BRIENMALONE's CalorieKing blog
Thursday, Feb 28 2008 - Motivation
View BRIENMALONE's food & exercise for this day
One of my CK friends is having a hard time with motivation right now. Since I am, too, I thought my reply to her would make a good base for my blog today. This is a highly edited version of the email I just sent to her.
The Path
I've been having trouble getting out of bed to do my workouts lately - cardio especially. I'm plenty rested, and taking a break from school; but for the past two weeks I have laid in bed instead of going to the gym.
My motivation level is still high - I'm riveted to my fitness books and either read or listen to a chapter every day... (lots of stuff I want to post in blog entries, once I fully understand the concepts!). But, I've fallen into the lazy trap so long that I'm out of the habit of doing my cardio. (All it takes is a few days!)
Go Anyway
I read GIJANE's blog the other day -- She's ramping up for a fitness competition and has been very open with her journaling. Yesterday, she reminded me of a central rule for staying on track.
She said (paraphrasing), "I woke up ths morning and my motivation was about a 2 on a scale of 1 to 10... but I made myself go to the gym anyway." Once she got to the gym and started moving, she was fired up and ready to go.
This reminded me of something I discovered a long time ago:
I have never once regretted making myself go to the gym. I have almost always regretted staying in bed for extra sleep.
Enjoy... but Keep the Boot Ready
Many blogs ago I said, "The key to sticking with a weight loss plan is to find something about the process that you enjoy." I followed that up by saying, the reason my diet failed between 2003 and 2007 was because I was in the wrong place mentally... I kept saying "I have to get to the gym" and "I have to clean up my foods" instead of wanting to do those things.
Christine's blog and dealing with my own failing motivation has made me realize that there is another element to this equation. Without this part, you could easily say, "I don't want to do those things, so I can't get started!"
There are times when you have to make yourself "go". By making yourself go, you will find the motivation (and enjoyment) you need to keep going!
The Butterfly Effect
Every morning you make a choice that will either bring you closer to your goal, or take you farther away... Do I go to the gym, or skip it?
Here is the positive domino effect of going to the gym:
1. Go to the gym and do a healthy round of cardio
2. You're energized and motivated by the adrenaline rush
3. You're able to eat more food that day and still lose weight
4. You're more likely to eat good foods because you feel good.
5. Eating more and burning more keeps your motivation up throughout the day.
6. The next morning it is easier to decide to go to the gym.
The negative domino effect of staying in bed is just as powerful:
1. Skip the gym
2. Without exercise, you don't get the mental and physical boost. Or worse - extra sleep leaves you feeling groggy.
3. You can't eat as many calories so you will probably be hungry.
4. Low calorie intake makes you feel down and unmotivated
5. Low motivation makes it more likely that you'll say "heck with it" and do things that will harm your fitness efforts.
6. Lack of motivation from the day before makes it is harder to get up and go to the gym in the morning.
Make #1 happen, and the rest will be easier to manage.
Tell you what. I'm going to go to the gym in the morning... care to join me?
The Path
I've been having trouble getting out of bed to do my workouts lately - cardio especially. I'm plenty rested, and taking a break from school; but for the past two weeks I have laid in bed instead of going to the gym.
My motivation level is still high - I'm riveted to my fitness books and either read or listen to a chapter every day... (lots of stuff I want to post in blog entries, once I fully understand the concepts!). But, I've fallen into the lazy trap so long that I'm out of the habit of doing my cardio. (All it takes is a few days!)
Go Anyway
I read GIJANE's blog the other day -- She's ramping up for a fitness competition and has been very open with her journaling. Yesterday, she reminded me of a central rule for staying on track.
She said (paraphrasing), "I woke up ths morning and my motivation was about a 2 on a scale of 1 to 10... but I made myself go to the gym anyway." Once she got to the gym and started moving, she was fired up and ready to go.
This reminded me of something I discovered a long time ago:
I have never once regretted making myself go to the gym. I have almost always regretted staying in bed for extra sleep.
Enjoy... but Keep the Boot Ready
Many blogs ago I said, "The key to sticking with a weight loss plan is to find something about the process that you enjoy." I followed that up by saying, the reason my diet failed between 2003 and 2007 was because I was in the wrong place mentally... I kept saying "I have to get to the gym" and "I have to clean up my foods" instead of wanting to do those things.
Christine's blog and dealing with my own failing motivation has made me realize that there is another element to this equation. Without this part, you could easily say, "I don't want to do those things, so I can't get started!"
There are times when you have to make yourself "go". By making yourself go, you will find the motivation (and enjoyment) you need to keep going!
The Butterfly Effect
Every morning you make a choice that will either bring you closer to your goal, or take you farther away... Do I go to the gym, or skip it?
Here is the positive domino effect of going to the gym:
1. Go to the gym and do a healthy round of cardio
2. You're energized and motivated by the adrenaline rush
3. You're able to eat more food that day and still lose weight
4. You're more likely to eat good foods because you feel good.
5. Eating more and burning more keeps your motivation up throughout the day.
6. The next morning it is easier to decide to go to the gym.
The negative domino effect of staying in bed is just as powerful:
1. Skip the gym
2. Without exercise, you don't get the mental and physical boost. Or worse - extra sleep leaves you feeling groggy.
3. You can't eat as many calories so you will probably be hungry.
4. Low calorie intake makes you feel down and unmotivated
5. Low motivation makes it more likely that you'll say "heck with it" and do things that will harm your fitness efforts.
6. Lack of motivation from the day before makes it is harder to get up and go to the gym in the morning.
Make #1 happen, and the rest will be easier to manage.
Tell you what. I'm going to go to the gym in the morning... care to join me?
3 comments so far.
3.
a decade ago
Great post, Brien. I wish that I had the opportunity to go to the gym, but that's not a reality right now. HOWEVER, there are things that I can do to make this lifestyle work. And..I think your domino effect that easily be translated to food choices as well. If I eat x instead of y, how will that impact the rest of my day? Great..thought provoking...stuff here!
by MAYASMOM
2.
a decade ago
Well said Brien!
I go to gym Monday-Friday at 5AM, getting up at 4:30. This is an hour earlier than I did. I get back so much more-an accomplishment early in the morning, a clear head, a slimmer self and eventually new clothes!!
So, I will be at the gym tomorrow morning- we all deserve to give ourselves this gift!
by JANEQE
1.
a decade ago
I agree 100% with everything you've said. I've been going to the gym for 2 yrs 6 mornings a week. The one day a week I dont go I feel more tired and sluggish all day long. If I really dont feel like getting up I tell myself "just go walk on the TM for a mile, at least do something" By the time I get there I'm good to go and ready to run. Have a great day!!
by SOZZIE