Motivation?
mlh37214
Posts: 517 Member
I'm wondering what keeps everyone motivated?? The last 2 months, I fell short of my goal of 100 miles. I'm definitely kicking my own rear to make sure that doesn't happen again, but I'm wondering what is keeping everyone motivated. I'm walking a 1/2 marathon later this month, and even that isn't doing it (I did one 2 years ago with no training at all...it sucked, but I finished.).
My prime workout time is in the morning, after I get off work. Today, for example, after changing at work and preparing to hit the greenway, I really just wanted to drive on past and go home. I didn't, but even a mile in, I just wanted to get the walk over with (I had set a goal on a route I don't normally use, of getting to a specific landmark). I used to love jogging until an injury sidelined me, and am hoping to gain that high again. I did jog, just a little today, and was able to identify my problems (mental, mostly, and physically trying to protect my previously injured ankle) and settle in to feel pretty good. I have an accountability partner who is supposed to meet me at least twice a week, but life has gotten in the way of both of us and we aren't doing a whole lot to keep each other motivated. My job isn't great for a walking goal, either. I'm tied to a phone/computer for 10 hours a night. I do what I can here, but it's not much.
Obviously, some of you are rocking out the miles...how are you doing it? What keeps you going??? What extra steps are you taking to get extra steps??
My prime workout time is in the morning, after I get off work. Today, for example, after changing at work and preparing to hit the greenway, I really just wanted to drive on past and go home. I didn't, but even a mile in, I just wanted to get the walk over with (I had set a goal on a route I don't normally use, of getting to a specific landmark). I used to love jogging until an injury sidelined me, and am hoping to gain that high again. I did jog, just a little today, and was able to identify my problems (mental, mostly, and physically trying to protect my previously injured ankle) and settle in to feel pretty good. I have an accountability partner who is supposed to meet me at least twice a week, but life has gotten in the way of both of us and we aren't doing a whole lot to keep each other motivated. My job isn't great for a walking goal, either. I'm tied to a phone/computer for 10 hours a night. I do what I can here, but it's not much.
Obviously, some of you are rocking out the miles...how are you doing it? What keeps you going??? What extra steps are you taking to get extra steps??
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I'll admit that my walking is mostly necessity. I don't have a driving licence and I have five kids that need to be different places. I'm also a stay-at-home-mum, so have more time than most, but still get frustrated walking at three year old speed half the time. My most favourite thing to do though is put on my headphones and lose myself in music when I haven't got the older ones with me and baby is asleep in her buggy. Amazing how much ground you can cover when you're not even thinking about it! Podcasts are also good to listen to if there's a subject that interests you, like I'm really into genealogy and vegetable gardening. (I know, an OAP at 36, lol!)0
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I'm pretty good at getting lost in my music, when I get motivated to get out there!! Hopefully better weather will make me more comfortable to get out there, too!! I find that on days when there aren't so many people on the greenway, I'm not as comfortable being out there, and jump at every little noise. I live in a suburban area, so there isn't a lot that's close by to walk to, and we don't have sidewalks, with quite a bit of traffic in the area (we're near some state hospitals and emergency vehicles use our road....a lot!).
I might have to check into podcasts...I've actually never listened to anything like that. I'm trying to read more, so maybe I can find some books to listen to.
I do things like parking away from the store, taking steps when I can, and walk to the restroom down the hall instead of using the one in the office, but am just not finding that I'm hitting my goals with little changes.0 -
You should definitely look for good books to listen to! I am an avid reader, but have just recently started listening to audiobooks when I walk. I teach high school, and my students are always reading books that I don't necessarily want to read for my own enjoyment, but all us teachers try to keep up with what the kiddos are reading so we can encourage them and talk to them about their books. So I've started using my walking time to listen to those audiobooks. If you are a member of your local library, they probably have audiobooks you can borrow through their ebook lending program. That way, you don't have to pay for them! I find that time flies when I'm engaged in a good audiobook!
Also, if my usual route is getting stale, I try to find new places to walk. Mixing it up can really help!0 -
I'll admit that my walking is mostly necessity. I don't have a driving licence and I have five kids that need to be different places. I'm also a stay-at-home-mum, so have more time than most, but still get frustrated walking at three year old speed half the time. My most favourite thing to do though is put on my headphones and lose myself in music when I haven't got the older ones with me and baby is asleep in her buggy. Amazing how much ground you can cover when you're not even thinking about it! Podcasts are also good to listen to if there's a subject that interests you, like I'm really into genealogy and vegetable gardening. (I know, an OAP at 36, lol!)
Maybe that will help me. Thank you for the ideas. I don't know how to do podcasts though. I am into genealogy too. Where do I find the podcasts.0 -
Had to take some time to workout how I downloaded my podcasts, lol!
Gardening ones I get from here
http://mikethegardener.podbean.com/feed/
Genealogy ones I get from here
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/rss/podcasts.xml
There may be similar US ones - look for where they say 'RSS'0 -
My main motivation is just a sheer need to de-puffify (get less puffy). I work from home, so my schedule allows me to walk a couple miles, then work a bit, then walk a couple more, then work some more.
I have an app called Pact, that rewards me with money if I meet my step & food logging goals for the week, and it charges me $5 for each day that I miss.....It's not like a make much money if I make my goals, but being charged that money is a huge motivator for me.
I figure that if I meet my goals through Pact, at the end, I'll have a nice little amount of $$ to buy myself a new outfit after I've lost the weight.
So every day, whether it be in the house, outside, via tradmill or elliptical, I try to get my first 10,000 steps in before 10:00 am, and everything else is like frosting (or gravy, because I don't like sweets)
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"My main motivation is just a sheer need to de-puffify (get less puffy)"
That is very good motivation!! I have that issue also. Walking makes my clothes fit better and I just took another bag to the interval home and bought some new ones.
I like to walk outside and to walk my dog - I live in the country so not a lot of company ...0 -
At the beginning of the year I was away with my husband in the Derbyshire Peak district. A stunningly beautiful part of England. My husband had planned some short walks for us. I was unable to complete even the shortest.
I told him, "I think my hiking days are over"......
I think I was wrong :bigsmile:
We have two holidays booked, one short break next month and another in August up in Northumberland right by Hadrians wall. Lots of great walks up there and I need to be able to keep up.0
