Comments on Cranky Fitness: Re-Motivating: When it Just Ain't Happening

I SOO needed this today.. I'm not sure what I nee...

2008-05-06T12:41:00.000-04:00

I SOO needed this today..
I'm not sure what I need to do but I read what you wrote and omg it is exactly what is going through my brain!!

So true. Motivation isn't something permanent so w...

2007-09-17T21:21:00.000-04:00

So true. Motivation isn't something permanent so we have to prepare ourselves during those times when we run out of motivation.

Jesus P. God, did I need to read this today. Thank...

2007-09-17T10:33:00.000-04:00

Jesus P. God, did I need to read this today. Thank you!

Great list. I also experienced a lot of down times...

2007-09-16T22:31:00.000-04:00

Great list. I also experienced a lot of down times because motivation is not always around, and it almost made me give up.

If you're bored with your workout, change it. It's...

2007-09-15T13:35:00.000-04:00

If you're bored with your workout, change it. It's good to change it once in a while.

If you're dieting, blow it for a day. I have blow it days - I allow myself to blow it and eat whatever I want - making myself sick. Then I go right back on the diet the next day.

Be stupid and make a major life change. For instance: Because I have exercise issues and don't want to part my butt from my chair, I decided to start waitressing again. I haven't waitressed in 10 years. After a week, I feel better and am now considering finding my weights and do those too. In getting thru the pure physicality of waitressing, I discovered swimming helps with the soreness immensely, so now we go swimming a few days a week.

Bad, bad Pat! :)Run, run, run away fast from Crabb...

2007-09-14T17:53:00.000-04:00

Bad, bad Pat! :)

Run, run, run away fast from Crabby's long posts, you'll feel much better for it!

boy, that's a long post. I guess I'm just not moti...

2007-09-14T17:41:00.000-04:00

boy, that's a long post. I guess I'm just not motivated to read it. Althought I did like some of the bolded headlines. One of these days, I'll go and read it. I got it, I'll read it instead of running tonight.

Bag Lady, lucky you to have your very own Naked Co...

2007-09-14T06:50:00.000-04:00

Bag Lady, lucky you to have your very own Naked Cowboy on call! And yep, city life does indeed have its amusing diversions. (I still miss the Space Lady from back when I lived in San Francisco.)

Hi Katieo!
Well I think one of the things that makes your blog so enjoyable is your ability to connect with the emotional aspects of all this stuff! And good for Aaron for signing up for races, it's great to have something to train for.

Frank, no kidding! A dog is an excellent motivator, and research shows dog owners actually are healthier than non-dog owners--they didn't specify breeds, but I bet JRT's must get extra points for "personality factors."

Hi Kathryn!
Great idea, on keeping goals very doable, then exceeding them. And I think the bike riding is a great idea--I've got one in the basement that I keep meaning to get fixed up but never seem to. A great way to vary the routine. I think I'm waiting for the next time we move when magically there will be bike paths everywhere and I won't have to deal with traffic. Good luck on getting going with that!

G.P.--running buddies are another great idea! It really does help to have someone counting on you showing up.

Darren--what a great helpful way to get motivated, to help out at a race! I always feel slightly jealous when I see people competing and it makes me want to get more serious about my own cardio. Plus it's a nice generous thing to do with your time!

database diva, those are some awesome ideas. Sillines! Hula hoops! Never thought about how good for abs those could be, plus they're relatively cheap, right? I also hear great things about the Nike doohickies, with the concrete feed back of how many pounds you're burning off. And good point about the overtraining. (Not usually MY particular reason for demotivation, but true for others!)

This is an excellent list, but I do have a couple ...

2007-09-14T03:21:00.000-04:00

This is an excellent list, but I do have a couple things to add. Sometimes de-motivation is a sign of burn out from over training, so be sure you are getting enough sleep after your work outs and getting enough recovery time.

If I'm not feeling up to my full work out, I sometimes reduce the duration or intensity. If you've been running a lot, a few days of brisk walking might do you some good.

