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i can't get my butt to the gym

I know I need to do it... I even bought a new ipod to try to make it more 'fun'
Nothing works - after work I just want to veg. on the couch. The changing seasons aren't helping. I live in Seattle and can feel the impending gloom.
Ugh. Help me.


Thu. Oct 12, 4:03pm

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walk around your neighborhood for a little while at a fast pace. it will get your blood pumping and your heart rate up. try this a couple times and the benfits might motivate you to go to the gym...

Thursday, October 12, 2006, 4:14 PM

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I can so relate. Don't give up, tho. You may not be a gym kind of person.

I got burned out on the gym and really had no extra time for it (driving, changing, etc.). So, I started exercising at home. Also, I was too tired after work and wanted to veg out. So, I just started going to bed earlier and getting up and exercising before work. I tape any shows I miss from going to bed early and watch them on the weekend.

Over the years I have found that I really like exercise videos - particularly Denise Austin. I started with dumbbells, but now have a weight set and bench. I also acquired a mini-trampoline, which is my favorite. If I don't like the moves on the video, I jump on the trampoline until they do something I do like.

The main this is don't give up. Find something you like. Find a time that works for you. And, if you are the type who gets bored, mix it up.

Just don't give up. :-)

Thursday, October 12, 2006, 4:18 PM

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oh, yeah!! i love denise austin!!! she is awesome!!!!

Thursday, October 12, 2006, 4:21 PM

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As with anything you must stick with it until it becomes habit!
I agree with the above poster too, I work out at home too. I bought a used treadmill and a set of weights and after months of working out at least 4 times a week I am still at it! And I can say that if I don't get in at least 4 runs per week it affects my mood negatively. I am addicted and it's a good thing!
I would try working out at home, for me getting to the gym is WAY too much work! I get a better workout at home

Thursday, October 12, 2006, 4:24 PM

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Absolutely. No drive, no gym bag to pack, no items to forget to put in the bag, no waiting on equipment, no worries about what you look like or what you wear or if you brought it. Home work-outs are stress-free, to me.

Thursday, October 12, 2006, 4:34 PM

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If you decide to stick with going to the gym instead of working out at home....make sure you go straight to the gym after work and don't go home first. If possible join a gym right near your place of work. I have the same problem about getting motivated to work out and once I get home, I have trouble getting myself to head back out to work out. But now I've made it part of my routine to do it right after work before I go home and is has helped immensely.

Thursday, October 12, 2006, 4:50 PM

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Yep - I use the same strategy and it has been really working for me. My gym is on the way home and I just head straight there. At first it was hard to get used to a different routine after work, but now I feel grouchy and frumpy if I don't get in my gym time. Plus it's a great way to decompress so I don't unload on my hudband. I have an employer who is just fine with me working 7-4 so I can get a jump on the after work crowd and get home in time to make dinner by 6.

Do you have a buddy or co-worker you could meet there or go with?

Thursday, October 12, 2006, 5:08 PM

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I think it's crucial to find an activity that you actually enjoy doing. Then it will be a pleasure to do it and it'll be something to look forward to.

Totally agree with the above posters too--working out at home is great!! :)

Thursday, October 12, 2006, 7:01 PM

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I also agree that you have to do somethings that you like to do. I like Yoga, even though I don't feel like I am getting a lot of fat burned, but I use that as one of the ghings that I llike to do at the gym. I like to see other people working out and that keeps me going...However, some days, it's hard to get in there..Remember the memeberhsip fee that you are paying .

Thursday, October 12, 2006, 10:37 PM

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I also agree that you have to do somethings that you like to do. I like Yoga, even though I don't feel like I am getting a lot of fat burned, but I use that as one of the ghings that I llike to do at the gym. I like to see other people working out and that keeps me going...However, some days, it's hard to get in there..Remember the memeberhsip fee that you are paying .

