Getting more and more difficult...

This is one of those topics that many here face. I just returned from a workout about an hour ago.

I work out at a gym 3X a week and the trick to making sure I show up is I'm using a trainer. It is 'small group' training - just four of us with the trainer and we motivate each other. Maybe you are working out too often or need to change the routine?

I like my gym (Anytime Fitness) and I like the trainer and I like the people I work out with....those 'likes' make me show up every time.

If you find yourself making excuses and skipping workouts - I'd suggest either getting a trainer or setting up scheduled workouts with a couple friends who also exercise. I keep doing it because I have a set schedule....if I worked out 'when I felt like it' - it wouldn't get done.

Are you working out in a way where you feel noticeably better on days you work out and feel noticeably worse if you miss a few days.

You could invest in an at home sauna and or rowing machine or whatever type of at home equipment it is easier for you to use.

I have taken off close to 50 pounds sense the beginning of June with time restricted feeding only eating within 4-6 hours a day but I also stopped drinking and have cut out 90 percent of my added sugar. Which brought my a1c from 7.6 to 5.5 . Without extra exercise just a few miles of walking over the course of the day.

So I'd suggest just finding more enjoyable ways to work out which have day to day pay off and in how they make you feel better. There are plenty of options. I'm biased in that the pay off should be how you feel after you work ou through the day and not the lab results from one visit to the doctor a year.

Explore find what works best for you until it doesn't anymore and you need a new exercise routine

Kay had the key, do it with someone else. That will force you to show up and begin.

Every day, my wife exercises and then gets on the treadmill for a walk (or we go for a walk outside). I feel like a worthless lump if I don't exercise when she does.

Ever considered that you don't need to exercise with such veracity. A good walk say three times a week should suffice and cut back on the sugar.

Speaking about this problem with most people in general...

usually, when someone tries to do too much too quickly, they burn out.

A lot of times people will do nothing and then all of a sudden want to do everything...

they want to go from little league to the Olympics in a month.

It very seldom ever works.

The best strategy is to set a goal that is easy. "I will walk for 15 minutes a day." etc...

Setting unrealistic goals only add stress to an already stressed-out situation.

When the goal is easy, it's less stressful...and almost always in the long run you find yourself doing more than you planned. When you do more than you planned your mind is telling you that you're making progress in things you didn't expect.

What many don't realize is that the goal they are trying to achieve is not the reward.

The journey between where you are and the goal is the reward. The journey will change your thinking, change your outlook, and usually change the way you think about your final goal.

Almost always when someone sets a goal to change their body and life, once they reach that goal it is always about the journey that they are the proudest of and the way that the journey changed their life...not the final outcome.

I'm not saying this all applies to you...

I'm speaking mostly after observing others and also admitting the way I am about things sometimes...it's do nothing or do something with the feeling that it is urgent I catch up because I'm lagging behind...and need to get there yesterday.

Even the smallest amount of effort can lead to the biggest achievements over time.

Max

I agree. The amount of effort that can easily be maintained. Over a long period of time.

If I run I get terrible knee pain and with the arthritis in my hands I can't grip anything in my hands I can't safely lift weights. So I'm left with as much walking as I can manage in a day.

Now the funky thing I find myself doing and I have never heard this talked about. Is making excuses for the good behavior. Or to not do that not so good behavior. I have been loosing 2-4 pounds a week for the past 2-3 months and I have had to learn to avoid and make excuses not to go where there is plenty of food available or drink more than 2-3 sodas in a week. And as much as I want to drink I have lots of excuses not to.

That's the thing, Robert. You can quit - any time you want. But you don't - because this is something you do for YOU - and you don't want to quit on yourself.

I don't exercise for weight loss - If I do gain 5 lbs I can lose it in a couple weeks on a high protein, low carb diet. I exercise to gain strength and flexibility and maintain balance.

At some point in our lives, mean old Mr Gravity wins....I plan to put that off as long as possible.

I am taking Monday as my only day off to recharge my batteries. My food consumption will be light.


I must say it feels good to take a break. But even saying that I do see a noticeably change in my mood. Just slightly as I do not feel as rejuvenated and do not have the endorphin rush I get when I do exercise.

Claude - Your wife is my online friend, once removed.... She and I would get along great -

I'm fixing to start. My reason/excuse for starting now vs. earlier is basically lots of health issues wrapped up in a big bundle with laziness/sorriness.

But as I get older the health hits may keep coming (Lord I hope not) and the exercise may delay problems or make them less severe if/when they do come.

Not starting with running or anything normal like that but I'm going to have to start with some basic deconditioning reversal type things. I've been immobile for the most part of 3+ months and freshly healed bones can't take much pounding yet. The doc says my running, jumping, impact exercise days are over.

Robert keep up the good work!

Mark

Go to a gym- focus on the person you hate most in there and get pumped up thinking about what you'd like to do to him or her. Now use that energy and hate and put it into ur workout.

I have a workout tomorrow morning - took a week off due to pulling muscles in my leg. I seem to have turned a low impact exercise into a high impact one by mistake....been limping for a few days.

Sometimes I find it helps to switch it up with something that doesn't seem like working out, like tennis or dancing. But I agree with Kay that being part of a class or scheduling a workout with a friend is one of the best motivations because then you are counting on each other to show up.