Discipline - Motivation - Just Do It?

AmigaMaria001
AmigaMaria001 Posts: 489 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
After being fat, and fighting my weight for over 60 years - I find that controlling the calories is the easy piece of this new healthy lifestyle journey. (But only since I found MFP)
What I can't seem to control is exercise. I have NO discipline to exercise with any regularity.
I've lost 55 lbs through diet alone with very little "purposeful" exercise. Don't get me wrong - I move constantly, including running up and down stairs all day long, but getting out of the house to walk every morning is just not something I've been able to wrap my brain around. I do it off and on, and to be truthful, I enjoy walking when I finally get my fanny out the door... So what is keeping me from "Just doing it?"
How do the rest of you get motivated to work out every single day?
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Replies

  • RedheadQuine
    RedheadQuine Posts: 111 Member
    For me it started as a competitive thing - a friend and I were both losing weight, and I didn't want her to pass me up! It was a commitment initially of 1 class per week. I found I enjoyed group classes a lot and pushed myself a lot harder. A friend and I went together so I had to go! Within a couple of months she was starting to flake out and I just couldn't because I loved it, loved how I felt afterwards and how proud of myself I was. I could tell I was getting stronger. I started going to another class a week. Now I go to 4+ classes a week and lift weights.
  • AlanaTedmon
    AlanaTedmon Posts: 105 Member
    Once you finally turn it into a habit you begin getting addicted to exercise; it gives you this glorious little high when you get your heart rate up. I think most people are just afraid of that slogan "No Pain, No Gain." It's more like "No Effort, No Gain" though. You don't have to go outside and run a 5k right off the bat; just start slow. Maybe find an interesting book on tape to listen to and make it a point to listen to several chapters while you go on a stroll. There are little ways you can make walking and exercising fun for yourself.

    I bought an elliptical machine and catch up on television while I work out on it; I feel like I can justify watching hours of television if I'm alternating cooling off and than jumping back up.

  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    You treat it like the other non-negotiable tasks in your life like getting up, showering, getting dressed, going to work, eating, grocery shopping, cleaning, paying bills, etc. Put it on the calendar and do it like you do anything else.
  • Myrmilt
    Myrmilt Posts: 124 Member
    I have gone months without working out on a few occasions. I was pregnant ( not a good excuse, but meh), or just didn't want to. Just didn't want to go through the pain of regaining the level of fitness.

    For me, motivation is weird, I have to accept the pain I am going to put my body through, accept that I am not as strong as I was, just put my shoes on and accept that in time I will get stronger.

    I do that 5 to 6 days a week. I think of all the excuses and reasons I don't want to, while getting ready to go. And what makes me go?

    On some days, it's nothing more than I get 45-60 minutes of solid tune out time with music of my choice.

    On other days, it's that I feel just a little stronger.

    On some days, I do it to make my brain shut up.

    On some days, I am tired, worn out, and think if I make it through an hour of yoga, pilates, or whatever, I might feel better afterwards.

    And sometimes, I go just to prove I can and that I will not be defeated.

    On some days, I don't go. I just flat out don't go. I rest, take stock of my body and it's needs, and plan the next work out.
  • AmigaMaria001
    AmigaMaria001 Posts: 489 Member
    Thanks everyone for your comments! Just the motivation I needed! :)
  • Pascal56
    Pascal56 Posts: 53 Member
    My motivation to walk on the dreadmill--I want more calories so I can eat more. My motivation to do all other exercise--I like it. I found I like Zumba and I like lifting weights, and I like how I feel after both. So, it's much easier to get to the gym regularly. If the majority of my exercise routine consisted of the treadmill/elliptical/bike and I never took classes or lifted weights, my motivation would fail as it always has in the past.
  • PAtinCO
    PAtinCO Posts: 129 Member
    Find an activity or sport you really enjoy doing. Once you have that, even other exercise that helps with your performance of said activity becomes a lot more palatable. For me it was hiking and mountain climbing.

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