Where do you get your motivation to start working out?

**MomToTwoBoys** · 02-19-2009, 11:27 PM

I've been playing around with the idea of going back to working out again before Spring comes around. I've gained a considerable amount of weight (about 25 pounds) and my butt has gotten huge! My jeans are in a proverbial battle for denim supremacy. Therefore, I need to really get on the ball with going back to slimming down and staying that way.

But my problem is that I can't keep the ball rolling. I can't stick with what I want to accomplish. I end up going, "Bah I just don't feel like it."

What are your ways to keeping going with the routine that you have set out? I have no problem with switching to a variety of low-fat and calorie-smart foods because we sort of do that now. I do have plans to be more active when the weather rolls around and I miss my spring/summer wardrobe like crazy! I have plans to start rollerblading again and running when it gets warm enough to do it, which should be in April. I love Pilates and Yoga but I've been so busy as of late, both with the book and the kids. I guess it doesn't help that DH brought home another 100lbs of dark and milk chocolate before Valentine's Day.

I've had a ton more energy lately and I believe that's because I started on an allergy medication that doesn't make me drowsy. I've also been filling my body with 1L of mango juice per day, sometimes more than that. Once the weather gets warm, we'll be eating more grilled chicken and pasta salads, along with caesar salad and garlic toast. We're a big white meat eating family and also take part in eating lots of pork shoulder blade steaks. We cut back on red meat for the most part and the only thing that touches our plates that is red meat content would be ground beef. I also love to eat more shrimp too!

Do I just need to get off my butt and force myself into the Pilates? This wait for warm weather is killing me! I do walk about 45 minutes every day, so it's not like I'm not active. I just need to get back into a workout routine that doesn't leave my jeans bursting at the seams.

**Momto2Boyz** · 02-20-2009, 07:36 AM

If your already walking, I would consider just stepping up the walking a notch. Kick up the speed or add some arm or leg weights if you can.

I finally found my motivation in two ways. A) DH has become my workout buddy, and he keeps me going when I sometimes don't feel like it, and vice versa and B) I joined a gym. I was using a free gym before, but didn't have the motivation to stick with it. Because I am a totally cheapo, and I am now paying $40 a month for gym, I make sure I go and get my money's worth!

So maybe, if you enjoy pilates and yoga, find a class that meets 3 times a week or so and sign up for it. If your paying for a scheduled class, you might be a little bit more motivated than if you have to pop in a DVD at home!

**thefrug** · 02-20-2009, 08:13 AM

Ditto on the getting the money's worth. Thats one of the reason why I go almost every day. I hate wasting money. Also, because of health issues, I feel better when I workout and can really tell the difference when I don't. I also know that it's helping me with my health and not just my big butt.
But I will tell you, I have days where I do not want to workout. And I don't. Sometimes, your body knows when it needs a rest. I might skip like 2 days and then I'm right back in there working out. Then there are days I don't want to go but I make myself go, and I don't start out the workout with mush....gusto, but then by the time I'm half way thru I'm glad I came.
Strange things is, now that I've built up some muscle mass, it keeps on burning those calories even when I skip some days.
I was off from the workouts because of my arm, and I've actually LOST 11lbs! Don't ask me how, and I ain't complaining! But I don't know how I did it. LOL
Hopefully I can build on it.

**PrairieRose** · 02-20-2009, 08:40 AM

Well......I have to say that I workout most days (6 days per week, normally). Some days I just do not want to but, am sooooo happy that I did once I finish. Most days I don't mind.....I never feel really 'pumped or motivated' to do it, it's just become like brushing my teeth now and is a very important part of the daily routine that I feel guilty if I miss. But I'm never excited feeling like I'm going to Disneyland or anything beforehand......

Like the old Nike commercial said "Just DO it"....that's how you 'do' it.

And I was reading about you drinking a (?) liter of mango juice....is that right? Man, how many calories does that have in it? Most weightloss experts recommend you stay away from juice for the most part b/c of calories. Anyhoo....good luck with your journey. It takes some time to get in the groove of it, just don't expect to be excited by it all of the time.

*eta* I just looked up how many calories mango juice has in it. For 6 fluid ounces my calorie king counter book says 80 calories

Surely I misread that you're drinking a liter/day? If so you'd have to do lots of working out to just get even for the day......

