is 1/3 of what My Fitness Pal recommends for me to burn weekly (I do 200 more). It's all about making it a habit and the first week is the hardest because you want to do your usual routine instead of starting something new. I work full time and am off in the evenings and often when I get home, I want to relax. But I find that if I put my exercise clothes on, go outside and walk with my bike for a few minutes, it gets my butt into gear to do that 20 minutes of exercise. Then I come back in, chug my water and have a sensible dinner. It's all about lifestyle adjustment, you have to give yourself some kind of motivation... if you're trying to lose weight, buy a dress in your target size and remember that dress every time you work out.

ttrotter1960

You MUST remember: Today is ONLY your second day. The first two to three weeks is the hardest because you are changing old habits. Most professionals will tell you that it takes three weeks to establish a new habit. If you can just hang on that long it will get easier.

Every morning look at yourself naked in the mirror and ask yourself if your are happy with what you see. Then ask yourself what you would be willing to do to change it! You know what to do - do it.

Your story is the same as mine and all of the rest of us out here. Some of us went back to bed and they have not been successful. Others of us went and ran that mile and we are still making progress toward being a better, happier, healthier, better-looking person. What choice will you make?

ttrotter1960

Good luck pretty lady! I know you can do this. Do you?

cathyAprice

I love that you want to live a healthy lifestyle and not "diet". Don't beat yourself up if you miss a workout here and there--we all hit bumps in the roads and just listen to your body if you feel bad (not tired, but sick). And remember that ANY exercise is better than none at all.

www.cathyprice.net

AnnaValek

To continue what I'm doing and see where I stand in 7 days, then 14 days, and so on. I want to trim up my body specifically in the thighs and waist, but I know that over all weight loss is more effective than targeted workouts. I am about 5'7", so I hope to see if a weight of 140lbs will be right for me.

AnnaValek

Trotter, I look at myself naked in the mirror every morning after my shower. The thing is, I am happy with my body. But I believe that improvement can be achieved anywhere and that insecurities can be quelled through personal improvement, thereby gaining confidence.

-You all are wonderful, and I legitimately smiled when I saw such supportive replies.

KeturahIsrael

I love your attitude and wish you much success!

AnnaValek

Cydonian, I found your ideas inspirational, moving exercises "into" my routine. I'm using my daily runs to get my foot into the door of regular exercise. I'm planning on playing some rigorous tennis matches with my spiteful sister in about an hour, so hopefully I can begin building my regime of workouts.

AnnaValek

Cathy, I suppose missing workouts isn't the end of the world, but I feel that if I do so in the first couple weeks of my "plan", then I will not succeed in establishing my 'dream routine'. Besides, since I'm on break from school, I figure that "I have no other distractions, so why not focus on health?". That way, when school starts up again, I will be in the habit of being actively healthy.

For now, I'm going to leave my computer for later. Sitting in this chair isn't helping me any. Some gaming time on the tennis courts will be an awesome way to lead into lunch.

miisscandace

I competely understand where you are coming from - i have always failed at preset diets and exercise plans that someone else tells me to do - i am on day 3 of getting my new life on track and as i hit the snooze button 3 times this morning i forced myself to get up and do something so here i am getting reay to go to ZUMBA class i need to keep this going and after reaing your post it made it much easier for me to get in the mood to work out this morning! good luck with your goals!!