XOXO

Motivation is the main reason why people like me don't exercise... THERE IS NO MOTIVATION. Last year, my motivation was my wedding day. Now that I'm married I don't really have any motivation besides 'just being healthy'which, sadly, is not enough to keep me going. The only motivation I can think of for myself is being in excellent shape for when I start trying to get pregnant, but that is YEARS off for me. So I stay lazy... I honestly can't think of anything that would personally motivate me unless my doctor forced me to work out. It's just not fun for me. As a few other people said and I agree, going to the gym just isn't fun. If I had a way to go dancing or rock-climbing or maybe one of the martial arts (I've always wanted to try capoeira) as a way of getting the cardial and muscular work-out that my body needs... that would definitely get me going. But the issue with that is that is costs money. Time, for me, isn't a tremendous issue. I have time after work to exercise (but forget about mornings, I hate mornings and won't get out of bed for anything!!), although I do like to cook dinner at least a few nights a week.

So the motivation issue is NUMBER ONE for me, and I assume, other people like me (who seem to be plentiful in this thread!). Old habits die hard... it's difficult to make yourself be a fanatic about something that makes you physically uncomfortable for a long period of time. You know, 'no pain no gain'... For a lot of people the initial pain of getting in shape isn't worth it. Even though it does pay off and it doesnt hurt after a while... it's still tough to get through. Maybe Doctor's orders would help? If I was told my health is in major jeopardy I would (of course) do everything I can to improve it.

To get even MORE personal, I was a gymnast since I was a toddler through high school... in college I still worked out a lot but didn't do gymnastics anymore. After college I met my DH and got complacent because he loved me and I didn't 'need to look good to get guys' anymore, since I already had one! (DH is my first 'real' relationship). So I've gained about 20 pounds since college. Not TOO bad, but I'm very self conscious and I always call myself fat. Seriously, I do every day... just because I don't look as good as I used to. So, as someone who used to be VERY athletic, I have no logical explanation for why I don't enjoy working out anymore, especially since I am currently unhappy with the way I look.

And STILL I have no motivation!!! I don't get it either.

Holy cow, that was long-winded!! Great topic, Jenny!

on yah,

I do know the benefits.

SO very many of them, but I have other health issues that nearly dictate how much I can weigh comfortably which makes working out nearly useless as a weight control and more as a health issue and a feel good thing.

I have no desire to exercise - I get no enjoyment from it. I know the benefits and stuff but can't get myself to do it. I am not a lazy person and was a total tomboy in my younger days (as far as sports) and I walk everywhere just hate excerising. I find no fun in it and feel like I have too much else to do. From all around health perspective, I know I should but I don't. I thank my lucky stars that I have a good metabolism and that I am relatively thin/average. I think if I wasn't that way (my whole family is pretty much thin and doesn't exercise) that I may have more of a desire.

My DH is a gym nut and pretty all around healthy and has tried to make me enjoy it but it never works. We are buying a treadmill for Christmas - maybe having one in my house will make me get an urge - I want to but we shall see.

To answer your questions

My biggest problem getting to the gym is time
I get up at 6 and work until my work is done
get on the train get home usually around 7:30 - 8pm. FH gets home even later so i end up with all of the errands cooking and housework.
I try and walk and run on the weekends - if the weather permitts. I do alott more exercise in the summer as opposed to the winter because of all the outdoor activities swimming/watersking/walking ect.

Motivation would be - fitness/good body image/ being able to wear whatever I want.

i have no motivation. i've never really had to work out in the past, but now i'm realizing i have to (started to gain weight and just realizing the health benefits).

but i wake up at 5:30 and by the evening i'm just tired or there's other things to take care of. and i like spending my lunch hour eating.

i just ordered the pilates dvd's .. maybe those will get me to do some exercise in the evenings?

My problem with motivation is I need to kind of be angry to work out. Weird, I know. I guess because it's such a great de-stressor. After 3 consecutive days, though, I'm hooked again. That is until I get bored and frustrated w/ Bally's lack of diversity in their aerobics classes. I am a sporadic fitness freak. When I get into it, boy, I am a nut. But when I fall off, boy do I fall off. I've noticed it happens around the same time of year too, every year. Jan - May, I'm a health nut. The rest of the year, I'm a bum. Hey, can you explain that?

I refuse to waste my precious work out times waiting for machines at the gym, nothing infuriates me more. But that's also just a good excuse for not doing weights because FH does have a Bowflex!!

What would get me to go more? More diverse classes. As much as I love step, you gotta change it up once in awhile. More toning classes too since just standing there and curling weights bores me to death.

I am the queen of excuses..no time..too lazy..no motivation..you name it. If there was a reason for me not to move my body one inch farther than I had to I knew it!

Then I got sick..and I couldn't move. Total bedrest, swelling etc. and suddenly just walking to the bathroom became the biggest event of my day. After 7months of recovery the realization hit that I could not even walk thought the grocery store without my legs feeling like they would give out on me. I spoke to my doctor who sent me to physical therapy! I have never done so much work in my life. I hurt, I ached, I hated it...but I did it. I needed my muscles to relearn their job. It was hard, hard work. But after a few weeks I could feel the difference. Then when I completed my therapy I began working with a personal trainer to help me stay motivated. No it isn't cheap. But better to spend the money and be healthy and able to move than to keep that money in my wallet and be miserable. I have been working with her for about 6 weeks now and the results are amazing. However...she comes only one day a week for 45 minutes. The other days it's up to me to do it on my own. I have an exercise mat, a ball, and weights. All told they cost less than $100. I make sure that I make time every day, even if it's only 30 minutes, to do the work. Most days I don't want to, not even one bit. But then I remember what it was like when I couldn't walk and my ass hits that mat!

Take the time for yourself. It's not easy, but then again what worthwhile thing is easy?

I like exercising and I love my Step and Cardio classes. I actually look forward to going to my Step and Cardio classes. (I know, I know, I am weird!)

It's just part of my routine and the days that something comes up and I can't get to my class I am annoyed. I really try not to schedule any appointments on the days I go to the gym.

What I do have a hard time with is Body Sculpting and/or Lifting weights. I get bored doing it and I don't know what do, I am lost.

See the reaon why I love my classes is because the instructor is telling you what do, you are concentrating on getting the routine, the music, the energy from the people around you, therefore the hour goes by quickly.

jenny2penny, I actually sent you an FM asking for some advice.