Trying to come back... need some motivation - encouragement

R

robyn6002

Cathlete
Hello everyone:

As Cathe says in cardiokicks -"I need some motivation." I'm hoping you can give me some.

I've been working out regularly for about 15 years... but last July my son had some VERY serious physical issues. He's on the road to recovery and is even doing track now, which given where we were is a miracle. Anyhow will all that went on - I needed to take care of him and just couldn't focus on working out.

I'm trying to come back but just sooo difficult to get back into things. I can do a tape but I'm only managing to do 2-3 max a week I just can't get into the groove. I'm not at all concerned about my appearance (that just isn't a priority at this point in my life) but know health wise and emotionally it's so good.

So I'm just looking for your encouragement.. I don't need a kick in the butt... it's just looking to hear that I will in time get back... just like my son is getting back into life...

Thanks :)
 
I'm sorry to hear about your troubles...I hope and pray that things are getting better.

Start out slow...what you are doing now (2-3 times per week) is a good start. Try to workout every other day. After you are comfortable with that, work up to what is comfortable for YOU.

Something is better than nothing...

Do it for you!

Tammy
 
RE: Trying to come back... need some motivation - encou...

Robyn, that is great that your son is into track. Wow, he truly has come a long way! I remember how touch & go and scary it was for you all. A TRUE walking or should I say, running miracle! :7

Did you get the Hardcore Series? They are so very motivating. Lowmax is almost TOO much fun. I did it three times this week because I can't get enough of it and let me tell you...it may be low impact, but it is a GREAT workout, intensity-wise. The strength tapes are great too. Maybe you can try to shoot for no less then three cardio tapes a week for your heart, even if you feel like turning them off after 20-30 minutes. And, of course as we age, we need the muscle building, bone strengthening tapes too. Maybe shoot for working each muscle group at least once a week for now, whether it be a body part a day, double up or do a whole body workout. Sometimes just getting some new Cathe workouts or other instructors if you have some other favs helps with the motivation. Good Luck and keep us posted on how you are doing. BTW, how is your daughter doing in college? I know how hard it was for you when she left. I hope you both are doing well and that she can come home often. HUGS to the three of you! (Don't forget to pop in for a dose of encouragement when you need it. Someone is always here to help!!!!!)

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie")http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Hi Robyn! I'm glad to hear that your son is recovering! You must be relieved!

I know when I'm feeling unmotivated, I reach for something like Step Blast where I just love the music. Anything that will make you just want to move your feet! Another one that always gets me going, for some reason, is Circuit Max. There is just something motivating about that one. And of course any and all of the Hardcores! So far, I'm loving all of them. I think it's great that you're doing 2-3 times a week and I know you'll be doing more in no time! If nothing else, with spring here, maybe just walking outside will energize you! It's just a matter of time that you'll get back on track and probably be better then ever!

Take care! :) :)


Jo
 
RE: Trying to come back... need some motivation - encou...

Robyn~

I'm glad to hear your son is on the road to recovery. Thank God.

It's a positive sign that you're beginning to focus on your own health and well-being. Working out 2-3 times per week is infinitely better than working out 0 times a week.

((BIG HUG)) for being a wonderful,loving, nuturing and compassionate mom. Be good to yourself. You're on the right track.

~ Kim

"Welcome the challenge...Embrace it...Don't fear it." -Cathe Friedrich
 
RE: Trying to come back... need some motivation - encou...

Thanks so much for your words of encouragement and cyber hugs :) Yes you are right it is good I'm starting to focus on my health.

Debbie: Thanks for asking ,my daughter is doing well. With IM and family plan cell phone we talk daily :) She was home the week before last. She's making friends, finding interesting classes, and doing well.

Yep it was a lot, my son's health, daughter leaving, job change, and my mother is having many issues (though lives out of state).

I've been beating myself up that I just don't have the motivation... but you are right I should have attainable goals 2-3 cardio... and maybe weights without tapes (so shorter in duration).. and add a session every couple of weeks.

Thanks so much... it's so nice to wake up and see your replies.
 
RE: Trying to come back... need some motivation - encou...

Robyn -
That's great that your son is doing well!
I have to agree with the others 2-3 is pretty darned good.
We have had some close calls with our own kids (nothing more than a couple of hours or days) but it always makes me kind of put my life on hold to spend really precious time with my family. 2-3 is great to maintain and to keep your sanity. If you can move it up later when you mind and emotions have recovered, great. Hmm....mental recovery weeks!

