It’s always that cold hard visual that gets me thinking about exercising. I think about it a lot. Someday, I’ll actually do it. Probably not today. Soon though. Really.
But the deal is, I’m the queen of procrastinators – especially when it comes to exercise. I can talk to myself until I’m blue about all the benefits – health and appearance wise – of good old fashioned exercise but I just can’t get my ‘perk’ factor high enough on the meter to really get into the full swing of things.
For instance, several years ago I decided it was time to ‘Sweat with the Oldies’. I was committed so I went out and bought good old Richard Simons’s workout video. Nine months later, I ripped the cellophane off that package. I read the box notes. I took the tape out of the box. I set it beside the VCR player. Clearly, I was making progress.
But it was a full month before I actually stuck that sucker in the slot, got into my workout clothes and was ready to rumble. Well, not rumble exactly. I worked like a dog through the first 30 minutes of the tape, felt pretty good about myself too until Richard tells me in his chipper peppy voice that, "Now that we’ve warmed up, let’s get started!”
My jaw dropped along with my heart rate that I’d worked up to a rather clipped speed during the freaking warm up. I had thought I was almost done and here, we hadn't even started. Forty minutes later, I was done in. Turns out I was in abysmal shape. I really needed to exercise. So I did. Faithfully for almost a year. I was looking good, too. I was toned and slimmer and darn proud of my progress.
And then it happened. The same thing that always happens. I petered out. Yup. Just dropped the ball. I don’t know why I do that. Well, yeah. I do. I should have mentioned right off that I don’t like to sweat. It’s just icky. I try to avoid it at all costs.
Which brings us back to my problem with exercise. Which I really am thinking about starting again – even though I know I’ll eventually find some excuse NOT to do it. But jezz, if my thighs aren’t motivation enough then I don't know what it’s going to take to get me primed and going again. So you know, I bought a new DVD player last week. And I bought a new exercise tape – Get Fit with Maxim and Juliana and Edeta from Dancing With The Stars. I’m hoping that Max won’t let me down. I want thighs like Juliana’s. I want abs like Edeta. I also want to be 5’10”, weigh 110 pounds and answer to the name of Heidi Klum. It ain't gonna happen. But I sincerely DO want to get fit.
So what about you out there? Am I alone in my struggle? And if not, what do you all do to motivate yourself? I need pointers. I'll even use them ... soon. Really..
30 comments:
Hi Cindy!
I would also like to be 5'10" and weigh 110 pounds...as if. My 5'1" when stretching is never going to reach 5'2", so the first goal is already kaput. I did at one time weigh 110 pounds, but bad knees and a bum ankle have added poundage that I don't like to think about. I even went so far as to ask my doctor how to loss weight. Since my ankle won't support weight, she suggested beefing up my upper body, lifting weights. She also suggested the Ali diet plan, said it was a good program but with drawbacks. I'm going to try it, what harm can it do? She other option was Weight Watchers, but then I have to go and weigh in in front of everyone else. If I can't peek at the scale, do I want a stranger to do it? Most certainly not, but who knows...I might give it a try.
Dottie :)
I'm with you, Cindy. Me and every other woman in America. The problem is food. Too much of it, too easy to get, too much fun. It's almost impossible to get enough exercise to undo all those calories, because I'm told it's simply a mathematical equation. Expend more energy than you consume and all is well. But who does that? We're such a sedentary society, especially up here in the north land where it's cold 15 months out of the year. But if we can find the kind of exercise that we can sustain that really helps. For me it's walking. Just a few miles a day with my husband. Studies show it helps to have an exercise companion. This morning, though, I'm riding horse with my son, and THAT I could do all day.
I joined Curves last year and halfway through the year ended up with bad tendonitis in one elbow and plantar fasciitis in one foot. They aren't related to exercising, but they make exercising pure hell. I've let the Curves membership drop and now I'm just trying to walk some -- not enough to aggravate the fasciitis but enough to expend a few calories. I've also been dieting and have lost 12 pounds since February. Or 10, depending on whether I ate pizza over the weekend.
It's a struggle after a certain age. I'm 5'3" and weighed 105 when I got married. I got back to that after both kids. Then came menopause and the weight started creeping. When I hit 140 this past January, I got creeped out and started the diet. 128 looks a lot better. I'll never be 105 again short of being on chemo or something just as serious, but if I could get it to 125 and firm some of the jiggle I'd be a happy camper.
Marilyn
I don't mind playing True Confessions about exercise BUT I refuse to tell what I weigh! LOL
Like you, Cindy, I decided It Was Time, so I went out and bought a Wii and WiiFit. That was a week ago. Yesterday, I opened the Wii box, but didn't hook it up yet. But I'm making progress!
