Help me out of my 15-minute cynicism!

B

Biteset

Cathlete
Wow, I've really gotten so much inspiration here in just the last several days...



Here's my issue (and it's sure to sound silly once I say it!):

Lots of people suggest the 10-minute rule, or 15 or 20--meaning if you don't think you can muster up the motivation for a workout, at least do 10 (15, 20) minutes at the minimum. Stop if you want to after that, or feel so good that you just continue.

Okay, this sounds so sensible. But then my alarm wakes me for my morning workout, and I start this crazy reasoning:

1.) I only feel like doing 15 minutes, tops.
2.) If I'll only do 15 minutes, why should I get out of bed NOW?
3.) If I'll only do 15 minutes, I should set my alarm to let me sleep another 45 minutes.
4.) If I wake up in 45 minutes, it'll be too late to work out (because what if I want to do more than 15 minutes?)
5.) Oh, screw it. zzzzzzzzzz


Or this:

1.) I only feel like doing 15 minutes, tops.
2.) If I only do 15 minutes of a strength workout, I'll only cover one or two body parts. Then what?
3.) Oh, this is too complicated. zzzzzzzzzz


HELP! Anyone? Am I alone in this? Or has anyone gone through this sort of reasoning and BEAT it?

Thanks,
Gisela
 
Sleep for 45 minutes vs. getting up for a workout...this one gets a lot of people! Is it going to be easier to get out of bed in 45 minutes? I think the big physical challenge of getting out of bed is from dehydration. It's the longest we have gone without a sip of water in a 24 hour period. How about this...instead of having these conversations with yourself why not muster up an easier deal. The alarm goes off and you vow to sit up and drink 12 ounces of water...THEN decide if you will get up and workout or sleep for 45 minutes.
 
Hmm, this one is tough. I think given the choice, most people would opt for the extra 45 minutes of sleeping. I think you have to make the decision BEFORE you go to sleep that you are going to get up rather than have the argument with yourself. Have your gear ready to put on and your DVD and equipment set up. This way it's a minimal maneuver, you know what I mean?

Good luck,
Marie
 
Sarah,
That is really really interesting point. I know that it is true that your body does not respond as quickly and water defintley helps to wake the body up. What a great idea. Great answer to a post that I would not have know how to answer very inteligently:)


Susan
 
Thanks Susan! This is actually one of my New Year's Resolutions...wake up and chug water. Works way better than coffee! That doesn't at all mean I don't drink coffee, but the water does have an instant "perking" affect! I highly recommend it! I keep a water bottle by my bed so it is ready! Most of the time, I don't get out of bed to chug it. Makes morning so much easier!

Try it!!:9
 
I guess that I don't question it when the alarm goes off. I don't allow myself to think that there's an option of sleeping or working out. Personally, I find that the 45 min workout actually does more good for me than the 45 min of sleep. I am more awake and have more energy for the day with the workout!
 
Hi Gisela,

I can reason my way out of ANYTHING, especially getting up early to workout. My trick that works 99% of the time is to NOT think. My alarm goes off, I get up, put on my workout clothes, turn on the DVD player with the DVD already in it, and begin! Honestly, if I were to lie in bed thinking of the tough workout I was about to embark on, I wouldn't get up at all.

This is why I do my workouts in the morning, so that my "zombie" mode is easier to hang onto! Consider taking a shower...do you ponder taking one or just go through the motions because it is a habit and you know the results are good? :)
 
Personally, I have to resolve to get my buns out of bed in the morning for a workout, and if I do workout in the morning I'll usually opt to do something fairly easy (such as High Step Circuit). It is almost never something I would do on a whim before work in the morning. I also have to agree with Sarah that getting some water in the system will help you get moving. I'll usually have some water and a small piece of fruit to get me moving.
 
"I think the big physical challenge of getting out of bed is from dehydration. It's the longest we have gone without a sip of water in a 24 hour period. How about this...instead of having these conversations with yourself why not muster up an easier deal. The alarm goes off and you vow to sit up and drink 12 ounces of water...THEN decide if you will get up and workout or sleep for 45 minutes.
Sarah"


I seem to be quoting Sarah a lot today.:) But this is so true. I don't w/o in the AM, however, I follow the water advice just to get me up and going. I am so thirsty when I awake (it doesn't help that I take BP med with a diuretic). I keep a fresh new 20 oz bottle of water by my bed and before my feet hit the floor, I chug half of it. Then I, of course, head for the potty and come back and finish drinking the water. I also drink 8-16 oz of water before w/o, sip during w/o, and replinish afterwards.

