Exercise! What do you do? How often? And how the b'jesus do you stay motivated??

[shakespeare]

I'm a very non-committed exerciser who would like to be very much more committed. I'm not overweight but I'm not particularly fit. I'm currently doing one yoga class and a cardio class a week (and last week I managed to fit in a lengthy power walk/with buggy/up hills walk as well) The thing is, its always a bleedin' struggle to get out the door. I spend hours debating with myself the 'yes I will go'/'no I won't' and more often than not, the 'no I won't go' will win. Sometimes I feel like it, but still talk myself out of it! I often resent having to do it (even tho I will probably enjoy it once I'm out) when I'd rather be parked on my arse doing a crossword or similar. And resentment does not an exerciser make.

So how do you get your arse out the door when your body is screaming at you to kick off your shoes and sit your arse down on that big nice comfy sofa...??

[Carlat86]

Just about to embark on a fitness plan after the birth of my first. I loved the gym before I got pregnant as I was a big girl and the weight was visibly coming off - all the incentive I needed. Spoke to the trainer about just this subject a few days ago and she said you can get a bit of class/programme fatigue, you probably need to do something to get you excited about exercise again (if that's possible). So instead of yoga, try Pilates and instead of a cardio class try Zumba.

[LumpySpacePrincessOhMyGlob]

I use fitness blender. I've hardly ever repeat a workout and I watch tv while I'm working out. You just choose how long or how hard you want to work out.

When I am feeling meh I just do a 10 minute tummy one or there little black dress workout which keeps the wobbly bits at bay. I used to shred but this is more varied.

[LumpySpacePrincessOhMyGlob]

Repeated and their obviously.

[goodasitgets]

I do what I enjoy
So a mix of spin, boot camp/military fitness and pole fitness. Horse riding as well but I don't really count that

[teatimesthree]

I cycle to work. There's no parking, and it takes ages on public transport, so a big motivation is that it is quick and free.

I also like the fact that I am commuting and exercising - two birds with one stone. Plus I don't have to think about whether I am going to do it or not - I have to, to get to work.

Losing weight is very motivating - results as everybody else has said - as is the feeling that you can have the odd treat without guilt.

Like lavenderhoney, I look at myself naked in the mirror every day. I much prefer what I see when I am exercising regularly (still the same size - 12 - but better proportioned).

[mistyshouse]

am marking place

i need motivation although 3 months pg atm will need to get back on it after babys here

[BsshBossh]

This thread is very motivational - despite my posts on it so far, today I couldn't be bothered to trek to the gym or do any exercise but I remembered all these posts and off I plodded. Felt terrific once I'd got on the treadmill and feel very virtuous right now :)

[ErrolTheDragon]

misty - there are some things suitable when you're pregnant you know - aquanatal is the most obvious. I walked a lot when I was pg - limited only by bladder capacity!

[YoniBottsBumgina]

I've just started exercising after never doing it before.

Obviously am pretty motivated still by the novelty of it, but I think an hour is hardgoing. I don't think I'd want to exercise for an hour.

Can you think of anything that would be fun to do? I went swimming this morning which I really enjoy, but you have to do what works for you - perhaps a sport or a zumba class or something relaxing like yoga. Do you prefer to do something with people or alone? That might input into your decision.

This looks fun and different, if you like terrifying yourself

I was reading some stuff about Couch to 5K today and they reckon that 20-30 minutes 3 times a week is about right. That sounds doable to me and I like the fact that you're moving up a scale so it gives you something you can see even if your goal isn't to lose weight (mine isn't either, but I want to gain energy and some strength would be nice). There are various apps you can get which track your progress - not just for running - so you can see an improvement, too, and some of them let you add music.

Or make it functional - cycle to the shops or something?

I think it needs to be manageable, so not too long that it seems taxing, and something you look forward to - getting out of the house when DH gets home would hit that spot for me!

[MacaYoniandCheese]

YY to going right after dropping kids at school. If you've got tiny ones then they're already strapped into the stroller, presumably, so best to keep up the momentum for another half an hour or so. For mums with babies/toddlers/pre-schoolers a jogging stroller with rain cover is a godsend...absolutely the best money we spent on 'baby gear' as I used it for jogging and also walking.

Also, get yourself a set of 10lb. Hand weights and do bicep curls, shoulder presses and squats/lunges for 10 minutes every day. It makes a HUGE difference to your metabolism to have strong muscles.

Other things that motivate me:

The feeling of being all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed after a long walk or run and the lasting energy, mood, appetite and sleep-enhancing benefits that being fit imparts. Being all sweaty feels good and you will start to crave it.

Being able to fit into my favourite skinny jeans.

Getting out of bed in the morning and congratulating myself on the fact that I have actually changed the shape of my legs through my efforts (this is not a boast...if left to their own devices my legs are unfortunately a bit hobbit-like. Lots of running/walking has made them much more toned).

[PhallicGiraffe]

There's nothing like an injection of endorphins into the body after a good exercise session. It's the body's natural happy pills, and can lift the spirit enormously. Just keep that in mind when you're debating whether to go or not.

