Struggling

[make_your_move]

cross posted from my community fast_together

This short term want vs. long term desire is a pain in the arse!

The only thing that saved me from completely forgoing my workout this morning was that I was already dressed to work out. Yes, I got out of bed this morning after a terrible sleep and two very emotional dreams and through my workout clothes on figuring I would save myself the time of doing it after I dropped the kids off for school. It was a good thing too, because after I got them off to school, I sat down to read email and check LJ and after a few minute I just didn't want to get up. I cruised other websites (Camp C, etc), I glanced at the clock, I made my "to do" list in my head (that involved more important things than working out, or so I wanted them too). I finally just got off my duff and went downstairs and did the workout. I'm hot and sweaty now and I actually feel pretty good.

Well, I feel sort of stupid that I'm already trying to find excuses not to do what I've set out to do. Last week I worked out 3 times, missed my workout on Thurs and Fri because of scheduling issues with a friend who I had to take somewhere. Thursday was my daughters 7th birthday and I totally tanked on the eating. In fact I tanked on eating the rest of the weekend because I'd done it Thurs -- oh, that was a brilliant bit of thinking right there. I decided yesterday to just go back to it.

Yesterday I got on the treadmill and upped the intensity just to make up for last week. Well, I ended up hanging on to the stabalizing bar for most of it, but I did it, and I didn't slow down. Today I went back to one of the preprogrammed workout in the treadmill just for some variety. I was able to make it through that and do the 5 one-minute 4mph sprints. My aerobic capacity is much better and I seem much less winded after each workout. My clothes fit somewhat better, but I have not gone down any on the scale, and in fact, when I weighed myself yesterday I had gone up a pound - not a big surprise there given what I had eaten food wise over the weekend.


So, am I the only one struggling with the short term wants (reading email, reading a book, not working out) vs. long term desires (being healthier, less weight)? How the hell are you all working around that?

Comments

[make-your-move.livejournal.com]

Why did you stop? What's keeping you (now) from starting again?

[make-your-move.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure why I stopped. It's like I was incredibly OCD about it all for months and months and since that chain has been broken, it's been impossible to find the will again.

Is there anything I could do to help or encourage you?

[bittibuddha.livejournal.com]

I make shorter-term goals too. (like Vacation in two weeks; photoshoot in 1 month) I like the concrete and URGENCY of near-term things to keep me focused. Then I just keep finding new near-term goals once those have passed.

that, and I have a Drill Instructor in my head. Maybe I should repost his morning rant?

[bittibuddha.livejournal.com]

oh, and hey? I really like Cait's use of the oven timer to limit time-sucking activities like reading LJ. Give yourself 15 minutes by using the oven timer sitting next to you. When it goes off? Get off the couch and get on the treadmill.

only allow yourself certain short bursts of those activities that would otherwise suck up your rare and precious time.

loveyoubaby.

[make-your-move.livejournal.com]

Yes, and right now, I'm going to go start dinner and file bills.

We still on for tonight?

[bittibuddha.livejournal.com]

i am planning on it yes, unless circumstances arise that make my presence at home urgent. (I don't think that's a probability though.)

[make-your-move.livejournal.com]

Please, ma'chere...it's one of your writings I never tire of reading.

[ivorydamsel.livejournal.com]

Far be it from me to give sticking-to-workout tips! LOL The only thing that helps me with my own resistance (and opting for the short-term, in-the-moment wants), I've found, is to set a ridiculously low expectation that even I can't muster many arguments against -- on the theory that consistency is my primary goal at this point instead of time, intensity, or even pounds/inches lost.

For example, right now I am committing myself only to five measly minutes of exercise a day. Any exercise, be it walking, NordicTrack, or my thigh exercises (for my knee). As a result, what actually happens is that once I'm into the five minutes, I tend to keep going after the five minutes. Somehow, knowing that I only "have" to do five minutes tricks my wily mind into cooperating. (And, believe me, I am good at finding any excuse not to exercise!)

[make-your-move.livejournal.com]

I'm proud of you for starting and continuing!

[elkor.livejournal.com]

So, am I the only one struggling with the short term wants (reading email, reading a book, not working out) vs. long term desires (being healthier, less weight)?

