Anonymous wrote:OP here. In an effort to be accountable, I'm posting here that I worked out today. I didn't want to. I didn't want to, but I told myself that I have to at least show up and try for 5 minutes. I completed the 30 minute workout - it wasn't all pretty but I did it. I'll check in again tomorrow.

Way to go, Op! I often use this strategy. I tell myself I have permission to quit after 5 minutes. In 15 years, I’ve quit like 3 times. You can do it! Your body will start to crave exercise and you will be driven to work out. Keep it up!!

What is your form of exercise you've been doing and what do you like to do in exercising?

If you like classes, sign up for it. Hey, you paid for it, so now just go. What a waste of money!

Do you have excuses? What kind of excuses have you been using?

Put it on your reminder notice on your phone.

OP here. In an effort to be accountable, I'm posting here that I worked out today. I didn't want to. I didn't want to, but I told myself that I have to at least show up and try for 5 minutes. I completed the 30 minute workout - it wasn't all pretty but I did it. I'll check in again tomorrow.

I disagree with people who say you HAVE to work out early in the morning. Yes, that works for a lot of people, but not everyone. I am dead to the world in the morning and am not fully awake until 10 a.m.

OP, I work out in the afternoon/evening (btw 5:30--8:00 p.m.). I have been able to maintain this because I found a gym program that I absolutely love (small group training) and I put it in my calendar as a recurring event on the same days each week. After months I have internalized that M, Tu, F are my workout days. You have to commit long enough to make the habit stick as well as really find something that you look forward to, not something you'll dread.

When I took a new job with a 1:15 commute, I had to make a minute by minute schedule for my day. I could tell you each minute what I was doing. At 5:15 AM I woke up.

Gym from 5:25-6:10.
Get ready for work 6:10-6:30.
Breakfast 6:30-6:37
Leave for work 6:37
Arrive home 5:20
Make and eat dinner 5:20-6:15
Family time / Homework Help 6:15-7:30
Bedtime for kids 7:30-8
Make lunches/get ready for tomorrow 8-8:15
Time with husband 8:15-9
Get ready for bed 9-9:15
Bedtime for me 9:15

It was a brutal 18 month stretch until my job moved me to a better commute location, but it worked. If you want it badly enough, you just have to make a schedule and stick to it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there any way to make it part of your commute? I usually fit in exercise by jogging or biking to or from work so it's using time I would otherwise be on metro instead of doing something fun.

Same here. Build it into your day.

OP here. I'm actually very lucky in that my commute is 15 minutes walking or 5 minutes biking (I do one or the other every day).

You're perfectly positioned to add a detour on one end or the other of your day and turn it into a workout! It takes a little planning to get the clothes in the right place and then you just need to follow through.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am another person for whom early morning exercise doesn't work. It just makes me so sleepy for the rest of the day (and yes, I make sure I get 7-8 hours of sleep per night).

What works for me is to stream HIIT videos on my basement tv or on my phone. I can get a great workout in 20-30 minutes without having to get in the car to go anywhere, and I can make use of small chunks of time to fit it in. It works for me because now exercise isn't some big time sucking production, and HIIT workouts give you a lot of bang for your buck.

This sounds like it would work for me. What videos do you use/like?

I really like Jillian Michaels myself, but I've heard some people find her personality annoying. There are tons of options, so just try a few until you find someone you like!

Anonymous wrote:I am another person for whom early morning exercise doesn't work. It just makes me so sleepy for the rest of the day (and yes, I make sure I get 7-8 hours of sleep per night).

What works for me is to stream HIIT videos on my basement tv or on my phone. I can get a great workout in 20-30 minutes without having to get in the car to go anywhere, and I can make use of small chunks of time to fit it in. It works for me because now exercise isn't some big time sucking production, and HIIT workouts give you a lot of bang for your buck.

This sounds like it would work for me. What videos do you use/like?

weigh yourself every day

Make a pact with a friend or family member that you have to publically do something you hate each day you don’t exercise (e.g. donate to the NRA on Facebook).

It works.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there any way to make it part of your commute? I usually fit in exercise by jogging or biking to or from work so it's using time I would otherwise be on metro instead of doing something fun.

Same here. Build it into your day.

OP here. I'm actually very lucky in that my commute is 15 minutes walking or 5 minutes biking (I do one or the other every day).

Op here. I'm more of a lunch time workout person - but your arguments for working out in the morning are solid. Definitely less things that might get in the way (other than sleep).

I am another person for whom early morning exercise doesn't work. It just makes me so sleepy for the rest of the day (and yes, I make sure I get 7-8 hours of sleep per night).

What works for me is to stream HIIT videos on my basement tv or on my phone. I can get a great workout in 20-30 minutes without having to get in the car to go anywhere, and I can make use of small chunks of time to fit it in. It works for me because now exercise isn't some big time sucking production, and HIIT workouts give you a lot of bang for your buck.

Anonymous wrote:Is there any way to make it part of your commute? I usually fit in exercise by jogging or biking to or from work so it's using time I would otherwise be on metro instead of doing something fun.

This has worked for me. I sold my car and started biking to work this spring, and I'm loving it, look forward to it every day, and I'm losing weight and toning and less stressed. It's been awesome. I also love Soul Cycle, but it's very expensive, but my plan is to allow myself to spend on that in the winter. It has to be my No. 1 financial priority. When you say you can't join a gym, shop around because there are great deals on gyms. Cut out buying new clothes or your cable bill or like me, your car. You can come up with the money if you prioritize it.

Anonymous wrote:Is there any way to make it part of your commute? I usually fit in exercise by jogging or biking to or from work so it's using time I would otherwise be on metro instead of doing something fun.

Same here. Build it into your day.