Healthy Weight Loss

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by sylvie

i soooo struggle with motivation for exercise..
i get out and walk when i need to go places, but i need motivation to get up and moving every day, more than just walking to work and back..

i have tons of things i could do, i have a gym membership, i have an elliptical here at home, ive DVD's, i have a stepper and other small exercise tools, weights, i have a bike i could ride the trails at the lake here near home - the list goes on and on...

what things get you all motivated to just do it!?
i know once i get at it, i feel great about doing so.. i need to be consistent though, thats where my motivation lacks!

What works best for YOU? Do you need an immediate reward or can you work towards a reward goal?

For example, I could go buy a dress that I really wanted if I worked out for x number of days continually or on schedule. Or I could allow myself a half an hour of personal, just for me time after each workout of a half hour or more. Or for every day you work out, put x amount of money aside for a future pleasure.

It's nice to say that the workout is motivation enough, but sometimes it's not. Sometimes you need that extra push to get you there and through it, even though you know it is good for you.

I do agree that doing something you enjoy for the workout is important, otherwise you'll come to resent the workout and that's not the path to follow.

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by Gemme

What works best for YOU? Do you need an immediate reward or can you work towards a reward goal?

For example, I could go buy a dress that I really wanted if I worked out for x number of days continually or on schedule. Or I could allow myself a half an hour of personal, just for me time after each workout of a half hour or more. Or for every day you work out, put x amount of money aside for a future pleasure.

It's nice to say that the workout is motivation enough, but sometimes it's not. Sometimes you need that extra push to get you there and through it, even though you know it is good for you.

I do agree that doing something you enjoy for the workout is important, otherwise you'll come to resent the workout and that's not the path to follow.

I love this idea.

I'm not a person who enjoys excercise...unless flopping around in the pool in slow motion is exercise.

I like walking on the beach, but we don't get to do that as often as we like due to work schedules....at least not often enough to qualify as regular exercise.

We got the Mobia, and I just need to get my rear up on it and walk every day. It (clearly) will work....it just isn't fun. I can distract myself with TV and it's in the air-conditioned house - which helps a great deal. But that's like removing some of the pain...not a reward.

I think I need to set up a reward system for myself. Maybe I'll print up a calendar and check off every day I get on the Mobia....and give myself a new book on the Kindle for every x number of days or something. Details to be arranged.

[sylvie]

Originally Posted by Gemme

What works best for YOU? Do you need an immediate reward or can you work towards a reward goal?

For example, I could go buy a dress that I really wanted if I worked out for x number of days continually or on schedule. Or I could allow myself a half an hour of personal, just for me time after each workout of a half hour or more. Or for every day you work out, put x amount of money aside for a future pleasure.

It's nice to say that the workout is motivation enough, but sometimes it's not. Sometimes you need that extra push to get you there and through it, even though you know it is good for you.

I do agree that doing something you enjoy for the workout is important, otherwise you'll come to resent the workout and that's not the path to follow.

Gemme!!
thank you! its kind of funny, my counsellor just suggested this very thing for me yesterday, even. to set some goals, if i complete the things i want as a way to motivate myself, and i have to say it works.. today i jumped right to it =)

but i also love your idea of putting money aside too, for someone who lives pay to pay and has 2 teenagers eating me out of the home - money has been a struggle of mine.. but putting a lil aside here and there, would be the best idea because then it wouldnt be so hard come reward time ..

you always have such great ideas!! ♥ *smiles* thank you!

[sweetfemme247]

I am having a issue with exercising to lose weight, I dont want to walk alone, if I have to I wont do it. no one in my family will go with me.... it is hard for me to lose weight also due to my thyroid and it doesnt work very well.

[sylvie]

Originally Posted by sweetfemme247

I am having a issue with exercising to lose weight, I dont want to walk alone, if I have to I wont do it. no one in my family will go with me.... it is hard for me to lose weight also due to my thyroid and it doesnt work very well.

sometimes it isn't fun to walk alone for sure.. i was the same way, but then i started making some walking buddies which was great at first, but then when the novelty wore off for them, i had no walking buddy again..

i eventually found it better to just get up and go.. if i know i need to go walking but dont feel motivated, i find things i can do , ex: running an errand, ill walk and go do it.. its much easier if there is a reason to get yourself moving sometimes..

or maybe get yourself an mp3 player or ipod, if you are a music lover like i am.. i dont have one yet, but think i will get one , one day soon.. because music makes me boogie and i enjoy the walk much more.. so just find reasons to get out there, because once you DO get out there, you'll feel wonderful for having done it! promise! =)

[PinkieLee]

Originally Posted by sweetfemme247

I am having a issue with exercising to lose weight, I dont want to walk alone, if I have to I wont do it. no one in my family will go with me.... it is hard for me to lose weight also due to my thyroid and it doesnt work very well.

Like Sylvie said, try listening to music to get you motivated. If you don't feel like walking alone, put on your headphones or crank up the music and dance your booty off in your room. Hey, 30 minutes of moving your body does wonders for your mood & burns calories, too!

GOOD LUCK honey!