We underestimate the power of water. :)
 
>"We underestimate the power of water. "
>
>HALLELUJAH, sister! Praise the water! Hail Evian!!!:D

>Sarah




AMEN!!!!!:7
 
I really need to try this water trick. I wake up an hour and a half before I have to every morning because that's when the SO gets up. I'm very awake at that point, but just don't have that oomph to exercise, so I sleep again. An hour and a half later I wake up groggy and more tired than I was earlier.

I drink water while I get ready for work and I start waking up finally. Good tip, thanks!
Brandi
 
I don't think too clearly in the morning either. It's helped that the night before I make sure my space is ready: all the DVDs I need are in the player and cued up to where they need to start, the equipment that's needed for that particular workout is set up, and my workout clothes are close at hand. That way there's no thinking involved. I just get up and do it. I also get the coffeemaker loaded up, make my lunch, and put out my work clothes the night before. So technically I'm getting extra sleep because I did a lot of my morning things the night before (how's that for logic LOL).

Once you get a routine going and it becomes a habit it will get lots easier.
 
Everybody, THANK you for taking the time to chat with me a bit about this!

Sarah--WOW. AWESOME advice about the water. I love how you suggested I "muster up an easier deal". What understanding words! You rock! Yes, sitting up in bed to drink 12 ounces of water is an easier deal. And I think I'd feel as if I had gotten the ball rolling. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE that little tip. It could change everything for me. (am I going to cry now? ;( )

squirrelly--THANKS for mentioning that you can reason your way out of ANYTHING! How totally obvious! I guess the trick is to NOT REASON. lol. Thanks again!

Over in another thread about exercise & depression, Joni made a point about the healthy DOMS that gives her a sense of accomplishment. I'd forgotten the plus side of DOMS! I was so busy being afraid of it that I forgot I like it.

Thanks again,

Gisela
 
I still have to talk myself out of bed every morning. However, my bladder begs for relief in the morning so I usually get up "just to pee" but once I'm up, I don't get back into bed.

So maybe the trick is to drink the water BEFORE you go to bed. That way you HAVE to get up right away in the morning. :p

"Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Satchel Paige
 
Gisela, I tried to respond to you PM but the e-mail was returned undelivered. I don't want you to think I am ignoring you so I will post my e-mail here:

Hi Gisela,

Thank you so much for your kind words, you are very sweet! To answer your question, no...I have not always been in such good shape. It has been something I began about 4 years ago, with each passing year, learning more and becoming more serious and making gradual changes all the way. When you make gradual changes, it becomes so easy! No one likes being thrown into a pool! The one thing that I am the most strict about is **not giving up**. Wherever you are at in the journey, it's better than being back at square one. My fitness has not always been at this level. I had 30 extra pounds, unhealthy lifestyle. I got healthier to have my kids but with that came 42 pounds, each one. But I was able to get those off within 5-6 months.

The reason I tell you this is so you can see that being fit does not require you to always be fit. It wasn't until my late 20's when I became serious about weights, healthy living, all that good stuff!

And drinking water first thing in the morning is a perfect example of a gradual change I made along the way! I started that January 1st and it is working well for me! I down about 20 ounces before I have my coffee. Drink what you can, I know you'll feel a difference! Take big swallows! You'll feel your head **open up** almost right away!

Enjoy!
See you on the forum!
Sarah
 
Sarah, OMG! LOL!

Somehow, I don't know HOW--certainly not by how you look now--I just got the feeling that you had really worked your way to the awesome bod you have now. What I mean is, you don't look like you ever had an extra 30 pounds or kids--but somehow I still suspected it. Maybe something about the reasonable things you say? Okay, and also here's something to embarrass you--your rear view is just like...wow. Good job! It's my dream to look as great in a skirt as you do.

I'm 29 with two kids, and like you say, piece by piece I'm getting serious about health and fitness. I've had starts and stops, but I think I'm always sort of moving forward even in my slump times.

I hope I'm not getting too corny with the water thing, but right at this particular time in my exercise life, your suggestion feels just like Dumbo's magic feather. I even bought myself a "special" big ol' cup tonight.

Now I need to figure out why I'm not getting pm's...

Gisela
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top