Try new things that are silly or fun. I've been having trouble staying on a core strength program, so I bought a hula hoop. I tried belly dancing, and the abdominal stuff was fine, but then they wanted me to move my hands and feet at the same time, and that was way beyond my ability.

Keep a fitness log. There are lots of free workout logs available online, or you could just write it down in a notebook.

As for cool gadgets, if you are a runner, I totally recommend the Nike + iPod sport kit. I went from a "sort of runner", to 30-40 mile/week runner since I got mine last October. According to the Runner+ web site, I've burned 44 pounds since then. Boy was that motivating!

This kinda goes along with "watch other people exe...

2007-09-14T01:53:00.000-04:00

This kinda goes along with "watch other people exercising." Go watch or volunteer at a running race,triathlon or bike race.
It always helps my motivation to go to the finish line of the local marathon and cheer people on.Or work an aid station at a marathon.

great list.. i've found that the "it aint happenin...

2007-09-13T22:33:00.000-04:00

great list.. i've found that the "it aint happening" is part of the normal cycle and having folks to be "accountable to"... like running buds who count on you to be there at o dark thirty has helped me thru those slumps.

press on regardless
gp in montana :)

Hi there Crabby. I'm just getting back into regul...

2007-09-13T20:52:00.000-04:00

Hi there Crabby. I'm just getting back into regular exercise after a bit of a hiatus. For me, somewhat perversely, it helps to under-aim on how much I'm going to exercise over the week. Then when I achieve that, plus more, I think "yay, how great am I". Hmm, that makes it sound very easy for me to fool myself doesn't it?

My major goal for the next week is to get out on my bike. I tend to limit myself to walking, bits of running and some resistance - and then get bored every few months. At least if I start using my bike more I can use it as mode of transport, as well as exercise.

Or you could just inherit a highly-strung mutt wit...

2007-09-13T20:51:00.000-04:00

Or you could just inherit a highly-strung mutt with ADD that makes the Energizer Bunny seem like Perry Como. In a coma.

:)

Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Signing up for a 5K or h...

2007-09-13T20:17:00.000-04:00

Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Signing up for a 5K or half-marathon always works for Aaron.

So I came early early this morning, saw this post,...

2007-09-13T20:15:00.000-04:00

So I came early early this morning, saw this post, and left immediately because I knew I only had 45 seconds and I really wanted to savor this one, So I'm back.

And I Loved it!! I needed it too. My favorite line was, "get all Chicken Soupy..." LOL!

What'd I miss? Now I really feel like a country bu...

2007-09-13T19:05:00.000-04:00

What'd I miss? Now I really feel like a country bumpkin...Naked Cowboy? Who - what? I mean, I have one in my bed every night, but I'm pretty sure Melissa didn't bump into HIM in New York! You big city folk have all the fun!!!!

Pizza photos! Dough! Never even thought of it. ;)

2007-09-13T19:00:00.000-04:00

Pizza photos! Dough! Never even thought of it. ;)

Melissa, thank you so much, and glad to hear you'r...

2007-09-13T17:54:00.000-04:00

Melissa, thank you so much, and glad to hear you're feeling so motivated! I'm quite amused by the Naked Cowboy near-collision. Perhaps you can upload the video to your blog when it gets fully operational!

Hilary, well, good for you for trying something new! Though bummer that there wasn't more to photograph... did you get any nice pizza pictures? (I LOVE pizza!)

Danielle, that really nice of you! And I'm afraid some days I'm really boring, so I hope you can hang in there. I think having a tv show you can get into while you work out is an Excellent Idea! I think consistency is way more important than intensity in the long run. Just remind yourself during commercials to see if you're still moving, and if you are, you're good! (I've got a post about that sort of relates to that, it's the Caveman on Exercise bikes one on the sidebar, if you're Really Bored!)

Hi Israel,
And you've got that contest thing going with another blogger--sounds like you both are having fun and are very motivated by it! Love all the tough talk, it'll be fun to follow you're progress.

cool list. it actually lists the things i have don...

