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2006/02/27, 06:38 AM
You’ve managed to keep up on an exercise routine for the last while now, when suddenly you just can't seem to work up the strength or willpower to get in another workout. So what happened?
Everyone has his or her own reasons for stopping, but the key to overcoming this problem is to figure out what your reason is and to come up with a strategy to conquer it.
Reason #1:
You can’t Find the Time
This is probably the most common complaint. You have your career, a mate, and possibly kids to attend to – not to mention your friends who want to spend time with you. Demands on your time will always be there, working against your need to stay fit and healthy.
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WHAT YOU CAN DO
·Schedule workout time into your day just like you would for any other important appointment. Once it's written, commit to your workouts by scheduling other things around them.
·Schedule shorter sessions. If you only have 30 minutes, you can still get a great workout, so long as you push yourself hard. If you don’t even have 30 consecutive minutes, studies have shown that three 10-minute workouts throughout the day can be as effective as 30 continuous minutes. Remember its quality over quantity
·Make the most of your workout time by doing compound exercises that will work many muscles all at once (e.g. dumbbell chest press, squats, etc.). You can also superset exercises that alternate between agonist and antagonist muscle groups like biceps and triceps, or between upper and lower body exercises. This way you can work one muscle group while the other is resting and cut that "dead" time out of your workout.
·Make the location of your workouts convenient by finding a gym that is on your way home from work or simply work out at home.
Reason #2:
You Don't See Results
You've been working out for a while and haven’t yet seen results, so you become discouraged and unmotivated. This means that you need to re-evaluate your workout routine.
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WHAT YOU CAN DO
·Get help from a personal trainer. Professional trainers will be able to pinpoint areas of weakness in your program and help motivate you and push you beyond your plateau.
·Make sure your goals are realistic. Whether your goals are for weight loss or weight gain, slow and steady wins the race. Try to get out of the instant gratification mind trap that is so common in our culture. If your goal is a large one, break it down into smaller pieces so you can continuously make small achievements.
·Eat healthy. When your diet is on track, your efforts in the gym will be much more noticeable.
Reason #3:
You Are Self-conscious
If it has been a while since you last worked out, you may feel out of shape, especially compared to other people in the gym that have been there for years. If you're a newbie and you don't understand many of the basic concepts, you might feel intimidated by all the different equipment and machines.
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WHAT YOU CAN DO
·Talk to a personal trainer. If you work out at a gym, a personal trainer can show you how to use the machines and set up a basic program for you. You can also hire an in-home personal trainer to help you get to a level of fitness where you feel comfortable joining a gym.
·Do your workouts during non-peak hours at the gym so there will be fewer people around.
·Keep in mind that we all have to start somewhere and that it's only a matter of time before you see improvements.
·Work out with a friend – preferably one who is more experienced. Your workouts will be more enjoyable and you'll have a spotter.
Reason #4:
No one Supports Your Efforts
Whether it stems from jealousy or a lack of appreciation for the benefits of exercise, you may feel pressured by your loved ones to not work out. Your mate may be angry that you're cutting into your “couple time” and your friends may become slightly resentful of your rapidly improving body and the fact that you're making them look bad.
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WHAT YOU CAN DO
·Invite your mate and/or friends to work out with you to try to get them interested in fitness.
·If they are not interested in joining you, make it clear that you are working out to feel better about yourself and to improve your overall well being.
Reason #5:
You’re Bored
Using stationary cardio equipment like a treadmill or doing the same weight-training exercises can get boring. Not only that, but your body adapts to the same type of exercise over time and you will end up at a plateau.
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WHAT YOU CAN DO
·This is probably starting to sound repetitive, but a personal trainer can teach you new exercises and can add that extra “oomph” to motivate you during your workouts. Research the specific skills the trainer might be able to utilize to keep you interested in his/her style of training
·Read a fitness book or magazine and try some new exercises. Alternatively, try a whole new form of workout such as boot camp, kickboxing class, or Yoga.
·Take your workouts outside. Jogging, cycling, or rollerblading outside will change up the scenery for you and keep things more interesting. Plus the fresh air and being closer to nature can do wonders for a dampened frame of mind. Training outdoors releases more serotonin resulting in overall positive feeling
Reason #6:
You’re Burnt Out
Everyone experiences a bit of a burnout or a psychological barrier from time to time.
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WHAT YOU CAN DO
·Take a break. It’s important to take a week off every couple of months to let your body rest and repair itself. It can also help you refresh your spirit and re-motivate you to get active.
·Motivate yourself by visualizing the results you hope to see.
·Reward yourself by buying something you really want after a given amount of successful sessions. Or treat yourself to your favourite snack on your cheat day.
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get back in the game
Try not to stress too much if you find yourself losing interest in working out. Most people at one time or another will experience the same thing you’re going through. What you need to do is take a good look at the underlying factors that are pushing you away, and come up with an action plan to come out of the rut.
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2006/02/27, 11:12 AM
The number one reason I see is people doing it for the wrong reasons.
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Iron and chalk.
Pain is only temporary, it is in your mind. If you can still walk, then you can still run.
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2006/02/27, 02:22 PM
#1 is soooo true
Sometimes, I think I have no time to workout and then I find myself watching TV...
So I`masking myslef what is more important, and that gets me going
it`s all about priorities
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2006/02/27, 02:27 PM
i always hear people saying they dont have the time. Anyone can take 30min out of the day/night to workout if they want it bad enough especially if they have a home gym.
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2006/02/27, 02:29 PM
I'd have to say that I've come across every one of these...and have done pretty well for my self to push through them. Once you get over the hump of each of these it's pretty easy when you come to them again...I rarely give them a second thought anymore.
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2006/02/27, 02:32 PM
Dustin you posted that exactly as I posted mine apparently. This excuse is why I wake up at 4:30AM and go to the gym before work. Only thing to do that early is sleep...so give up an hour a day to give yourself several more years to live. Seems like a fair trade to me.
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2006/02/27, 03:40 PM
Wrestler I completely agree with you....Some people do it for the wrong reasons, while some don't even know why or what they are doing....which leads to disappointments or excuses....
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2006/02/27, 04:45 PM
I once heard someone say "if they were giving out 1000$ bills,would you take 20 mins out of your schedule to go and get one" Now if you can take 20 mins to do that,then you can take 20 mins to fit in some exercise,especially when its such a benefit to your health
As far as iam concerned,like alot of things in life,you have to make exercise a priority...If I want to be here to watch my kids grow etc..then I have to take care of myself in the best way possible...
Some may think that taking time for yourself,to exercise,do yoga,mediate,whatever is selfish..well then so be it...Its just AS important I take time for myself,as it is that I give time to my family
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\\"I existed from all eternity and, behold, I am here; and I shall exist till the end of time, for my being has no end.\\"
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2006/02/27, 07:47 PM
Thats definately another one. Not even having a reason.
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Iron and chalk.
Pain is only temporary, it is in your mind. If you can still walk, then you can still run.
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2006/03/01, 01:23 PM
I've found time to work out or at least get in some good cardio on Tuesdays, the day where I'm in class from 8am to 5pm and dead tired afterwards.
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