New to this board.....need help please!!!!!

As of Jan. 14th I became 3 yrs post op.  Started a new job about 9 months ago.  With the new and longer hours and stress of learning the new job - I have lost my workout routine.   I can't find it!!!!  I have made several attempts to get back on track and can't seem to stay on.  I want my motivation back.  I want everything to go back to revolving around my workout schedule - sounds selfish but that is how I became successful with my weightloss.  I don't like how I feel.  I feel tired all the time.  I feel the difference in my clothes and HATE it.  Why can't this be motivation enough for me to get back on track????  I used to be in the gym all the time - especially in the first two years.  I was there 5 - 7 days a week.  One thing I should mention, I have been having lower back issues since last summer.  I guess you could call them back spasms - extremely painful.  Pain radiates to my pelvic area and down the front and back of my legs - almost causing a paralyzed feeling.  I've been to a specialist, done an MRI (they say no pinched nerve).  Done physical therapy - which did nothing but aggrevate my back.  Gone to the Chiropractor, no help.  Drugs don't even take the pain away.  Went to the ER, they just drugged me up and sent me home.  I finally did get relief with magnets believe it or not.  So whenever I feel a spasm coming on I put this belt w/ magnets on the backside and seems to do the trick.  Except for this last episode I had about 2 weeks ago - for some reason it did not work.  But anyway, just trying to find my motivation.  Something!  Anything!  Any words of wisdom? Thanks, Carey

As with most things, never stop trying. I say start low and build with exercise. Set aside 15 minutes a day, preferably at the same time.  Get body out door/on treadmill/in pool/on bike, etc.  for that 15 minutes.  THAT is the hard part - butt off couch.  Ya recall that old saying, the journey of a 1000 miles begins wit the first step? Chances are you'll do more than 15 minutes, but if not, okay. 

You are right - I just have to get my butt up and do it.  I've already told my husband that I want to work out together on Saturday and Sunday.  I happen to have this Saturday off.  I'm thinking if he will go with me - it will motivate me.  I'm worried about aggrevating my back but I'm just going to do it.  I really do miss it.   Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it. Take care, Carey

Hiya Carey~ I've seemed to have lost my "mojo" for my exercise routine too and mine is due to a different work schedule (since October 06 I work from 4pm-2am Monday-Thursday). I cannot force myself to get up and out of bed to exercise or do anything before work hehe or after work. I do things on my days off..so I get maybe 3 days of exercise. I used to hit the gym every single day for a good two hours a pop and I loved it and I felt good. I feel so sluggish and just BLAH!! Maybe what we both need is a workout buddy on here and we can post if we did some kind of exercise for the day?! Sorry to hear about your back problems. Have you thought about some good meditation or even yoga to help? Just some suggestions :)  Take care! Bridgett

Hi Bridgett, Perfect wording, "mojo" - that's exactly it!  I was the treadmill queen!  I used to do interval training - run, power walk, run, power walk.  I had to - I couldn't get my heart rate up.  My goal was to actually run for a longer amount of time.  But it was taking it's toll on my back.  The problem w/ me is I'm all or nothing.  I have to get over myself.  I feel like if I don't work out at least 5 X a week it's not good enough so I don't do it.  I need to accept that fact that 3x is so much better than nothing!  I think the workout buddy is a good idea.  Maybe I need to be held accountable to someone else other than myself.  But yes, the back issues suck.  It is dibilitating - I'm too young to be having issues like this.

Thanks so much for your words of encouragement.

Take care,

Carey

work out buddies are nice, BUTT...they can become another excuse to not go - she didn't show up, so I got lazy, etc...I'm just sayin', don't get too attached. Most people are not real dependable. I also wanted to say that try to get outside once in a while - gyms can get SOOOOO boring.  No wonder most people quit - it can be mind numbing after a while.  Gym work is my plan B, of course I am spoiled to live in a fairly moderate area. But my 70+ mom still gets outside most days in northern Illinois! Outside is the best, even if used to break it up a bit!

It's been really chilly here in Michigan/Windsor lately.  We're expecting a heat wave today 44 F, woo - hoo!  I do plan on getting on the treadmill tomorrow.  Start out slow - hoping to not aggrevate my back.  But I hear what you are saying about the work out buddy.  My husband can be pretty motivational. 

I hate those feelings.  I have them also, as does most people...but I try to just force myself to get up and get dressed to work out.  Once I am at the gym it doesn't seem so bad any more.  And if I am in that draggin sort of mood when I get there...I'll just aim for 30 minutes...on something...treadmill, eliptical, whatever.  I know it so is much easier said than done.  Good luck

I agree with you.  If I can just get my butt in the gym then I'm good because that is what I am there for.  My goal is to get on the treadmill Saturday and Sunday.