How do you make the time go by?

Idahoheartmom
Idahoheartmom Posts: 53
edited September 25 in Fitness and Exercise
We have an elliptical. That is my best bet/highest calorie burner right now (weather not good!)

I need ideas on what to do while I'm exercising. I get so anxious and just watch the clock. I wish I could have a personal tv on it like at the gym!!! (I did look into the little shelves they sell, but it won't fit our elliptical.
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Replies

  • aneumany
    aneumany Posts: 165 Member
    listen to ur ipod and take the clock down! lol use a watch or something.. just go! when u think uve done enough, keep going!... idk how long u do it for but, dont think about it, easier said then done, i try to listen to my ipod, control my breathing, or sing if i can LOL.. and pick a spot on the wall and just zone out! usually works!
  • Psychoanalytic
    Psychoanalytic Posts: 261
    Read a book maybe? Ones that lay flat easily... could sit it at the front of it? Lucky for me, the gym that I go to has a little cinema theater. I'm able to watch movies while I work out and don't realize how much time goes by! Going with the ipod theory, perhaps movies on an ipod?
  • pj_writer
    pj_writer Posts: 107 Member
    listening to music does it for me - ipod, loud banging tunes... makes the time pass and makes me work harder!
  • TiDinzeo
    TiDinzeo Posts: 309
    Why I'm on my rowing machine, I put on my iPod and close my eyes as I work out, only opening them now and then to check the time on the machine's clock.
  • imichabod
    imichabod Posts: 7
    I downloaded the entire 8 seasons of LOST.
    I ride my bike for 90 minutes every morning.
    When my 90 minutes is up I want to keep
    watching. I do not allow myself to watch it
    unless I am working out.. It works great!!
  • ZebraHead
    ZebraHead Posts: 15,207 Member
    Small DVD playing TV to put in front of you on a table or wall mount? Get them for around $150 (US)
  • jrlitt76
    jrlitt76 Posts: 52
    what I do is time myself for intervals....so say i will do 5 mins at a slow pace, then 5 mins at a super fast pace, then 5 slow again for a pre-set amount of sets, it makes the time go by fast b/c you are only concentrating on that 5 minute segment AND its a better work out than a steady pace.
  • Tree72
    Tree72 Posts: 942 Member
    I like to listen to music on my iPod while doing any of the cardio machines. I have also really come to enjoy this time to just let my thoughts drift and think about anything I haven't taken time to think about lately. Sometimes I'll plan menus and make a mental grocery list or pick out my outfits to wear to work for the week.
  • MyNameIsNotBob
    MyNameIsNotBob Posts: 565 Member
    I listen to Pandora radio on my Droid. New songs & artists always pop up and it keeps me distracted. Plus I think a lot, and zone out.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    If you can't have TV, music might help, especially something with a good peppy beat that'll keep you moving.

    It's different for me day to day depending on who's in the gym with me and what I'm doing. Most cardio, I like to have the TV or music on to help the time pass but if I'm running, I like to zone out and pay attention to my breathing, pace and time.
  • dmoses
    dmoses Posts: 786 Member
    I prop my laptop up where I can see the screen, and Netflix TV shows that I like. Grey's Anatomy has gotten me through many a workout. And, the episodes are just the right amount of time for a good workout!
  • docturtle
    docturtle Posts: 156 Member
    I have my elliptical in view of a TV. Sometimes I listen to music, but do find myself looking for something to look at. I used to have my elliptical on my deck in the summer when it was nice just to see the sky and watch for wildlife around the yard. Is yours near a window at least?
  • khrys1
    khrys1 Posts: 444 Member
    I have my grandma's OLD tv in my workout room and watch the Biggest Loser or other shows I like to make the time fly when I'm on the elliptical or treadmill. You said there isn't room on your elliptical, but is there room somewhere else in the room for a regular tv? Otherwise, music could help....
  • SaraEWrig
    SaraEWrig Posts: 88 Member
    A trainer once suggested to me purchasing a book for your IPOD - and only allow yourself to listen to the book while you workout.
  • Cella30
    Cella30 Posts: 539 Member
    I bought a little 19" flat screen tv and this to put it on: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-2k-Ast-420y-monitor-Holders/dp/B001TMCVDW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1302302900&sr=8-4

