Finding the Willpower to Exercise Under High Stress
marilynx
Posts: 128 Member
So I started off really strong with my weight loss journey. I've been doing good with my eating and exercising. But I've been hit recently with a whole lot of really high stress situations. It's keeping me from wanting to workout. My eating is highly tied to my day's success with exercising. If I exercise then I'm less likely to overeat and stick to my meal plan. But since I've been slacking with the exercise my eating has slacked. I mean, I know how to push through it and exercise when I'm stressed, but guys, this is some heave on my mind, almost physically debilitating stress we're talking about here. What do you all suggest to help motivate me to exercise?
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I was there recently. I break up my workouts when possible. 10 mins at a time - it keeps me motivated for later!0
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So I started off really strong with my weight loss journey. I've been doing good with my eating and exercising. But I've been hit recently with a whole lot of really high stress situations. It's keeping me from wanting to workout. My eating is highly tied to my day's success with exercising. If I exercise then I'm less likely to overeat and stick to my meal plan. But since I've been slacking with the exercise my eating has slacked. I mean, I know how to push through it and exercise when I'm stressed, but guys, this is some heave on my mind, almost physically debilitating stress we're talking about here. What do you all suggest to help motivate me to exercise?
I was similarly dealing with high stress situations, and finally (after three weeks) was able to go workout. The result - it gave me the opportunity to relieve that stress in a healthy way instead of taking it out on others around me. Still dealing with the stress, but now am marking in my workouts so that I can relieve some of it.0 -
In the words of NIKE - Just Do It!
The exercise will make you feel better, keep you on track, and there are no calories burned feeling guilty about not going to the gym... unfortunatley
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Imagining releasing some of that stress through working out, I always feel on top on the world after a workout : )0
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In the words of NIKE - Just Do It!
The exercise will make you feel better, keep you on track, and there are no calories burned feeling guilty about not going to the gym... unfortunatley
I wish it were that simple. That's the outlook I have when I am under normal to high amounts of stress. I find a way to drag my butt out there. But when the stress is so high that all I wanna do is just sit and do NOTHING, then it's when I'm at that point where I can't seem to do anything about it.
I like the idea of just breaking up my workouts bit by bit. Starting with 10 minutes when I'm feeling super down is a lot more feasible than trying to tackle 30 mins to an hour.0 -
According to "counselors", exercise is EXCELLENT for relieving stress. I'm in a similar situation and when upset, angry, stressed out, I exercise. Sometimes it isn't easy getting going, but once I kick myself in the butt and get going, it feels really good. I tend to have a better workout because the stress seems to fuel working harder.
Yes, just do it!! You'll feel much better when you finish.0 -
In the words of NIKE - Just Do It!
The exercise will make you feel better, keep you on track, and there are no calories burned feeling guilty about not going to the gym... unfortunatley
I wish it were that simple. That's the outlook I have when I am under normal to high amounts of stress. I find a way to drag my butt out there. But when the stress is so high that all I wanna do is just sit and do NOTHING, then it's when I'm at that point where I can't seem to do anything about it.
I like the idea of just breaking up my workouts bit by bit. Starting with 10 minutes when I'm feeling super down is a lot more feasible than trying to tackle 30 mins to an hour.
Give it a try! I use an app called Sworkit - as I watch the time go down from 10 mins I simple tell myself I can finish this 5mins etc.0 -
Try something low-key and enjoyable, like swimming, walking or biking at a normal pace. Think of it as resting, a time-out, and just focus on breathing (like meditating). In fact, I recommend meditating as well, to help you manage your stress.
Dont forget that stress --> cortisol --> no weight loss.0 -
In the words of NIKE - Just Do It!
The exercise will make you feel better, keep you on track, and there are no calories burned feeling guilty about not going to the gym... unfortunatley
This - I just came through a very stressful time at work. I pushed myself to go to the gym every day and realized about 2 months into the stressful time that I had not eaten to comfort my stress at all. Working out is the key for me. Plus I can't even imagine how much more stressed I would have been if I hadn't been working out. It seems to counteract the stress quite a bit for me.0 -
Try doing it first thing in the morning, right after waking up, before you have time to "convince" yourself to not workout. I did this when I first started... I would wake up at 5AM, put on my workout clothes and go walking. It also helped relieve my stress too and made me feel much more clear-headed. And since it was first thing in the morning, I didn't have time to mope about and mentally battle with myself about working out or not.0
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It starts and ends with YOUR willpower.
What would you tell a close friend or family member if they provided the same scenario to you? You would most likely tell them to fight love themselves enough. Tell yourself the same.
Exercise will benefit you. Find the time and just do it.0 -
I am the opposite. No motivation is needed. Exercise is my SALVATION in times of stress.0
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First off, congrats on your progress so far!!
Secondly, the motivation isn't always going to be there. Stressed out or not. We always start out strong because it is something new and exciting for us, but after that, it is up to us to keep the momentum going and to keep things fresh to inspire us to continue. There are going to be days that you just don't want to. How do you fix this? You just do it. You stop talking yourself out of a workout, and you just get up and go. After you start, the motivation will come.
Regardless of what may be causing you stress, a workout is a great way to blast away the negative energy. I know it may not seem like that at the time. But moving around and working up a good sweat will help you release that stress and clear your head.