Thursday, October 12, 2006, 10:37 PM

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i agree w/ all the other posters.

also-did you once enjoy your workouts at the gym? and now are just having a hard time making yourself go? i go through phases where i find i can make up almost any excuse to get out of working out "i'm tired", "i've had a rough week", " i have too many things to do at home" etc. sometimes it's because i'm getting closer to my goal so i feel i can "slack" a little, but that slacking turns into a week!

hang in there. aim for a couple of workouts either outdoors, at the gym or in your house-i'm sure this lack of motivation will pass! keep coming on to PT and log-even if all you did was 5 pushups for the day! little things DO count!

Thursday, October 12, 2006, 11:12 PM

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I have motivation issues sometimes too - I really enjoy working out and like my gym so why can't I drag my behind over there? I used to do the home workout thing but found that I worked longer and harder at the gym - however to each his own. It certainly is convenient but I found just as many excuses to not work out at home as I do to not go to the gym.

Keep trying! Small victories add up.

Thursday, October 12, 2006, 11:40 PM

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probably a long shot

but what gym do you go to? I live in Seattle, and having a workout buddy to meet at the gym helps me get there...

Actually, you know what really gets me there? I just joined Mieko's--and they've got cable tv monitors on all of the treadmills! So far it's been the least painful way to get my cardio in--EVER.

Thursday, October 12, 2006, 11:54 PM

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I had the same problem so I bought an elliptical machine for at home. Now I stay at home watch my shows, and excercise all at the same time.

Friday, October 13, 2006, 8:46 AM

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I figured out that my gym routine burns about 270 calories. So, on days that I go to the gym, I allow myself to eat 270 more calories. This little motivator has gotten me off the couch consistently since March. I enjoy being able to eat 1470 calories for the day rather than 1200 calories for the day. Caloriesperhour.com can help you determine how many calories are in your routine. Here's a link:

Link

Friday, October 13, 2006, 11:35 AM

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I was intrigued by all the suggestions to use fitness DVDs, but felt a little overwhelmed by all the info that came up in my Amazon and Google searches. Here's a cool link to a non-commercial guide to how to get started with exercise videos:

Link

Friday, October 13, 2006, 1:58 PM

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LOL--- forgive me, I can't resist!!!

Well then leave your butt at home and get the rest of you to the gym! No excuses, you just have to do it :) Good luck!!!!

Friday, October 13, 2006, 3:40 PM

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THANKS!

Hey, I originally posted this a few weeks ago.
Thanks for all the comments and support... and I love the last comment best. It's true, I just need to get myself there.

I signed up for personal training sessions at my gym (24 hour fitness). I've never done it before and at first I was scared, especially when it came to the measurements and weigh in time. Now 2 ppl in the world know my weight - haha.

Anyways, it's really really helping. I didn't really realize how unhealthy I had become and I felt powerless - now I have a plan and feel lots better. Plus it is damn expensive, so there is no way that I'm missing a session.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006, 1:54 PM

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Get Real With Yourself

When you decide to skip your gym time just remember to say to yourself, "I am CHOOSING to remain overweight and unhealthy instead of doing what I know will make me look and feel better."

This is getting REAL with you. You are responsible for your actions and the consequences of them. You don't get to whine to yourself about how tired, bored, unmotivated, busy, or stressed-out you are when you are really making a choice simply not to go when you know you need to.

Hopefully, you won't like saying that sentence very often and you will make a different choice...one that leads to the totally buff, energetic, sexy, beautiful person you're meant to be.

You CAN do it!!

Trish
(Posted in a spirit of positive though tough encouragement.)

Tuesday, October 31, 2006, 3:42 PM

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I can't either.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006, 6:03 PM

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keep at it

I know it sounds crazy, but now that it's a habit I really LOVE going to the gym. I go in the mornings, and I realized I really do feel better all day long. It took a period of forcing myself for awhile though. Maybe once you're used to it, the little intimidations fade and it becomes more fun, esp when you are more in tune with your body you feel the difference. Also -- weight lift. It makes you feel strong, capable, and tough.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006, 11:52 PM

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bump

Sunday, November 12, 2006, 11:37 PM

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