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

I run. Started with a C25K thread here a few years ago and never looked back .

Like others, I run in the morning. ATM I'm training for a marathon, so running 4 or 5 times a week, including my local parkrun every Saturday (there's a thread for that too ).

I find it helps having something to aim for, so I'm going to try a sprint triathlon next, which should help get me into the swimming pool regularly over the winter.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Also, get yourself a set of 10lb. Hand weights and do bicep curls, shoulder presses and squats/lunges for 10 minutes every day

10lb is too much for a lot of women, if they've not done that sort of thing before - esp if you want to do more than just biceps.

[Sleepwhenidie]

I love the head space that exercising alone gives me too lotta, but also enjoy the banter with everyone at kickboxing - so a bit of both.

[RedundantExpat]

I try to run early in the morning before I am awake enough to come up with all those excuses, OP.

Put out your kit in the evening, slip into it directly from your pyjamas and go-go-go!

couch to 5k is a brilliant way to get into running for which you need very little kit and can do from your doorstep. No schedule, no driving to a gym, etc.

Another way may be to join a team (netball/volleyball/etc). DO you have friends you could go to exercise with? Having an appointment motivates some people into actually doing it.

thanks for the thread. Lots of great ideas!

[MacaYoniandCheese]

True, Errol. I started with 5's and then worked my way up to 10 but now don't bother with the lighter ones as I don't get the same results. Exercise safe!

[ZingWantsCake]

just started 30 day Shred so I'm here for advice.

although "DIG DEEP" is a good motto!

[therumoursaretrue]

PT 3-4 times a week, works better for me than gym as the PT is close by so no travelling and I only have to get DS minded for an hour. I do high impact cardio and weights.

Pilates class once a week, plus as and when I can fit it in at home.

I try to fit in a decent walk and some squats/crunches on the days I haven't trained but don't always have time.

Honestly I think once you get past the initial idea of doing it and get stuck in its easy enough to stay motivated. I feel crap the days I don't exercise now and really want to do it, whereas before I would have made any excuse under the sun not to!

[therumoursaretrue]

I think I simplified your problem to much there OP, it's probably the initial but you need to get past!

Why don't you try a 30 day challenge or something along those lines? Set yourself manageable goals and give yourself an incentive. For example a pound in a jar every time you exercise, and at the end of the month buy yourself something nice. Once you've done that for a while you will probably be more in a place where you actually want to exercise because you will be feeling the benefits!

[Sleepwhenidie]

check these out, I'm sure everyone can find some inspiration amongst 1,000 reasons

[Reastie]

Marking place to read later,.

I'm currently doing insanity workouts but can only manage 3 a week and it's really tough to force myself to do those. I make myself do it by knowing a) I will feel fabulous at the end even if I hate it when I'm doing it b) if I want to fit in to my 'thin' jeans I needs to workout

[flowersinavase]

I love to exercise.

I love the exercise itself (it's amazing feeling strong and able to keep going.

In all honesty thought I am also motivated by

1. the fact it means I can eat anything I want (within reason):
   
2. the fear of the increased risk of disease if you're not active;
   
3. looking good naked :)
   
   I'm a SAHM to a 3 yr old and a 7m old. I spend all day running after them (no car so we walk everywhere, including a 4 mile round trip to the grocery store twice a week, and 2 miles daily taking the 3yr to school and back), as well as volunteering for two charities and studying in the evenings. I find exercise gives me energy: if I miss a day, I feel sluggish all day long.
   
   I work out first thing before the children are supposed to be awake. So I get up at 5am. Crazy early, but then it's done and the day can begin.
   
   OP I think you need to get into it. For me it's a need, simply because it's so set into my daily routine, it feels odd not to do it. So you need whatever the adult version of a sticker chart is until it becomes a part of you.

[IsThatTrue]

I run, 3 times a week.

I love the space it gives me, at gone I have a 10mo permanently attached to me. I get silence.

It feels amazing.

It's helping me lose weight, losing weight is helping me run faster.

I enjoy Zumba top but the times don't fit well with Velcro baby. At least running I can go whenever (even with Velcro baby in a running buggy).

I find the more I do the more I want to do.

[ivykaty44]

I set myself a few goals in the past to start the habit. Once you have a habit for over 21 days this helps as it becomes a habit and you don't have a debate with yourself as you just do it out of habit after you have reached your goal - whether that be to run in a certain time or lift a certain weight.


I use a local gym a lot and do about 6-7 classes a week, I also double up to save time as the gym has masses of classes this is easy to do. I know if I don't go then old age will grip quicker and I will slow down faster and I really don't want to be an old slow frump use it or lose it

[BsshBossh]

Yes, wanting to be trim, fit and healthy as I get older is also a huge motivation for me to exercise. I've seen both my parents leading severely compromised lives physically in just their 60s because they've never exercised. Yet my MIL, who is the same age, travels the world, hikes, does yoga and pilates and frankly has the agility of a woman in her 30s. She is able to enjoy time with her energetic 5 yo granddaughter far more than my parents are able. As an older mum (40s) I need to be fit and healthy to enjoy my DD and any grandchildren well into my 80s (God willing).