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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Aug 3, 2023 14:00:10 GMT
I taught group exercise (all sorts) and did some personal training for nineteen years. I know a lot about fitness and believe in the importance of exercise. But... I struggle with the day-to-day motivation to do it just like anyone. I realized yesterday while headed out the door for an exercise session that I have a few mantras that I tell myself as encouragement. So, I thought I'd share mine and see if they spark anyone else. And I'd love to hear the ones YOU use. I can always use more motivation. The first one is the one I used just yesterday. - The day I don't want to is the most important day.
- When it's over I'm always happy I've done it.
- Never miss a Monday.
- I never regret exercising, but I do regret when I don't.
- I'm investing in my future self.
- My mind needs this as much as my body does.
What do you have? Let me hear 'em! |
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Post by peano on Aug 3, 2023 15:01:43 GMT
I also use "when it's over I'm always happy I've done it"
Each day I exercise brings me a little closer to my goal.
Exercise gives me a feeling of agency and power and counteracts the pity party I sometimes fall into.
Since I do daily outdoor walks year round, my spirit thrives on the connection to Nature.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Aug 3, 2023 15:20:37 GMT
All you have to do is start.
Usually my hardest days are when I'm not feeling great for whatever reason or the weather is terrible. If I start - 99% of the time I finish and if I don't it was probably a day I really did need to just cut it short.
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Post by pjaye on Aug 3, 2023 15:21:48 GMT
My inner saboteur killed off the inner motivator a few years ago. All I get now is: - f*** it - roll over and go back to sleep
- Yes, it's perfectly OK to be in your robe at 3pm
- have another piece of cake - you deserve it!
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Post by monklady123 on Aug 3, 2023 15:27:28 GMT
My inner saboteur killed off the inner motivator a few years ago. All I get now is: - f*** it - roll over and go back to sleep
- Yes, it's perfectly OK to be in your robe at 3pm
- have another piece of cake - you deserve it!
Lol. I'm with pjaye. I'm better when the weather is nice -- "nice" meaning "not hot as hades" -- and I can walk. But I don't really enjoy that either, especially not when I'm alone. ugh  |
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Post by hopechest on Aug 3, 2023 15:38:10 GMT
All you have to do is show up/start/walk through the door.
I give myself the full permission without any guilt to turn right back around and go home or not finish the class or whatever. 99.999% of the time I do finish, but that "out" makes it easier for me to know that I don't HAVE to do anything.
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,533 
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Post by ellen on Aug 3, 2023 15:47:17 GMT
Just do ten minutes. If you are still not feeling it you can quit. I always end up sticking with it.
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Post by dewryce on Aug 3, 2023 18:34:08 GMT
Just do ten minutes. If you are still not feeling it you can quit. I always end up sticking with it. I do this as well, except I use 5 minutes. And I do the same approach with lots of things. You can do anything for 5 minutes. |
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Post by Lexica on Aug 3, 2023 18:46:50 GMT
When I used to walk around the lake daily, I picked a specific tree and told myself that on the days that I just wasn’t feeling it, I would walk as far as that tree, which was about a mile into the walk. If when I got there I was still struggling, I could turn around and I would have at least gotten in a two-mile walk, the first half being up hill. I only turned around once. Usually by the time I got to that tree, I would think that I was already dressed in exercise stuff, I had driven to the lake and found a good parking spot, so I may as well finish the walk.
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Post by kristi521 on Aug 3, 2023 18:57:05 GMT
I wouldn't call mine a mantra necessarily, but mine is similar to this one on your list:
The day I don't want to is the most important day.
Mine is - the work outs I don't want to do and do any way, are the ones where I feel most victorious.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Aug 3, 2023 19:18:42 GMT
Today I gave myself permission to skip the marsh. That said I may want to walk it when I get home after all. I couldn’t walk this morning (no energy) but after DDIL and I do the pet store we can do the walk. I couldn’t do it this morning but maybe this afternoon.
I do say “You can do this” but not every single day is a win.
