X Post - How to stay motivated?

Anyone have any suggestions on how to stay motivated on the workout tip?  For the first eight months of this journey, I was going to the gym and doing water aerobics.  It was working out well and I was motivated to continue going and working out at least five times a week.  Well, I started noticing that it was getting cold out and the gym pool cleanliness was declining, so I started dry workouts and I cannot stick with it.  They suck A$$!  I hate sitting there riding a bike and going no where.  So, I am starting a new gym tomorrow to try and combat the pool cleanliness problem, but I am worried.  I will do well for a few weeks and then backslide for a few week and the cycle continues.  I know that exercise is the most important component of this journey.  But continuing to see the scale move downward without working out kind of has a complacent effect on me.  So, I ask, does anyone have any advice on how they keep their self motivated to continue working out? Any kind of personal reward system that has worked?  Or does anyone mind sharing a workout routine that they really enjoy?  Maybe I just need to try something new?  Would hiring a personal trainer help me to learn to enjoy the workouts anymore? 

If you have not entered any races, I'd start there.  They are a great motivation.  You don't have to be fast.  Many people walk local 5K's and lots of people here will tell you that they are addictive.

Yep, what Scott said,  sign up for an event.
Put your money where you mouth is so to speak.
find a running or cycling or triathlon event you think would be fun to do.
Pay for it right now.  That always forces me to keep going to the gym.  It is financial motivation.
OH yeah and I tell lots of people I am going to do it and when it is.  It makes it harder to back out of it.
If the wasted money of not going doesn't motivate you, then possibly the blak eye of telling everyone then not doing it will.

Plus you just might find that you really like it.

It depends on how you respond to the trainer.  For example, I'm a slacker on the weights, I don't enjoy them, never have, never will.  That being said, I know they are good for me and any extra muscle I can build is good for me and in many cases benefit the exercises and races I do like to do.  I need the drill instructor kind of trainer.  Someone who motivates and won't let me quit.


Scott

There are PLENTY of other options at the gym aside from the pool or bike! Try an aerobics class, kick boxing, yoga, try weight training, try walking on the treadmill, eliptical, walk outside, walk the mall, Wii Fit, etc, the tools are there, you just have to use them. As for motivation, we all have different reasons for doing what we do. Why did you have this surgery in the 1st place? Focus on that, and use that as your motivation. Many times when I have a treadmill workout, I bring a picture of the old me and place it on the treadmill in front of me, and that motivates me. Best of luck...

You have to find something you love to do. Otherwise, you aren't going to do it long-term.

Also, you need long-term goals.

A LOT of people have a goal of losing weight and only exercise until they get to goal. Then they have issues with regain. So think of the exercise as being for maintenance and not for losing and that should help.

If you have goals beyond losing weight, you will keep it up after you get to goal. It can be a race or an event or it can be to get to a certain body fat %. And, when you get to that goal, set another one!

I would agree with some of the other posters that there's lots you can do besides sitting on a bike.  If your gym offers classes try one of them.  Even if you're not coordinated, like me, it will get you moving.

For me, when I started this journey, I hired a personal trainer.  Of course I have always liked to workout and when I got so heavy I didn't enjoy it that much, but now that I'm thinner, I look forward to my workouts and what my body is capable of doing.  It also helped in toning the muscles beneath the skin so the saggining isn't AS bad as it might have been.

I try to mixup my workouts.  I spin at least once a week sometimes twice.  I lift weights a couple times a week and do cardio a couple times a week.  Just depends on the week and my schedule.

Find something you like and as you see the results you'll feel so much better and "need" the endorphin from working out.

Franci