Ways to stay committed to working out?
How do you do it? I could workout solidly for a week and then the next week, I'll have something from school(AP homework, brothers' homework, projects) that I desperately need time to work on, forcing me to skip working out for that day. Despite I feel I didn't really have a choice, I always feel really guilty about missing a workout. Same thing when I am sick or on the road too late into the night. Then the next day, I start making up fake excuses not to go. How can I quell the guilt and start sticking to my workout? Envisioning myself with the body I want doesn't help because I can't bring myself to believe in it completely because of how many times I've tried and failed.
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8 Answers to "Ways to stay committed to working out?"
Posted by CrazyHappySad Mar 4th, 2013 at 6:41PM
I struggle with this too. The longest I've kept up a workout routine is for about 6 weeks. So i probably won't be a lot of help. Anyways what I try is to do the fun things that I enjoy. I can't just get on a treadmill---really bores me out and drains me. I like Zumba and Yoga, so I'll go to the classes. Another thing is to be gentle with yourself and forgive yourself if (and usually when we fail) because its natural to fail. The key is to keep getting up! And I like to tell myself that every little counts. So if I don't feel like a 30 minute workout, I convince myself to go on a 5 minute walk. Once I'm out there I end up staying longer, and it becomes a fairly good workout. I guess the only way to stay committed is by incorporating exercise as important in your life as brushing your teeth in the morning is. It may never be something we love as much as cookie dough ice cream (although, some people may feel this way, and that's great!). It does get easier to push yourself the more habitual it becomes, but there will always be "lazy days" and days you just can't get yourself to get up. And its OKAY to have those days once in a while.
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Posted by blonde10 Mar 4th, 2013 at 6:40PM
I workout every day although I do skip the odd weekend just because. It does take at least one month to get into the routine. Find an activity that you enjoy or that is easily accessible - driving 20 minutes to go to the gym seems silly to me so I choose to workout at home or go running outside. I take my dog along so he can benefit too. I do weights early morning and if I dont I fit it in before dinner. Honestly sometimes I feel like ditching the workout but I always feel invigorated and happy afterwards. Guilting yourself is not a good thing just try again.
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Posted by sparke7722 Mar 4th, 2013 at 7:23PM
Hahahaa OMG you basically just described my life! We should work out together! I actually had to skip a workout today because of intense amounts of calculus, and I am currently feeling guilty. Basically how I make myself feel better about it is I think " one healthy meal doesn't make me fit/skinny, so one bad meal full of junk food won't make me fat. Similarly, one good workout won't automatically make me fit/skinny, so one off day really isn't such a big deal." Don't get discouraged if you can't workout every single day, life gets in the way sometimes! Just try to prioritize working out and do your best to squeeze it into your schedule. I also always use the free website "MyFitnessPal" to imput and track my workouts, and for some reason, that motivates me.
Good Luck!
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Posted by genspirii Mar 4th, 2013 at 7:02PM
Daily workout is so integrated into my life I rarely miss simply because it's habit. Also...I like the feeling it provides of happiness and well-being. And of course, the most important, energy that lasts long after everybody else is lying all over the couch at night, looking like the biggest spuds in the place. Yeah, not pretty.
If you're a morning person work out then. If you're a night owl, do it at night. Make it as easy to fit it into your schedule as possible and it will be easier to build a new habit. I've been working out regularly for almost 2 years now, the first six months were the hardest. You have to really want it.
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Posted by hollywoodlegs Mar 4th, 2013 at 6:45PM
If you can find an answer, let me in on it.
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Posted by wetcrotchboots Mar 4th, 2013 at 6:40PM
look at urself in the mirror naked?
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Posted by HTH83 Mar 4th, 2013 at 6:39PM
...I saunds to me that you are not entierly committed to you health, and that you have forgotten what made you choose work out in the first case... and to get there, remember, stay committed and motivated...
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Posted by openshadows Mar 4th, 2013 at 6:37PM
A big part of it for me starts with getting a routine established. If I can commit for two weeks, that gives me some momentum to continue, and reduces my ability to make excuses. Beyond that, if I can do something - anything - while I'm working out, it helps me maintain the commitment. If it's a cardio day, I have some reading with me. On a weights day, I may have audio books, or just treat myself to some music.
Once I start seeing progress, it makes it easier to keep things tangible. I know how much ground an hour workout buys me - or how much ground I can lose with an extra snack or drink.
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