please motivate me!

[PeppaPigStinks]

I need to get fit. I am piling on weight! And I am shattered.

What motivates you to go running? Or for a swim? I need some motivation!

I will if you will...

Also too fat. Am the master of the Good Intention.

Contemplating joining a gym - or, facing up to having a stroke and not being able to talk...wouldn't like that much. Exercise 30 mins a day is like magic medicine, good for everything.

And, can I do it? Well, erm, yes. DO I do it?

What do fit people do to prioritise themselves and their exercise? That's what I've never figured out. How to make the time for it and stick to it long enough for it to become a habit.

ut, yep, for motivation - visualising myself being hoisted down a hospital corridor with my bare ass hanging out. Yep, that usually gets me moving.

I did this. Print out, or save on a note on your phone, two pictures. One thin when you felt happiest and healthiest, and one fat where you feel unhealthy and don't look your best. This helped me as I could see which of the two versions I wanted to be like.
Also have you got a goal in sight? A holiday, a race for life, cycle ride you could sign up for? Giving yourself a goal to work towards might give you a kick.
You can do it, and it is worth it.

Practical tips for getting off your arse to do exercise are so hard as different things work for different people.
I used MFP and so an extra 30mins walking or jog/cycle really show me what calories I can 'save up'.
Just becoming more aware of ways to get exercise in your day, walk to shops/work, climb stairs not lift etc.
It's hard to suddenly change your mindset and suddenly expect yourself to enjoy jogging if you hate running and don't feel confident doing it. Gradual steps might be better, until you're walking 30 mins a day and you no longer feel this is exercise, just your normal daily routine.

I do my exercise in the morning, as the day goes on its too easy for excuse list to get longer

I do it as I see a PT, and if I don't do stuff in between sessions, I get a total
Beasting!

In terms of scheduling it in, I make sure exercise is on my to do list, as I like crossing things off my list! I don't work twice a week, so make sure I get a good workout on those days, then try to do one other session on the weekend. My PT also posts weekly challenges to his clients, which vary in length. Sometimes it's a daily 5-10 min challenge which I can do in the morning before jumping in the shower.

My DH also exercises regularly, and that helps in reminding me I need to do something. I'm not one of life's natural exercisers though; the hardest thing is always starting.

Well today I didn't have 2 year old dd with me on the school run so I 'jogged' alongside dd on her bike!

I think I sort of have the motivation but no time.

I walk dd to school three of five mornings a week (2 mile round trip) and walk to collect her at least twice a week

I tried to go swimming in my lunch break but the pool we go to is rank so I don't want to go!

Everything feels easier when I'm fitter. I love the buzz from having worked out, even if I'm knackered.

My watch has an activity tracker on it, and that sometimes helps will power win over tiredness.

Today I didn't have enough time for a run, but I did have time to walk an extended route home from school, and little things like that add up.

I have lost a stone and a half since I took up running in April and had a good hard look at what I was eating (and how much).

I hated running to seat with and felt like I was going to have a heart attack after about 20 seconds, but unlike other times, I actually stuck with it and the changes in my figure and general health spurred me on.

I had a bunch of size 10's in my wardrobe that I couldn't get into, and so I chose a few of my favourites and hung them on the outside of my wardrobe door and tried them on each week. Getting the zip up on my beautiful Karen Millen silk top was a happy, happy day!

I am now a size 8, something I haven't been for about 20 years, and I actually enjoy the challenge of running as I still find it tough.

Exercise also gets me out of the house which when my 2 DC's are going mental, is a merciful release!

What motivates me is knowing it's not only good for me physically, mentally it really helps with my mood and stress.

I'm also have a 2yo and an older one so know how hard it is to find the time but I make it a priority to fit it in somewhere. I look at my week and plan what I have to do and where I can fit in exercise, housework be damned :) I think the trick is to find something you enjoy. If you don't enjoy it, you'll not want to keep at it.

Do you have the 2yo with you when you do the school run? You could try a jog home once the biggest is dropped at school, 2yo in the buggy? I pay an extra couple hours daycare one day for lo so I know I definitely have one day to fit in a gym session.

Ok pool out, are there any other gyms near you? Our town has a couple of smaller ones that run classes and I prefer them to the larger, machine heavy council run one.

Do you have time/babysitter at night? Couch to 5k is brilliant to start running. 3 times a week, half hour tops, it's not much time out of your evening.

Check out online - Julian Michaels on youtube, Fitness Blender workouts, '12 minute athlete' for quick HIIT ideas.

Set small goals working your way up/down, be it weight, measurements, time or an event. Good luck!

Right... I am going back to the swimming in my lunch break. We are signing up to a nicer pool which I think will help!

I am going to walk the dog now but with trainers. I am on the cusp of running again but I just need the time.

Yes the school run does have the toddler

Yeah my 2yo doesn't like me running with the buggy but it's an idea

Well done, swimming is great! Stick at it and before you know it, it'll be a routine that you'll miss if you have to skip a day.

Must say running is my favourite. Definitely do recommend a couch to 5k app which prompts you when to run and stop as it builds you up really slowly to prevent injury. NHS do one and I think I used a zen labs one on my phone so I could play music at the same time. There's a C25k thread on here too to keep you motivated.

Best thing I ever did, running literally changed my whole perspective on exercise. I was the unhealthiest couch potato 2 years ago, couldn't run 20 seconds without feeling like I was going to die, now I run half marathons and do other classes for fun.

I am desperately trying to motivate myself to go for a run at lunchtime. It's not selling itself to me I have to honest

Go on DavetheCat, off you go! How smug will you feel afterwards? If you can stick at it till it becomes a habit, it will get easier.

YY to things like C25K to build up slowly and help prevent injury.

And come back and tell us Peppa and Dave! We'll give you sympathy if it has been a bad one, and be suitably impressed when it goes well.

Well DH have an introductory session at the pool on Sunday.

And I still need to go for a run! I WILL DO IT.... I WILL DO IT!

DavetheCat did you go for a run at lunchtime?

I did yes! It wasn't particularly enjoyable I have to be honest, but I did 6.2km and managed to get back to my office before the rain set in.

I think I may have undone all my hard work though by munching through half a bag of brazil nuts and a custard cream in the afternoon though!

Oh and a few advent calendar chocolates!

Nice one Dave! Always good to miss the rain. If you use an app like Map My Run, it will tell you roughly how many calories you've burnt so you can work out how much chocolate you can eat

Will this be a regular event? The run perhaps, rather than the chocolates ...

Thanks Blue!

I have actually been running fairly regularly since April, although I have had a nasty cold the last week and haven't been as often as I should. I'm determined to get out tonight though when OH gets home, no matter what the weather throws at me!

I use Strava so always know how far I've gone/calories burnt etc

Whoop whoop dh and I went for a swim today in our lunch break! Now to get the running trainers out and hit the treadmill/road!

Well done Peppa I hope you keep at it.