Motivation to Exercise Topic

CityGirl129 07/02/20
So watching what I eat isn't really a problem but staying on track
with exercise is probably my biggest weakness. How can I
keep myself motivated and on track even when I don't really
feel like exercising?

Dietician 07/02/20
Hello U1187420256!

You are not alone with this challenge! My best advice is to find something you enjoy and look forward to, or you will find many excuses not to exercise. Many people find the morning is the best time to exercise before they get caught up in their day. This might mean getting up a little earlier, so it doesn't work for all. I used to do exercise videos before the kids and hubby woke up, or on other days I would do exercise videos after work to decompress.

We have three people in the house today working from home, and we are all commenting about how we want to get out and take a break to exercise. My husband is going to take off on his bicycle to get some cardio. I, myself, find that morning exercise works best before my day gets started, when it is cooler, and when I am most energized. I love to start my day with some yoga and then ride my bicycle later in the morning or later in the day. When I worked in the clinic, I would walk for 20-30 minutes over lunch after I ate. Walking with family or friends is also a fun opportunity to get social exercise. Sunset walks are fantastic too! Personalize it and find what works for you!

Need ideas for exercising in the home? Check out some YouTube exercise videos in my recent MyNetDiary blog.
https://www.mynetdiary.com/can-t-get-to-the-gym-try-some-of-these-low-impact-exercises-at-home.html

And don't forget about daily activities of living to get more steps and burn the calories!
https://www.mynetdiary.com/burning-calories-with-outdoor-chores.html

https://www.mynetdiary.com/indoor-household-chores-that-will-help-you-burn-calories.html

Please share how you are doing with your exercise challenge... We are all in this together!

Be well, Brenda (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

Dr.ssa??CRISTINA 07/06/20
Hi CityGirl,
I’m happy to tell you that keeping an exercise routine is easier than you think. I’ve been a bit sad and consequently lazy in the last couple of years, so, despite not being such a gluttonous person I grew fat. Until one day I was asked to stay off from my job for 14 days to check if I had any Covid symptoms. I spent the first 48h reading news on the web while the TV was on News nonstop. I was going nuts and decided to exercise a bit just not to bother with Covid 24h/d.
As soon as I started I felt better and decided to share the idea with family and friends I could only see via cell/cpt. So we started to train together via Zoom and kept motivated each other. 14 days later I was back at work and everybody found me thinner. I hadn’t weighed but even I found myself in better shape, and incredibly full of energy! So I went with the flow and started training a little group of ‘desperate housewives’?? online.
I decided not to start any diet and not to check my weight until fitness had become a routine again in my life. So after 3 months I downloaded this app and decided to stay on a diet to reach my previous weight. In the meantime my shape had improved a lot with no diet at all.
So my advice is joining a group or a friend and exercise every single day for a week. Trust me, if you do it every day in just a week you will see some results, not in the weight scale, in the mirror! And when you realize how much exercising can help you in reaching your goal you’ll never stop.
StayFit ??
Cristina

Dietician 07/06/20 replied to CityGirl129
Hi CityGirl129- How's it going with the physical activity? What strategies have you been experimenting with to motivate yourself to be more active? I know there are lots of people who are also trying to find a way to stay active now that most gyms are closed and the temperatures are rising. We'd love to know what has worked for you! As it may inspire others:)
Best, Joanna (Dietitian for MyNetDiary)

U3753308 07/22/20
I find exercise to be my biggest challenge, and it is the getting started part that is the hardest. Once I get into it, I can go for a while. So overcoming inertia is my challenge. I started first by taking my Fitbit out of my drawer and recharging that (a metaphor there I am sure). And now I have just been paying attention to it, entering the steps here on mnd. I didn't realize how little activity I have been engaged in!! So, that is motivation to add more. Little by little I am growing stronger. It is indeed a process!

U1188191081 07/22/20
Same here, since covid I started exercising every day M-F now that things are some what normal, more work, I feel im losing my motivation to work out, like it’s too much hassle. I work out in the mornings.

Dietician 07/22/20 replied to U3753308
Great idea to use your Fitbit for motivation and accountability. Thanks for sharing~ Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

Dietician 07/22/20 replied to U1188191081
I hear you! I hate when work gets in the way of our healthy habits. Have you been able to get in some activity on your days off?
If you are in need of some new and different at home workouts here is a post I put together on pilates. BTW: I love Amy's workouts! https://www.mynetdiary.com/try-pilates-on-demand.html

Best, Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

Anam 08/09/20
Biggest hurdle i face is lack of energy to exercise

Motivation to Exercise