Obesity Discussion Forums

[justme]

I need more cardio

How do you motivate yourself to do certain exercises you KNOW you should do. I have no problem doing the strength training stuff in order to help with my weight loss but I ABSOLUTLY cannot motivate myself to get on the exercise bike and do what needs to be done.

I could probably get myself to get on a bike and go out for a ride but where I live I would need to contend with a heck of a lot of cars. It is not exactly bike friendly here.

I have the stationary bike, I know it is what I need to go do but I cannot get myself motivated to do it, any suggestions?

[inlove]

First pat yourself on the back. You have done great so far.

Then give yourself goals. If you reach XXX weight you get _____. Or if you have a friend that is also losing weight team up with that person.

Wishing you luck!!!

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by YTWCKF

I need more cardio

How do you motivate yourself to do certain exercises you KNOW you should do. I have no problem doing the strength training stuff in order to help with my weight loss but I ABSOLUTLY cannot motivate myself to get on the exercise bike and do what needs to be done.

I could probably get myself to get on a bike and go out for a ride but where I live I would need to contend with a heck of a lot of cars. It is not exactly bike friendly here.

I have the stationary bike, I know it is what I need to go do but I cannot get myself motivated to do it, any suggestions?

The cardio is my least favorite, so instead of doing an hour at a good pace, I switched to 20 minutes of HIIT for a while. I try to change up my cardio routine once in a while to spice things up.

I also envision what 5lbs of fat looks like, and visualize that extra fat that I'd be removing.

You can take it another level and actually buy a replica of fat:



That's just 1lb of fat. :eek4:


I also use an mp3 music player or watch TV while exercising which helps pass the time.

[sass63]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

The cardio is my least favorite, so instead of doing an hour at a good pace, I switched to 20 minutes of HIIT for a while. I try to change up my cardio routine once in a while to spice things up.

I also envision what 5lbs of fat looks like, and visualize that extra fat that I'd be removing.

You can take it another level and actually buy a replica of fat:



That's just 1lb of fat. :eek4:


I also use an mp3 music player or watch TV while exercising which helps pass the time.

Now that is disgusting OD just think of how much I lost would look like wowzer

[Audrey]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

The cardio is my least favorite, so instead of doing an hour at a good pace, I switched to 20 minutes of HIIT for a while. I try to change up my cardio routine once in a while to spice things up.

I also envision what 5lbs of fat looks like, and visualize that extra fat that I'd be removing.

You can take it another level and actually buy a replica of fat:



That's just 1lb of fat. :eek4:


I also use an mp3 music player or watch TV while exercising which helps pass the time.

Eww that's gross. I can just invision it under my belly skin. :eek4:

As for motivation...

This is the first time I've been really successful with loosing weight, and I've been 'dieting' for almost ever. The thing that really motivated me was that my fiance's older brother's fiance (god, what a mouthfull) was on Jenny Craig and lost about 20 lbs. She looked awesome (she's about 5'2 I think so that much weight off of her frame looked amazing), and I got pretty jealous when my fiance told me she looked slimmer.

I think that's most likely the pettiest reason in the world to be a healthier person, but it's been the best motivation I could ask for.

That was months ago though, and I think now my motiviation is to reach my goal because I now know it's possible through a healthy diet and exercise. I think I just want to prove myself right (and be able to say I lost 50 lbs!).

[sass63]

Originally Posted by Audrey

Eww that's gross. I can just invision it under my belly skin. :eek4:

As for motivation...

This is the first time I've been really successful with loosing weight, and I've been 'dieting' for almost ever. The thing that really motivated me was that my fiance's older brother's fiance (god, what a mouthfull) was on Jenny Craig and lost about 20 lbs. She looked awesome (she's about 5'2 I think so that much weight off of her frame looked amazing), and I got pretty jealous when my fiance told me she looked slimmer.

I think that's most likely the pettiest reason in the world to be a healthier person, but it's been the best motivation I could ask for.

