Need Some Exercise Motivation

Poupet
Poupet Posts: 14 Member
edited October 2 in Introduce Yourself
Hello,
I've been using my fitness pal all summer but this is my first post! I've lost 10 pounds by just counting calories. I keep telling myself "OK, now I need to start exercising", but I just can't seem to get started. I am a busy mother of 3 with a full time job and attending school myself......I know, I know, it sounds like i have every excuse in the book, and I do! I know I have to squeeze it in somewhere but I keep putting it off. Would love some motivation, tips and tricks:)

Replies

  • ItsMeLori
    ItsMeLori Posts: 346
    I just keep telling myself "I'm going to get fat if I don't exercise" it works for me :laugh:
  • stubbssr
    stubbssr Posts: 26
    I go to school as well, and I find that walking all over campus to get to classes is a great exercise. Even just trying to slip in a little bit of workout at a time can help! Once in a while when I am really busy, I do a 15 minute yoga tape. It is great for toning and doesn't take that long to do. Getting the kids involved in your workout could be a strategy as well. Taking a family bike ride or walk is a great way to burn calories and spend time together as a family. :)
  • kinzytg
    kinzytg Posts: 42
    My answer (with only one kid left at home not 3) is the evening walk. Even for 20 or 30 minutes (and we have a dog who loves it) it is a great start. The side benefit is sometimes it is nice alone, sometimes my 13 year old comes along and we talk (hard to get his attention so that is great) and occasionally it is my husband and I.
  • oneoddsock
    oneoddsock Posts: 321 Member
    Not all exercise needs to be of the "sweating buckets at the gym" variety. I find that it's quite nice to have a brisk walk in my lunch hour; this is particularly good if you work near a steepish hill that you can train yourself to power-walk up!
  • colgosling
    colgosling Posts: 104 Member
    I have the 'biggest loser' dvd and they have short workouts ranging from 10 mins - half hour. When I am busy I do a 10 minute high impact workout and when I have time I do a 20 minute low impact one.
  • Poupet
    Poupet Posts: 14 Member
    I think that's part of my problem, I'm setting the bar too high. I feel like if I'm not "sweating buckets", I'm not really exercising. But i guess everything really does count.
  • Diary_Queen
    Diary_Queen Posts: 1,314 Member
    I started with just walking... and mostly as stress management at my job. I would walk at lunch and get in 20 minutes of exercise a day. People started to notice my transformation before I did. Plus, exercise gives you this sense of accomplishment. I can do a push up.... I havent done a push up since elementary school. It has taken me 9 months to be able to do one, but what the heck.... I think it was darn well worth it. You'll get that feeling too... just start out with a little bit of something cardio (walking, jumping rope, step aerobics in the privacy of your own home) and gradually add in some light weight training (do a few curls or tricep kickbacks even with a full bottle of water for resistance). It will make a difference :)
  • Bluejay789
    Bluejay789 Posts: 176
    Walking....... I dropped my first 10 pounds walking 30 minutes a day 5 days a week.


    Once you build up your momentum try race walking. This is where you walk as fast as you can slow down and then do it again in intervals. I know I dropped the last 10 pounds doing it that way.

    You will sleep like a rock at night after doing it.
  • garlic7girl
    garlic7girl Posts: 2,236 Member
    I started doing that becasue commuting takes so much of my time..if I have 10-20 minutes I just do that amount of time. Nothing wrong with that...also make it fun! Especially if want to include the kids: jumpe rope, hoola hoop. Chase each other up and down the street, roller skates. dance in the house to music, gardening...whatever turns you on. You have to figure it out.
  • isapedeve
    isapedeve Posts: 29
    I'd really recommend you to get the Zumba Rush (from last 2011 series). It's pretty intense, you only have to commit 20 mins. and you'll find the routine very motivating, because it's fun.
    What works for me is to get a daily routine and stick to it without even thinking about it. When you'll get to the third week you'll think "well, I got this far, no I can't quit" Also, paying for something (maybe a DVD or a sports membership) will make you feel that you got to make that money worth and you'll drag yourself to exercise.
    I know should be pretty difficult in your circumstances, but start working out and do it like AA philosophy "just for today"
    Good luck :)
  • Poupet
    Poupet Posts: 14 Member
    Thanks for all your support. Today out of the blue, my daughter said to me, "mom wanna go to the gym with me?" I think I was so happy that my 19 year old actually wanted to be with me, that I just couldn't say no! I got a great workout in with my bossy boots personal trainer pushing me along! Feels like a good start, I;m gonna try to get a couple more work outs in this week, even if their just 20 minute walks.
  • isapedeve
    isapedeve Posts: 29
    Great! keep it going :)
  • pholbert
    pholbert Posts: 575 Member
    I have a wii so I use that and I have a dog so I use him too. The wii is left from my son had and no longer uses. My husband and I walk the dog so it is good for all 3 of us.
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