Motivation by Fantasy - a confession

[TeTe]

Okay, does anyone else do this, or am I just nuts?

Sometimes, when I need some motivation while working out, I fantasize that I'M the instructor, and I'm teaching a class to all those people (friends, family, etc.) who dismiss working out as easy, not necessary, haven't seen a workout video since Jane Fonda, etc.

I find it keeps me going and really makes my form better. I liken it to lip syncing into a hairbrush like you did when you were 15 (oh, alright, I did THAT, too, about a week ago!)and pretending you're performing to all those people you want to say "screw you" to.

Am I a bit mad? Please, really, someone has to reply to this post, or I'm going to feel really stupid.

Don't make me have to "sing" to you!}(

 

[divagirl]

I have fantasized that its almost like a performance for a group to be more motivated- not so much of being an instructor-maybe more like I have people watching. It does work to give your workouts a little more oomph. Ha ha...sometimes the group does consist of those I might want to say screw you to.

 

[newswoman13]

TeTe,

Maybe it's an underlying dream you could make real! I teach -- it's fun! Share your love of fitness and music with others, and Go for it!

Caroline

 

[amyg]

I really was suprised when I found myself last February in front of 40 people at 6:00 in the morning wearing a bright yellow shirt doing 17 straight-leg pushups!! I became certified last year and now lead bootcamp classes. It is *tons* of fun. I have 3 classes a day and so I demonstrate the moves rather than exercise with my classes-- but knowing that I have to do it right is a great motivator for me! }( :7

(And I never lip synched... I sang at the top of my lungs!!!! :+ )

 

[lesliew]

Heck, I used to stand in front of the bathroom mirror and pretend I was on a TV commercial. We had a pantry closet in our bathroom and I would take a can of green beans out and stand in front of the mirror and give my spiel. I remember my brother banging on the bathroom door and calling out to my mother "Mom, Leslie's in front of the bathroom mirror doing commercials again!"


Yes, I still do well in front of an imaginary audience. I can relate!

 

[Aquajock]

I think "Air Instruction" is a great motivator, and if you're cueing the workout while you're doing it, you actually expend a bit more energy just from the vocalizing.

I've been a group fitness instructor for almost 10 years now, and I still remember what an enormous leap it was from being a participant to being an instructor, both physically and mentally. At least as far as my chosen format - aqua group fitness - goes, leading the workout is the only way to go.

What I fantasize about during my Cathe workouts is being part of Cathe's crew, right alongside Cedie. If only in my dreams . . .

A-Jock

 

[newswoman13]

Holy cow, lesliew, I love your green bean story!!

Sounds like there are quite a few actors on board -- Don't hide, do something to fulfill that talent! Whatever speaks to your heart.

 

[kathryn]

>Am I a bit mad?

Yep! But so am I!
I find that sometimes pretending I'm one of the crew being filmed, or becoming the 'instructor' (I do the later with Slim series workouts, because MY instruction is often better than Debbie's!) helps me clean up my form (I have to have 'big, pretty' moves with good ROM and distracts me just enough so that I don't realize how hard I'm working out and can push through.