Nope.

How the hell are you all working around that?

Lots of practice at forgoing short term pleasures for long term gains. It's the same part of my mind that says "Wow, I'd really like to make out with that hot chick over there. But my long term relationship is more important this brief experience."

And experience. I used to think "Oh, I'm too tired to work out, I'll skip it."

Then I actually made myself go work out one time when I was "tired". And you know what? Afterwards I felt better than I did before I worked out. Since then, I've known that the "I'm too tired" argument is falacious.

Oh, and actually measuring the success I've achieved helps. Being able to look at my arms in the mirror and think to myself "Yeah. Now that's what I'm going for."

Narcissism? Yep.

Does it motivate me? Hell yeah.

[make-your-move.livejournal.com]

I haven't quite reached the narcissistic stage, but I'd really like to. Up to and including having friends and acquaintances stop in their tracks and say "Da-yum" ... sad, but true.

[elkor.livejournal.com]

Up to and including having friends and acquaintances stop in their tracks and say "Da-yum"

While I admit it's nice when other people think that I look good, my motivation comes from a goal to look good to myself.

Other people are too fickle in their praise for me to use them as a motivator. Narcissism is much more reliable (for me).

[make-your-move.livejournal.com]

yup, I understand it, but I'm working on being honest in some of my motivations. Do you workout around here, or just at home?

[elkor.livejournal.com]

Do you workout around here, or just at home?

I work out at the Freedom Center in Manassas.

I can't work out effectively at home, I get distracted too easily. For a little while I would work out while watching TV, but that's a limited prospect from a space/equipment standpoint. So, to do the exercises I want, I needed a gym.

Uhh...

[soubrettic.livejournal.com]

Far be it from me to demotivate in any way, but... don't they now?

[bittibuddha.livejournal.com]

hey: if narcissism ::works::? use the hell out of it!

vanity is absolutely, positively a major motivator for me. I want to look good naked. period. The more noble goals of improved health and longetivity? well yes... they're in there, but when it comes to getting my ass to the gym in the morning? its knowing that I may be prancing around butt-naked at some point in front of a ton of people that gets me out of bed, yessireebob.

[redhotlips.livejournal.com]

for me the urgency of short term goals is what keeps my on track... ie. must fit into new corset in two weeks, must increase my water comsumption by 6 oz by next week, date for clothes shopping with girl friend in 5 weeks, etc. It also helps that I've recognized that my body naturally wants to eat healthier when I'm regularly exercising. I know if I slip up in my exercising I'll be drawn back to the overloading on bad carbs habit in a huge way.

[fatesfolly.livejournal.com]

I agree with using short term goals for this reason, but it's hard to maintain constant goals, one right after another so the motivation does change slightly.

When I lost my weight way back when, it was a constant mindset that neither a steaming plate of pasta or a beckoning couch could de-rail. My over all goal was that I was doing it for ME and I placed that goal before all others. It somehow made it easier to look at working out is for me and is more important than sitting down and relaxing.

But Sugar, I support you in this. It's a struggle no matter what brass ring lies at the end of it.

[make-your-move.livejournal.com]

Yup, right now I've got a bunch of events in may that I'm shooting for to look and feel better.

[camperamy.livejournal.com]

I struggle all the time..there are days when I just don't feel like going and have to talk myself into it. I ALWAYS feel better after I have worked out in some form.

My backup plan when I can't seem to talk myself into it is The Amoureux.
He is a good motivator..I get the slacker speach if I don't go...he is funny about it, but it helps kick me in the arse.

I'd be happy to be your buddy if'n you want..or pick someone else that cares about you too, but won't take flimsy excuses for not going.

[make-your-move.livejournal.com]

Thanks baby, having you on both journals helps me, it does ;) We should exchange phone #'s though - that would be loverly.

[keltique.livejournal.com]

not sure myself, as today i am foiled by a tweaky knee. (it's probably still sore from all the standing time during the event i was shooting sunday.) *sigh* most of the time i make myself do it is reminding myself about what i really want.

