Results 1 to 22 of 22

Thread: How do you stick to a workout plan?

  1. #1
    Featured Member h0ttie's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    1,808
    Thanks
    4,054
    Thanked 5,040 Times in 1,100 Posts
    My Mood
    Lurking

    Question How do you stick to a workout plan?

    I have never worked out consistently for more than a week in my entire life. I am in the worst shape ever. Tonight I did 100 jumping jacks,90 crunches, 80 squats, and 70 leg lifts...I planned to do a bunch more but after that I could barely move let alone breath lol. I am planning on doing this for a couple days till I get a little used to it and then gradually adding more. BUT knowing myself in a few days I will decide to skip my work out and that will turn into another day of skipping it and then completely forgetting about it. So advice on sticking to a work out please?

  2. #2
    God/dess tempest666's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Hamburg, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    10,607
    Thanks
    2,705
    Thanked 13,685 Times in 4,414 Posts
    Blog Entries
    5
    My Mood
    In Love

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    I look at my SO's ex pics when I need motivation. Enough said. I handed out pics of her to other friends as diet motivational pictures and they were working until one friend's BF got so repulsed he forbade them in the house.

    In this economy, the competition is getting tougher and younger, so you have to be on top of your game.
    "Fake tits are like Kevlar. They don't guarantee your chances of survival but they sure as hell improve it."
    Tempest

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to tempest666 For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    Moderator Aurora_Sunset's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    6,427
    Thanks
    19,841
    Thanked 18,502 Times in 4,917 Posts
    My Mood
    Breezy

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    Quote Originally Posted by h0ttie View Post
    I have never worked out consistently for more than a week in my entire life. I am in the worst shape ever. Tonight I did 100 jumping jacks,90 crunches, 80 squats, and 70 leg lifts...I planned to do a bunch more but after that I could barely move let alone breath lol. I am planning on doing this for a couple days till I get a little used to it and then gradually adding more. BUT knowing myself in a few days I will decide to skip my work out and that will turn into another day of skipping it and then completely forgetting about it. So advice on sticking to a work out please?
    Urgh, your workout sounds like it might be the problem. It probably doesn't take that much time out of your day but having so few moves that you do so many reps of probably gets really boring really quickly. Instead of doing 90 crunches, throw in some reverse crunches, bicycles, planks, mountain climbers, side crunches so you hit your obliques. You'll get a more thorough ab workout and not get bored from doing sooo many of one exercise. And so on and so forth for other parts of your body - find other exercises that target the same area, and add in some that target different parts of that area.

    For me, it really helps to follow exercise videos. I have several arm, abs, and lower body workout videos I've collected over the years - none of them more than half an hour long so it doesn't feel like such a time-zap. (I recorded most of mine free from exercise TV or exercisetv.tv). Pick your favorites and put them together, and if you start getting sick of them, switch to a different combination. You just need to force yourself to hit the play button, but once it's on, most people won't shut a video off in the middle even if they're bordering exhaustion.

    And if you really get sick of them, maybe try dividing them up - do some hardcore cardio one day, the next work on abs and and lower body, the next day do arms and flexibility training, and then start the cycle over again so you're not overwhelmed with doing it all every day, and every day is different and not boring. I also make sure there's at least one day a week - usually Sunday - where I don't workout. It's nice to have that break and you'll feel more re-energized for starting up again the next day.

    Lastly, if you miss a day or two, don't get mad at yourself and hang your head in defeat. The second you can work up the motivation to get back into it just keep following your schedule the same as if you hadn't missed a couple days - if you beat yourself up and tell yourself "oh no I'm off track and I have to 'make up' for it" you'll never get the motivation to get back into it.

    *Also, in terms of motivation, I always work out with a mirror right next to me. It's encouraging to see myself working hard. And if I can look over and go "oh man, my abs don't look like I want them to" it keeps me going, or if I look over and go "oh man, my ass looks awesome!" it makes me want to keep it that way lol
    Last edited by Aurora_Sunset; 06-09-2011 at 09:54 AM.

