I used to work out regularly (currently put it on hold a little because of the thesis deadline). I made it part of my daily routine, just like any other appointment or responsibility. I worked out in the mornings for awhile and that helped me a lot. I found it easy to talk myself out of going to the gym in the afternoon/evening because I'd be tired or hungry or just ate or blablahblah, excuses. If I worked out in the morning I didn't have any excuse and I got it over with before I had to do anything else. Plus, I found that it gave me a lot more energy during the day when I worked out in the morning.
Ugh, you're probably right. Doing it in the mornings is probably the only way to guarantee it becomes part of my routine, because I always have the same excuses in the afternoon/evening. Plus, my schedule does vary in the evenings - sometimes I've got book club or knitting club or social obligations or whatever, whereas in the mornings I am always doing the same things. The idea of getting up at 6 makes me unhappy, but maybe if it's only a few days a week it won't be so bad.
You might get used to it faster than you think you will. I was getting up stupid early for awhile to exercise and I am NOT a morning person...but it wasn't a problem. I just got used to it. Plus, with an elliptical at home it'll be pretty easy for you. i've love to have one of those :)
I heeeeeeeart ellipticals. Getting up early BLOWS but I have found it's the best way to get in the habit. Do you watch TV or read while working out? That helps me too, it makes the time pass and makes me feel more efficient, haha.
Also: Mmmmm muffin tops. ;)
Also also: we were discussing our favorite punctuation marks at work yesterday and no one knew what an interrobang was. How sad is that? Naturally I thought of you.
I don't watch tv when I work out because we've only got one tv and it's not in the same room as the elliptical . . . but. It completely never occurred to me to try reading while I was working out. It's not hard to hold the book or anything while you're doing that? Because that's probably a hell of a better way to make the time pass than just listening to my ipod and staring out the window or at the wall, which is what I've been doing. Hmm, I will seriously have to try this the next time I'm on the elliptical, and see how that works. Because that would probably help.
Haha, muffin tops from the bakery are delicious. Muffin tops over my pants, not so much. :p
That IS sad! How can anyone not know about the interrobang?!
Yeah I totally prefer reading even though there's a TV in my apartment's gym. If you get motion sickness easily, it might not work very well. And magazines are easier to hold than books, as long as the font isn't too small! When I'm in the middle of a good book, it is SUCH good motivation to get to the gym, or to stay a little longer. I hope it works for you!!
I'm just getting back into working out and I know, for me at least, that working out in the mornings would never work. Even when I was working I'd never work out before work. Sleep is precious. -_- I know at that time working out just after I got off work worked best. Now I tend to hop on the elliptical at night. Maybe you can try different times and see which one you like best. :)
I could see it working if I made myself get on as soon as I got home from work . . . because then I'd still have some of the energy and the go-go-go of work to carry into working out. Once I sit down and start relaxing, it's really difficult to make myself get up and go work out. So yeah, I'll have to play around with it and see what works for me.
That makes sense. I'm also thinking about signing up for a yoga or pilates class, which I know won't help much for the losing weight, but will at least get me moving a bit more, and I think is something I would enjoy. I do have some good workout songs that help, but I think finding a time that works for me is going to be key.
Christine said what I was going to say - you need to find some exercises you enjoy - personally, I find cardio machines (like ellipticals) excruciatingly boring (I'm always watching the clock) so I think it wouldn't work for me to always rely on them
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I think all of that sounds like good advice. I think if the early mornings don't work for me, making myself do it as soon as I get home from work would be my other best bet, if I actually make it a routine. Once I sit down and get comfy I know it'll be much harder to make myself do it, but if I come home and immediately go change and get on the elliptical, that could work. And I'm sure I'll keep talking about it here, so all of you guys can help keep me motivated, and Brad and I will also try to keep each other motivated, since he also wants to get in better shape.
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I made it part of my daily routine, just like any other appointment or responsibility. I worked out in the mornings for awhile and that helped me a lot. I found it easy to talk myself out of going to the gym in the afternoon/evening because I'd be tired or hungry or just ate or blablahblah, excuses. If I worked out in the morning I didn't have any excuse and I got it over with before I had to do anything else. Plus, I found that it gave me a lot more energy during the day when I worked out in the morning.
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I was getting up stupid early for awhile to exercise and I am NOT a morning person...but it wasn't a problem. I just got used to it.
Plus, with an elliptical at home it'll be pretty easy for you. i've love to have one of those :)
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Also: Mmmmm muffin tops. ;)
Also also: we were discussing our favorite punctuation marks at work yesterday and no one knew what an interrobang was. How sad is that? Naturally I thought of you.
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Haha, muffin tops from the bakery are delicious. Muffin tops over my pants, not so much. :p
That IS sad! How can anyone not know about the interrobang?!
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Thanks!
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