Suggestions on how to get motivated to get back into the gym...

Mongo

Mongo

Joined
Nov 5, 2001
Messages
8,969
Greetings all, I just joined a local health club out of a "growing" necessity... i.e. my belly. Problem is that I have little time and less motivation. I turned the big "40" this year, have two kids including a 7 week old infant and a monster 4 yr old. I have my own practice, work my A$$ off 6 days a week and am experiencing some degree of burnout. ( my tolerance for stupid, ignorant and ornery pet owners is right at my limit!)
So, what on earth do you all do to get motivated to get into the gym? Yeah, I know that exercise will help my stress levels blah blah blah. I really value my time with my family and it hurts to take away from them. I would have to either go during my mid-day break or when I get home from work. The weekends are doable though.
I hope to get some strength training in, and as much cardio as I can handle. Any suggestions on how to start out so I don't over-do it or loose my motivation? I need some low impact suggestions, as I have had a total hip replacement, and cannot/will not do anything to screw that up.
Help me out! My excuse for today was that I needed to get a decent pair of workout shoes... which I will take care of tonight.
Thanks, Mongo
 
Mongo--what about walking during your lunch break? It's great exercise, and it's pretty relaxing. I stopped drinking alcohol, paid a little more attention to what I eat and don't eat, and started walking during my lunch break at work for 35-40 minutes. So far I've lost about 40 lbs, and I feel great. You could supplement the walking with a trip to the gym a few times a week, or maybe on the weekend as well. Another option would be to get the whole family involved so that you can spend quality family time and get some exercise at the same time.

--Josh
 
Well it's pretty stupid for me, and it may not work for you, but my motivation is pure vanity...Yes of course I prefer the way I feel when I work out and am in shape, but feeling good, sadly enough, has never been a motivating factor in my life.

One thing I do that REALLY keeps me motivated is I REFUSE to buy different size clothes....if I'm "growing" out of my size well that's just to bad for me isn't it. I either need to get off my butt and exercise or change my diet or BOTH...if I don't I'll just look like Steven Segal in my too small jeans! :eek: :) :eek:

It sounds bad when I say it out loud, but truly the way I LOOK is what motivates me....I don't EVER want to be an overweight slob (begging forgivness of all the happy overweight slobs that might be reading this :D )

Now don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm in male model shape, but I essentially wear the same size as when I was in high school (I'm 28 now) and actually still have jeans from high school that fit, they're just a little out of style.

That's me though, you may not be motivated in this way.

As for WHAT you should do, well that's up to you I guess. I personally focus on functional strength exercises. Specifically I do a good bit of body weight work...handstand pushups, pistols, pushups, janda situps, etc...I DO use weights, but I usually follow a faux-kettle bell routine. I'm too cheap/poor for real KB's so I use dumbells instead and do mostly swings and cleans. This allows me to do a few things:

A) I can get a VERY intense cardio and weight workout in a VERY condensed time frame.
B) I can do it all in the office with a couple of dumbells.



Jared

PS: I AM married with 2 kids, 3 and 5, and a 3rd on the way.
 
I think the key is to just get through the change of making the time to do it.
After a couple of weeks, you will end up wanting to work out or walk briskly and will actually miss it when something (other than an excuse ;)) keeps you from it.

I usually spend 2 hours every day after work with a group of folks and their dogs walking briskly or jogging in woods near my house while the dogs run their butts off. We have essentially created a leashless park at that time of the day. It is a great way to unwind from the day, stay in decent shape (at least for a 50 year old with arthritis) and my dog looks like a mini version of the hulk.
 
Here's your friggin motivation. How about whoever has the biggest belly, between the two of us, buys dinner next month in Chicago?
 
So, what on earth do you all do to get motivated to get into the gym
Click to expand...

Select a bike with a good view.

And remember, in a stationary bike race, the front row may not be where you want to be.
 