Looks like Marilyn and I are reaching for similar goal weights. I'm shooting for 118-120. That lets me wear my jeans! Which is my motivation-my clothes. None of them fit and I have refused to go up in sizes except for some bare minimal selections to get me by. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to find something to wear in a closet full of clothes that don’t fit.
I'm in week 2 of the Bowflex 6-week diet plan. 3-300 calorie meals and 2 snacks (150 cals and less) per day along with LOTS of water. And then I workout, following specific exercises every other day.
It helps to tell myself that all those willowy 5'10'' 110 lb models are freaks of nature. Beautiful freaks, to be sure, but still freaks. And even many of them are deemed not beautiful enough in their natural state by the powers-that-be and are made even more beautiful and willowy with Photoshop before they appear on the pages of magazines and on billboards to make all us normal women feel inadequate.
It really does help to remember that. But it still doesn't make me like exercise any more,though. Or food any less.
This is such a tough area for most people, men and women.
I motivate myself by remembering that the most important thing is to get back to working out no matter what derails me. Life happens, people get sick, work gets busy, we injure ourselves, etc..., but no matter how long it's been, 2 weeks or 20, I'm better off getting back to it.
Anything is better than nothing.
Hey Dottie. i hear you. I share your pain :o) Have you ever tried one of those exercise trampolines? I wonder how that would be on your poor knees and ankles. What about an exercise ball? I'm only asking because I want to know if anyone else has given them a go and if so with what kind of success.
Lois - yes, walking is something I can and like to do. I most enjoy doing it outside but like you said, our weather makes it difficult. I have Margaret - our dog - who is a great walking companion. You'd think I'd feel guilty when she brings me her leash and I stare at it from the sofa. I mean - those big sad eyes ...
Marilyn. Yea for you! You sound like you've got all your sand in a pile!! You go girl. I've actually lost 10 pounds this winter but it had very little to do with dieting. I know I need to exercise - even regardless of the weight issue. It's just a good thing to do. Mind set. It's all about mindset.
Arkansas Cindi - I'm grinning. But you're moving in the right direction. Wii is absolutely something to think about. Thanks for the suggestion. We got our kids and grandkids a Wii for Christmas this year. Even the games like bowling and boxing give you a little workout. Cool.!
Keri - Bowflex intrigues me. Do you actually have the equipment or are you following a bowflex exercise plan? And how strenuous is it? In the meantime, I'm rooting for you!!
Candace - Beautiful freaks. I like that :o) I don't know that they are any healthier than we are but they sure look it.
Helen. You are so right! And I guess that's why I keep on trying even when I fail. Thanks, sweetie, for the reminder.
I've been on a perpetual diet since I was 14. I exercise like a fiend (although I'm slacking a bit more after vaca!) try to watch what I eat and the scale doesn't move. A bit.
I'm going to try a modified weight watchers. Like not joining but counting points. Because it's obviously what I'm eating (but hey who doesn't eat HyVee chicken for breakfast????) so I need to learn to be more accountable to myself for the choices I make.
But I do go to Curves 3 times a week, lift weights twice a week and walk 3-4 times a week. Which helps with toning. Now if I could just get my jaw wired shut I could beat that eating thing too, LOL!
Kylie - you're amazing. I want to know - do you LIKE to exercise? or do you have to force yourself?
I so agree with the aversion to sweating! I just don't like it. I have masterful plans as well. They usually start every December, because I figure I'll get a jump on the New Year Resolution, and hate to actually make resolutions.
I have an exercise ball, which I think could be pretty effective for toning, if a person used it. Right now I use it as my office chair. Love it. But it doesn't really 'tone' anything just sitting on it. Though I do bounce once in a while.
Was motivated to start walking on my glider at beginning of April. Have done it once. Sigh...
Do you actually have the equipment or are you following a bowflex exercise plan? And how strenuous is it? I have the bowflex. It came in the mail about a week and half ago. I read about the diet in the instruction booklet and told hubs we were going grocery shopping.
You do an exercise program for 2 weeks, every other day, then for the next 2 weeks, you add a couple more exercises in. Same for the last set of 2 weeks-a couple more exercises are added.
