NB- needing motivation to work out prior to surgery
Hey I'm Jess and I'm new to this board. I am 24 and just finishing up my appts to have the surgery. I actually find out today if I'm approved for surgery. *fingers crossed!* My dietician is wanting me to start a workout regimine prior to surgery which I completely understand. However I am having the worst time with motivation. I have always had a problem with exercise and I know I need to kick it in the butt now and deal with this before I even have surgery. Any tips that could help me with my lack of motivation? Any ideas would be fantastic! Thanks so much!
~Jess
~Jess
I think of my exercise as time I'm investing in myself. I have a 3 year old son whom I stay at home with during the day, teach music lessons in the afternoons and teach group fitness classes...so I'm busy! My workout time is my time.
Exercise will help tone you up a lot, especially after you have lost the bulk of your weight. My biceps, triceps, chest, shoulders and back look great because I've really worked at them. I have muscle definition that I never knew I could have. Exercise may not make us swim suit models but I can't stress enough how much it will help your skin. The biggest benefit is just overall health, energy and well being. I have to have endurance when I'm chasing around my son but I have to have it too when I'm teaching an hour long biking/conditioning class.
Make goals for yourself. If you can't run a mile but have wanted to, make it your goal to jog .25 of a mile and walk the rest of the way for the next two weeks. Then bump it up for another 2 weeks, etc. Incentives work too...I'm going for a manicure/pedicure tomorrow as a reward for all my hard work training lately. I'm super pumped!
Lastly, be sure to try lots of new things so your routine doesn't get boring. Try classes, DVD's, walking, hiking, dancing, anything. This will not only help with preventing boredom but it can also help break plateaus.
Good luck!
~Emily~
Exercise will help tone you up a lot, especially after you have lost the bulk of your weight. My biceps, triceps, chest, shoulders and back look great because I've really worked at them. I have muscle definition that I never knew I could have. Exercise may not make us swim suit models but I can't stress enough how much it will help your skin. The biggest benefit is just overall health, energy and well being. I have to have endurance when I'm chasing around my son but I have to have it too when I'm teaching an hour long biking/conditioning class.
Make goals for yourself. If you can't run a mile but have wanted to, make it your goal to jog .25 of a mile and walk the rest of the way for the next two weeks. Then bump it up for another 2 weeks, etc. Incentives work too...I'm going for a manicure/pedicure tomorrow as a reward for all my hard work training lately. I'm super pumped!
Lastly, be sure to try lots of new things so your routine doesn't get boring. Try classes, DVD's, walking, hiking, dancing, anything. This will not only help with preventing boredom but it can also help break plateaus.
Good luck!
~Emily~
"Tis better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you are not"
I used to hate any form of physical activity before surgery. When I made my decision to have the surgery it just sort of clicked that to get what I want I have to actually WORK for it... and that included working out! It was definitely hard to start out, but after a while I started to look forward to going to the gym... It was my time to zone out and just do something for myself.
I used to hate the treadmill and the elliptical, so I would go to the classes that my gym offered. Zumba is a super fun class which helps take your mind off the fact that you're exercising. I also tried Yogalates, which was relaxing but at that point I couldn't do half the moves that the old ladies in my class were doing ;p The classes motivated me to go because they were fun, and you make friends there who actually care if you miss a class.
Also, the whole training for a goal thing really works! I used to think I could NEVER run on a treadmill, I was terrified to sound like an elephant running around a circus. My friend convinced me to try this trick that trains you to jog... you walk 4 minutes and then jog for 1 minute at whatever pace is comfortable for you... when you find that your recovery time (gasping for air is what my recovery time is haha) is getting shorter you decrease your walking time to 3 minutes and run for 1 minute. then walk for another 3, run for another minute. It sounds crazy but it works because it gives you something to focus on and lets you get competitive with yourself.
Lastly, I found the thing I enjoy the MOST is lifting weights. I like to see the sheer power of my muscles increasing. The results are undeniable, and again, counting gives you something to focus on.
So heres what I learned:
1. always bring music with you
2. if you find yourself staring at the seconds ticking by on the machines, bring something to cover it up like a magazine, a book, or even a sweatshirt... if you're not staring at the clock it certainly feels like it goes by faster.
3. mix it up! doing the same work outs EVERY DAY is boring and definitely not motivating. go to classes, do the elliptical/treadmill/bike, go for a walk in the park. as long as you're moving you're doing GREAT!
4. track your activity minutes on here! it keeps you honest and makes you realize just how many calories you did burn.
5. you don't have to do this alone. find a buddy to work out with... it makes it harder to flake out on work out dates because that person is depending on you
good luck!
-Jessica
I used to hate the treadmill and the elliptical, so I would go to the classes that my gym offered. Zumba is a super fun class which helps take your mind off the fact that you're exercising. I also tried Yogalates, which was relaxing but at that point I couldn't do half the moves that the old ladies in my class were doing ;p The classes motivated me to go because they were fun, and you make friends there who actually care if you miss a class.
Also, the whole training for a goal thing really works! I used to think I could NEVER run on a treadmill, I was terrified to sound like an elephant running around a circus. My friend convinced me to try this trick that trains you to jog... you walk 4 minutes and then jog for 1 minute at whatever pace is comfortable for you... when you find that your recovery time (gasping for air is what my recovery time is haha) is getting shorter you decrease your walking time to 3 minutes and run for 1 minute. then walk for another 3, run for another minute. It sounds crazy but it works because it gives you something to focus on and lets you get competitive with yourself.
Lastly, I found the thing I enjoy the MOST is lifting weights. I like to see the sheer power of my muscles increasing. The results are undeniable, and again, counting gives you something to focus on.
So heres what I learned:
1. always bring music with you
2. if you find yourself staring at the seconds ticking by on the machines, bring something to cover it up like a magazine, a book, or even a sweatshirt... if you're not staring at the clock it certainly feels like it goes by faster.
3. mix it up! doing the same work outs EVERY DAY is boring and definitely not motivating. go to classes, do the elliptical/treadmill/bike, go for a walk in the park. as long as you're moving you're doing GREAT!
4. track your activity minutes on here! it keeps you honest and makes you realize just how many calories you did burn.
5. you don't have to do this alone. find a buddy to work out with... it makes it harder to flake out on work out dates because that person is depending on you
good luck!
-Jessica
Most Active
Recent Topics