OK, this may not be what you want to hear, but might I suggest trying something other than a gym? Personally I can't stand them, every time I've tried to get into a consistent workout program there I end up losing focus. It's just so damn boring. Who in their right mind wants to jog on a treadmill staring at an idiotic TV program or worse yet a blank wall? Lifting weights can be all right if you have a partner but still, the atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired. The only thing they really have going for them is air-conditioning. Anyway, my suggestion, if you don't enjoy going to the gym, is to find some other form of exercise that you actually enjoy and will do for it's own sake. For me that's running, outside not on a treadmill. The scenery is so much better, and if you can find good partners it's a social outing. Or try riding a bike. There's one you can even do with your wife and kids once in a while. If you live close enough to where you work you could start commuting and get in two good workouts a day. Do some calisthenics to build up your muscle tone and watch the pounds melt away. I know it isn't quite that easy, but it sure does beat going to a boring, smelly old gym if that's not what you're really into. Hope this helps.
 
once you get comfortable working out, I would suggest doing multiple muscle group/joint exercises...it will get you in and out quicker!! hehe. doing deadlifts, squats, pushups/presses (please have a spotter...), and so on, will hit lots of muscle groups, not keep you around for a long time, and do a fair amount of work in a short amount of time.

using machines is not a bad way to start. if you read the instructions on the side of them, they will guide you through setting it up for your height, so you are positioned correctly.

i would also suggest setting up a few trainer sessions, if you can afford it (sometimes, they throw in a couple free sessions). they will give you an idea of what you could do, should do, and would need to do to reach the goals you are targetting. i.e. - lose weight, gain strength, etc. guidance, at this point, from a certified pro maybe the best way to start. they will make sure you have a good routine and are safe in knowing how the equipment works.

mostly, take it slow, and if something hurts or feels wrong (and not just the hurt of pushing weight) then just...don't do it for a bit. better safe then sorry.
 
Mongo,
dude been there and done that..I too am the big 4.0 and have a busy family and a crazy job etc..my personal health was the last thing on my list to keep up. The Gym was the Last thing I wanted to do..the problem..sooner or later the stress of life will catch up with your aging body..In my case it was a wake up call two years ago when my blood pressure was reading 190/120 or something horrible like that and I was diagnosed as diabetic..****..now I dont have a choice..excersise or die of a heart attack or stroke or end up gettin insulin shots every day..so here is what I did

first, be realistic..if you hate the gym you probably are not going to go there because you hate it..so in the summer months find something you enjoy..I do the bicycling thing. In monrings before work and evenings I ride approx 100 miles a week. Its relaxing and great..I do it by myself no kids, stupid pet owners, just me and my bike..best part is I convinced the milf to let me buy a very expensive and cool bike. In your case you could with a minimum of effort ride to and from work..a great work out!!

second, watch what you eat..fries and burgers are death..I love fast food so I have swithced to Arbys chicken wrappers..etc..avoid chips. pizza..and eating in a hurry..

third, If you have to do the gym thing..treat yourself to a IPOD or a great MP3 player so you can tune out and jam to some rock n roll.

My biggest issue was that my life was so busy with kids, wife, job that I took no time for myself. My bike rides and my gym time in winter is my time just for me..all I do is tune out and relax..when that is achieved its more than a boring work out..

But do it for yourself because your kids and wife need you healthy ( as well as my dog which by the way has been rubbing his butt on the carpet alot lately can you tell me whats up with THAT!!)

good luck dude
 
I too had a motivation problem. Spent most of my adult life in obesity.
Then I got my motivation big-time. 5 cardiac bypasses in 1994 at age 48.
I had to change my lifestyle or live as a semi-invalid and die early. They lectured me in the hospital on low-fat eating. I took it seriously, and drasatically cut fat from my diet. I began exercising the week I came home, shuffling my feet around the den for 5 minutes. Progressed the following week to 15 minutes slow walk around the front yard. Then to the local junior college track, for two very slow laps. Within 6 months I was 50% walking and 50% running on that track for 6 to 8 miles a day! One year after surgery I had a follow-up stress test. My cardiologist said that he was "stunned" at the results, that I had the test of a man who had never had any heart problems. It has been 10 years since I have eaten fired food, doughnuts, potato chips, or any other empty calory foods. I have become thoroughly addicted to exercise, but a stress-cracked foot ended my running, so I weight train intensely and walk a lot. My doctor called me obsessive-compulsive about diet and exercise. I just grinned and said, "I can live with that."

The best advice I can give is to quit thinking in terms of diets and exercise programs that you have to do. That is short-term thinking. Instead think in terms of permanent life-style change. Instead of diet, think of eating properly. Instead of thinking of exercise as a chore, you can fairly quickly become so thoroughly addicted to it that you will crave it and get irritable and cranky if you miss a few days.

