Thanks to RageyOne and SeekingSolace for providing examples of how to talk positively to yourself and help push yourself to keep going when you don't want to exercise.
I didn't want to go today, either. But I did. 2 more miles, about 31 minutes. No weights today.
But... oh... wow... I totally did not want to be down at the gym today. I have wicked cramps. I told myself that I needed to exercise because that's supposed to help, right? Nope, it hasn't helped yet. I wanted to curl up in a corner more than I wanted to be on the treadmill. I remembered that SS talks about doing things in sets, so I broke the exercise up by putting the setting on the treadmill that allows me to see laps on a track, since doing a lap at a time seemed easier than an entire 2 miles at once. I told myself "just one more lap." Then, when I got to 1 mile, I stopped and sat down for a minute and wallowed in the misery of cramps And then I got back on the treadmill, even though I didn't want to get back on it at all. I had to keep telling myself, "Okay, just one more lap." And eventually I made it up to two miles. But I hated it the whole time. :(
The reason why I stayed? TheBoyfriend was there with me. I am working out more when I am around him for a number of reasons. (1) It's one more way we can spend time together while I am out here. (2) He likes staying in shape, so he would be doing this stuff, anyway, so I might as well join him, otherwise I'm left out of something he's doing. (3) Being around him is motivation to take care of myself, if that makes any sense. (It's not like I need to lose weight to impress him, but...) (4) His house has full length mirrors (on closet doors) and my house has NO full length mirrors, so I hadn't been looking at my body that much before these trips out to see him. Seeing my body all at once makes me realize something needs to be done.
How am I going to motivate myself when he's not with me or I'm not with him? I don't think I am going to be able to get a partner to work out with at home -- one of my friends is training for a marathon, so she's kind of out of my league. Another one of my friends works out on a machine at her house. Another friend bikes for billions of miles with a cycling club. So, none of those options really work for workout partners.
That said, I'm kind of past my honeymoon stage of getting into exercise. After a couple of weeks of it, I'm feeling like... I hate it. I'm not convinced it's going to make ANY difference AT ALL. Working out feels like punishment for not being at the weight I want to be. It doesn't feel like "me time" in any sort of fun way. I have a bad attitude today. But I exercised. So that's good, I guess.
Sorry for the crankiness. I blame it on cramps. I'll be less cranky another day.
Tag: Stress and Obstacles, Exercise
Trying to balance academic life with a healthy lifestyle.
10 comments:
B*, I think you might need to find the right exercise for you. When I went from sedentary to exercising 5 days a week in grad school, it was hard. But I started at an inner-city aerobics studio called "Donnacize" that featured a fab instructor and lots of hip-hop and R&B music. It made working out fun! When I realized I needed more intensity, I started kickboxing and step. Whee! I barely noticed how much I was huffing. And really, I started from 0 and I hated exercise too, but some activities really are more fun than others. For example, walking on the treadmill. SO boring, even if you're playing good music. So I really urge you to check out classes at a gym to see if you can find something you like better.
I hear you, Ianqui, but I am so not a class person... I would be totally intimidated about the people in those classes!
I used to rollerblade out in Arizona, and I liked that a lot better.
I'm with B* - you'll probably have more fun if you find something you like. Maybe just keep trying different things? One thing's for sure, if you don't like the treadmill now, you probably wont' magically start to like it anytime soon.
I love the elliptical trainer. And also the staitionary bike. Have you ever tried one of those? The Precor brand machines have good workout programs. And the "target heartrate" or "aerobic" programs really work. I always set the machine to random and then adjust the intensity level to my current state of fitness. Maybe one of these will help?
Also, I personally love step because I think it's fun, but I really had to work to get over the intimidation so I understand about classes. What about videos at home? I really do like the Tae-Bo video and I had this one - Kathy Smith's New Yoga Challenge. I swear that was the best work out video ever.
B*, I feel your pain. I had nasty cramps yesterday, too (which I usually NEVER get). I had already exercised in the morning, so I couldn't test out that theory, though. The heating pad worked wonders, though!
B* I think your feelings are normal. I agree with Ianqui - maybe you haven't found the right combination of exercise that will work for you. The ones that will keep you going.
I would suggest not closing yourself off to trying out a class and don't be intimidated by the people. More than likely, each and everyone of them started out just like you. They were skeptical about joining because it appears that the others have it together. You have to make that first step - which is the hardest one, sometimes.
Also, one thing you might do is purchase a full length mirror for your own house. Since that seems to serve as a sort of motivator when you are at TheBoyfriend's place it may work at your own. Just a thought...
B*, I have to agree with everyone that you need to find a way of exercising that you enjoy. I also HATE the treadmill- I prefer to walk outside- I'm not sure if that is an option for you at home or not. It's MUCH more interesting than walking and going nowhere. I've been using the treadmill recently out of desperation (with this hideous heat), but have our portable DVD player set up so that I can watch it while walking. It makes the time just fly by- if it weren't for that, I wouldn't be able to do it. Have you tried swimming? Even going back and forth with a kickboard (if you aren't a great swimmer) can be a fun change...
rageyone is right on. Classes can be so much fun, and truthfully, people don't even notice what the others are doing. Or, find a gym that's not high-powered and expensive. I actually go to classes at the XU gym, and it's very hard to be intimidated by other faculty! (If you go early enough, there are no students in the classes, in case that's a concern.)
At least try it, and if you have a bad experience, you never have to go back...
I totally agree that the mindset is of utmost importance. There is just no way that you will continue to do something you don't actually enjoy.
The first time I wanted to lose a lot of weight, I took up tennis. It wasn't enough, so I also started going to a gym and working out to a video. Of the three, the gym dropped off first, I stopped the tape once I'd come close to my target weight and I played tennis for years because I developed a love for it. Now, I walk outside instead of using the elliptical, because I truly enjoy walking outside.
So I'd suggest looking at your time in the gym with The Boyfriend as mainly time to spend with him while not doing stuff you hate. Work the machines and free weights, but maybe try one of the bikes or something instead of a treadmill? Then rent a few exercise videos and see if you can find one you like. (I've been wanting to try a Tae-Bo one.)If you find one you really like, then buy it.
Is there any reason why you can't go back to rollerblading? Doing some kind of sport, to me, is a great way to burn calories. Although I have to say that the time I lost the most weight the fastest, and it was actually by accident, is when I somehow got pulled in to a much younger crowd and was out dancing for a few hours 2 or three nights a week. Now that's a fun way to lose weight.
And that's the key, you won't mind spending a lot of time doing something you enjoy. It's just a matter of finding it.
What everyone else said plus:
Classes are fun. I did a cario funk class this winter that was just a blast. Everyone is too busy trying to keep up to worry about who is in the class!
Videos are good too. You can do them at home if you are not comfortable with others around.
Try other equipment like the elliptical or the bike. You may also want to try one of treadmill workouts rather than just setting it on manual.
Water arobics is also a wonder workout. No impact but you get one hell or a workout.
BTW, are some of us on the same cycle? Killer cramps must be a common thing around here!
It's not that I hate the treadmill. It's because I have this mindset that exercising is a punishment, I think. The treadmill is fine-ish. When I tried a class in the past, it felt like punishment, too. :( Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not open to them yet, but I might be at some point. I'm glad you all have found things that work for you. I mostly don't want to exercise at all. :( I think it's about the issue I have in which I'm not convinced it matters.
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