HELP!!! I haven't committed any mortal sins here or anything, but I'm losing my edge! I don't feel the same fire I did when I started. My weight hasn't changed and I can't get the motivation I need to start the kind of workout plan that I need to! What the problem is, yo?
I've been packing my lunch. I'm still off caffeine and soda. I'm avoiding fast food. But even with all that success, I still can't pull it together to do a workout plan! Aaaaaaaarrrrrgh!
Do you remember what it was like when you were a kid? When you were in high school? Do you remember getting out of school, dropping your bags, changing clothes, and heading out to play? Play basketball? Play hockey? Play capture the flag? Play whatever? Totally physical all out playing? Now that's exercise. How did I get so tired? How did I lose my energy? Why aren't there enough hours in the day? When I'm done at work, I have work at home!
So... here's what I'm thinking. And I need you to tell me if this is possible or even beneficial: what if I really structured my week? What if I did an hour-by-hour plan for my day? I'm talking like 9-5 work, 5-6 rest/watch TV, 6-7 swim, 7-8 eat/relax, 8-9 read, 9-10 blog/read, 10-11 email, 11-12 get ready for tomorrow, 12 read/go to sleep. Would that work? Or would I abandon it as soon as the smallest interruption happened? If I did it, would that even be healthy or smart? I like planning, but I tend to be more easygoing and freeflowing. I'm not even sure that I'd like it. But would that be a way to help me stay on task? What do you think, Cachinnatees?
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9 Cachinnations
Just wait 3 weeks, then we can figure something out together...i've already told you that i'm bringing you something to help with the nail biting situation
Posted on 7/11/2006
Ugh... the whole morning workout thing sounds like punishment for crimes against humanity. Is there no other way???
Posted on 7/11/2006
As far as the excerise when you were a child, that was easy because it was fun. You've got to find something that you actually enjoy doing or enjoy enough to trick yourself into doing, and it might not be spending an hour on a treadmill each day. If I remember correctly, your beautiful wife is actually a kick-boxing goddess. I was with her in one of those classes, but I, however, was without such skills and found it to be a terrible experience. Now aerobics on the other hand, well that was more like dancing. I could trick myself there. So if you like sports maybe consider joining a rec league or find some excercise that is similiar enough to trick you into enjoying it.
As far as the hourly schedule, it really depends on your personality. Some people just aren't good with schedules and feel very confined and frustrated trying to follow them (yours truly). Outside of appointments that I have to meet, I pretty much keep a running list of things to do and move from one to another as they're done or I need a change. Schedules do help you get things done but won't be followed very well if that's not who you are. (Was that unhelpful or what?). Of course, excercise you've probably got to schedule especially if you're going to do it with someone else, another very helpful motivator.
Posted on 7/11/2006
First, don't let one week get the best of you. You are making a LIFESTYLE change, you aren't on a diet. LIFESTYLE changes don't guarantee weight loss every week, in fact some weeks you may even gain a pound or to...you can't let that decide if you are successful or not--AND most importantly you can't let it de-motivate you.
I'm telling you, the am workout may seem like a crime against humanity, but once you get used to it, you will actually have more energy and be able to get up at hours you didn't even know existed. There are so many benefits:
1. You're metabolism is higher throughout the day because you gave it a jumpstart first thing in the morning.
2. You've set the pace for the day. If you dragged your behind out of bed and made the effort to work out, you are much more likely to feel more positive about your day and make wiser food choices.
3. You get it out of the way. Nothing happens in your normal routine before 9am anyway, so nothing can distract you from your "schedule" of working out. Conversely, I-like Meg-can't handle that kind of set "this is how your life is going to be every single day, no spontaneity allowed because you will get off track" pace because I will feel like a failure daily when something will ALWAYS come up.
I could go on, but the bottom line is try it. Gyms/YMCAs/Fitness Centers, etc. don't open at 5am for nothing. I've been working out in the am consistently (every weekday) for 6 years (baring broken ankles, illness and vacation of course), and I love it now. Sure, there are days when I'd rather sleep in, but getting out of bed and making time for me is much more gratifying than sleeping in. Give it a try! :)
Sending lots of hugs of encouragement!!
Posted on 7/11/2006
also, how do you feel about the gym? I have been surprised to find that I really like it. I start with a strength training program, working mostly my core, but doing a little arm and leg stuff, and by the time I am done with that, even if I was totally dragging before, my energy level is high enough to do treadmill/eliptical/exercise bike (I rotate them from day to day so I don't get bored). The morning really is the way to go, much as you don't like to hear it, you will have more energy all day.
Posted on 7/11/2006
also, if you have been workng out, remember that muscle weighs more than fat, so weight is not really a clear indicator of what's going on, if you need a measurement, the better one is your waist measurement. I don't remember the ideal ratio for men but for heart health what you really want to do is lose the fat around your middle.
Posted on 7/11/2006
It seems you're bombarding yourself with the idea that you have to "exercise everyday". You don't have to everyday, maybe 3-5 times a week just as long as you don't go over 48 hours without it. Then change it up a bit. Use the buddy system. Pick one day to play basketball with buddies. Take Beeki dancing on a Saturday night. Walk the dogs. Go water skiing. Make it more recreational so you look forward to it rather than seeing it as a chore you have to do everyday. It's all psychological.
Also...did you know that air conditioning is one of the factors in weight gain? Our metabolisms adjust to temperature. The colder it is, the more we eat. If you spend more time in the sun, your metabolism will increase. Have fun!
Posted on 7/11/2006
Sarah, I think watching Cach take Beeki dancing would be excersise for us all. I know i'd get my ab workout just from laughing uncontrollably for the evening.
But she is right, don't make it a chore, make it fun. I say we buddy up and find fun things to do. We could walk the dogs around the bear trail and flirt with freshman girls...or mock the fact that they wear makeup and $100 outfits to run in.
Um or we could find other stuff to do...I hear MarioKart is good excercise for the thumbs!!
magic word - hcwhul - the exercise form of using sad little pointless dogs to pick up girls...I happen to be an expert
Posted on 7/11/2006
So, do you play racquetball?
I don't, but I've heard that it's a great workout. What if you found a racquetball buddy and scheduled the times, maybe 2 days a week, to go play? Then, you'd have to get there, or your buddy wouldn't get to play. And he could then call you a jerk. Which I'm sure you'd want to avoid at all costs. Well, then again, I think Don Boscoe already has a handle on putting you down, so you're probably used to things like that. =-)
Posted on 7/11/2006