What do u tell urself during a workout??

When I'm having a hard time motivating myself for my weightlifting routine I remind myself of a mental picture of where I want to be, and that the upcoming workout is another step for that goal. During the weight workout it's a lot of "just one more time", "I don't think the form was quite correct, let's do it again". For cardio there's a lot of "lets get to this number of calories", "only x more minutes, that's y minute(s) z times", and a lot of empowering music to keep me going.

I use my long cardio sessions as a time to reflect and plan out my day. If I don’t want to think, I just listen to podcasts and watch tv

bbell1985 wrote: »

kelly_e_montana wrote: »

Honestly I don't have to tell myself anything because I've learned to choose things that I actually enjoy. I hike. I compete in powerlifting. I like ice skating. I enjoy swimming and Pole Fitness. I love yoga. Basically just do things like get you moving that don't make you dread doing them. If you do something that you find fun, it will never seem like a chore.

I enjoy the things I do too. You never have an internal monologue though?

I enjoy the things I do too and still have an inner monologue to push myself that last little bit. Last lifting session I was telling myself "You can do this....it's light as a feather. You can do it!" I'm totally going to have to use the waffle fry power next time however. LOL Except for me it would be "You ate a Belgian waffle yesterday. Use the waffle!" Bwahaha

Good posts. I always stick with the "You feel SO much better after just get it done" Cause its true my entire day is beter when i know im active and its done and out of the way and i killed my workout. Im more likely to feel confident and happy and accomplished leading to me being more likely to make good choices and actually be even more active. Domino effect.

-Currently trying that one on myself to get me out to walk the 30 mins to gym in the rain its not going well though-

I've taught myself to stop looking at the clock/time- the machine will tell me when I'm done. Instead I try and beat calories or distance that I did previously. I also like to make up backstories for the other people working out in the gym (in my head). And good music... something with a driving beat.

My tips to get me through:

1) When I was not so fit, my goal was to do whatever exercise (e.g. video, 20 min of cardio, 10 pushups - whatever) at least 5X over a week or two before throwing in the towel. I just mustered the grit to make it though 5X. Every time, I would see a bit of progress and become more motivated to do the workout again. Eventually, you will get fit enough to find your workouts more motivating than discouraging. Then, I just keep making it tougher by adding weights, going faster or longer, etc. But the hardest part is those first, discouraging workouts. I never want to re-live that discomfort, which I why I keep myself fit.

2) It took me years to get to this point, but now, I never skip a workout because I feel crappier about myself than if I struggle through a hard one. In the end, making it through a tough workout makes me feel confident all day. As I struggle, I remind myself about how great I will feel when I finish the exercise.

I hope this perspective can be helpful.

JaiRocket wrote: »

I've taught myself to stop looking at the clock/time- the machine will tell me when I'm done. Instead I try and beat calories or distance that I did previously. I also like to make up backstories for the other people working out in the gym (in my head). And good music... something with a driving beat.

I used to totally do this when I would bike commute to work. I would make up stories about the homeless people I passed day in and day out as well as guessing what the regular commuters I would pass each day did for a living. There was a really pretty young girl living in a tent under the underpass in the Medical center and I imagined she was either a poor medical student who couldn't afford a place to live or that she had a loved one going through treatment and was camping out to stay close by. My homeless friend Reggie that never moved from the same bench for 2 years...he was a sociology professor doing a long term study on the way homeless are treated. My husband would joke that he probably reported on the "young boy" that would bring him breakfast every morning (because with my hair up under my helmet I look like a 12yr old boy) LOL.

It depends on the day. Some days I can't do it and quit after 20 minutes, other days, I power through for an extra 4 miles.

Usually, I try to focus on the moment vs. how much longer I have. I listen to music on a treadmill, or watch a tv. show on an elliptical. Unless it's running outside, my brain struggles. I've realized how mental it is for me, and I'm most successful when I'm able to distract myself from focusing on the minutes/miles going by.

I guess my take away is, unless it's running outside (which it isn't, for 4 months during winter), I really struggle and have to use willpower. Sure, it would be great to give up and go home, but how is that helping me reach my goals?

At some point, you just have to make yourself do it. If it's important to you, and the outcome matters - you just need to do it.

I’m also in the no internal workout monologue camp. I exercise first thing in the AM, and although there is sometimes some mental grumbling for the first 10-20 minutes after my alarm while I’m dressing and taking care of the pets, by the time I’m starting a workout I’m usually ready to go. During my workouts I’m either focusing on form, or if I’m running, just blissing out and concentrating on the road. Sometimes my anxious brain pops up stressing about work or money or whatever, and I have to focus extra hard on the workout to get it to shut up. But I genuinely do enjoy working out, and the fact that it quiets my brain is a big plus. To be extra honest, fitness is probably the best thing I have going for me right now.