That was months ago though, and I think now my motiviation is to reach my goal because I now know it's possible through a healthy diet and exercise. I think I just want to prove myself right (and be able to say I lost 50 lbs!).

It really doesnt matter what got you started as long as you got started. But you really truely need to think of this as a lifestyle change other then a "diet". I have found that the word "diet" all by it self can cause one to think they are depriving their selves. And that leads to cheating and so on and so forth.
But if you make a comitment to a lifestyle change its works different. Because the truth of the matter is when you lose the weight you still cant go back to old eating habits and keep it off you have to follow what is called a maintience plan to keep your weight steady and healthy.

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by sass63

It really doesnt matter what got you started as long as you got started. But you really truely need to think of this as a lifestyle change other then a "diet". I have found that the word "diet" all by it self can cause one to think they are depriving their selves. And that leads to cheating and so on and so forth.
But if you make a comitment to a lifestyle change its works different. Because the truth of the matter is when you lose the weight you still cant go back to old eating habits and keep it off you have to follow what is called a maintience plan to keep your weight steady and healthy.

a

[MikeB]

I look at each part that I go through as a stage towards my end goal. The less I do cardio wise while cutting the longer it will take to get where I want to be long term. Also with wrestling season coming up I need to be in top shape so that I can be a good workout partner for our wrestlers on the team and so that when spring comes I can be more competitive in the adult leagues. My other goals of entering a bodybuilding competition and doing a cage fight for my 40th b-day year are also on my mind as I progress with this cardio/weight lifting routine.

[justme]

Thanks

That is what fat looks like?? YUK!!

I will take all this into consideration and I will admit I lost sight of my goal for a minute there.

Back to the basement and the bike I guess, I will see if I can keep it going this week.


Again thanks

[MikeB]

Go outside, take a walk. Walk up a local wilderness trail or have some kind of other fun. If you get stuck in a rut just doing exercise bike in the basement you will stall eventually or get bored and quit. I have a guy a work who had gastric bypass who swears he works out diligently on his exercise bike. He also reads a book while doing so, how can you read while you're working hard? I have no idea and it's not working for him as he's now gaining weight again.... Just something to think about, always be pushing your body, it will adapt and then stop changing. You are stronger than you think you are and as you do things that are harder, they get easier.

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by YTWCKF

Thanks

That is what fat looks like?? YUK!!

I will take all this into consideration and I will admit I lost sight of my goal for a minute there.

Back to the basement and the bike I guess, I will see if I can keep it going this week.


Again thanks

Yeah, I look at that picture at least once a week for motivation, and even thought about posting a picture of it on my It seems like you are getting bored with the bike, is there anything else you can do to spice things up a bit? Hiking? Walking? Swim? Elliptical machine? Health club? Maybe move the bike to a different room or a different setting like say to the front yard of the playboy mansion? Adding a TV by the bike?

Originally Posted by Audrey

Eww that's gross. I can just invision it under my belly skin. :eek4:

As for motivation...

This is the first time I've been really successful with loosing weight, and I've been 'dieting' for almost ever. The thing that really motivated me was that my fiance's older brother's fiance (god, what a mouthfull) was on Jenny Craig and lost about 20 lbs. She looked awesome (she's about 5'2 I think so that much weight off of her frame looked amazing), and I got pretty jealous when my fiance told me she looked slimmer.

I think that's most likely the pettiest reason in the world to be a healthier person, but it's been the best motivation I could ask for.

That was months ago though, and I think now my motiviation is to reach my goal because I now know it's possible through a healthy diet and exercise. I think I just want to prove myself right (and be able to say I lost 50 lbs!).

Ouch, that's a rough way to get your motivation, but you know that you can do this, you're already off to a great start, this should be cake for you!

