How do you get yourself to workout?

[hat0112]

I was curious on how you ladies get yourself to workout. Do listen to music, watch tv or a movie, promise your some relax time? Do you trick yourself by saying that you will workout for 10 minutes, then workout longer? Or do you just tell yourself to suck it up and just do it I am having a hard time getting myself to exercise after work. I have been so tired lately after work lately so I am looking for some new ways to get myself going. I know all the reasons why I need to workout, but I am having a hard time doing it since I have to say that I hate all exercise.

[mrs*j*2011]

I feel the same way! I cannot, for the life of me, get motivated to work out after I get home from work. I just want to do my nightly "chores" and relax. I really need to get into a routine but I'm having such a hard time.

 

We need tips from all you motivated exercisers!

[NaM]

Start a habit and don't make excuses. Then it'll just become part of your routine. I think you'll find once you start exercising you'll get more energy too.

For me, I hired a trainer. I knew if I was paying for it I wouldn't not do it and I was committed to something so I couldn't "back out" because I was tired or feeling lazy. If you don't have a lot of extra $$ laying around for that just do it for a month or 2 until the habit is formed and then keep it up on your own.

[barbiegirl_27]

I find it hard to motivate myself....I'll usually clock watch and say at (blank) time I'll go exercise, i say it so much that I finally get off the couch and go to it. my FI also asks me constantly if I'm going to go work out (would be much easier if he were doing it with me!)...I eventually feel so guilty I go! I make sure to have a playlist of upbeat music playing too! Once you get into a routine you won't have to think about motivating yourself so much! Good luck!

[JanineA]

If working out at the end of the day is too hard then try switching to the beginning of the day. You'll be surprised how energized you'll feel. Then of course you may face the factor of how to motivate yourself enough to roll out of bed and just do it. I have to agree with NaM once you start after about the first month or two it becomes a habit and you won't even realize. Another way of approaching it is to start gradually, after having her baby my bff kept the extra weight on for a year plus. One day she promised herself to do 1 hour of cardio and 30 minutes of strength training. She kept the promise for a week, then kicked up a notch for the next week, then the next and so on. She also switched it up so she didn't get bored. Cardio was riding a few miles, or playing tennis, or taking a cross training class, or spinning. Always something different. It also helps to have a friend with you. I love to workout so I bargained with her she would bear me taking her to yoga if I went with her to workout. But the initial motivation/push has to start with you.

[kelly1214]

I heard of one person who wanted to lose a lot of weight start a lawn mowing business. He would mow a lawn every night as his 'exercise'. Plus the couple extra bucks a week didn't hurt.

 

Personally I walk my dog. Having a set time every night helps too. Brutus knows when it's time to go on his walk and he'll stare at me and wine until I get my shoes on.

 

Taking a class with someone (do something fun like tap dancing or zumba) is a great way to destress, socialize and work off those couple extra lbs you want to loose. It also guilts you into going... knowing you left the other person hanging can be a real motivator.

 

Also, I lost a lot of weight in the water... water aerobics and swimming are excellent for decreasing your body fat and depending what stroke you do, can really make your arms look good!

 

Remember though- it's not about how much you exercise if everything else isn't in check. You have to eat right, get enough sleep, etc...

 

Good luck ladies!!!

[jealousy88]

I find that having my workout time as my escape time and my me time make me want to go and look forward to going to the gym. I'm the kinda of person who like the gym and can zone out on a treadmill, but that is definatly not what works for everyone. You have to find what works for you. Now that it is summer, try doing some outdoor activities like hiking, walking, and biking. Getting outside can be very refreshing, and you will find that once you get into a routine, you will start to feel great. I get grouchy if I don't work out now, just because I start to feel tired and lathargic. Excercise gives you an amazing energy and an amazing natural high, and offers so many benefits to you. You can do it!

[FutureMrsLewis]

This may sound crazy, but I just yell at myself in my head. I don't have any set schedule, I just exercise whenever I get the chance, and when i'm sitting on my ass thinking "Ohh, I'm so comfortable, I don't want to move" I change gears and just say "Dammit! Get your fat ass up and do it! Now!"

 

I need to hire Jillian Michaels to come into my living room and yell at me so I don't feel like I'm crazy yelling at myself lol

[jealousy88]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FutureMrsLewis This may sound crazy, but I just yell at myself in my head. I don't have any set schedule, I just exercise whenever I get the chance, and when i'm sitting on my ass thinking "Ohh, I'm so comfortable, I don't want to move" I change gears and just say "Dammit! Get your fat ass up and do it! Now!" I need to hire Jillian Michaels to come into my living room and yell at me so I don't feel like I'm crazy yelling at myself lol

I totally do the same thing! Lol. And when I am at the gym I well at myself to work harder, and sometimes I picture Jillian yelling at me too. How funny.


You can do it girls, but the only person who is going to make you do it is you! And in the words of Jillian, "Why choose failure when sucess is an option."

[janapana]

Wise words..... I know when i finally motivate myself i´ll really get into it, it´s just that initial push i need to get started. I´m thinking maybe join an aerobics class, cos i´ll be too proud to sit it out once i get tired! And if i´m at home and the kids are in bed, the temptation to sit infront of the laptop is too great!