That question changes depending on what it is we face, what it is that we are doing. Most of the time it's something that excites you and drives you to do whatever it is you are doing.
Other times it's what is needed to begin the task at all.
This is the case for me and working out.
Now don't get me wrong, I love playing sports and doing things that require exercise. I don't mind working hard physically if it means also doing something enjoyable in the process.
For example, I love to play football, baseball, softball, racquetball, and the like, but I hate just lifting weights or running. I ran track when I was younger and would rather do short sprints or even run hurdles than to just run long distance.
Enough about me :) What motivates you to exercise, to work out, to stay in shape (or get in shape)?
Thursday, September 11, 2008
What Motivates U?
Posted by Mike Jones at 9:25 AM
Labels: Exercise, Motivation
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9 comments:
I wish there was something.
Right now, I'm just in the 'round' shape.
Ugh.
For me its mostly losing weight but being in better shape would be a huge bonus. I really need to get back into a good routine again...
But see if we shoot for our half marathon then we are doing something....Right?
You can do it baby!!!
K.
The feeling of completing my goal and wanting to add distance to what I can successfully run. It's a great stress release for me too...I'm by myself alone with my thoughts and good running music.
i used to be self motivated. but that was when i was single and had my own room lol. lately it's been harder, i took a 3 month challenge and the goal of winning motivated me. and since then it's been maintaining the results that have kept me motivated.
(here's my lil advice... lol)
i find that you really have to change your thinking first. write down 3-5 reasons why you want to work out. then write down 3-5 things that will happen/be a constant if you don't work out. (e.g. will still be xx over ideal weight, will still breathe heavy when walking up stairs, etc) keep them on you, nearby, and read them everyday in the morning and when you feel like blowing it off.
being accountable to friends, spouse, etc helps. ones that want to see you succeed. you can send them a txt and let them know that you're not feeling it and they can motivate you. marking it on a calendar that you see everyday and checking it off when complete it helps. it's visual and it taunts you until you do. lol
when you schedule your workout, schedule it as a can't miss appt. and schedule it for a time when you know you will do it. ex: after work is a no-no for me b/c i'm tired and come up w/ 1M excuses not to. the mornings and afternoons (like on lunch break) are good b/c most people least likely to miss it.
oh and the one that gets me working out when i really don't feel like it - i promise myself that i will work out for 20 minutes, after that, if i'm still not feeling it, i'll quit. to this day i never have. after i hit 20 min (the magic #) i want to go for another 2 hours. seriously.
oh and it doesn't hurt to reward yourself after each week. a lil something, doesn't have to cost anything. could be an hour reading or relaxing or playing with your kids, doing something you enjoy. it works wonders on keeping you motivated. set the reward at the beginning of the week so you have something too look forward to.
(can you tell i do this for a living? lol)
omgoodnes, i wrote a novella!! oops!! lol i hope that helps and didn't bore you too much!!
Pain. The stronger I get, the less pain I am in.
I'm 42 and have to keep up with 3 kids 7 and under.
There's a whirlpool, sauna and steam room at the health club.
And I get to shower without children in the room.
I have more energy, sleep better, work better, feel stronger when I am running regularly. Just starting out doesn't feel real good when you are not used to working out, but push on because that feeling passes and you will start to notice some positive changes. The key is to make it a routine in your life...and the hardest part is getting yourself out the door. Once you've laced the shoes and stepped out the door half the battle is won.
As hard as it is sometimes to hit the pavement, my motivation is knowing that after I take that run whether short & fast or long and paced, I know I will feel better, stronger and more motivated in other things in my life. Setting goals has always helped. It could be a goal for that run or training for a race. I have also learned to look at each run I do as an accomplishment rather than a failure cause I didnt do more. I always listen to my favorite music and have come to cherish this time as my prayer time. My goal has been ( still is ) to run a marathon. This past May I ran a half marathon finishing it to my surprise better than I expected but I did it with that goal to finish, with Chris tomlin & Lincoln b,. Singing in my ear and with lots of Prayer !
Fatness motivates me, but once I really start forming muscle mass and showing visible evidence of getting back into shape, it's hard to stop. It's one of those momentum things, I guess. No wonder that most skinny people usually stay skinny and fat people usually get fatter. What injustice!
I used to live in Aurora... so did Wayne and Garth, too (so whoopity doo).
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