A few months ago, I decided that I wanted to get fit. I wanted to be healthy and feel better about myself. I decided to... exercise!
It's something I've been meaning to do for quite some time, but television and sitting on my butt have always had more convincing arguments as to what I should be doing with my time.
There is a gym at my office that doesn't cost much and is open 24/7. I also got a work-out buddy that I could hold myself accountable to so on the days when I just wanted to go home and veg, my guilt and the knowledge that someone would know that I wasn't at the gym made me go. I started going in December and didn't do too bad. I think we averaged going to the gym 3 times a week for about an hour and a half each time.
In February I heard about a 5k called The Color Run. At the end of each kilometer, the race staff blast this colored, non-toxic powder onto the runners. Each kilometer is a different color, so by the end the runner is a whole mess of color. It looks like so much fun I decided that when it came to Portland, it would be my first 5k ever-in-life. It was originally set for August, but now it is September 29.
I started listening to a Couch to 5k podcast as I started jogging and they did help, but I didn't care for the music the podcasts played. I found that listening to other, non-running podcasts worked as I could focus on what they were talking about and not so much about how I wanted to not be running. I got an iPod shuffle for my birthday and that is great too because I had been carrying my larger iPod with me and always worried I would drop it and it would smash or land on the treadmill and go flying off the back.
Two things are happening now.
First, my progress. Two weeks ago for the first time ever in my life, I jogged for 20 minutes straight. I couldn't freakin' believe it. It was on a treadmill at the gym and I think what really helped me was that I blocked the timer so I couldn't see the long seconds ticking by. After I realized what I had just done, I went into my car and cried. For being the fat girl who was always the last to finish running the mile in P.E. classes, I felt like an Olympic track star. I hadn't started out 20 minutes in mind that day, so I thought it was possible that it could be a fluke. However, since then I have done it two more times. I still can't believe it, but I know that I can go longer (eventually...)
Second, how to keep with it. Despite my personal breakthrough, I am finding it hard to get to the gym. My work-out buddy moved, so I don't have that motivation anymore. Most nights all I want to do is go home and stare at the TV all night.
So here is my question to the universe: how do people keep up their motivation? What makes a person go running day after day? I am accepting any and all suggestions. What works for you? What doesn't work? I don't think a rewards system would work for me (put a dollar in a jar everytime you work out and then once it's saved up buy something) but if you have a different spin on it I'd love to hear it.
I'm not sure how long I am going to sustain this desire to be fit. It would be so damn easy just to fall back on my lazy habits. I want to keep this up, dang it!
2 comments:
My sister and I both have only been "exercisers" for a year and a half -ish. We read your blog and agreed that we each have been able to maintain our motivation, for her- running and for myself-yoga, along with the weigh we lost because we found enjoyment in the exercise. That might be the ONLY way. If you aren't loving it, you should find something else. Or even just alter what you are doing slightly (my sister runs outside for example and can't imagine treadmill life). The most important thing is that you enjoy it!! That doesn't mean it isn't difficult, because it should challenge you, but loving it is KEY.
I recently read "Born to Run" and loved it. I never really liked to run before reading it, I just did it to stay in shape. The book helps motivate, inspire you, and show you how much joy there can be in running. I HIGHLY recommend it!
Also, setting big goals for yourself. Like "I will give up soda until I hit this target weight" or "I will treat myself to a Nintendo Wii when I hit this target weight" can help. Also the joy you feel in the endorphines and slimming down is most times rewards enough. Good luck and have fun! That's what it's really all about!
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