How do you stay motivated during your workout?!?!

SunshineGRL76
SunshineGRL76 Posts: 108 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi,

I've noticed lately that during some of my workouts, when I hit the 20 minute mark it feels like I am hitting a wall, and want to just give up...I've started to try interval training after the 20 minute mark to stay motivated or I will text (aka - annoy my friends at work) for support. The only time that this does not happen to me is when I am in the pool, hiking, or playing golf :)

What do you do to break thru the walls during your workout?!?!

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

~J
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Replies

  • Sweetsugar0424
    Sweetsugar0424 Posts: 451 Member
    I no longer do cardio on cardio machines because I find it boring and each workout seems to last forever. I now do all of my cardio through fitness classes a couple times a week and the rest of the time I weight lift which changes constantly. Changing things up is key to keeping yourself from getting bored as well as from allowing your body to get too used to one thing.
  • dwh77tx
    dwh77tx Posts: 513 Member
    I think about that small dessert that I'm going to have when I'm watching TV at night and how I'm earning it. Seriously!
  • Beautiful189
    Beautiful189 Posts: 39
    My Ipod.
  • 1holegrouper
    1holegrouper Posts: 323 Member
    I find that I have no problems when I'm working out outside- even if the weather sucks. That's the key for me.
  • lilmisfit
    lilmisfit Posts: 860 Member
    I look down at my thighs still jiggling and it motivates me to keep going.
  • craek
    craek Posts: 201 Member
    If you are doing cardio on machines, try to switch it up and move to something else. Or find your "power" song. When I was feeling unmotivated through the workout, I would just play some of my favorite songs that pump me up. I would tell myself I HAD to make it through the whole song..
  • HeatherSLosinIt
    HeatherSLosinIt Posts: 79 Member
    I don't use machines, and I'm just beginning, so I'm no expert... But what HAS motivated me to get up and go for any duration is the wonderful man I'm with and my kids.

    I imagine myself going out and doing stuff with all of them and not holding them back, and I can see the happiness in my kids' eyes and the look of pride on my SO's face.... and I can't help but keep going. I may have to stop because of physical barriers, but I will NOT stop out of boredom. I can't be that selfish.
  • miamac1
    miamac1 Posts: 1
    I make sure that if I'm going to do Cardio, it's something that I'm not allowed to stop at. By that I mean, take part in a class, with so many people around you don't want to stop or go out a run - you always have to return home even if you walk it you're still getting the benefit of Cardio. Make sure you're changing your music regularly to stuff that makes you want to move. Or do something where you don't even realise you're doing Cardio like boxing :)
  • vtachycardia
    vtachycardia Posts: 374
    Same way you manage anything. A plan each time you go, a specific goal , a desired outcome and a reward for hitting targets. Just going to the gym becomes a reason to not go.
  • vtachycardia
    vtachycardia Posts: 374
    As a slight addition, you actually have not said what your workout involves or how you are doing hiit.
  • LadyIntrepid
    LadyIntrepid Posts: 399 Member
    I've found taking classes to be very motivating compared to working out (and getting bored) on my own.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    For weights, now that I do them at home, I decide what I'm going to do and just plain do it. It may require a break in the middle, where I'll start a load of laundry or catch up on Words with Friends or something, but I know if I want results, I gotta put in the time.

    Cardio, I do outside, so if I hit a wall when I'm 20 minutes from home, it's still going to take me 20 minutes at LEAST to get home. If I'm 2 miles out, it'll take me less than 20 minutes to run home, or closer to 35 minutes to walk home. But either way, I'm putting in the mileage.
  • tinad120
    tinad120 Posts: 267 Member
    Okay I read that your body burns more fat after 20 minutes of carido somewhere, and I have no idea if it's true, but it helps me past that 20 min mark on elliptical.