I'm on the first set of 2 weeks. My exercise takes me 10-15 minutes. By the last set of 2 weeks, it should take me no more than 30 minutes to complete the exercises. NO cardio (bike riding/running/whatever) is recommended for the 6-weeks. You lift as much as you can handle. Right now I’m benching 100lbs 10 times. When that gets too easy, I’ll add weight. In one week, I’ve lost 3/12 inches total (includes loss from bust, arms, waist, hips, and thighs). Today starts week 2. I can feel it in my muscles that I’ve lifted weights, but I’m not hurting. I haven’t hurt yet. I could actually do a lot more exercises than what I am, but I’m holding back and following the plan.
If you, or anyone, wants more detailed info about the machine or want to know what diet specifics I’m following, drop me an email: keriford (at) hotmail .com.
I'm a fellow peter-outer, Cindy. I'm looking for tips for getting re-motivating, too, so keep 'em coming.
One thing I know for sure: the first step is the hardest.
You are not alone Cindy. I try to walk everyday. I can walk far, but I try to go out a couple of times a day, now that weather is co-iperating.
Sometimes I will go to the mall and walk around a couple of times, try to do this at a good pace.
I have to be more into this than I have been. I think I am going to go to the pool a couple of days a week too. Swimming is very good excersise.
Well we shall what happens.
Michele - sister girl friend! You share my pain - and the sweat ick factor. What IS a girl to do??
Keri - thanks for the info. I'm impressed. You'll have to keep us posted on your results! i always figured the bowflex deal would be more than I could handle - pain and strength wise. sounds like it's doable!
Kathy and Kathleen - peter outers unite! Let's do this. Let's make this the time to get healthy. i don't know about you, but once I get past the first bout of sore muscles, I actually enjoy walking. It's supposed to be the best over all exercise there is. Outside, inside, on a tredmill. Let's do it!!
Right now my pointer and motivation is that my mother's cancer doctor said the best thing anyone can do to prevent cancer is get healthy and that includes managing your weight.
So, Mother and I are going to be walking every chance she feels like it and I'm going to try and get on the treadmill here. I think my Kindle will make it easier and less boring since I can leave one hand on the railing and still turn pages.
Deb - Cheers to you and your mom. i hope her recovery is going great guns. And yes, what a motivator that is! It's about health, not weight. We all need to be healthier!
Oh, Deb, good suggestion to walk on the treadmill with the kindle! NEver thought of that. I usually try to walk the glider when Oprah is on, but I hate the commercials, and usually take that as an excuse to stop walking. Will try reading today on the glider! What a great way to get some reading done, without the excuse that I'm just 'sitting there'.
Cindy when you called for the peter outers to unite I got a completely different visual image...LOL!
Once I'm in a routine, yes I don't mind exercising. Walking alone is my mulling time and I work out plot kinks that way. I go to Curves and the Y after school but I have to be very firm with myself about it because I can think of a dozen reasons not to go.
But the worst is the walking. During the school year I have to get up at 6:15 to get time on the tread mill and I detest it. Hate hate hate getting up early!
Did I mention I hate it????
Kylie said: Cindy when you called for the peter outers to unite I got a completely different visual image...LOL!
To that I say: How do you know we were visualizing something different??
And YOU are the woman. Very dedicated. Bravo!! I want some of that.
Debra is guest blogging over at:
http://romancewritersrevenge.com/
It's craft week over there and I'm talking about my "broken record" advice. Lots of craft chat in the comments too.
Michele-- Yes, the Kindle is much friendlier to exercise than a paper book. I get sooo bored exercising!
I know. Poor attitude.
Cindy-- Yep, healthy is a better way to think.
Wow. You all are amazing. I'm three weeks from my wedding and haven't lost one pound of the thirty I was going to. Luckily, the future hubs doesn't mind since he's gained a pound or two as well. Tonight, supposedly, we are going to join a gym and work out together every night after work until the wedding.
Usually, I don't mind my winter weight gain since I lose it fairly easily in the summer when I work as a wrangler, but I won't be taking out trail rides this year, so I've got to do something other than just riding my horse to get into shape. Throwing just one 60-pound bale of hay doesn't give the same results as throwing twenty 100-pound bales every day. I keep hoping the power of positive thinking will just cause the weight to melt away, but that hasn't worked either.
GunDiva - Woo Woo! Congrats on your upcoming wedding!
And yea on joining the gym. You'll both get healthier!
Hey Cindy
Several years ago when I lost an incredible amount of weight due to illness I was, for the first time in my life, into a sz12. Now those clothes sit in my closet, taunting me. I know we are supposed to donate to Goodwill or something if it has been longer than a year since you've worn them, but they are my motivator to lose weight. I want the last laugh - and a really nice new belt to help hold the pants up!
Cindy
Cindy - Go buy yourself that new belt! you earned it girl!!
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