exercise mommas come in

identicaltwins2be

I need someone to kick my @ss into shape!  I have the desire to lose all this baby weight but lack the motivation...I mean, why can't it just come off when I eat chocolate and ice cream and all that good stuff  

Anywho, I have a list of excuses a mile long (I'm tired from getting up with the babies overnight, I work full time, the house needs cleaned, DH works late, etc, etc, etc).  We have a 'Y' memebership so I have access to everything I need but zero motivation.  How did/do you get motivated?  Aside from the desire to look good, how do you get past all the excuses and actually start working out?

l.m.k.

I don't even have kids yet, but I can tell you that every time I decide to start exercising again, the first 5 or so times are the hardest. Pick a time and date for a class at the Y, pack up your gym bag, and GO. Don't let yourself make an excuse. And then pick another time, later that week, and do the same thing. Maybe make a calendar and pick 2 or 3 classes a week you are committed to going to, hang it on the fridge, and don't let yourself make an excuse. The first couple of times are going to be really hard to get over the excuses and get there, but it will get easier.

Another thing that helps is finding a friend to go with you. You're more accountable if you know someone else is counting on you being there!

jerseygirl81

I know you said he works late, but is there any way that your H is interested in doing it with you? I find it so much easier to stay motivated when we workout together because it's harder to find an excuse for us both to sit around.

identicaltwins2be

jerseygirl81:

I know you said he works late, but is there any way that your H is interested in doing it with you? I find it so much easier to stay motivated when we workout together because it's harder to find an excuse for us both to sit around.

We could, but I don't know what we would do with the boys.  They have a child drop place but with the babies still being so young I'm not comfortable leaving them there.  A friend of mine goes to the same Y so I might see if she is interested.

Superchicy

I'm about to try to kick the end of the baby weight myself.  I've decided to make a commitment to working out at least 3x a week either right before or right after work.  I am going to do the C25K program which is set up for just about that schedule, and doesn't take very long each day.  I also know I'll keep up with it b/c when I did the program before, i saw progress pretty quick (at least with my endurance), so it will hopefully encourage me to keep going.  GL, I'm right where you are with all the excuses.  I need to buckle under and just do it.

l.m.k.

What about exercising at lunch? Could you go for a 30 minute walk outside, then come back, cool off, eat, and change back into your work clothes? It wouldn't cut into your time before or after work.

schwenjl

Do you have time warner? When I can't get myself motivated to go to the gym I make myself do a workout on the fitness on demand channel. They have all sorts of different workouts yoga, pilates, cardio,abs...and varying lengths,some are only 10 minutes long. That way I can fit in at least something during naptime or before I go to bed at night, and I don't have to worry about packing everything and everyone up and preplanning! Also, does the Y have group classes? I find that if I commit myself to a certain class each week I am more likely to go b/c I am held accountable by the other ladies in the class who definitely comment the next time I am there if I have been a no show. 

mrsgillian

it is soooo hard to get moving, but once you do and start to see/feel changes, that is what keeps me going. 

some recommendations: set a small goal - maybe to walk or run a 5K such as the cheetah run, or the thanksgiving day race. 

maybe start with the 30DS video?

i like structure because i am a very unstructured person so it helps me stay on task to right things down on myexcel spreadsheets or use a website like sparkpeople or mydailyplate to stay accountable.

doing it with a friend/DH is always a nice thing too.

since you belong to the Y can you find a class that works for your schedule? there are a lot of fun ones.

start with small goals = maybe, i will work out three days t his week for 1/2 hour. then build each week. good luck!!!

also, cut yourself some slack and don't be too hard on yourself. it is really hard to fit YOU time in, but really important. :-) 

kykassie

I've learned each person is motivated differently. I do two simple things...

1) I bargain with myself ("I'll go to the gym or I'll get on the treadmill for 10 mins., then if I want to stop, I can stop.")

2) Silly mantras work for me, too, like "I must do the thing I think I cannot do" (especially helpful during tough miles) and "I never regret when I do but I always regret when I don't."

Good luck... I know I'm grateful to have this group to push me a little bit when it's time for my baby weight to come off! 

RobotsandRoses

I don't have a child yet, but I've found I need a strict timetable in order to force myself to make it happen. I've been working out in the mornings pretty consistently, because I know I have to make it happen by a certain time or I'll be late for work.

If I wait until after work, I feel so drained form the day and keep putting it off until it's too late, and I won't be able to sleep.

Also, a small goal to start that you grow on helps me. If you don't have time one day, then try to make up for that the other days of the week.

Good luck!