Further motivation for working out

If self motivation isn't enough for you to get your workout in, you can try paying for it. I mean, paying for when you miss it. Chris Shugart recently wrote about this phenomenon over on T-Nation. Gyms actually charge you for your no-shows! 

Chris also wrote one of my favorite explanations of how you get to the point where working out becomes a habit, even enjoyable: Do it until it doesn't suck


He says, "I remembered then some of my first serious workouts years before. I remembered dreading going to the gym, hating every second I was in there, and being glad each workout was over. I remembered having to force myself to go." 


Yeah, who doesn't know that part of building up the habit? In fact, I'd say I've kind of slipped back into that point. But I'll still go. And I'll be glad I did. 

Fitness inspiration at any age

One of the main reasons I started working out regularly a few years ago was that I knew I wanted my old age to be under my control as much as possible, health-wise. To me that meant entering my old age (herein defined as older than around 80 or 85) in good shape. I felt it would be easier to start a real habit of it in my early 30's than it would be in my 50's or 60's. Bonus points for the extra years of being in shape! Not that I ever thought that people couldn't start habits at a later age, just that I wanted to get over the hump so that it was more about sustaining when I'm older.

I may or may not have mentioned my affinity for lifting weights. I was lucky enough to get instruction on lifting in college, and when I've been working out regularly (which I admit has not been all those years in between then and now), it's always been a part of my program.

But in case you think you've missed the boat on getting into weight-lifting and worry that it's too late for you, I give you this article: Experience: I am a 91-year-old bodybuilder

So, in addition to feeling strong, changing your body shape in a good way, and burning more calories (additional muscle does that), you can also think about how much better you'll look at 91!

[Author's note: I have since become hooked on the many other benefits of working out, including less stress and sleeping better. But that's another post]

[Author's note extra: Thanks to Batty for the original link!]

Fitness motivation for the non-competitive

I am decidedly not competitive when it comes to sports. I like challenging myself and improving, but put me next to someone else and I couldn't care less how I compare to them in athletics. The place this is most apparent is in the few 5K races I've been in. I have friends who tell me tales of increasing their speed more than they thought they could to pass someone in a race. They speak of going much faster than they did in their training.

This is something to which I cannot relate.

For me, races are only against myself. Since I hate running, the challenge to myself in my last 5K was to run/jog the whole thing without walking. As somebody who had previously felt pretty darn proud for being able to jog a mile, slowly, 3.1 miles sounded like trying to get around the world. I trained, and worked, and I came in with a miserable time, but I did it! People were passing me left and right, and I was going as slow as some of the walkers at points, but I did it! And I was proud!

It comes down to the fact that external pressure doesn't motivate me. What motivates me is my own challenges to myself. In any challenge, I think it’s key to figure out what helps you push yourself. For all those that are pushed by entering a competition against others, there are those of us who are just trying to top our last performance, or trying to do something far greater than we’ve ever done before, just to see if we can. I don’t think one is better than the other, but if you’re a person who likes one, don’t look to the other for your motivation. Use what works!

That philosophy applies to more than just fitness, actually, but within the fitness realm, let’s talk TOOLS! I’ve found that one of the most motivating tools for myself is a heart rate monitor. I can track my heart rate, my time, and how many calories I've burned (based on my weight, age, and heart rate). I recently upgraded to have a fancy one with a GPS, so that if I’m running outside I can also see how fast and how far I’m going. When I first got a heart rate monitor, I immediately started pushing myself more because I wanted to get the numbers higher. I find that effect is so strong that I’ll turn my car around on the way to the gym if I’ve forgotten either the watch or the chest strap for it.

Another tool that I strongly recommend is a weight-lifting log. I love weight-lifting and as much as each good session makes me feel great, it’s even more satisfying to see the improvement week over week, or month over month. I use an app on my iPod (iStayFit), but I've also used good old pen and paper to keep track of my weights and reps as they slowly increase (though never at the same time!)

Having a handle on what helps keep me motivated is a comfort. In times where life gets crazy and I fall a little off the wagon in terms of workouts (ahem. like recently), I know I still have the knowledge and tools to get me unstuck. And that, itself, is very motivating.

A cure for a rough day (or: how productivity and workouts are related)

It was a long day, and not easy. I've been riding the edge of feeling vaguely overwhelmed for a few weeks, and today seemed to top out for a few minutes. In reality, it's not because anything is amiss or anyone has done anything wrong, it's because I'm trying to keep track of a lot of things and haven't been doing as good of a job as I know I can. As a result, anytime a new thing comes up, I'm dropping something else. And not always on purpose, as it should be.

First I'll say that the Getting Things Done process is an inspiration and I'm a big list-maker, so I know the first thing I need to do in order to get things back in order is make a list. Yay! I love making lists! I just wish there was a little extra time in the day to make the starting list. :) And if you have other tips and tricks for keeping organized, I'll take them!

But actually the reason I started this post was to talk about the resulting edgy feeling from the situation. It's annoying, like an itch that you can't quite reach. Except that it can be reached... with a workout. Be it a good cardio sweat, or a hefty weight-lifting session, a great workout is like a great meditation: clearing the mind, releasing the worries, and helping refocus energy. And even a mediocre workout is better than sitting on the couch. Extra bonus that it helps bring about a good night's sleep, and in the long run, helps all my clothes fit better!

Someday I'll have to talk about my workout journey. I was in no way athletic, into sports, or even very active as a kid, so it's been a long shift to being a somewhat fit person who enjoys workouts. But now exercise is something I greatly value. So, later: a list. Now: the gym!