Motivation. This topic is often on my mind. Specifically, the motivation to exercise. There are some people who seem to have no problem committing to a workout regimen. They just make up their mind to be healthy, and they do it, rain or shine. I am not one of these people. I am at constant war with myself:Me: I want to lose the last of this blasted baby weight.
Me: Then you should probably work out and cut back on the hot chocolate.
Me: But then I would have to work out. And I would have to cut back on the hot chocolate.
I have not yet figured out how to put my naughty voice in permanent time out. Even when I have decided to make a goal and stick with it, that naughty voice finds a way into my head. "You worked out really hard yesterday. Your calves are sore. You could use a nap. Oooh, that fluffy white pillow is calling your name..."
Last weekend, I was a rock star. I was on vacation, and I still managed to stick with my training schedule. It called for a 3 mile run on Friday and a 5 mile run on Saturday. And I did it! My friend B and I got up at a reasonable hour and went for an outdoor run together on Friday! And then the next day, we bypassed security at the hotel gym desk (who pays $15/day to use a hotel gym? Suckers, that's who) and I ran 5 miles on the treadmill. On vacation! Did I mention that I did this while on vacation?!
So then on Monday, after completing my workouts every single day of the first week of my training schedule, my demons came a knocking. "Look at that fluffy, white bed. The punk is asleep for 2 whole hours. You could use a nice nap. Just lay your head down... That's it." Zzzzz. I took a nap during the punk's first nap of the day. Then I cleaned during his second nap. And then my responsible, motivated, healthy side, the side I whip out for interviews, snapped into place and I completed my 3 mile run after putting the punk to bed that night.
Why is it such a struggle? I have now completed one week and 2 days of my 6 month training schedule. I want to keep it up; I really do. I want to be the athletic, healthy girl that I know is buried underneath the love handles.
Are you a consistent exerciser? If so, do you have some advice for me? If not, what keeps you from your goals?
5 comments:
I am not an exerciser. I don't even know if I spelt exerciser correctly. I would like to be but I usually loathe working out. Maybe it's time to invest in one of those abs belt thingers. If it's on TV it must be true right?
I wish I was an exerciser! I am BEYOND impressed that you do it as much as you do.
I honestly think we all struggle with this Meili. That's why people sign up for races and such - because it gives you a reason to exercise.
Right now my current excuse is "Well, you have too much to do at work and at home before moving. Focus on that. You can start exercising again once you move to Boise."
I try and focus on how good I feel after I exercise. I know that if I go to the gym after work - that I will be energized the rest of the night. That's what drives me there.
You will be great! It's ok to slack - just do the best you can.
Whoa - long comment.
I think I am in the same boat as you although I am not a runner at all! I wish I was but nope my knees can not handle it and I'm pretty sure the left one needs surgery right now. Those last 5 baby pounds. I hate them. I am trying so hard to lose them by Kambree's first birthday which is next Friday but I don't think it is possible to lose 5 pounds in a week and a half. The thing that helps me lose the last bit of weight is something that a personal trainer said I would never be able to do on my own. He said I could have one free day a week to eat whatever I want for sweets and the rest I couldn't. I would always look forward to that day and felt I had earned it. It really worked to lost the 5 to 10 pounds before but now with a baby and still nursing I tell myself I need those EXTRA Calories. I will be doomed in a week and a half when she is officially ONE. O well. Just try your best and think of each day as a new day to do better.
I like charts; they're a visual reminder of what I need to do, or a visual reminder of what I've already accomplished. I have a giant piece of paper posted in my room on which are my goals for 2010. One box is for my exercising, and so every time I exercise, I add a tick mark, or color in a box or whatever. Then when I go to bed, I look at it and say, "gosh, look how much I've already done; I'm awesome!" For me it's helpful.
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