    Again, I don't really care that it's not true. It's a nice thought to keep me going after the 20 min mark.
  • shabaity
    shabaity Posts: 792 Member
    i head away from the house i have no interest in machines cause even with the tv its not that interesting on em at least outside im paying attention to the dog and cars on the road also
  • smaschin
    smaschin Posts: 91
    I have alot of music on my mp3 player but i have these too

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GuCAQYH-6I

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hShQdD5Fy-8

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsQ8i1xPcDw (the speech at the start is awesome, then some great music for hardcore gym workouts for me anyways)

    The full speech is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDFC16ptx-0

    Them altogether see me through some bone crunching workouts everytime
  • SunshineGRL76
    SunshineGRL76 Posts: 108 Member
    Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions!! i am going to try some of them - like the music changes with my ipod, and thinking about the fat burn after 20 minutes, or just changing things up! I really appreciate the support!! I hate when I have a mental block...
  • MidwestAngel
    MidwestAngel Posts: 1,897 Member
    I don't want Jillian to beat me up, so I keep doing what she says
  • overit75
    overit75 Posts: 150 Member
    I really suggest taking some classes. I take at least two a week and it pushes me, and who wants to walk out of a class - not me.
  • Punchabear
    Punchabear Posts: 42
    We have a big mirror in the room I work out in.
    I can look at me while I'm doing the workouts and think "Damn he's lookin' good." OR "What the heck is that thing? Make it go away!"
    Either way it's motivation haha
    Also, I've started to actually look forward to/enjoy my workout time, or 'self-betterment sessions' so I don't need a whole lot of extra motivation.
  • Army_Love89
    Army_Love89 Posts: 30
    I have a mirror in front of me while working out & I also listen to music. :)
  • Lynnmi07
    Lynnmi07 Posts: 131 Member
    I find it is all mental usually with me. My mind is telling me I'm tired and should stop. Some times I stop and other times I keep going. When I keep going I'm like well my body could do it, my mind just didn't want to and I surprise myself at how much I did. So I think it is important to have goals during your workout to reach and just think of positive things and all the changes you can make if you keep going.
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    I do something I freaking LOVE to do. It might take a while once you find it, but once you've found something you enjoy doing, you'll never want to stop.

    Try something new! Mix it up! Try a new sport every month until you've found the right one for you.

    Life is too short to do something you don't enjoy doing.
  • hlp423
    hlp423 Posts: 41 Member
    It is music for SURE for me. Once my smartphone was being wonky and not playing music and I seriously just turned around and left the gym without working out and came back later lol. I can't even stand it without music. I do interval type training on the cardio machines, with alternating slow/ high resistance, fast/ low resistance or high incline/low incline, whatever. I use the music to keep track and the time flys. I do about 45 minutes avg.

    I think swapping up machines can help quite a bit also!

    If you are looking for music, try some of the fitness mix stuff you can get it everywhere. The best part about it is that they are organized by Beats Per Minute to help with pacing ;D

    I also have unlimited red light therapy at my gym, which costs a fortune at the local tanning salon, and I never let myself go to get the red light therapy without working out first so its like a little built in treat.
  • LittleMissRainey
    LittleMissRainey Posts: 440 Member
    I'm a little weird (OCD maybe) and like round numbers. When I'm on the treadmill or bike my gaze is locked onto the timer and I tell myself I'm keeping going for the next 10, 20, 30 minutes etc. Has to be a round number, so if my wall comes at 56:28... I go til 60:00.

    Yeah, told you I was weird. :tongue:

    EDIT to add: Also, if I'm listening to music, it helps when a song comes on that either makes me pumped up or makes me feel sexy ;)
    And the thought of the looks on peoples' faces when I reach my goal.
  • Cinny91
    Cinny91 Posts: 21 Member
    Music, music, music. When I feel like I can't go on I shift my attention to the tunes coming from my mp3. A wandering mind is a great focal tool if that makes any sense.
  • RealWomenLovePitbulls
    RealWomenLovePitbulls Posts: 729 Member
    i watch tv while i use the elliptical for 30 min. when i hit the 20 min mark, i feel like i am almost done and just tell myself, u can do 10 more and start a weird little countdown as i glance at the time, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6... 'til i'm done.
  • giorgiomera
    giorgiomera Posts: 11
    Two things, killer music and a good pre-workout :) I'm currently using BSN Hyper-FX
  • eatrainsmile
    eatrainsmile Posts: 220 Member
    I think of delicious snacks waiting for me after my workout:)
  • MrsWilsoncroft
    MrsWilsoncroft Posts: 968 Member
    I think of that beer I've earnt after working off enough calories to be able to enjoy one :drinker:
  • Mephinox
    Mephinox Posts: 3
    The treadmills and stationary bikes in my gym have built in TV's and slots to plug your Ipod/headphones in. Its just like watching TV at home except you need to power it by running/cycling.

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