12 Feb, 2008
What can I do to make going to the gym easier on myself?
By andrea tomkins in Misc. life
I asked myself that question – a lot – before I signed up for my membership.
The windchill was minus twentysomething this morning. Oh lor’ was it cold outside. It was hard to motivate myself to go to the gym. (I walk!) But I did it.
Maybe it was the weather, but it was just me and one other woman there this morning. We got to talking about how important it is for women to focus on their health, and how hard it is to stay motivated sometimes.
So without futher ado, I thought I’d share what works for me:
– I keep my gym clothing washed and handy at all times. I keep it in a drawer beside my bed, or, er, sometimes on the floor. When I wake up in the morning I roll out of bed and put it on. No searching.
– I eat a light breakfast beforehand, something that includes fibre. It fills me up.
– I save my coffee for when I come back. Coffee, sipped in leisure in front of the computer in the glow of my sun lamp, is a treat. And I look forward to it everytime I walk back home.
– Even when I feel like utter crap, I tell myself that I’m not going to work out. But I go, planning to only spend ten minutes reading a magazine on the recumbent bike. Ha ha! I’m actually tricking myself, because once I finish on the bike I feel better, more energized, and ready to tackle a few weights. I’m such a sucker. It works every time.
– Looking good. When I started going to the gym I wore old gym shorts and a baggy t-shirt. I might as well have been wearing an old sack. I felt so depressed. So I spent a few dollars (Joe Fresh!) on fitness gear that fit right and flattered my figure. Now, whenever I see myself in the mirror I see progress. It keeps me motivated.
– I try to remember: it doesn’t take much. I usually start with 25 minutes on the elliptical trainer (brisk walking for 8-10 minutes and then uphill jogging/walking in 1:40 intervals for the rest). I do one circuit on the machines. I do 15-20 reps on each machine (depending on the machine) and I only lift an amount that makes me feel muscle fatigue by my last rep. The whole thing lasts about an hour. That’s it!
– Did you know that muscle burns more calories than fat? If you have more muscle you use up more calories when you’re resting. I like that.
– I don’t do this to lose weight, I do this to be healthy. I don’t want to be hung up on that little number on the scale.
– I try to be proud of my accomplishments, no matter how small. If I’m on the bike riding slowly, I tell myself hey, at least I’m here, on the bike. Something is still better than nothing.
– Sweat is good. It means my body is working hard. Some people equate sweat with lost calories. i.e. Every drop of sweat is a drop of fat off your butt/thighs/whatever. Hey, whatever works!
– Bringing music! If I didn’t have my iPod shuffle loaded with my favourite motivational music I wouldn’t work nearly as hard as I do. It really gets me going, AND blocks out everything else. The music you bring should be something that makes you feel good. i.e I wouldn’t exactly call this a feminist anthem of the new millennium, but for some reason the chorus of this song makes me want to raise my arms with a jazzy flourish and leap across the room. This one too. I even sing along! Well, okay, I mouth these as loudly as I can.
And my last motivating factor (and this might sound morbid), is that I do this for my family. They need a happy, healthy mom, and I want to be around for as long as I can. I look at it this way, every hour I spend at the gym might be an extra hour I get to spend with my family. And I think that’s the best reason of all.
[ETA: check out the great fitness tips over at Zen Habits. There’s lots of good stuff there.]
