One of the hardest habits for me to get into has been working out. I've been lucky enough to continue to have lost even though my workout schedule has been erratic. That's not going to last forever though, so I'm now trying to remedy this.
When people hear the term "workout" they tend to think gym. That doesn't have to be the case though. You can workout by walking around your neighborhood or at a nearby park. You can also do things like go to the local zoo or spend a day window shopping at the mall. These hidden workouts often are easier to do because you're in a different mindset. I mean I can walk through the zoo all morning, but if I take a walk around the track in the gym for some reason I tire of it quickly.
Also consider taking it back to the playground. We all used to play games like tag and jump rope as kids. They were fun to do then and can be fun to do now. If you have kids it can be a great family activity. Making exercise into a game is a great way to make it seem less like a chore.
If you do decide to go to the gym there are a few things I've found that can help out a lot. If you're especially new to the hole experience see if the gym you're joining gives you any free trainer sessions. When I joined a local YMCA I got 4 free trainer sessions. They are invaluable because the trainer will teach you how to use the equipment and how to do some of the exercises properly. They'll even help you figure out where you should start your weights at. And since they're a scheduled appointment that you'll loose if you skip out on it makes it harder to decide not to go.
I know when I did my first personal trainer session I felt anxious and feared that they would judge me (at that time I weighed 380+ lbs., and have never really exercised, so I had no idea how to do it). Personal trainers see people of all sizes and experience levels all the time. They are there to work with you, not to judge. I made myself go through with the first session and was glad I did. After it I was more than happy to make the next appointment.
If you find that it's hard to keep yourself motivated to go then I'd suggest finding a workout buddy. Having someone else there often makes the time pass quicker. You'll also have someone to push you when you start to waiver. It's also someone who's counting on your to be there, so it makes you more accountable. It's easy to give yourself an excuse not to go to the gym, but when you have to repeat it to someone else it becomes much harder to do.
If you can't find a workout buddy then consider having some music or a magazine for when you're doing cardio. Having something to distract you means that you're not concentrating on the fact you still have 10 minutes left on your run.
There's often a question about when to exercise. I've heard many different schools of thought. Some people say you should only do it in the morning. Some say the evening. I've been told it really doesn't matter when you do it as long as you start a routine. Personally I've found that if I do it in the mornings on the weekend I feel more energized during the day, but during the week it has helped me wind down after a long day.
What to do when you're there is another question that you may have. When it comes to cardio I stay away from the elliptical and stair climber machines. I like to do the treadmill and bikes. I have friends who hate the treadmill. Everyone will have their own preference. The important thing is that you find what you like to do. When I go to the gym I mix cardio and weight training. I find that it's easier to do 15-20 minutes of cardio and then cool down while doing weights, but everyone is different.
That about sums up what I have for now on working out. I speak from experience when I say it's tough to get yourself started, but it gets easier as you go.
I've got a lot of different topics floating around in my head, so I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to talk about tomorrow. So for now we'll call it the "surprise topic."
On the menu today: (nutritional information) [POINTS Plus]
When people hear the term "workout" they tend to think gym. That doesn't have to be the case though. You can workout by walking around your neighborhood or at a nearby park. You can also do things like go to the local zoo or spend a day window shopping at the mall. These hidden workouts often are easier to do because you're in a different mindset. I mean I can walk through the zoo all morning, but if I take a walk around the track in the gym for some reason I tire of it quickly.
Also consider taking it back to the playground. We all used to play games like tag and jump rope as kids. They were fun to do then and can be fun to do now. If you have kids it can be a great family activity. Making exercise into a game is a great way to make it seem less like a chore.
If you do decide to go to the gym there are a few things I've found that can help out a lot. If you're especially new to the hole experience see if the gym you're joining gives you any free trainer sessions. When I joined a local YMCA I got 4 free trainer sessions. They are invaluable because the trainer will teach you how to use the equipment and how to do some of the exercises properly. They'll even help you figure out where you should start your weights at. And since they're a scheduled appointment that you'll loose if you skip out on it makes it harder to decide not to go.