**MomToTwoBoys** · 02-20-2009, 12:58 PM

Yeah the juice I drink has at least 140 calories per 250ml. That wasn't a typo; I really do drink a litre of it a day.

I don't eat breakfast (unless you count the coffee as being my breakfast) but I plan on going to a whole wheat bagel + apple slices w/skin + seltzer breakfast soon. I eat a very light lunch (a turkey and swiss tortilla wrap with lettuce, dressing and peppers) and dinner is also pretty light.

I also have a gym membership and I love going. The problem is that the classes are offered either in the mornings or late at night when I've already spent all of the energy. I can do the treadmill for 10 minutes, stairclimber for another ten, stationary bike for another ten and then some Pilates stretch moves when I go. I just always find a reason not to go...

I figured that with the weather warming up, I can rollerblade to the gym and then work out there, shower and then rollerblade back home. I have some shoulder problems from ten years ago that's really impeded me from doing a weight circuit when I go to the gym. I can at least do the 20 minute workout cycle that they have set up.

I was going to do Pilates this morning but DH took my DVD-R with him to work and I don't want to do it in the cold basement. I'm also preoccupied with finalizing an outline for the book and getting that sent out. I think once I clear my head of this book business, I can go back to being more serious about working out.

**Momto2Boyz** · 02-20-2009, 01:26 PM

Rollerblading to the gym would be a great extra to your workout once it warms up!

If you have an Aldi's near you, they have Fit & Active Mango Tropical juice, that is calorie free. It's really good stuff, it comes in the 1 liter bottles, so you could always replace the actual juice with it! I buy a few every week, our family loves it and it is a nice change of pace from water!

**MomToTwoBoys** · 02-20-2009, 01:54 PM

Mmm, that sounds delightful! The trouble is that I don't have an Aldi's near me (and I miss them because they are fantastic) but I am going to have to check out mango juice that's lighter or free of calories. I have this severe fear of water ever since I was in the Marines because when a black flag would go up, we'd have to drink 32oz of water as fast as we could to stay hydrated. Well, the water never did stay down.

**britbunny** · 02-26-2009, 06:06 AM

Originally Posted by PrairieRose

it's just become like brushing my teeth now and is a very important part of the daily routine ... Like the old Nike commercial said "Just DO it"....that's how you 'do' it.

ITA, that's my attitude - don't think about it, just do. Love the fact you're doing it. Enjoy it when it's done!

**elphie** · 02-26-2009, 09:29 AM

I don't try to lose weight anymore, it isn't good for me emotionally. In fact I couldn't read through all of the replies here because I can't engage in diet talk of any kind. However I do try to make choices that make me feel physically better. After I walk I feel energized and ready for a brand new day... I remind myself of how great it makes me feel. This is the best motivation I've ever had.

**The Muse** · 02-26-2009, 09:50 AM

I just make it part of my daily routine. I come home from work, change into workout clothes, workout, cook dinner, etc. The key for me is to start ASAP after getting home. If I get sidetracked, all bets are off.

**annymoll** · 02-26-2009, 12:14 PM

I consider working out a part of daily physical hygiene and care.In the same manner that I shower daily and brush my teeth(and would never argue with myself about whether or not I will do it)It is habit and I expect it of myself.

**PrairieRose** · 02-26-2009, 04:08 PM

[quote=MomToTwoBoys;1118162]Yeah the juice I drink has at least 140 calories per 250ml. That wasn't a typo; I really do drink a litre of it a day.

So 140 X 5 = 700 calories a day in juice. If you're trying to control your calories, are 'afraid' of water maybe you could try those crystal light packets and slowly taper them off. I know when I'm counting my calories I try to stay under 1200-1400 per day.

I know your original question was not about caloric intake...sorry to sidetrack here. I was just trying to imagine how much longer you'll have to workout out to even burn that off before you get to fat burning zone. If that's why you're working out, which it may not be....anyhoo......I used to drink a 2 liter of dr. pepper a day, hardly ever drank water so I can relate to where you are.

**psyklon** · 06-21-2009, 07:46 PM

I've found that action movies get me super pumped to work out. All those what-if scenarios force me into action. "What if I was clutching onto the side of a high building and there was nobody else there to pull me up?!" Make it fun, make it practical. Imagine that you'll actually need to use all those finely sculpted muscles someday.