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Exercise motivation?
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By *ovEyes OP Man
over a year ago
coventry |
Hey everyone,
How do you all motivate yourselves for exercise? I'm struggling, have done since 3 bouts of knee surgery some years back.
I need to lose some weight, I don't eat much naturally but to lose the weight I need exercise but just can never be motivated. |
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By *ovEyes OP Man
over a year ago
coventry |
"I find classes help. And an exercise you enjoy "
Classes are a great idea, I just need the motivation to turn up 
I was an avid sports player until my injuries, that kept me fit but it's not really a possibility now. |
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By *apidaryMan
over a year ago
Chipping Norton |
You have to find exercise you enjoy doing. The masochism to keep going with something that gives you no joy is not to be desired; much better to keep the weight and remain unfit.
But hit upon the activity that gives you pleasure, regardless of it being a chore from time to time, and you win both ways.
Not trying to be glib, & I realise it's hard (particularly as exercise is loathsome for the time you're starting out and are still unfit), but there's got to be something out there. Doesn't have to be flipping bits of iron over your head on Venice beach, it could be a regular stroll. But it's out there. Good luck! |
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By *ovEyes OP Man
over a year ago
coventry |
"The only motivation I need…….is to not want to die because of my obesity. "
What if yiu aren't obese, but carrying some extra pounds. Life's not in danger but you also aren't happy with your body? |
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By *ovEyes OP Man
over a year ago
coventry |
"You have to find exercise you enjoy doing. The masochism to keep going with something that gives you no joy is not to be desired; much better to keep the weight and remain unfit.
But hit upon the activity that gives you pleasure, regardless of it being a chore from time to time, and you win both ways.
Not trying to be glib, & I realise it's hard (particularly as exercise is loathsome for the time you're starting out and are still unfit), but there's got to be something out there. Doesn't have to be flipping bits of iron over your head on Venice beach, it could be a regular stroll. But it's out there. Good luck!"
Thank you, yes I need to find something I enjoy. Competitive sports was it, I've just never found a replacement. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The only motivation I need…….is to not want to die because of my obesity.
What if yiu aren't obese, but carrying some extra pounds. Life's not in danger but you also aren't happy with your body? "
There’s your motivation. The desire to improve your body to a place you’re happy with. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Just seeing the results in the mirror has helped me. I'm doing weight training rather trying to lose weight but looking in the mirror and going up in weight to progress has always motivated me  |
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By *apidaryMan
over a year ago
Chipping Norton |
"Thank you, yes I need to find something I enjoy. Competitive sports was it, I've just never found a replacement. "
I think that's a common predicament. When you've done a sport that you've really loved, what do you replace it with? Something you enjoy less, and are less good at? I think you have to, often; that's just the situation as we get older. There aren't many sports you can continue doing through life at the same level you managed in your twenties, and it's easy to be a little haunted by the change. I've always suspected that's why there are so many obese older ex-rugby players.
As others have said above, classes can be really helpful. You get an echo, a taste, of the camaraderie that makes team sport so pleasurable. |
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OP I made it a habit to exercise regularly. I told myself that people like me make time to exercise and I started to believe it. Now I have made that part of my identity it seems odd to me when I don’t exercise. |
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"I find classes help. And an exercise you enjoy
Classes are a great idea, I just need the motivation to turn up
I was an avid sports player until my injuries, that kept me fit but it's not really a possibility now. "
I hope it works out for you |
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By *oxy jWoman
over a year ago
taunton somerset |
my husband is a ill man so extercise is difficult but we brought a second hand running machine and its working very well for him he puts a record on and walks the duration of that album some might thinks its silly but hes lost over 3 stone in less than 8 weeks gentle exercise with big results ..
the other thing hes using is the revdite leg simulator to get his legs and circulation working again its working wonders |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Find yourself an accountability partner. Usually a gym friend who you can train with and then watch loads of YouTube videos on what exercises to to do and how to safely perform them (trust me this is important because I have a compressed vertebrae from improper form while lifting heavy as a teenager).
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By *ucka39Man
over a year ago
Newcastle |
Mark it on the calendar ahead then each day prior do a little bit of something. Doing it no matter how much it's still effort then gradually increase as you see little difference giving you motivation to progress further |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Another thing try using smart goals
Small
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time scale
Goals they help give you direction because a ship with no destination could end up travelling anywhere. So define what it is you’re looking to achieve?
Are you looking to lose weight?
Are you looking to gain muscle? If so how much muscle?
Are you looking to boost your mental health?
Are you looking to gain more confidence? If so what would confidence look like for you? |
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"You have to find exercise you enjoy doing. The masochism to keep going with something that gives you no joy is not to be desired; much better to keep the weight and remain unfit.
But hit upon the activity that gives you pleasure, regardless of it being a chore from time to time, and you win both ways.
Not trying to be glib, & I realise it's hard (particularly as exercise is loathsome for the time you're starting out and are still unfit), but there's got to be something out there. Doesn't have to be flipping bits of iron over your head on Venice beach, it could be a regular stroll. But it's out there. Good luck!
Thank you, yes I need to find something I enjoy. Competitive sports was it, I've just never found a replacement. "
Can you still play the sports you like, albeit at a lower/less competitive level? I don't know what injuries you have, obviously.
|
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"You have to find exercise you enjoy doing. The masochism to keep going with something that gives you no joy is not to be desired; much better to keep the weight and remain unfit.
But hit upon the activity that gives you pleasure, regardless of it being a chore from time to time, and you win both ways.
