Tips for Exercising NEEDED

Hi, I think the thing that works for me is to have a goal each day.. so set a goal for today and kick its *kitten*.. then tomorrow set a goal and kick *kitten*..

One day at a time

I am doing Sydney Cummings workout challenges now and I at least do that every day and I like to add on some other type of movement. It is just something I want to do. If I "had" to do it or pushed it off until late in the day I would not be successful. I do mine in the morning after breakfast and coffee 😎

LORD JESUS guide 💙

What helped me get started on a routine was doing short hard workouts first thing in the morning. I made myself do fifteen minutes stationary bike, because the bike is right here, doesn’t require workout clothes, and I can’t use weather or injuries as an excuse not to ride it, and I can measure how hard I am going. I figure I could handle being actually on fire for fifteen minutes, riding a bike hard is nothing! I would ride it hard enough to get sweaty, then go shower and start my day.

If you don’t have a bike a short active YouTube video would work. If fifteen minutes seems like too much, pick a ten minute or even five minute video. The main thing is to get started and do it. You will probably end up feeling like, hey, I’m here, I might as well keep going. Feel free to do that! The thing is, promise yourself you will do five minutes, even if you do nothing else, then do it.

The other thing that helps me now that I have more of a routine and am a runner is pretending I’m not going to work out. Seriously! I tell myself, I’m tired, I don’t feel like running, the weather is yuck and my knee feels tight, I will just take an extra rest day. Meanwhile I am putting my hair up in a ponytail, putting on my gear, and driving to the trails. Oops! Now I’m running, how did that happen?

Do whatever you need to do, to trick your brain so that it can’t sabotage your goals.

you dont have to work out to lose weight. you lose weight in the kitchen.

the key is to find something you enjoy, and make it a habit. It could be a walk on your lunch break during the day. Or before or after work in your neighborhood. It could be an exercise class ( I used to LOVE zumba. I'm as graceful as an elephant but had fun!).

For me, when I work out (maybe 3-5 times a week and very rarely on the weekends), I have to do it in the morning. Any other time of day and it simply won't happen. What I found, when I first began, was that doing something I enjoyed (even if only a couple of times a week), over time, made me WANT to do it more, and add days. I didn't put a number or self imposed guidelines of when and how to get my exercise in. For me, that works best, and I still go by that and lose weight at a consistent pace.

You have to make it a habit, something that requires as little "motivation" as possible.

Take a good hard look at "why" you end up not working out on work days and figure out how to fix it. Maybe a different time of day? Maybe focus on at least getting a shorter work out in until it becomes a habit, then build from there. Do you enjoy your exercise? Forcing yourself to do something you don't like doing is never going to work. Maybe you need to try different workouts. Do you feel good when your workout is done? Can you come up with some way to remind yourself of that feeling before you start?

It can also help to have a backup low effort "at least I did that" plan. For me it's a 10 minute walk after dinner, or if weather messes that up, I'll march, step-touch, and kick in front of the TV for awhile. I also try to take a quick walk when I wake up - I brush my teeth, throw on some sweats and a hat and hope I don't see anyone I know.

I'm a night owl, so scheduling workout time a half hour or so after dinner works for me on work days. Obviously that would be disastrous for a morning person, who might do better waking up early and working out first thing.

I would never be able to "work out" on my lunch break, but on most days I take a quick walk on my break. All those quick walks can easily add up to 20-30 mins on most days, plus weekend workouts and one or two workday workouts per week.

I don't normally have to push because I enjoy my exercise. Why don't you enjoy yours?
(I also simply get a feel good factor from being fit and strong, that reward is a motivator on those odd days where being a sofa surfer is appealing.)

What are your exercise goals? Training towards a goal I find a lot more motivational than simply exercising.

Now I'm retired I can plan my day around my exercise but when I had a desk job my exercise was either in my lunchbreak or in the evening. I'd frequently be the last to leave at the 10pm closing time.
My boss was happy for me to have long lunch breaks some days to fit in the gym and other days I'd have short breaks to make up the time.

I don't enjoy or perform well early in the morning, you may be different and planning and getting it done first thing might be an option for you.

I like exercising but often found myself finding excuses, that were valid. Especially on work days. Someone on MFP years ago said they roll out of bed and exercise, because they’re always free first thing in the morning.

I get up at 4:40, roll out of bed, feed my cats, and get on my Peloton. I’m too tired to really think about it. 4 days a week before work, that’s what I do. It’s been working for 7 years for me. Also, my goal is to get on my bike, not go fast, work hard, etc.. If I do have a good ride, all the better, but my goal is to just ride for 30 min..

@Amanda_Brit_Expat - what headset do you have and what boxing programs do you have? I got an Oculus Quest specifically for boxing and have both Creed and The Thrill of the Fight. I love it.

@SnifterPug I have the Valve Index and I got BoxVR then more recently PowerBeatsVR. I would say these two are more similar to Beat Saber, so more of a rhythm/music/cardio work out than true boxing, but I have heard good things about The Thrill of the Fight and would like to try it. Which do you like most between TTotF or Creed?