How to push myself...?

AshleighAnn72
AshleighAnn72 Posts: 83 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've always hated working out aha, but I seriously need to deal with it, when I'm exercising and I begin to 'hurt' it isn't painful but I just give up, like I'm done for today. How do you guys push yourself to get past it/do more... please don't say the thought of loosing weight gets me through or something, because I wouldn't be asking if that's all I needed to hear.. and it isn't working for me.

Replies

  • squatsanddeadlift
    squatsanddeadlift Posts: 117 Member
    Perhaps it doesn't need to hurt? Maybe find something less strenuous and build on it. I find when I work out with other people that spurs me on to keep going so perhaps try a group class or work out with a friend? Or just find something you really enjoy and commit to getting really good at it (swimming or yoga maybe?)
  • lilmisfit1987
    lilmisfit1987 Posts: 183 Member
    Music....when the right song comes on I feel like I can move mountains. Without knowing what kind of music you listen to, try Warriors by Imagine Dragons.
  • squatsanddeadlift
    squatsanddeadlift Posts: 117 Member
    lilmisfit1987 wrote: »
    Music....when the right song comes on I feel like I can move mountains. Without knowing what kind of music you listen to, try Warriors by Imagine Dragons.

    Such a great tune.
  • mom22dogs
    mom22dogs Posts: 470 Member
    I like to push myself to see how far I can go. I need to feel like I just worked out hard otherwise I feel like I wasted my time. But, I'm a very self-driven person, and I don't give up easily.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited June 2016
    Hurt how?

    When I first started I needed to get in the habit of regular exercise more than anything else, so I set time goals and then let it be easy. It was winter, so I walked and jogged on the treadmill, did some stationary biking, and swam, but like I said, kept it easy. As I got into it I started to want to challenge myself and found adding in some harder intervals came naturally. I also gradually increased the time.

    After a bit I set some goals and that pushed me. (Not just something as generic as "losing weight." More "run a 10K" or "do a 30 mile bike ride.") I got into that and kept increasing my goals and found that it became increasingly easy and enjoyable to push myself.

    For weights what I think would help is a structured program and a way to measure progress. Not feeling like you are working kind of aimlessly (which was my problem at first).
  • sammyliftsandeats
    sammyliftsandeats Posts: 2,421 Member
    If I'm struggling in a workout, whether it's out of breath from cardio or straining for that last rep, as much as it sucks, it's an indication that it's something I need to work on. So if I want it bad enough, I work on it.

    I work on getting stronger so that in two weeks time, I'm not straining for that last rep or if I am, it's at a heavier weight.

    I feel like you need to be a little uncomfortable, because if it's really easy, then you aren't doing much to challenge or change your body.

    It sounds like you are letting your mind give up before your body is ready to. Just because there's a bit of a burn, it doesn't mean your body is ready to give up. It's about changing your mindset. If you want to give up because you're shaking slightly in a plank - push yourself to hold it for another ten seconds. And keep building from there.
  • codename_steve
    codename_steve Posts: 255 Member
    I agree with lemurcat12, set fitness goals in an activity that you enjoy. I enjoy running, but sometimes I'm tired and it's hard; in those workouts I tell myself "just 30 more seconds, you can do 30 seconds of anything", and by the end of those 30 seconds I feel pretty good, so I set another 30 second goal.
  • AshleighAnn72
    AshleighAnn72 Posts: 83 Member
    Thanks guys :) I'll try some of these tomorrow
  • MyFreakingNameIsScott
    MyFreakingNameIsScott Posts: 199 Member
    Whether you like it or not, it's all mental and yes, a simple cliche doesn't magically get it done. It's all about understanding ones mindset and committing oneself to getting that mindset, right. This is a bit of an oversimplification but it's a message board so I'm going to try and avoid the dreaded "TL;DR," moniker. The beauty of changing the mindset is it's all mental. One doesn't need a gym, special equipment, log book. It's something one has 100% control over. It's bigger than simply working out. It's how one approaches/attacks all issues in ones life. My guess is, and I'm not trying to be confrontational, you likely give up easily on little things. One has to commit oneself to a level of discipline one may not be used to. Until you are able to actively change your mindset in areas outside of just working out you may continue to struggle.

    This morning, I dropped an F-Bomb on myself because I was ready to give up on my second minute of planks about 15 seconds early. It's only me and nobody would know, nobody but me. For me, that's what counts and it took a while for me to develop that mindset. I can't give up on myself. If I can't stand for myself, how can I expect others to stand with me? I'm a coach so this mindset isn't something that happened over night. It's a mantra and it's a mantra that has to be repeated over and over for my athletes and for myself.
  • cgvet37
    cgvet37 Posts: 1,189 Member
    Simply put, if you don't push yourself, you will not get the results. Not to the point of hurting yourself, but beyond your comfort zone.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Some sessions with a trainer or some classes that push you beyond your comfort zone.might help. It is easier to push yourself with others around. It is a skill to develop that ability then you can draw on it when you're working out on your own.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    If, not when, it hurts you're supposed to stop. If you're doing it wrong, it will hurt. Learn to push yourself, yes, but don't hurt yourself.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    What are your doing that you're busy not 'pushing yourself' ? Do you start a workout and not finish?
    So you pick low weights?

    So you quit running when you're trying to get a certain time?

    I think 'feeling' like your aren't working is different than actually not working.

    Generally set a goal and just don't stop tool hot achieve it. Then you aren't relying you're done 'emotional motivations to get you there. You just go till done and that's it.
  • MissusMoon
    MissusMoon Posts: 1,900 Member
    How long have you been working out? I ask because I forced myself to go for the first two weeks. Laid my gym clothes out, went, and did just a couple of minutes more every day. It was a pep talk every long minute, but I did it.

    Now I find I have to restrain from going on the weekend, which are my rest days. I look forward to going. Sometimes the workouts get tedious or seem long, typically Thurs and Fri, but I feel such stress relief and such a sense of accomplishment. Just thinking about going feels good. And if you knew me before, you'd think I'd lost my mind. Such a drastic change.
  • Unknown
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  • aRsenicBleu
    aRsenicBleu Posts: 9 Member
    1.Figure out why you want to lose weight.So the next time you decide to quit it will motivate you to do a little more.
    2.Make mole hills out of mountains by setting fitness goals.
    3.Get a heartrate monitor.It really puts into perspective how much you're actually burning.
    4.Find out what you actually like to do and do it.Also do some of the things you don't like to do.Maybe just five minutes a day for the first week.

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