That said, I know that exercising is important. It makes me feel healthier and I know it helps me to keep from gaining weight. So, I've had to put a lot of safe-guards in place to ensure success. I am striving for "good enough" since I've proven over and over that perfection is not attainable. Here are 10 things that help me:
1.) ENVIRONMENT
My living room is conducive to working out. I have all of my gear stored in my "exercise armoir" including: a step, mats, weights, kettle bells, DVDs, workout books, resistance bands, workouts that have been torn out of magazines, and even SHOES. BJ's Club often will get name-brand shoes, like New Balance, and will sell them for $20/pair. I buy a pair and they stay in my armoire, which solves two problems: the shoes are right there, so when I'm ready to work-out, I don't fall down the abyss of finding shoes, which would inevitably lead to seeing something else that needs to be done, like checking Facebook. And 2, the shoes are clean because they are never worn outside. I also have no coffee table because when I did, even the simple act of moving it sometimes was enough of an excuse to nix an entire workout. If you can't devote a piece of furniture to store exercise equipment, then pick the basics and store them in the open. It's your house. People won't judge; they'll be jealous that you work out!
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| the armoire closed/ inside the armoire in the corner of my living room |
2.) FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
On the days I schedule to workout (which varies by week, but I do aim for 4 days), I have to exercise. We all know that working out in the morning is the best. But if I don't do it then, I have to do it before 4. This also means I don't get to shower until later, which is often enough of a motivator to do it sooner rather than later. I am lucky in that I homeschool, so I don't work outside the home. When I worked, I went straight after work to the gym, and when my kids were in school, I went to the gym right after dropping them off at school. But now, I embrace the flexible schedule, because if I didn't, the days I don't work out in the morning would mean no working out. Also, I aim for 2 days of cardio, 1 day of strength, and one day of combo (cardio + weights). I do whatever one of those I feel like; I don't set a specific day.
3.) VARIETY
I run on the treadmill, run/ walk outside in my neighborhood or at local trails, I do DVDs, and I have workouts either torn out of magazines or printed from the Internet. Variety helps! Oh, and even a 10-minute workout is better than nothing.
4.) JILLIAN MICHAELS
Her 30-Day Shred DVD includes 3 workouts that are only 25 minutes. Trust me, you won't finish one and think,"I should have done more." Also, her kettlebell workouts are quick and effective.
5.) RUNNING GROUP
I joined a friendly one (that incorporates walk breaks) that meets Sat. mornings. That, and signing up for races, is a big motivation. On Meetup, you can find groups for all kinds of fitness groups.
6.) THE INTERNET
Between Pinterest, websites, and Facebook, I make sure I am bombarded with exercise motivators and workouts. I subscribe to the following updates on FB: Runner's World, Experience Life magazine, Shape, Self, and Peak313 Fitness, among others. I subscribe to e-mails, too. It is always in my face and often I'll get new ideas. (You can view my Health and Fitness Board on Pinterest).
7.) MAGAZINES
I get a lot of the same magazines that I follow on various online sources (see above). The photos of skinny people motivate me, as do stories of real-life people leading healthy lifestyles. I also get some workout ideas; one of my current favorite treadmill workouts was cut out of a magazine.
8.) CLOTHES
I buy cute workout clothes at Wal-Mart or Target. It helps. I put them on as soon as I get up in the morning. Sometimes I even sleep in them.
9.) TREADMILL
This is one of my best excuse-busters. No longer can the weather (too hot, too cold, too rainy, too windy, too sunny) be a hindrance. You can get them on Craig's List or even a used sporting goods stores for a reasonable price. It is worth the money! I keep an old pair of running shoes on the treadmill and tape workouts to it.
10.) IPOD
I rarely listen to my ipod unless I am working out, so it is a treat. I make play lists like "running" or "current faves" that are up-tempo songs, and it motivates me. I also have purchased a few workouts from itunes where a trainer actually tells you what to do through your headphones. I have run with Serena Williams and Lance Armstrong!
I wish I could use will-power/ should-do alone, but I have to almost trick myself into working out sometimes. I hope that maybe one of these ideas will help you.