Not trying to be glib, & I realise it's hard (particularly as exercise is loathsome for the time you're starting out and are still unfit), but there's got to be something out there. Doesn't have to be flipping bits of iron over your head on Venice beach, it could be a regular stroll. But it's out there. Good luck!
Thank you, yes I need to find something I enjoy. Competitive sports was it, I've just never found a replacement.
Can you still play the sports you like, albeit at a lower/less competitive level? I don't know what injuries you have, obviously.
"
Sorry, you said knee surgery. Ignore me. But have you fully recovered so your knee is "usable/functional" or do you need to find something that puts no pressure in it/them? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Hey everyone,
How do you all motivate yourselves for exercise? I'm struggling, have done since 3 bouts of knee surgery some years back.
I need to lose some weight, I don't eat much naturally but to lose the weight I need exercise but just can never be motivated. "
Start with something achievable. Be it walk to the corner shop to buy the milk instead of nipping to Tesco and you inevitably buy more (that what I do anyway!), just make better choices not using the lift all the way up using the stairs for the last two floors, or even the escalator, don't use it use stairs.
Get yourself in a routine, if there is a swimming class on try that be it once a week to begin with.
Later once you've started that and got into a routine, maybe add a class, ask a friend to join you for a 5k park run etc, but you don't run, you walk.... That's what my advice would be. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Hey everyone,
How do you all motivate yourselves for exercise? I'm struggling, have done since 3 bouts of knee surgery some years back.
I need to lose some weight, I don't eat much naturally but to lose the weight I need exercise but just can never be motivated.
Start with something achievable. Be it walk to the corner shop to buy the milk instead of nipping to Tesco and you inevitably buy more (that what I do anyway!), just make better choices not using the lift all the way up using the stairs for the last two floors, or even the escalator, don't use it use stairs.
Get yourself in a routine, if there is a swimming class on try that be it once a week to begin with.
Later once you've started that and got into a routine, maybe add a class, ask a friend to join you for a 5k park run etc, but you don't run, you walk.... That's what my advice would be."
This  even if it’s only a run round the block and then next time maybe go for 2 until you can do more and more |
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You’ll always struggle if you rely on motivation because you’ll keep needing to find the next source of it.
You’re far better off using will power. If you don’t have much then develop it. Start small and work up.
Develop your mind and it’ll drag your body along with it |
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"Do you not think ju-jitsu would be a little dangerous with a knee injury? Especially in a sport where leg and knee locks are prevalent… "
Depends totally on the gym (and your training partners).
If you’re no gi heavy then mindfulness would be required but if you’re yes gi heavy heel hooks and most knee submissions are illegal in many comps (and thus not focused on) at lower levels |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Do you not think ju-jitsu would be a little dangerous with a knee injury? Especially in a sport where leg and knee locks are prevalent…
Depends totally on the gym (and your training partners).
If you’re no gi heavy then mindfulness would be required but if you’re yes gi heavy heel hooks and most knee submissions are illegal in many comps (and thus not focused on) at lower levels "
That would make more sense tbh! Are leg sweeps prohibited or again would that be discriminatory between training partners? |
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"my husband is a ill man so extercise is difficult but we brought a second hand running machine and its working very well for him he puts a record on and walks the duration of that album some might thinks its silly but hes lost over 3 stone in less than 8 weeks gentle exercise with big results ..
the other thing hes using is the revdite leg simulator to get his legs and circulation working again its working wonders "
That's a phenomenal weight loss in such a short time |
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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago
South Wales |
I detest formal exercise. Much prefer walking or putting some music on, closing the curtains and having a bop around the living room.
I used to have one of those little mini trampettes and I’d stick on a euphoric dance cd and do high leg jogging on the spot. That was fun.
Every bit helps! |
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Baby steps are probably better for you than huge leaps.
I agree with others that if you can enjoy what you're doing, you'll probably stick with it more readily.
If you can get others to join with you, for some/all of it, it could potentially ease you back into being more active and adhering to it.
One step at a time. Go easy on yourself as further, avoidable injuries are not the answer. |
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Motivation can be really hard. But just remember something is better than nothing. If you can't motivate yourself to do a session just do something. Even if that's to just go for a little walk or a 20 min youtube home exercise class, even a little light youtube yoga class. Doing something is 100% better than doing nothing. Also doing something little and light is far less daunting than doing something more intensive and/or long. And thus far more easier to motivate to do and achievable.
Then if you can master the attitude of a little something is better than nothing in your everday routine then you're more likely to naturally expand the scope of your exercise and your motivation as you go on. |
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"Hey everyone,
How do you all motivate yourselves for exercise? I'm struggling, have done since 3 bouts of knee surgery some years back.
I need to lose some weight, I don't eat much naturally but to lose the weight I need exercise but just can never be motivated. "
Just start walking more and build up from there.... you may not eat much but it's about what you eat |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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You cannot rely on motivation for consistent exercise.
Habit is the key. Start doing 10th minutes of exercise every day. Bump it upto 15 every day
Then 30 etc soon it'll be second nature and you've built the habit which requires little motivation. |
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"Hey everyone,
How do you all motivate yourselves for exercise? I'm struggling, have done since 3 bouts of knee surgery some years back.
I need to lose some weight, I don't eat much naturally but to lose the weight I need exercise but just can never be motivated. "
This is not motivation per se, but a behaviour that could work - it has helped me be more regular. Go to the gym in or near your office if there's one - take your workout clothes with you. You could do it morning/afternoon/evening depending on your preference - I do it in the evening after work. I find I don't have to generate motivation (which I would do if I were at home) because it becomes a habit. You've carried the clothes, may as well pop in, even if it's just for a shower (getting in is the hard part imo). |
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