    Super easy to assemble and I can move the tv from room to room. Some times knowing my show is on is the only reason I work out when I'm dead tired!
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    I read. A good book works wonders.
  • amoffatt
    amoffatt Posts: 674 Member
    A few good ideas (posted already) but music is a great way to jam out and keep motivated. I personally cannot read on my elpitical the motion makes it difficult to concentrate, although I have my Kindle that reads to me, so it reads to me as I work out. Watching t.v. is a great way to pass time as well.
  • dyiaane
    dyiaane Posts: 271 Member
    call someone- The time goes by so quick.
  • calliope_music
    calliope_music Posts: 1,242 Member
    i listen to music...i can't read on the elliptical or i fall off! haha
  • TourThePast
    TourThePast Posts: 1,753 Member
    If i have my mp3 player, I try and match my stride to the beat of whatever I'm listening to, which can be interesting and provide varying intensity workouts.

    I also tend to play little games with myself, like guessing how many strides it will take to burn ten calories.

    Err... Maybe I'm a bit geeky that way.
  • TiffanyDawn79
    TiffanyDawn79 Posts: 201 Member
    I listen to my ipod with some fast music (system of a down is my current favorite) and try not to look at the clock. But being that your at home just put a post-it note over your clock. You will be shocked how fast the time goes when you cant see it ticking. :)
  • aeckels616
    aeckels616 Posts: 210 Member
    When I used to do the elliptical (back when I lived in a town that had a gym) I would download an audio book murder mystery or action thriller and listen to it on my ipod. It kept me going longer than a playlist of music.
  • Tamstar1985
    Tamstar1985 Posts: 334 Member
    listen to music, perhaps? it also helps to really get into your workout every time. challenge yourself. if you are just mechanically doing your workout, reading or watching tv to pass the time, and hopping off the machine when you are done... that's no good :( every time i use a machine (which is rarely), i go all out - i am un able to read or pay attention to tv at all!
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    call someone- The time goes by so quick.

    Bump!
  • shelly650
    shelly650 Posts: 319
    I put on a song that i know is 4mins plus and sing along!! It does the trick for me!!
  • ablueskier
    ablueskier Posts: 104
    call someone- The time goes by so quick.

    Bump!

    The danger with this is that if you are working to your full potential on the elliptical, you shouldn't be able to comfortably carry a conversation. If you are working hard and have your heart rate up it would be a very breathy conversation.

    I have a kindle so I do one of two things: If I have my headphones around and the book allows it, I turn on the Text-to-Speech which basically makes it a book on tape without the exciting reading voice. If I don't, I make the letters bigger than normal (when I'm working hard I can't focus on small fonts) and read for the duration. I usually have 1 book I don't allow myself to touch at home and only at the gym.
  • ZebraHead
    ZebraHead Posts: 15,207 Member
    call someone- The time goes by so quick.

    Bump!

    The danger with this is that if you are working to your full potential on the elliptical, you shouldn't be able to comfortably carry a conversation. If you are working hard and have your heart rate up it would be a very breathy conversation.

    I always make my obscene phone calls on the elliptical. :bigsmile: :tongue: :bigsmile:
  • donicagalek
    donicagalek Posts: 526
    Watch Friends on your laptop.

    http://www.seeon.tv/view/3818/Friends_show
  • ehedges31
    ehedges31 Posts: 72
    dont look at the clock! try setting a kitchen timer instead. so you only know how long you have left when it dings and your done!
  • mamagooskie
    mamagooskie Posts: 2,964 Member
    I listen to my ipod and if I wanted to watch movies or something I have a wall mounted flat screen tv on the wall.
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