What do you think about when you work out?

Mayreni

I have a very active imagination and when I work out I let it loose. Sometimes it goes a little far, but it helps me work out harder.
For example, at first I tried thinking skinny. What I would do, what I would wear, where I would go when I get skinny. That works for a little bit. But one day, I was listening to a song, I think it was "Before He Cheats" by Kerrie Underwood, and I started thinking about what I would do if my husband were to ever cheat on me. For about 30 minutes I thought of different scenarios (some crazy, some dangerous, some insanely funny ways) to get back at him. It made me really angry thinking about it. Before I realized I had completed my time on the elliptical and burned about 100 more calories than ever. I was sweating like crazy, my heart was pounding and I felt great! I hate the elliptical and I'm always looking at the timer wishing time would go faster, but I finally found something that really takes my mind off it. I've thought about a lot different things, like what I would do if someone where ever to put their hands on my son, or If I ever got in a fight with my upstairs neighbor ( who I cannot stand!) what I would do to her.
I'm really one of the most sweet, sensitive, and patient people you'll ever meet :flowerforyou: , but I'm very dangerous when I'm angry:devil: .....
So now that you know how insane in the brain I am, what do you guys think about while you work out?

Mayreni

*bump*

woodsygirl

I usually read a book on my kindle

samanthagreen3

Thats brilliant! Im usually just looking at the timer or counting steps...Im going to try something like this. Maybe it might make the time go quicker!

bushidowoman

I think about my favorite sensei, a 9th degree black belt in his mid-60s. I want to be like him when I grow up! ;-) Every time I go to a clinic that he is teaching, I come home feeling like I've had several amps of epinephrine. And at home, when I'm doing something hard and trying to push myself to dig a little deeper, I just imagine that he is standing over me critiquing.

Front_Runner

I really get into my head when I'm doing any cardio workout - especially if I'm in the gym listening to my iPod. I focus mostly on my dreams - WHY I started this journey. I envision my goals and literally picture myself doing them. I see myself as a very strong and competetive rider (I'm a horse gal FYI), I see myself as a strong runner, a visualize myself charging down the mountain on a snowboard - zipping past my husband. This is what I think about. It totally helps... and at times (this is a little much, but I bet some of you will understand), I've actually gotten a little lump in my throat and a couple tears while working out. It's not that I was sad - just SO determined and SO driven that the feeling not only fuels my workout, but stirs up emotion.

As soon as that happens, I distract myself! lol I don't want to freak anyone out - crying on the treadmill! lol

But yes - my thoughts totally help me!

bushidowoman

I also have given birth without pain meds. When I am holding a plank and it starts getting hard, I use the same techniques that I used to breathe through contractions.

runnercheryl

I'm useless at thinking of things to distract me when I'm working out. My thoughts are usually on how long/far I still have to go, and how much time is dragging.