I've lost my motivation!!!

Worknprogress

Worknprogress

Cathlete
After a broken toe, plantar fasciitis, and then severe lower back pain - all which are gone, except a bit of lower back pain but PT wants "work through" it, I can't seem to find motivation to get back into the groove of working out.

I have tried everything to get my butt back into gear but nothing is working. I've put my clothes out the night before - even slept in them only to change into regular clothes when I couldn't get out of bed in time. I've tried to follow a rotation and created a rotation myself. Even if I work out for a day and feel great, I just can't muster up the energy to do that second day, then third, fourth, etc.

I have never gone through this before. Never (other than pregnancies) have I given up a rigorous fitness schedule for this long of a time period. Of course, I feel tired and sluggish, clothes don't fit, and the list goes on and on, and everyday I say the infamous "tomorrow" but when tomorrow comes it's hard just to get out of bed! I have two small children and a husband that leaves at 6:45 am and usually doesn't get home until 7 pm. So my only hope of a good workout is first thing in the morning.

How do I overcome this lack of motivation? Any tips?
 
Debbie,
Go get yourself some muscle mags like Fitness RX, Oxygen, M&F Hers, etc. Read the articles and look at the pics. If that doesn't motivate you, nothing will!

Plus think of all the positive things about working out and eating right does for you. You can't beat that feeling.
 
Debbie,
You didn't say how long your break was, but I'm guessing it was a month or more. Some ideas:

Can you ease into getting up earlier (7:00 for a week, 6:45 for the next week, 6:30 the week after that) until you're back to your regular time?

Are you working out too hard too soon? Should you be working less intensely or for shorter periods (or both) to get back into it? Maybe you have no energy because you're working too hard. Or too often -- how about working out every other day? Try easing into it until your body is adjusted.

I've read that it takes 21 days to establish a new habit (or regain an old one). You probably took longer than that off from working out, so you need to be patient with yourself and view any progress as a step in the right direction.

Good luck! You can do it! :)
 
Years ago, my mom asked me how I kept exercising every day, and I said, "It's only an hour." That gives you 23 hours a day of not having to exercise. That's how I stay motivated.
 
Thanks for the responses -

Debbie - send me your picture - I am sure it would beat out most of what I see in the fitness mags!!!!

Kirspy - I'm thinking of posting a big sign in my bedroom with the words "It's only an hour" - when I wake up and see that it may put me in the mindset I need to just "get it done."

Kathryn - I think you are right. I have been looking at this all wrong. Instead of just starting slowly, doing every other day like you suggested and with "easier" workouts, I have tried to pick up where I left off and just used lower weights, lower step, slower speed, etc. But I am so overwhelmed even with that, I just give up.

So my next question is - being that I think I need to start with fewer workouts just to start feeling better - what should my week look like? I have most of the Cathe tapes - should I alter whole body weights and then cardio, etc.? Do circuits? Heavy weights or endurance?
 
Just my two cents, but I wouldn't worry too much about having a plan. I would start with some of your favorite "intermediate" workouts, and just keep it fun for now. Don't worry about rotations, or heavy vs. endurance. Wing it for a while ;)

When I just can't get motivated, I make a deal with myself: just do a half an hour and then stop. Almost always, once I get to the half hour mark I've usually gotten my second wind, and I feel like working out longer. (That happened to me today, in fact.)

Do you have some of Cathe's beginner/intermediate stuff? Low Impact Step is a pretty fun workout and is not too long. I actually did it for fun the other day and added in some jumps and bigger arm movements and got a pretty good workout. And it comes with Total Body Sculpting...use heavier weights than her 3 pounders, and you could still work up a sweat. They're not too long (30-40 min), and for me the nostalgia factor makes them fun too. They also have some premixes that make them a little harder. Body Fusion is also good.

Those might be a low-key way to get back in the swing of things. Good Luck!

PS--Personally I've always found it easier to exercise in the afternoon, during naptime (or TV time if you can manage it.) Get the kids occupied for 30-45 minutes and see if that is a better time for you than early in the AM.
 
Right there with you

After an 8 MONTH hiatis myself (women's locker room was closed at my gym for almost 3 months, a move, a new house, kids, etc, and any other excuse I could find..haha) today was my first day back. I tried a few weeks ago (lasted 4 days) then something, not sure what happened and bam...I'm now back to square one.

But here's a funny thought for you to visualize: a 31 year old mom getting back on her rollerblades (been over 10 years since I've put them on) deciding to go for a "short blade session". 2 minutes into it I wipe out and now have a nice baseball size road rash on my butt (thank god for helmets and wrist guards). But I dusted myself off, said I will be feeling that one tomorrow and managed to roller blade for 20 minutes...now that's motivation. Then feeling so good I came home and did Cathe's basic fusion step (a whole 15 minutes- wasn't ready to go for around-the-worlds and cha cha's). Then did 20 minutes of pilates.