Originally Posted by MikeB

Go outside, take a walk. Walk up a local wilderness trail or have some kind of other fun. If you get stuck in a rut just doing exercise bike in the basement you will stall eventually or get bored and quit. I have a guy a work who had gastric bypass who swears he works out diligently on his exercise bike. He also reads a book while doing so, how can you read while you're working hard? I have no idea and it's not working for him as he's now gaining weight again.... Just something to think about, always be pushing your body, it will adapt and then stop changing. You are stronger than you think you are and as you do things that are harder, they get easier.

Read while doing Cardio? No way. IMO if you can focus enough to read you aren't working hard enough. I can barely breathe by the time I'm done!

Something I've done to speed things up, is I went from doing 60 minutes of non stop good paced cardio to 20 minutes of HIIT. Just the change in routine made it more bearable, and getting done 40 minutes sooner was appealing as well.

[justme]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

Yeah, I look at that picture at least once a week for motivation, and even thought about posting a picture of it on my It seems like you are getting bored with the bike, is there anything else you can do to spice things up a bit? Hiking? Walking? Swim? Elliptical machine? Health club? Maybe move the bike to a different room or a different setting like say to the front yard of the playboy mansion? Adding a TV by the bike?

Sorry, the playboy mansion is out, NOT that Heff hasn’t offered, but my wife won’t allow it.

I already have a TV in front of the Bike but like reading I have found it distracts me and I am no longer focusing on the bike and focusing more on TV and the actually workout becomes MUCH less strenuous.

I also JUST (yesterday) started taking an actual real live lunch hour at work again (I have not done this in about 2 years), which I am using to take a ½ hour walk. The office does not like me not being there and available but I don’t like sitting here stressing and not doing anything but kicking demanding developers out of my office so walking is a good idea, thanks MikeB.

And talk about coincidence and good timing; someone just gave me a DVD of Tony Horton’s - Ho Ala Ke Kino - Awaken the Body. I looked at it and it looks like it might be something to do for awhile that is NOT the bike and will be more interesting. I also happened to come across a short routine I can do in the morning to help and to switch things around for a bit so hopefully this will get me and my lacking cardio on track.

And Thanks to all for all the suggestions they have helped.

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by YTWCKF

Sorry, the playboy mansion is out, NOT that Heff hasn’t offered, but my wife won’t allow it.

Not very reasonable is she?

Originally Posted by YTWCKF

I already have a TV in front of the Bike but like reading I have found it distracts me and I am no longer focusing on the bike and focusing more on TV and the actually workout becomes MUCH less strenuous.

I also JUST (yesterday) started taking an actual real live lunch hour at work again (I have not done this in about 2 years), which I am using to take a ½ hour walk. The office does not like me not being there and available but I don’t like sitting here stressing and not doing anything but kicking demanding developers out of my office so walking is a good idea, thanks MikeB.

And talk about coincidence and good timing; someone just gave me a DVD of Tony Horton’s - Ho Ala Ke Kino - Awaken the Body. I looked at it and it looks like it might be something to do for awhile that is NOT the bike and will be more interesting. I also happened to come across a short routine I can do in the morning to help and to switch things around for a bit so hopefully this will get me and my lacking cardio on track.

And Thanks to all for all the suggestions they have helped.

I'm happy to hear you found some other options. Anything to break up the monotany is a good thing. Could you even con a co-worker or subordinate into going on the walk with you to keep you company? Maybe even bribe em with a little bonus

[justme]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

Not very reasonable is she?

Maybe.... but I'M not telling her that

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

Could you even con a co-worker or subordinate into going on the walk with you to keep you company? Maybe even bribe em with a little bonus

:eek4: LORD NO!!! ...

I think I am better off taking the walk by myself, if I go with one of them all I will hear about the entire time is how hard they work, how bad someone else is or how I need to do something about it (hint hint).

I am however going trying to get a hold of a friend of mine I have not seen in awhile that works close by to see if he wants to meet to go for a walk. Thanks for the idea

[sass63]

Originally Posted by YTWCKF

Maybe.... but I'M not telling her that



:eek4: LORD NO!!! ...

I think I am better off taking the walk by myself, if I go with one of them all I will hear about the entire time is how hard they work, how bad someone else is or how I need to do something about it (hint hint).