2007-09-13T16:59:00.000-04:00

cool list. it actually lists the things i have done at least once to get back on track. i tend to just look at myself in the mirror, then look at some old pics and then say: I wanna be like that again but its gonna take some mental toughness. it usually works.

I also noticed that i perform according to my emotions, but the trick is to not let a bad day make you not workout. sometimes is better to workout even if you feel like crap.

Crabby, Just found your site the other day... (me...

2007-09-13T16:30:00.000-04:00

Crabby, Just found your site the other day... (mentioned by Roni over at weightwathcen.com) and I am loving your sense of humor and helpful motivational pushes. Also I appreciate your writings on perfectionism, I sent that to my mom and several friends. Thanks so much! You're bookmarked on my screen and I look forward to literally "Lol" laughing out loud at your writings. That's a rarity for me when reading things on the internet ha!

As far as motivational ideas... I have found a tv show on at a certain time in the morning that I enjoy watching, and that helps me with my endurance on the efx machine on the days when I JUST DON"T FEEL like working out. I know you don't push yourself as hard when you're distracting yourself (aka watching TV)... but I know I push myself a lot harder than if I just got off and went home because "I wasn't feeling it". (:

I'm going to have to echo everyone else's comments...

2007-09-13T16:13:00.000-04:00

I'm going to have to echo everyone else's comments and tell you that your timing is perfect.

I will continue to find a slightly different walking route than usual. I started that the other day, and although it was boring compared to my familiar path, I ended up walking longer and farther in search of something interesting to photograph (never found it).

On the downside, I suppose I shouldn't have just ordered that pizza...

My God, I get so excited reading this post that I ...

2007-09-13T15:12:00.000-04:00

My God, I get so excited reading this post that I haven't been able to get all the way through it yet. This is definitely a keeper. I think Crabby should be the fitness guru of the world.

The last post I sent round to my fitness pact people got a terrific reaction. I can't wait to see what they have to say about this!! It speaks to every one of us!!

Today was such a great day--I met up with all my friends (some of whom are in the PACT) at the temple on 5th Ave, where we sang Rosh Hashanah service for everybody (almost nobody in the choir is actually Jewish, but they don't care), and then I decided to Walk in the Park. It was so beautiful, and I just kept walking clear down to Times Square where I almost literally ran into the Naked Cowboy, and have the video to prove it. Walked for almost an hour and a half and then took the subway home where I plan to kick back all day.

Just feel so great lately, and motivation is starting to creep back up on me. That's why this post really electrified me.

Love ya, Crabby

Thanks so much, Terrie!Norabarnacle, excellent poi...

2007-09-13T14:30:00.000-04:00

Thanks so much, Terrie!

Norabarnacle, excellent points! Yes, finding an exercise you enjoy makes it way more motivating. And I'm quite embarrassed about the Nursing Home item as I really was thinking of it more as a visualization. So yes, if you actually do go to a Nursing Home, don't do it just so you can appreciate you own health! Go in order to cheer someone else up and help them feel better. To borrow from Hilary, Crabby should try not to be such a Selfish Shellfish!

I've got one to add: enjoy it. I think I've said t...

2007-09-13T14:07:00.000-04:00

I've got one to add: enjoy it. I think I've said this before here, but if you don't like what you are doing, it's going to be hard to make it a habit. Find something enjoyable to help you reach whatever your goal is.

Also, I "heart" cross training.

AND, I feel very strongly if you are going to go to stop by the nursing home or think about the nursing home, don't simply focus on you and your deal. Take someone outside for a walk. It will make their day and yours too for making someone else's day. And you'll get exercise, which to me, is the bonus in that situation.

But, that's just me.

Crabby,Really, really great post!A terrific remind...

2007-09-13T13:28:00.000-04:00

Crabby,

Really, really great post!

A terrific reminder that motivation comes in so many forms and that re-motivation is frequently necessary.

Terrie