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,672
Location: Kansas City -ish
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Post by Anita on Aug 3, 2023 20:02:43 GMT
For me, the only thing I've found that works is external motivation. I usually tell myself I have to make X amount of progress on my current walking challenge. I am entirely too motivated to earn those (I use theconqueror.events), and I have this insane need to hit that target. I do listen to my body now more than I used to, and if I'm just really not feeling it, I do cut myself some slack. But more often than not, I will hit the treadmill for at least half an hour just to get my miles in.
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Post by Clair on Aug 3, 2023 20:45:16 GMT
Motivation come and goes - self discipline is what keeps me going. There is no way I’m ever going to be motivated to exercise every day. I now exercise 6 days a week because I am self disciplined
I tell myself I am self disciplined enough to do what I need to do and I do it.
The mindset change from seeking motivation to self discipline has completely changed my life.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Aug 3, 2023 20:52:56 GMT
Thank you all for commenting. I really like the ones that are a version of "just start." I have used the "You can do anything for five minutes." I also have days I use the same approach as pjaye and do not feel a bit guilty for it! Lol. |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Aug 3, 2023 20:59:14 GMT
Oooh, I meant to respond to the idea of external motivation too. That definitely works for me. I record my walks, hikes, workouts, etc in my calendar/planner and I really love to see a long line of continuous days recorded. That's part of the reason I bought a FitBit on Amazon prime days as well. I like the motivation to hit my 10,000 steps and close the rings as many days as possible.
@clairb made a good point about discipline too. When motivation can't be summoned, discipline can step in. Honestly though, I'm not a very disciplined person - I'm a very go-with-the-flow sort and almost balk against too much structure.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
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Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Aug 3, 2023 21:46:50 GMT
For me, motivation comes and goes. I don’t really care about external stuff.. Exercise is a commitment that I make to myself. It’s a habit of self care that I do, not just for now, but for my future. I make it too important to blow off.
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Post by mellyw on Aug 3, 2023 22:07:11 GMT
My personal motivation is 10 minutes, broke into 5 minute increments. 5 minutes of whatever type of warm up I choose (which now really lets me know what type of exercise my bad ankle will handle that day). Then 5 minutes of the actual aerobic part. I can only think of a handful of times I’ve stopped at that point, but that’s not a motivation issue, it’s a will my aching body be worse if I keep going.
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Post by silverlining on Aug 3, 2023 22:58:20 GMT
I like the phrase "Movement is medicine" It reminds me of the research that shows that people who exercise consistently live longer. And I love pretty star stickers that I put in my planner any day that I do some kind of exercise 20 minutes or longer. I like to have a low minimum requirement for stickers  Some days I walk 1.5 hours and sometimes I walk only 20 minutes but I still earn my star! |
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Post by Clair on Aug 3, 2023 23:05:46 GMT
Oooh, I meant to respond to the idea of external motivation too. That definitely works for me. I record my walks, hikes, workouts, etc in my calendar/planner and I really love to see a long line of continuous days recorded. That's part of the reason I bought a FitBit on Amazon prime days as well. I like the motivation to hit my 10,000 steps and close the rings as many days as possible. @clairb made a good point about discipline too. When motivation can't be summoned, discipline can step in. Honestly though, I'm not a very disciplined person - I'm a very go-with-the-flow sort and almost balk against too much structure. I was a go with the flow person my whole life - my exercise and healthy eating habits would change constantly. The self discipline mantra is new. Four months into this mindset -I consistently exercise six days a week, eat clean and have dropped forty pounds. Self discipline is the reason that finally clicked for me. |
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Post by MZF on Aug 3, 2023 23:13:09 GMT
- The day I don't want to is the most important day.
- When it's over I'm always happy I've done it.
- Never miss a Monday.
- I never regret exercising, but I do regret when I don't.
- I'm investing in my future self.
- My mind needs this as much as my body does.
I tell myself the same, except for 'never miss a Monday'. I feel so much better--in mind and body-- after a workout. |
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Post by lisae on Aug 4, 2023 0:56:20 GMT
I motivate myself by reminding myself that I'm paying for a gym membership. I hate to waste money.
Also "independence" is one of my key values. I always used to think of that as financial independence and freedom to make my own decisions. But as I'm aging, I realize more and more that being healthy is key to my independence. Strength and balance are very important parts of the exercise classes I attend.
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Some days I walk 1.5 hours and sometimes I walk only 20 minutes but I still earn my star! 