I am however going trying to get a hold of a friend of mine I have not seen in awhile that works close by to see if he wants to meet to go for a walk. Thanks for the idea

That would not make for a good walk thats for sure. Maybe if you made a deal with them to not talk about work?

[mclintst]

Hey YTWCKF,

Have you tried workout videos? They always spices things up a bit. Not "sweating to the oldies" or anything more like the Tae-bo, kick boxing style. All that punching and kicking really works up a sweat.

You can also just walk the stairs in your house. 15-20 times up and down really gets the heart pumping. Time yourself to keep it interesting.

If your having trouble getting motivated to workout, what I do is change into my workout clothes right when I get home ( unless I am going out somewhere). This stops me from making another excuse not to do my workout. I find myself saying "well your already dressed for it, so you might as well do it"

What about challanging your co-workers to a weight loss contest? I did and won $40 and free (friday) lunch for a month. We baised it on highest % lost not on # of lbs lost. The best part was that everyone lost weight and we all motivated each other. ( Not in the good way though )

Good luck,
Steve

[justme]

Originally Posted by mclintst

Hey YTWCKF,

Have you tried workout videos? They always spices things up a bit. Not "sweating to the oldies" or anything more like the Tae-bo, kick boxing style. All that punching and kicking really works up a sweat.

You can also just walk the stairs in your house. 15-20 times up and down really gets the heart pumping. Time yourself to keep it interesting.

If your having trouble getting motivated to workout, what I do is change into my workout clothes right when I get home ( unless I am going out somewhere). This stops me from making another excuse not to do my workout. I find myself saying "well your already dressed for it, so you might as well do it"

What about challanging your co-workers to a weight loss contest? I did and won $40 and free (friday) lunch for a month. We baised it on highest % lost not on # of lbs lost. The best part was that everyone lost weight and we all motivated each other. ( Not in the good way though )

Good luck,
Steve

Thanks but I tried Tae Bo a few years ago and I have great respect for Billy Blanks and I am fairly certain it is a great work out but I can't stand the music or the yelling. Much the same with just about any workout video I have seen.

I should have posted this before but I found and tried a workout last night that was pretty damn good in my opinion and it pick the heart rate up fast and left be breathing pretty heavy. It may be what I needed since it is fairly different from any other routine I have ever done over the years. And I felt pretty good aftwards (I have felt pretty lousy all week) even though I was tired

It is done non-stop with no breaks in between

15 bodyweight rows
25 bodyweight squats
15 pushups
50 jumping jacks
20 mountain climbers
10 close grip pushups
15 bodyweight rows
10 minutes Stationary Bike
10 Minutes Running in place

And to be honest I did not make the running in place and I am sad to say I could only do this much of it

15 bodyweight rows
25 bodyweight squats
15 pushups
25 jumping jacks
12 mountain climbers
10 close grip pushups
15 bodyweight rows
10 minutes Stationary Bike

But I am not giving up, I rather liked it and it gives me something to work towards

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by YTWCKF

Thanks but I tried Tae Bo a few years ago and I have great respect for Billy Blanks and I am fairly certain it is a great work out but I can't stand the music or the yelling. Much the same with just about any workout video I have seen.

I should have posted this before but I found and tried a workout last night that was pretty damn good in my opinion and it pick the heart rate up fast and left be breathing pretty heavy. It may be what I needed since it is fairly different from any other routine I have ever done over the years. And I felt pretty good aftwards (I have felt pretty lousy all week) even though I was tired

It is done non-stop with no breaks in between

15 bodyweight rows
25 bodyweight squats
15 pushups
50 jumping jacks
20 mountain climbers
10 close grip pushups
15 bodyweight rows
10 minutes Stationary Bike
10 Minutes Running in place

And to be honest I did not make the running in place and I am sad to say I could only do this much of it

15 bodyweight rows
25 bodyweight squats
15 pushups
25 jumping jacks
1