[wi_fighter]

So I've been doing this online dating thing for about a week again. The guys that catch my eye are the ones that are in good shape, or at least haven't developed a severe case of beer-gut tailgate-itis.

Unfortunately, they all want someone who's also fit or athletic. I don't blame them one bit. I sure don't want a couch potato. I at least want someone who's willing to be a workout buddy. I'm not going to attract Mr. Fit and/or Athletic if I can't keep up or look like I've been sitting on the couch downing Blizzards on a regular basis.

However, in the meantime, I need to get my butt back in gear and using the trampoline and doing The Bar Method. They both give quick results if I'm dedicated about exercising regularly, but I've never used them in combination, so I'm guessing using them simultaneously is going to give me awesome results.

I always come up with an excuse to not work out.
It's too late, I might not sleep well. (I don't sleep well anyway, so that excuse is totally bogus).
I need to keep working (I waste way more than 45-60 minutes every day by surfing the web when I should be working).
I don't see quick enough results (I'm not going to see any results if I don't start in the first place).
I'm not in good enough shape to work out. (WTF is that one all about)?

There are more, but I can't think of them at the moment.

What are some good strategies to get me motivated (actually, I have the motivation, it's the actual getting going part that I'm having problems with)?

How do others in this situation bring themselves to just do it instead of procrastinating? I know I feel better after I work out, physically and mentally, so I don't understand why I'm not more consistent with it.

[Rhapsody]

Well first thing first, keep in mind that it takes 30 days for something to become a habit.... so commit to a month of exercising and see how it goes, maybe get a friend to help out during those thirty days.

AND - if that does not do the job, then cut out a PIC of a sexy female body and then paste your head shot over her head - NOW place it on the FRIG!!!


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[wi_fighter]

hahahahahahaha

Nah, don't want to trick myself into thinking I already look like that. How about putting a sexy, half-naked picture of a guy up on my computer for motivation?

[Rhapsody]

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wi_fighter said:
How about putting a sexy, half-naked picture of a guy up on my computer for motivation?

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YEP................ that would do it for ME - lol lol lol.


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[wi_fighter]

Marky Mark in his Calvin Klein days comes to mind. Man, was that boy sexxxxxy. He still is, just in a more mature way. :drooooool:

[wi_fighter]

OK, OK, back on track. I need some tools here people.

one thing that helps me is putting on headphones and walking while listening to music that i really like. if you listen to just one CD, that's a pretty good walk. then i start feeling like doing some of the other stuff. i only PROMISE myself one CD. then if i feel like 2, great........it's a start. and be sure it's something that you really dig..........p

[wi_fighter]

Hmmmm, I'll have to see if I can manage that when I do the Bar Method workout. I usually listen to the instructor, but I know the routine well enough that I don't need to any more. I feel so tight and toned after each session, that that in itself is motivation to keep going. It's the getting started part that I'm struggling with.

tight and toned oughta do it!

[Maven]

wi_fighter, I'm kind of in the same boat. I'm not seeking a guy right now, but I will be, and I like the strong, muscular handsome types, too. Yes, looks aren't the most important thing, but I do believe physical attraction is important. Anyway, I need to get my butt in gear, too. I know there are diet and exercise "clubs" and groups online, where you can kind of "team up" with a partner or do it with the group; even though you're working by yourself, you have the support of someone who's also doing it. You can also find groups, places for classified ads, and other sites online to find partners, not to mention in real life. I'd do a little research for you, but I'm short on time at the moment. If I get time later, and you want me to, I'll see what I can find for you. Just let me know.

[wi_fighter]

I got myself on the trampoline for 20 minutes this morning. Whooo hoooo!!! 20 minutes of rebounding is the same as 60 minutes of any other exercise.

Talking to this guy has given me some incentive. He was diagnosed with diabetes and has lost over 40 pounds since December by lowering his carbs and running on the treadmill. I kind of feel guilty when he gives me his progress and I haven't gotten around to doing anything since early March.

[Maven]

Congratulations! I wish I had a trampoline! I used to love those things! LOL! (Did I use enough exclamation marks? Here's some more, just in case: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I want to get control of my eating and start exercising before I get diabetes or anything like that. I feel guilty when I see people who work out everyday, have muscles and really take care of themselves. Then I go get some ice cream.

[wi_fighter]

hahahahahahaha, I'm right there with you on the ice cream.

The thing that baffles me is seeing the people who are already morbidly obese and they order a "Gotta Have It" size from Coldstone, in a waffle bowl, that's been dipped in chocolate and sprinkles. The ice cream alone for that size (397 grams) averages 940 calories. A dipped waffle bowl is 310 calories. Add in several hundred more calories for the candy mix ins, and we're talking around 1500 calories for what some would consider a SNACK!! That's more than I should eat for the whole day. I order the Like Its for the kids and a kid's size with just fruit for me, and I have a hard time finishing that because it's such dense ice cream. It's 170 calories for a Like It. I get even less than that. The fruit is around 35 calories. Now THAT is a snack.

