Motivation

[Hannah]

I hope it's ok to start a discussion -- I still find ning confusing. I thought this would be a good topic to be a discussion though vs just a comment. I lost my motivation to exercise. I work in a store so December was the busiest time. At first I exercised before work thinking it would give me energy but it didn't work that way. I have to be on my feet all day and adding to it at the start of the day proved to be too much. What might have helped is if I'd done a little after work, but I never could get myself to do it. I even bought yet another DVD, this one a really boring yoga one but which was supposed to give me the opportunity to do something very low key and low energy while still being exercise. At any rate, December's over, but I just lost the inspiration I had when I first joined this group and I don't know what to do to get it back. So, here's the question, and I'm sure others can benefit from the groupthink at various times on various health issues: what works for you when you feel unmotivated?

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

Dancing is a lot of fun for me, yet I don't do it on a regular enough basis for it to really help with weight loss. I've got to start walking regularly as a part of the Vein of Gold routine, so that should help a lot, not only with getting into a regular habit but with being able to see things up close and personal that never are noticed while driving. I want to do Yoga and I've not been motivated to do it at home. I feel if I join a group and pay for it, it will motivate me to get started at last, and then I can begin doing it on my own at home. There's a fitness place offering $20 per month with no contract, but exercising with machines is totally boring to me.

[Dan Goodwin]

I walk a lot, and dance even more. I had about 10 days off dancing over Christmas, then when I went back on Tuesday, I started with a fairly fast dance with one of my favourite partners, Wendy. We were both a little breathless at the end, and I was quite shocked as I think I'm pretty fit. Just shows how easy it is to get out of practice and fitness.

I agree with Barb, exercise in a gym or at home is totally uninspiring to me and come to think of it, I've never even stepped foot in a gym. It's such an unnatural and sterile environment. So exercise for me has to be combined with something fun or inspiring. Dancing is brilliant fun, and walking I like because I can put my ipod on and listen to music, or a podcast or a teleseminar whilst I'm doing it. Often too I go out walking and take my camera, so I have two purposes - 1. Exercise and fresh air and 2. Taking photos, which in turn helps stimulate all other forms of creativity...

So Hannah, being a dance convert myself, I'd ask is there a similar group or club you could join? Or a walking group? Over here we have the Ramblers Association, I don't know if there are similar groups in the US, even in Cities there are parks and national forests and so on aren't there?

Dan

[Carol Clark]

Barb,

I agree, it's very hard to exercise at home or with machines. Having just said that, we're buying a treadmill because I love and need to walk, and there are days in Jan/Feb when it is just too cold to do that for any length of time outside. With my anxiety, sometimes walking is the only thing that helps. Freedom... I can walk wherever it takes me.

I've made a 2009 resolution to walk 4X/week, at least 30-40 minutes each time. I'm keeping up OK so far. I printed out a "monthly walking log" from a website (about.com), and I mark my progress there. I printed a duplicate log for my writing - so there are two on my wall. I am trying to make the writing thing happen every day now, I really want to be published.

Good luck with your fitness plans,
Carol

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

Sounds good, Carol! Any chance you could post a link to that "monthly walking log"?

[Anne Westlund]

Motivation. I just ordered a dance video so hopefully that will help motivate me. I love dancing! There might be a dance place in town, but not out here. I should look into that. I agree, competition is a great spur. I also love to go swimming. I just seem to forget that. Hmmm......

[Hannah]

Oh, great! What kind of dance? Yeah I came home last night and forgot that I could have put in a little exercise time -- though I did remember in the morning when I didn't have the time. I did do some of my boring yoga tape the day after I posted though, so I feel like I got the ball rolling. This is just something I really need to be nudged about.

I just looked into organized dance lessons at your suggestion, Dan. The place I looked at is over my budget so I'll have to keep looking. I have two left feet but if I looked at it as just a commitment to move it would be worth doing. I just joined a Walking website which is supposed to help you find a group, too, but so far haven't seen that area of it.

I'm also a poor swimmer, but really love the water, it's just another thing that my ultra low budget has kept me from.

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

Is there a pool at your place, Anne?

[Anne Westlund]

There's a community club we belong to that has a pool. Don't get there that often though.

[Hannah]

So how are we all doing with our goals? I understand why some people would feel that getting out of the house is a requirement for them to exercise. I personally feel the opposite -- if I'm not motivated to work out in the comfort of my own home, there's not a chance in hell I'll be motivated to get dressed in street clothes, pack up, get out of the house, pay money, deal with others, deal with public transportation and someone else's hours (though there is a 24 gym a few blocks from me, and of course there's walking) which working out outside my home entails. I'm wondering if anyone would care to participate if I set up a Google account database where we could check in every day, just yes or no and maybe a space for any notes regarding that day, to keep us publically accountable for our goals?

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

Database would be okay by me. I'm not doing much yet besides contemplating which Yoga classes I can realistically get to and do on a weekly basis ... there are two that sound do-able for me. Daily walking hasn't become a reality yet, I've only ventured out once, because it's been so cold and windy. The community here is full of outdoor enthusiasts, being near a river and a ski resort, and people of all shapes and sizes are out walking in all kinds of weather, so at least I won't feel weird about it when I do get started ....

[Hannah]

Today I took a walk. I could have stayed out all day. I love the winter, hate the summer.