Exercising

[thisisjoel]

As most of you who have seen me recently know, I've packed on quite a few pounds. I love food, and hate exercise. I understand that exercise is necessary. I feel slightly better, and have far more self esteem, when I'm in shape

Comments

difficulty

[somethingumist]

thats definately tough. i have been there though, unfortunately i simply became so disgusted with myself and the way i was starting to look, that i angrily made myself workout no matter what. but you probably don't get down on yourself as much as i do. which is probably a good thing more then a bad thing

Re: difficulty

[thisisjoel]

Thanks Autumn. Looks like the insightful comments have already begun ;-)

Ironically, I was in the best shape of my life when I was single with no one (specific) to impress. I guess the difference was that I was actively looking for a sexy college girlfriend and figured I needed to be in great shape. That was one amazing motivator.

You're right about the music. Running on the treadmill alone is frightfully boring. No changing picture... environment... anything. Perhaps its time I invest in an MP3 player. Maybe I'll workout if I look forward to the music.

Or I could go with one of those books read on MP3. A Tom Clancy novel, or something like that. Or maybe some type of comedy.

Or I could go all-the-way and get myself a video iPOD. I could then watch little TV shows on the treadmill as I jog. Though I don't know if the picture would be so small that I couldn't really focus on it as I run.

Great ideas though... I'll think about it ;-)

-- Joel

[dirtyfrank07]

you weigh considerably less then i do joel. weight should not be your motivator. it's a pretty terrible motivator actually. that's what weight watchers groups are for. you want to work out to improve the way you look or the way you feel. maybe you bought some new clothes lately and realized you had to go up a size (horrible feeling, i know), so maybe your goal can be to fit in some of your old clothes again. that usually makes women very happy when they can fit into their 'skinny' jeans again. plus when you work out, you will more self confidence (different then self esteem) and will accomplish more or be more willing to try things differently, so it's not just phyiscal but a mental mindset.

as for workout motivators, a partner does wonders for you when you have one. there are tvs everywhere at my gym and i don't watch tv at home so, that's a perk for me. i have my mp3 player cranked with some of my favorite tunes, helps put me in the mood.

[anonymous]

well I've been there before... spent all of last year with this problem (and was somewhat successful). One reason for my success was accountability. I didn't do any special programs (no Weight Watchers or anything), I just reported my progress to my family on a weekly basis and kept a chart for myself on my computer of weekly and monthly gains (or losses). BUT you don't have THAT much weight to lose. If you want to get into better cardiovascular shape, how about striving for a different goal (other than weight loss). Alan's idea about clothes is good. I've got another- why not strive to do something like compete in a race? I'm not talking about training for a marathon, but what about a 5K or a 10K? I bet you'd feel accomplished if you managed that. I am hoping to run in the "Bolder Boulder" in May (it's a 10K race, one of the nation's biggest road races). - Tina

Motivating?

[wraithblade6]

Hey Joel. I ran 4 miles today. XD

You got married?

[anonymous]

Shows how much attention I've been paying! Mazel tov, mazel tov, mazel tov!

--Elizabeth W from HHS, now Elizabeth H