When other people call you a fanatic then you are doing it right!
 
Advertise on the notice board in the gym for a training buddy - someone to keep you accountable

Have a plan b, c and even d for the days when you don't feel like the gym. Go for a walk, do some light dumbell work on a fitball in your office for 20 minutes, take your kids down to a heated pool and spend 30 minutes giving them slingshots and plane rides (one of the best cardio workouts there is - kids make great resistance training and the water will cushion your hip)

Set a goal that inspires you.

Sex, more sex that is, occurs when you are fit and healthy.
 
I have the same dilemma, I should get back into running, but am too much of a lazy bum to keep to a routine. Instead of being stuck inside a gym maybe you could try mountian biking? Or something 'fun' rather than boring gym stuff...
 
Ming65 said:
Set a goal that inspires you.

Sex, more sex that is, occurs when you are fit and healthy.
Click to expand...

Ming has a thought...Sex..because when your married with kids in order to get laid you have to.
1. get the kids up early dress, feed, redress, and take them to the zoo
2. mow the lawn and crosscut
3. weed the flower beds
4. do four loads of laundry including folding and carry up 17 stairs to kids bedrooms
5. wash her car
6. go jogging with her in the afternoon.
7 . carry out the trash
8. cook dinner for her and the kids and clean up
9. get kids bathed in PJs and off to bed

then..whew..you can have some sexersize..that is if your still able :D
 
This is your future if you don't go to the gym Mongo! :D

1589.jpg
 
L6... that is soooo wrong! :barf:

Ren, your dog probably has impacted anal glands... go see your vet, I'm sure he'd be super happy to show you how to empty them yourself. ;) Just get some latex gloves, some lube, and a mess of paper towels. (that's for the dog, not some kinky sh!t)

Danbo, you're on! Bring your wallet bubba.
 
Like Ren and Roadrunner suggested: buy a bike! Take a look at Caloriesperhour.com to see how much weight you could lose.

I weigh ~ 200lbs. Cycling at 15mph on my Trek 1400 road bike, I burn 15 calories per minute. One hour = one bottle of wine! (My 1400 is a couple of years older than that 2004 model, but you get the picture).

If the gym is your thing, indulge yourself in some new kit.

My favourite tip was always to keep my gym bag packed & ready to go at zero notice. As soon as the impulse struck, I could grab the bag & go. The longer you spend hunting for your water bottle or one odd sock, the less likely you are to go.

Enjoy!

maximus otter

PS: Buy a bike!
 
Like RTDTB and Maximus Otter said, biking is great!

I started commuting to work by bicycle three months ago. I ride my road bike four times a week, 25 miles round trip per day, and have lost 15 pounds in that period.

I'm also 40 years old, with kids, a busy schedule, and bike commuting has been a godsend.

For starters, it lets me kill two birds with one stone - gets the work out done without having to use extra time to do it, plus it saves on our household costs by taking one of our cars off of the road.

Now I can bound up stairs three at a time, can fit back into all of the clothes that I was contemplating sending off to Goodwill, and come to work ready to rock.

My bike is a Marin Verona: http://www.marinbikes.com/html/spec_04_verona.html

George
 
Thanks all for your suggestions... I really don't forsee any biking in my future, I don't have the spare change for a road bike. I do have a mountain bike that can do some duty as a road bike, but there are too many damn cars around here. I may get out on it though.
I just got back from my first trip to the gym... what a humbling experience! It hurts to see some skinny little punk lifting more than me, but I got to get over that quick! I'm only competing with myself. I managed to get a decent upperbody pressing type workout in, and only managed about 5 minutes on an elliptical (sp?) trainer. But I figured it was good for the first day, I don't want to overdo it too soon. Next workout will be a back/biceps workout and some more cardio.
 
Mongo, never, ever worry about what someone else is lifting. You have exactly the right attitude, you are competing against yourself. Dont make the gym a social event, talking to a partner is fine as long as you keep going but avoid more than a quick hello with others. If they try, just politely say you're on a timed routine and move on. 6 months from now you may be lifting triple what you are now and that skinny guy may be lifting the same thing you saw him lift today, for some people the gym is their only social life.
Try your hardest never to miss a workout, everytime you miss one makes it that much easier to miss the next one.
Tape little notes with your goals on them, or a motivating quote you like on mirrors in the bathroom and bedroom and read them.
 
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