Fight through the stress. Don't let it stop you from becoming the best version of yourself!
Good luck!0 -
I'm actually right where you are now. I have been more stressed than normal and started to slip back into some of my bad habits...even ones I thought I beat over a year ago. At least I can now see things for what they are. It's up to me to break these habits before they take hold again. In many ways you do just have to force yourself to get started. Once you get started it's usually not so bad and it should help release your stress.0
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Sometimes what we WANT to do under high amounts of stress is not what is GOOD for us.
I can totally relate to being under ridiculous amounts of stress. The last week has been, well, for lack of a better description, utter hell. I feel the same way you do. I just want to lay around and do absolutely nothing. While it feels good, it actually does next to nothing to help.
What finally helped me with this dilemma was recognizing that my mental and physical health are both important. There are many scientific studies that show that exercise helps reduce stress. It also helps reduce weight. Two for one! When I am super stressed, do I WANT to work out? No. Absolutely not. But I know it helps my mental health. And my physical health. And if I choose to not exercise, then my mental health declines even further with guilt of what I "should" be doing.
Sometimes when we take emotion out of our decisions, making the right become easier. If your coping habits for stress is to sit around and do nothing, that coping habit is not going to change over night...and it's not going to change without continual steps in the other direction. Even if you start with just 10 minutes, it's a start.0 -
Try doing it first thing in the morning, right after waking up, before you have time to "convince" yourself to not workout. I did this when I first started... I would wake up at 5AM, put on my workout clothes and go walking. It also helped relieve my stress too and made me feel much more clear-headed. And since it was first thing in the morning, I didn't have time to mope about and mentally battle with myself about working out or not.
I like this idea too. I think I can really use this. Thank you so much. This is what I'll do.
I appreciate some of the advice on here, but most of it honestly isn't helpful. I tried to make it clear in my post (without getting too personal) that this isn't normal, everyday type stuff, or even I've had a bad day a few times. This is bad news after really bad news on top of tragedy, on top of a child and work and school and errands.
I did get some serious gems though. Thanks a lot.0 -
I hit that point where with stress i just let my motivation go but found that if i set myself small goals and rewards i would follow threw with it and got myself back to being motivated to work out. If there was a movie or television show i wanted to watch, or a relaxing bath i would tell myself i had to work out first and use it as a reward to help motivate me. I also found that listening to music while working out helped keep me motivated and going. Friends and people to help motivate you help a lot too!0
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i have a super high stress job and live in one of the most stressful cities in america. i need to wake up early and kick some major butt and get my natural happy drugs circulating in my body before I can be strong enough to handle anything else.
And the stronger I get physically, the stronger I get mentally and emotionally... and that is how i keep going.
I train to handle my life.
:flowerforyou:0 -
When you feel stress and want to eat, work out first (even if it is a 10 minute mini work out) That way you can start training yourself to exercise when feeling stressed. Once you do this, you will realize that the workout is helping relieve the stress and that you are not over eating from emotional stress. Good luck.. It is definitely easier said then done.0
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When I've been in similar situations I have to admit my priority was to manage the stress rather than exercising. Whether that's through swapping a step class for a yoga class, finding a way out of the situation or talking to someone about the cause of the stress. I found that once I've got the stress down from "very high" to "high" I've got more will power and motivation. For me the first thing that I lose the scope to do (I just can't make myself do at all) when I'm stressed is things I enjoy, things that I WANT to do - I shut down to just do the things that I HAVE to do.0
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I find it helps to "hit" something when I'm stressed. I would love to have a heavy bag, but I usually "settle" for hitting the pavement with my feet. Alternatively, hitting a ball (tennis, soccer, volleyball, baseball) can have the same effect or some sort of martial arts practice (check out to see if there is a chapter of the society for creative anachronism in your area - they offer archery, "heavy" (armored) fighting and fencing and generally have people willing to teach you how to do it safely) - also judo, tai chi, karate, etc0
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Everybody has stress and some think that it's worse than others it's just a matter of opinion here but to be truthful..stop making excuses...really. If you really want to change and really wanted to workout, you would...plain and simple. Sorry dear :-/0
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I don't have anything to add to answer your question, but I hope all this works out for you. Good luck. (hug)0
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I've recently been in the same boat. I've found that instead of working out for an hour at a time, that breaking up my routine helps. For example, I used to do 30 mins on elliptical and 45 mins of weight training. Now I do 20 mins of kickboxing in the morning, take a 20 minute walk at lunch, and do a dance workout dvd in the afternoons. Breaking it up helps and I've also found that if I find workouts on youtube or do dvds that it stresses me less because it cuts of the driving time (30 mins from where I live) to the gym.0
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Everybody has stress and some think that it's worse than others it's just a matter of opinion here but to be truthful..stop making excuses...really. If you really want to change and really wanted to workout, you would...plain and simple. Sorry dear :-/
No, no need to be sorry. You just can't relate to what I'm saying. It's like telling someone who's anorexic to eat. When your stress level is that high, it really isn't that simple. Most people here seem to get what I'm trying to say.
If you can't tell, your comment really struck a nerve. I don't know if you meant it to, but next time, if you're not going to help, just please don't say anything. You're not helping, if anything, you're making the problem worse.
Thanks so much for the support everyone. I'm glad to know I'm not alone in how I feel.0 -
“There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.”0
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