Tho sometimes *i really want* that bag of microvave popcorn. *sigh*

[make-your-move.livejournal.com]

Tho sometimes *i really want* that bag of microvave popcorn. *sigh*

Yup, that's the short term vs. long term thing I struggle with. Last night I had a craving for sweets to beat the band. So I went upstairs and grabbed a sugar-free hard candy out of the bag I keep on the counter and beat back the cravings. Plus, it's hard to eat and play World of Warcrack at the same time ;)

[ebullientjenn.livejournal.com]

It's hard.

Yesterday I didn't go. Today I hit snooze twice before I dragged myself out of bed. I had issues getting out of the house and only managed 20 minutes on the elliptical, but I keep reminding myself that something is better than nothing.

Honestly the exercise helps me deal with the stress. I'm finding if I don't work out, I really have no other outlet and I end up so irritated someday that I want to throttle my husband and child. I don't like feeling like that at all, so it's been a good motivator for me.

I'm into short term goals too. Mine are weight related mostly though. Next goal is go get to 199. I also set up rewards for when I reach my goals. When I get below 200, I'm getting jewelry. Getting below 225 earned me a pedicure which I hope to collect on this weekend.

I think one of the most important things I've learned from this journey I'm on, is that every day you have a chance to do better.

[blushing-grace.livejournal.com]

It's really, really irritating - the 'feeling better AFTER exercising' thing, but the not feeling like anything beforehand thing.

I've been shooting for 'at least' doing X situps and/or Y crunches a day, but I'm not consistant at all. I definitely go in spirts.

[wizardglick.livejournal.com]

I have the "I can start doing better tomorrow." or "Next week, I'll be good all week" fallacy. It's easy to push stuff off to the next week.

Then I have to "Day 3" problem. Day 1 = "Hey I have a great new plan!" Day 2 = "Well, here I am living my plan." Day 3 = "Lonely. Bored. Screw it, I'm going to the pub."

[wizardglick.livejournal.com]

I also have the "It's 9:30pm. I'm still in the office. When I get outta here, I'm sure as hell not heading for yoga and rice cakes!" problem.

Which it looks like is going to happen tonight. (Stupid firewall).

[becalyn.livejournal.com]

The "Lonely. Bored Syndrome" is one I fight against a lot too.

[wizardglick.livejournal.com]

Yeah. All of my friends have moved away, or settled down and aren't socially active any more. (At least not with me). I live alone. No pets. One girlfriend. Very. Far. Away.

I have had a hard time finding other social outlets besides just going out to clubs. I'm not the kind of person that you see meeting strangers for the first and in 90 minutes they've planned their next vacation together.

So, I go out to the tavern. Which is really not a social life. It's more like watching other peoples' social lives.

At least there are friendly faces.

[becalyn.livejournal.com]

I moved here 3 1/2 years ago for my job and didn't know anyone here. No family or friends in the area. I've discovered its hard to find a niche when you're middled-aged, single and no kids. Most people my age are busy with the family thing. And I don't do the bar scene. So, I totally understand.

[becalyn.livejournal.com]

I have a REALLY tough time getting back into a routine once its been distrupted. The extreme cold and asthma knocked me off exercising and now I just haven't been able to get it going again. I'm not doing too bad with food really but was doing better than I am now.
I blew it at BR night at the club Saturday and found myself wishing someone had looked at what I was getting and reminded me that's not what I need to eat.
I find myself sometimes feeling very isolated and alone in this effort, especially when I'm standing in front of the fridge making excuses for ordering pizza or looking at the exercise equipment and making excuses about why I "can't" exercise today. If only I could train the cat to stand in front of me and tell me to put down the delivery menu and get my butt on the gazelle!
I've been thinking about going out and buying a cute summer dress....a couple sizes smaller...that I would look awsome in at the family reunion. Maybe seeing it everyday would keep pushing me. But then I think what if I lose the weight, put it on and it looks like crap on me??? lol

[emortimer.livejournal.com]

I work out 3-4 times a week. I drive right to the club on my way home from work ( and I picked a club that was on my driving path) and do my workout. When I get home, I'm doing all that stuff you do.

Once I'm home, excersise is done with, so I have to not get home first.

For me that's the trick. Dont go home directly from work.

Maybe for you, your trick is that once you drop the kids off, you do the work out right away.

[sarlacc000.livejournal.com]

working out? bah... i just work retail and carry heavy things.