Stuck in an exercise rut

I think it's natural to eventually become used to a routine and feel it's not doing as much for you as when you began.  I think it is necessary to mix it up a bit every now and then - some days are more fun and others are harder.  Just keep at it!

I'm afraid that I'm not great at the 'exercise' thing, so I wear a pedometer to make sure that I move my tail and for the most part that seems to work. I move more when I have it on. It's like a game to see how many steps I can rack up. I have joined a gym, but then I have to admit to letting it slide at the first opportunity.

I think that for me, exercise is more about changing my lifestyle so that I have a much more active, physical lifestyle, than prescribed exercise classes. I found that I just don't seem to stick to them. So, for me, doing things like gardening, mowing the lawn, etc... Are things that I like to do now and never did before. I think it's more about making sure that you move and that sometimes you move enough to really work up a sweat, rather than if you do a prescribed exercise regimen. 

Oh I definitely experience this. I think if we do the same routine we become bored. It is like ok I mastered that. What is next ? The key is finding a couple of things we like doing and switching. If we don't like doing it we will have a hard time keeping motivated and will make excuses not to do it. Many of us are an expert at that. I know I am. That is one thing I am still working on. See you lighter . Joanne Hammond ( Certified OH Support Group Leader ) in Delaware

Exercise is a four letter word and should be banned from our language.  Erase it. Forget it.  Stop thinking about it that way.  "Exercise" sounds sooooo.....negative!!

I train.  I am in training. 

Pick something....a 5k, a 10k, a Zumbathon, a bike ride, a dance class....and then train for it.  And don't just talk about it.  Register.  Pay for it.  Enter the event.  Get the exact date, plot it on a calendar and then figure out what you need to do to get there.  If you have no idea, get a book, hire a trainer, or better yet - ask someone who has already done one. 

Need family support?  Pick the Disney Half Marathon, a charity swim off the coast of Kona, a bike ride through the Rockies, hiking the Grand Canyon, snorkeling in the carribean.  I guarantee you, that if you tell your family that their job is to support you in training for an event where they get to go along as your crew, they will be all over it. 

Want community support, get involved with Team In Training.  A great cancer charity that has professional coaches that train groups of people for events all over the world.  You'll be training and traveling with the same people so you'll be sure to make new friends.  The friends and the coach are sure to look for you at training sessions.

 At this moment I haven't been exercising that much.   I know that I should and I am about to change this.   I know in the beginning of my WLS journey.....I worked out 6 days a week at Curves.   I loved it but I certainly did get into a huge rut.   Everyday I would do the same thing.....with little to no results.   Then I joined a "real gym" soon I was seeing great results till the gym cancelled my exercise classes.   I have a new gym membership that I am about to activate and then I will make sure not to get into any ruts there.    I am so excited about the membership to that gym and the joy that it is going to bring me.


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

I alternate my routine on my weight machine and btween walking and bicycling.

there's that word again!  Honestly, when you have a friend that pushes and you push back it becomes a routine.  Anything from Y to home gym to walking WalMart several times a day is a good thing.  Meeting new friends at groups at the Y three times a week and water two times a week is wonderful...BUT I still don't like the word..

Eric, I understand your concern, but did you ever follow the KISS method? Keep It Simple Sir.

Yes variety is the spice of life, but when it comes to exercise and routines, there is an EXPERT Exercise GURU on every tv station, website and on every corner in your neighborhood. All with "THE ANSWER".

Every doctor I ever went to who had any objectivity to his advice on weight loss said the same thing. WALK, don't run, don't jog, don't do anything but WALK. Each day, walk a little further, stop and smell the roses, watch the birds, read labels in the grocery isle, count the items on a ROW in HOME DEPOT. Just WALK. Change your scenery, your location, your up down route but WALK.

Blessings. tannis z TN

Eric, did you ever hear of the KISS method, KEEP IT SIMPLE SIR.

I udnerstand your dilemma but stop and think.  There are EXPERT WL EXERCISE GURUs on every tv station, website and every corner of every city in America all with "THE ANSWER" to perfect Exercise methods.

Every doctor worth his salt has one piece of advice for exercise.  WALK.  Don't run, don't jog, don't stop.  WALK.  Stop and smell the roses, read the labels on grocery items, count the items on a row in Home Depot all the way to the end.   BUT WALK, take your time and WALK.  Only one's imagination will limit what one can do when they WALK.  Variety is the spice of life and WALKING can be varied every single step and every single day.  

KISS

Blessings
tannis z TN

Exercise has not always been my game. I hate it! But I try to get in the waking  at least  3 times a week. I was 410 pounds when I started back in 2005 down to 182 some where Id thought Id never see. Ive maintained and very proud of where am. So what I have going for me is working weather its right or wrong I fit in what can in my schedule. I don't put anyone down for there programs all are different and have to get in what time, they have some walk, some swim, some are at the gyms everyday, I don't have that time nor the money. So I use what I have around me an get by. Weather its soup cans  water jugs or just walking the dog around the blocks.  Use what you can in your own environments.