Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Why Don't I Exercise Every Day?

I have a treadmill. Free weights. Yoga DVDs. Dance DVDs. A Wii. A Wii Fit. Running shoes. Athletic apparel. The big wide world out my door.



I have all these things, so tell me:

Why don't I exercise every day?

Exercising always makes me feel good, like I did something nice for my body. I like stretching and walking and pumping my arms.

It doesn't even take that long. I mean, twenty minutes on the treadmill or doing a Yoga DVD isn't a big time commitment.

So why am I not consistent? Why??

I'll exercise 4-5 days a week for months. Then the season changes or the kids add a sport or life gets thrown off by the hair of a dandelion fluff and, what do you know? My exercise routine waves bye-bye.

It's frustrating.

Anyway, I don't really have an answer at this point. I'm pushing myself now to move this body for twenty minutes a day--every day--and I can only pray this time I stick with it.

Do you have a hard time following through with a healthy habit? If not, what are your tips? 

Have a terrific day!

23 comments:

  1. Exercise was always one of the first things to go for me, too. Then I became diabetic, and it is REQUIRED, in order to keep my blood sugar down. So, tell yourself you're doing it for your future health. It's very motivating.

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    1. Good for you!! I agree--it is required. Exercise prevents so many diseases. I've just got to keep reminding myself of that!

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  2. I have the same problem, Jill. During the fall and summer I was power walking with weights every morning. When it cooled off I was riding a stationary bike in the basement for 15 mins. a day. Then it was every other day and then every once in a while. It's non existent now. I think it's just by the time we get the writing done, the laundry done, the meals done, the kids taken care of, and everything else ...well we just want a break. I just don't have the motivation after a busy day and a lot of mornings the opportunity passes by - I'm off and running. If you find a solution that works for us busy moms/writers please share. Great subject, by the way!

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    1. Christina, that's one of my big problems--the change of seasons. During the warmer months I'm outside walking every day. But winter! Ugh!! My good intentions dwindle. We will figure out a solution!!

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  3. I've been exercising consistently for two and a half months now and it feels wonderful. My secret? My kiddo finally went to first grade and I have a whole chunk of time to do whatever I want! NOT. I mean, yes, I have a chunk of time but exercising does take away about an hour and a half of my writing time. It's a sacrifice, but a good one. I've lost weight and I feel good. The other trick? I find a show I get addicted to and only let myself watch it when I'm on the stationary bike. It's probably the best motivator I've found. I also find that a schedule is the only thing that works for me. I'm always sad and get out of whack when other things interfere with the regular schedule.

    I hope you can find a way to get going on what you want to do. I think it's just a matter of finding what works and motivates you most.

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    1. Oh, and exercising is the first thing I do once my daughter is out the door. If it wasn't, I'd never do it.

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    2. I can't believe your precious daughter is in school all day!! Wasn't she just three? Oh, the time! I'm impressed with your stick-to-it attitude. I need to get mine on. I will find it again!!

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  4. I find myself not exercising. It takes time. I usually have a lot of pain almost from the start. I go to the doctor tomorrow. I wonder what she will say about my weight.

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    1. Exercising when you have pain is really tough. I'm glad you're going to the doctor. Hope she can give you some ideas on how to manage it. :(

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  5. Is it we just feel guilty for taking time for ourselves?

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    1. Probably!! Heaven forbid we do something nice for ourselves, right? Ha! I think I'm just lazy.

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  6. I used to exercise 2-3 hours a day, until my health started coming apart.

    For a long time - I didn't work out, and pain kept me in a wheelchair, with gradually increasing doses of narcotic painkillers.

    But last June, I started exercising again, and quit the pain meds. They had largely stopped working, but more importantly, I didn't like the person I had become. To put it uncharitably - a weak suck who' looked from pain pill to pain pill to get him through the day.

    It's hard, and I can really only do a bit less than an hour of Nordic Trac, situps, pushups, pull ups, and bar dips. At the end of the time I'm spitting blood. It's a five-day-a-week routine, though lately I've been too ill to keep even that going.

    It won't make me live longer, and if I was waiting for endorphins to kick in - they haven't. But by deliberately pushing myself to and beyond a really unpleasant threshold of pain, I learn that my limits are further off than I thought. There are still physical resources.

    It's Klingon Heaven. Don't even need painstiks.

    http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2014/02/how-to-talk-to-your-husband.html

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    1. Every time you leave a comment, I'm inspired! Go you!!

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  7. Oh Jill, I feel ya hon. You're way more dedicated than I am! I know it's something I should do, but this time of year and the yuck weather keeps me indoors.

    There is only ONE thing that I've ever found that gets me to stick to it: an exercise buddy. The only exercise I'm getting these days is when hubby and I walk around our local lake (4.7 mi loop) with a friend on Sunday mornings. Without our friend? Hubs and I would totally sleep in.

    When the weather gets better, I'm going to beg/plead some of my friends to walk with me on regular days, so I don't wimp out on it. Good luck, Jill!

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    1. Sounds like an awesome walk! I love being outdoors! Having an exercise partner makes a big difference. You're right!

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  8. Yep. I know what you're saying. I do really well for a few months, and then life goes into hyperdrive, and walking on the treadmill gets left behind. Or I get sick and can't work out for a week. Or.....

    I'm determined to keep walking on my treadmill and re-establishing the habit. Even when it's discouraging to start all over. :)

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  9. I find I'm sitting at this doggone desk waaay too long! Time to start setting my timer again (and cut back on chocolate!)

    My healthy tip: I love veggie burgers! A lot of people don't, but I find they're packed with protein, low in calories, and some really taste good! :)

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    1. I forgot about veggie burgers! I used to buy the Boca burger. Slap some ketchup on it and it's yummy!

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  10. I usually do exercise at least four days a week, but we are so busy that I don't get mad at myself if it's just two or three. I watch my TV shows while I use treadmill so that is a huge motivator to get to it!

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    1. Having a "reward" built in (the TV shows) is so smart! I'm impressed with your dedication!

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  11. Thanks!

    Got through it again today. One thing I do is set the exercise time as early as possible, so the rest of the day is clear/ It's a function of just how unpleasant the process is now (it used to be fun).

    Another thing - I do set high goals. I'm aiming at 'one sets' of 80 pushups and 30 dead hang pullups (which is operational qual for DEVGRU). I'm at 60 pushups in one set, and 20 pullups. I should be at that goal in a couple of months, if I'm still alive.

    Goal setting against an established standard is important, I think. A personal best is something of a movable target, but looking at an absolute - I know where I have to go. My overall aim is to be able to step back into the boots of a paramilitary contractor, despite age (53) and illness.

    It may be crazy - but it's something to which one might aspire, at least in ability if not in fact.

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    1. I don't think it's crazy at all! I think it's awesome!! I did this 100 push-up challenge thing two years ago, and I really liked pushing myself. Time to get back on track!

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