I know when I did my first personal trainer session I felt anxious and feared that they would judge me (at that time I weighed 380+ lbs., and have never really exercised, so I had no idea how to do it). Personal trainers see people of all sizes and experience levels all the time. They are there to work with you, not to judge. I made myself go through with the first session and was glad I did. After it I was more than happy to make the next appointment.
If you find that it's hard to keep yourself motivated to go then I'd suggest finding a workout buddy. Having someone else there often makes the time pass quicker. You'll also have someone to push you when you start to waiver. It's also someone who's counting on your to be there, so it makes you more accountable. It's easy to give yourself an excuse not to go to the gym, but when you have to repeat it to someone else it becomes much harder to do.
If you can't find a workout buddy then consider having some music or a magazine for when you're doing cardio. Having something to distract you means that you're not concentrating on the fact you still have 10 minutes left on your run.
There's often a question about when to exercise. I've heard many different schools of thought. Some people say you should only do it in the morning. Some say the evening. I've been told it really doesn't matter when you do it as long as you start a routine. Personally I've found that if I do it in the mornings on the weekend I feel more energized during the day, but during the week it has helped me wind down after a long day.
What to do when you're there is another question that you may have. When it comes to cardio I stay away from the elliptical and stair climber machines. I like to do the treadmill and bikes. I have friends who hate the treadmill. Everyone will have their own preference. The important thing is that you find what you like to do. When I go to the gym I mix cardio and weight training. I find that it's easier to do 15-20 minutes of cardio and then cool down while doing weights, but everyone is different.
That about sums up what I have for now on working out. I speak from experience when I say it's tough to get yourself started, but it gets easier as you go.
I've got a lot of different topics floating around in my head, so I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to talk about tomorrow. So for now we'll call it the "surprise topic."
On the menu today: (nutritional information) [POINTS Plus]
Breakfast:
4 egg whites [1] (I asked for 2, but what they brought had to have been more like 4)
1 Fruit Cup [0]
2 Sweet Potato Pancakes [12] (guessing at these here, got it with no butter or powdered sugar)
1/4 Cup Sugar Free Maple Syrup
4 egg whites [1] (I asked for 2, but what they brought had to have been more like 4)
1 Fruit Cup [0]
2 Sweet Potato Pancakes [12] (guessing at these here, got it with no butter or powdered sugar)
1/4 Cup Sugar Free Maple Syrup
Lunch:
2 Slices Sara Lee Delightful 100% Multi-Grain Bread [2]
2 Slices Fat Free American Cheese [1]
2 Cups (on can) Progresso Light Chicken Noodle Soup [4]
2 Slices Sara Lee Delightful 100% Multi-Grain Bread [2]
2 Slices Fat Free American Cheese [1]
2 Cups (on can) Progresso Light Chicken Noodle Soup [4]
Dinner:
Genghis Grill - Mongo BBQ Chicken Bowl
Chicken, Citrus Garlic Herb, Classic Stir Fry Mix (Carrots, Green Beans, and Onions), Green Beans, Mongo Mix (Red and Green Peppers and Onions), Mongo BBQ Sauce, Brown Rice (368.9 cal / 1.5 fat / 54.2 carb / 8.9 fiber / 31.1 prot) [8]
Skinny Cow Caramel Truffle Bar [3]
Chicken, Citrus Garlic Herb, Classic Stir Fry Mix (Carrots, Green Beans, and Onions), Green Beans, Mongo Mix (Red and Green Peppers and Onions), Mongo BBQ Sauce, Brown Rice (368.9 cal / 1.5 fat / 54.2 carb / 8.9 fiber / 31.1 prot) [8]
Skinny Cow Caramel Truffle Bar [3]
Snacks:
2 Cups Cauliflower, Raw [0]
1 Package Planter's Nut-rition Heart Healthy Mix [7]
2 Cups Silk Pure Almond Dark Chocolate Almondmilk [7]
2 Cups Cauliflower, Raw [0]
1 Package Planter's Nut-rition Heart Healthy Mix [7]
2 Cups Silk Pure Almond Dark Chocolate Almondmilk [7]
Exercise:
Had a lighter workout today because I was fighting some congestion.
Had a lighter workout today because I was fighting some congestion.
15 minutes on the bike at 17 mph on level 12.
5 minutes walking on track.
#gghealthkwest
5 minutes walking on track.
#gghealthkwest
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