I also have to agree that Hardcore is very motivating and fun - Lowmax is a riot! Treat yourself.
Melissa
 
Robyn-
It sounds like you are doing very well! 2-3 times per week is a lot more than most Americans exercise and you should be very proud of yourself. I would just be happy with what you're doing and gradually, if you feel like doing more, you can slowly add on. If what you are doing is cardio, then start to add some weight training, or visa versa.

Good luck!

Editing: I just saw that you said you do mostly cardio. A great way to start to add some strength training is to start to add Power Hour to your routine. You can do just a song or two or three at a time. The music is so motivating, and the time is short, so I think it's a great way to start out. If you know you only have to get through, say, 2 songs, then it's easy to reach your goal. But once you start, the music is gonna getcha!! :D
 
I am glad that your son is doing well :)

Congratulations on getting back to exercise. It will truly benefit you and relieve the stress that you are having, as you already know.

I think that you are getting a good start with 2 -3 times per week. perhaps your next goal can be to get exercise in every other day. Perhaos CTX is a good place to start, every other day with one or two body parts per day. After a while there, you can make a new goal.

Remember, it doesn't happen overnight and truly, hours per day every day is not necessary to be a healthy, strong person. Whatever exercise you can get in is a plus!

Christine
 
Robyn-

I posted a similar thread about staying motivated (although I have not had nearly the serious issues in my life as you have had in yours) and I have to say that this board and the people on it are so winderful and motivating!! Just keeping coming back to check in and people here will continue to inspire you!

Congrats on you son's recovery and your own journey back into health and fitness!

Jean
 
I just took off a little over a month from exercising due to some of my own "issues" that kept me sideline, so to speak. I've been unmotivated to get back into working out, as well, and it's only been a few weeks for me. I can only imagine how hard it is for someone who's been out for several months! At any rate, this is how I'm getting back into it:

This past week I worked out about every other day. I didn't want to push myself too hard. I started out by doing ab work, and quite by accident found myself feeling very motivated by the Lowmax All-Step Premix. Wow! I wanted to do this every day, but I kept to my plan of "easing" back into it. At any rate, the second time I did aerobics this week, I again did the Lowmax All-Step Premix and was having so much fun with it that I actually started giggling. I did some light upper body and lower body work earlier in the week (kinda had to force myself, because I wasn't too motivated), but last night I did Chest & Tris (I did PUB and left out the bi and back work, then I did the new GS Chest & Tris Supersets Premix), and I actually didn't want to stop. And now I'm getting ready to go in and do my abs again, then PLB, and probably that Lowmax All-Step Premix (I just can't get enough of that one!). Needless to say that two weeks ago, and even earlier this week, I was not motivated in the least to work out, but here I am, salivating over which workout I'm going to do next. :7

Just force yourself for a little while, and before long, it'll grow back into an addiction and you'll just want to work out and won't need to get yourself motivated, anymore.
 
thanks everyone..I guess the key is not forcing it or pushing myself... Have to be nuturing given everything... and if things change well then he has to come first.

Thanks so much for all your encouragement :) know in time I'll be back...

Maybe I will treat myself and at least get some of the new series
 
Hi robyn6002,

Wow sounds like you've went threw a really tough situation. I'm not sure what your son went threw but it sounds really tough, you may want to look at his progress as motivation. Hey he's back in track, you sure can get back to where you were at, it just takes a lot of determination. Just take it one day at a time, and don't beat yourself up over missing a day. Just plan on doing it every day, and try. One of my best motivation, was I made a deal with myself. I had to put a tape in and workout for 10 minutes. If after the 10 minutes I still didn't feel like it. I could turn off the video. I have yet to ever turn off a video after the first 10 minutes. So maybe some type of bargin like that may help, as you do force yourself to do it for at least 10 minutes a day no matter what, so that is a accomplishment right there. So is your 3 times a week. It is really hard to get started again, so don't get frustrated, just keep going, you'll get there, it just takes a while. And go easy on yourself, your body hasn't did this for a while. In some ways it will fight with you. You just can't let it win, and don't feel pressured to do a complete week just starting back. Work into it. Two days this week, three days the next week. two weeks later go for 4 days, and so on, until you reach what you were use to doing, or you want to do now. The time schedule will depend on you and your body, but once you start to get back into it, and feel you are accomplish something every week, it makes it a lot easier, even if it's just working out 3 times a week, tell yourself that is good, not I need to do more. Just try to look at the positive accomplishments no matter how small. Just look at your son and all of what he has done, and follow in his steps, he had to go slow, he had to only do a little bit at a time, he couldn't just get up one morning and run track 6 days a week. So don't expect that from yourself.

Good luck and remember it was the turtle who won the race not the hare.

Kit
 
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