But that's not all. I went out and got a TATTOO of a barbell on my left wrist. So I better start working on my body. Otherwise its gonna look pretty funny to be out of shape with a barbell on my wrist. So that's my new motivation. Please don't go that extreme...haha.

So if you need a buddy. I am ready to have someone to check in with as well. My goal is to rid myself of the flab on my hinney and hamstrings and get the definition I had back in my body.

I have the hardcore series, and cathe's dual basic body fusion video. So my goal is to gain some strength and then work on tweaking my body from there.

So yes, if you find some motivation...send it my way. I'm thinking of taking measurements and pics every other week so I can see some numbers as well.
Just do 10 minutes at a time and make it for you.
Kel
 
Not a whole lot different to say, just agree with: don't do an entire hour - do a premix - do one of your favs - start out slowly, maybe every other day.

What you know (and have just forgotten) is all the greatness you feel when you are working out consistently.

It is easy to get into the rut - it doesn't take much to get back on the bike and very soon the endorphins will kick in quicker than you know. Your "groove" will be back and SO WILL YOU ! :p

Best of luck "getting back" that great feeling ! ;)
 
Worknprogress said:
Thanks for the responses -

Debbie - send me your picture - I am sure it would beat out most of what I see in the fitness mags!!!!

Kirspy - I'm thinking of posting a big sign in my bedroom with the words "It's only an hour" - when I wake up and see that it may put me in the mindset I need to just "get it done."

Kathryn - I think you are right. I have been looking at this all wrong. Instead of just starting slowly, doing every other day like you suggested and with "easier" workouts, I have tried to pick up where I left off and just used lower weights, lower step, slower speed, etc. But I am so overwhelmed even with that, I just give up.

So my next question is - being that I think I need to start with fewer workouts just to start feeling better - what should my week look like? I have most of the Cathe tapes - should I alter whole body weights and then cardio, etc.? Do circuits? Heavy weights or endurance?
Click to expand...

Do you think the change in season might have something to do with your motivational issues? I think it really impacts me and watching my co-workers all walking around like yawning zombies all the sudden makes me wonder...
 
I agree with reading fitness magazines. They always get me in the mood to do something! The other thing is do workouts you LIKE, or versions of them. If something is too heavy for you right now, do a smaller premix, or do only 20 minutes of it, to get started.

It is ONLY 1 HOUR out of 24 hours in the day. Or even 30 minutes, if that's what you can do for now. ...
 
what i find is that life is full of different cycles. when one cycle ends another one begins. right now your cycle has been away from working out so you have to begin a new cycle of workouts. start slow, like 30 minutes a day and you will get back into the groove. the thing with cycles is that you have to start the new one and keep with it for it to stick. hope this makes some sense. good luck!
 
I agree with everything that has been said, but wanted to add an additional thought. Have you tried yoga? I so wish I would have gotten into yoga earlier--it would have helped me so much. I really had a bad perception of it and was unwilling to give it a go.

Sometimes when I can't get motivated to do anything else, I'll do some yoga and that helps me so much. Some days I can't do "hard" routine, like power yoga, so I do something more gentle. Kundalini yoga in particular has really helped me because it works your neck and spine and insides--sort of clears away the gunk and stress and gets you to a point where you can be back in control of your life again. All yoga helps. In my opinion, all that our bodies go through with being women (hormones, sleep derivation, the demands of others, pregnancy and childbirth--if applicable) really messes our bodies up.

After years and years of pushing myself when I didn't feel like it and having it do more harm than good, I now finally give myself permission to listen to my body. Of course, it's necessary to 'push' ourselves in a good way, but it's soooooo hard to find that balance!

Start with the inside. Clean yourself out and build yourself up. Work on your liver (I know this sounds hokey, but I've found it to really help). Work on breathing and stress. Feed your Spirit. Make sure you 'do something' physical everyday, but be kind to yourself. If weather allows, get outside and into the sun and fresh air.

Phew! Now off my soapbox and forward to take my own advice. I was going to do upper body, but still have DOMS from hard UB work on Tuesday and long runs on Monday and Wednesday. It's gorgeous weather here--too good to pass up with snow just around the corner and a yucky weekend forecast ahead. I think I'll take a brisk stroll and do a long Kundalini set. Maybe I'll be ready for Bootcamp tomorrow?

Hope this helps. Hugs and good vibes.

Elsie
 
Do you have any Jane Fonda tapes? They are great for starting over. I found after 83 days off, that beginner workouts are the way to go. I naturally wanted to do harder workouts as the weeks moved on. Take it slow, do only fun workouts and its a great time to try new things. You'll be back on track before you know it. Peggy
 
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