I have a Needak rebounder. It's a little one, similar to the ones that are all over the infomercials right now for Urban Rebounding.

[h0kie]

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wi_fighter said:
The thing that baffles me is seeing the people who are already morbidly obese and they order a "Gotta Have It" size from Coldstone, in a waffle bowl, that's been dipped in chocolate and sprinkles.

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That's not a healthy snack (or even treat) for anyone, overweight or not.

[Sujin]

I try to exercise on a regular basis too. Of course I don't always want to. The thing that works for me is to just DO it. I don't give myself time to think about it, I just jump right into it without a second thought (before I talk myself out of it!) and before I know it, I'm feeling so good that I actually want to keep going until I finish!

The trampoline thing sounds fun!

Love,
Sujin

[wi_fighter]

Sujin, that sounds like me. If I plan too far ahead, I talk myself out of it too.

I need to just do it when I get the urge. My excuse is always "but I should keep working." Thing is, I'd waste more than 20 or 30 minutes doing something like this (reading and replying on the forums) instead of actually doing the work.

[Sujin]

Another thing I find that works is I have to exercise first thing in the morning, otherwise I get too caught up in doing other things (like being here, lol ) and then "later" turns out to be never! Also for some reason, I can't exercise if I eat first, I get sick to my stomach. Well I"d better sign out now so I can go exercise!

Love,
Sujin

[wi_fighter]

I exercised last night at 11:00 p.m. I got the urge to do my Raquel Welch yoga tape. It takes forever, a couple of the poses are downright painful because my bones get ground into the floor, and you're supposed to turn up the heat in the room for maximum muscle flexibility.

I was exhausted when I was finished.

I'm exactly like you. When I get the urge, I need to drop everything and just do it, or later becomes never. Then I feel even worse for letting myself down.

[(JD)]

While y'all are looking for things... let me know if you find or have a Tai Chi video or DVD,will ya? I've been looking IRL but can't find one anywhere. I did find a yoga book at Goodwill... but my body will NOT do that stuff. (PT says there are 2 yoga classes for disabled, but he thinks I MIGHT be able to do part of one of the classes only. I want Tai Chi again. It's on PBS but I'm not able to tape it... and I can't remember when it is anyway. sigh.

If you find it online, give me the link. (I'm really struggling lately) THANKS!

Hi! I used to struggle to get in exercise, I hated it! I tried to go 3x a week, at night , with my DH . Well there always was some excuse for not doing it.

3 years later, after about 6 mo. of therapy, trying to change my life stuff, I exercise almost everyday. I do yoga 2x week, lift weights 3 x a week, and do running or elipictical machine almost everyday. Now maybe seeing my T at the gym helped with my motivation, but I have been going regularly now for a year this month. Who would have thought? LOL I even ran in a 5k a couple of months ago, and Ihave another one next Sat. Now I am an exercise freak!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never thought this would happen to me!

So I guess what I meant to say in my earlier post, is that it is easier to exercise everyday than 3x a week because it becomes a habit. For me doing it first thing in the morning helps too, instead of night when I have much less energy. GOOD LUCK!!!

[wi_fighter]

_Sky, check www.gaiam.com They have all kinds of Tai Chi DVDs, among other stuff. I have some of their yoga vids. They have really relaxing, easy to listen to instructors.

[Sujin]

I've always wanted to learn Tai Chi. It looks so calming.

Exoticflower, you are an inspiration! I need to exercise as much as possible to keep my mind healthy (as well as body). It makes sense to exercise every day so that it becomes a habit. I just may try doing that, instead of 3 times a week. I have to admit though that I didn't exercise today. Oh wait, I kind of did...does going grocery shopping and lifting a package of Oreos into the cart count? Lol, I think I'll exercise tomorrow.

Love,
Sujin

Hi Sujin,

You are too funny! I bet you are at your pc eating oreo's dippin them in milk, aren't you? LOL Sounds yummy! I have tried to eat chocolate grams with milk and it is not the same. The only thing they are good for are smores!

Have you tried yoga? If you stick with it, it really teaches you to relax. The first time I tried yoga, I was so relaxed I came home I took a 3 hour nap, and I don't take naps. Now I use some of those relaxation techniques for trying to calm my mind so I can sleep, and when I feel stressed.

I know thinking of exercising everydays sound insane when it is so hard just to do 3x a week, that what I thought anyways. But when your body gets used to doing it, like after a month, you actually start to look forward to it and it seems like your body craves it. I think if I didn't exercise I would be in the corner drueling because of my stress. LOL Now I can't imagine my life without it, and that is just so fricking unbelieveable to me! LOL Well I think I better calm down, too much diet coke! Heehee :

[(JD)]

Thank you thank you!