  5. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Aurora_Sunset For This Useful Post:


  6. #4
    Member venerable vixen's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    38
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    I also find pictures to be very motivational.
    I like watching TV when doing cardio, especially shows like America's Next Top Model where bodies are showcased for inspiration. On the opposite end of the spectrum I like watching shows about morbidly obese people while I am doing cardio and that gets me moving quicker, going longer, and coming back again the next day.
    I am the type of person that really functions well with routine. I do the same work out in the same order at about the same time. It keeps me on track. I realize some people need variety to stay interested, but routine works better for me.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to venerable vixen For This Useful Post:


  8. #5
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    1,686
    Thanks
    419
    Thanked 989 Times in 437 Posts

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    I agree with using pictures as motivation. cut out pictures from magazines and put them all over your house. put them all over your room, on the bathroom mirror, on the refrigerator, on the dashboard of your car, etc.

    visualizing will lead to success.

    tell EVERYONE you're starting a workout plan. you'll be more likely to stick to it when you have people asking you every day how it's going.

    take a fun class. yoga, pilates, karate, kickboxing, spinning, zumba, swing dancing, ballet, whatever you're into. if you hate it, don't do it anymore. find something fun.

    go jogging every morning. just get into the habit of it. first thing when you wake up before you do ANYTHING put on your running shoes and jog around the block.

    get some workout equipment at home if you don't already have some. I bought one of those bicycle machines on craigslist for 50 bucks and I peddle when I'm watching tv or whatever.

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to xGigi For This Useful Post:


  10. #6
    God/dess tempest666's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Hamburg, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    10,607
    Thanks
    2,705
    Thanked 13,685 Times in 4,414 Posts
    Blog Entries
    5
    My Mood
    In Love

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    Anyone need motivational pictures I have some!!!!!
    "Fake tits are like Kevlar. They don't guarantee your chances of survival but they sure as hell improve it."
    Tempest

  11. #7
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    1,686
    Thanks
    419
    Thanked 989 Times in 437 Posts

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    ^I wanna see!!!

  12. #8
    God/dess DesuvsDeath's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    4,016
    Thanks
    2,110
    Thanked 4,475 Times in 2,023 Posts
    My Mood
    Brooding

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    ^No, Gigi... you probably don't.
    But they will help you want to work out, for sure. LOL

    Honestly the easiest think to do is have it as part of your schedule... that way there's a time slot JUST FOR WORKING OUT every day.
    Quote Originally Posted by camille27 View Post
    i am losing my fucking mind and i really just want this chloroform dream because i think that would just get me right with jesus.

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to DesuvsDeath For This Useful Post:


  14. #9
    Featured Member h0ttie's Avatar
    Joined
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    1,808
    Thanks
    4,054
    Thanked 5,040 Times in 1,100 Posts
    My Mood
    Lurking

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    Thanks so much ...ok I think I got it…

    -Find a variety of exercises don’t do the same ones over and over.

    -Follow exercise videos but switch them up so you don’t get sick of them.

    -Exercise different parts of your body different days instead of working everything everyday.

    -Take one day off a week and if you miss a day don’t sweat it just get right back on track.

    -Work out in front of a mirror, watch tv with really fit people or really unfit people, use pictures as motivation.

    -Tell everyone about your workout plan.

    -Do some sort of cardio first thing every morning.

    -Set a time to work out everyday.


    This is all reallly realllly good advice, I realize now that whenever I exercised I was doing the same boring stuff over and over and then when I missed a day beating myself up about it and saying well I will run for 2 hours next time I go to the gym to make up for it First thing tomorrow morning I'm gonna go running or jump rope inside. So excited I feel way better about this than I did yesterday..I actually believe I can do this now

  15. The Following User Says Thank You to h0ttie For This Useful Post:


  16. #10
    Featured Member noelle's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2004
    Location
    San Francisco
    Posts
    1,331
    Thanks
    224
    Thanked 311 Times in 178 Posts

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    Quote Originally Posted by tempest666 View Post
    Anyone need motivational pictures I have some!!!!!
    send me some
    Quote Originally Posted by lokikola View Post
    If success meant being savage my woes would disappear.

  17. #11
    Moderator Jessie_tinydancer's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    4,149
    Thanks
    1,307
    Thanked 2,530 Times in 1,295 Posts
    My Mood
    Sick

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    Having a work out buddy works for me... My friend and I work out together 9x out of 10. When one doesnt want to go the other one says "come on fatty Im gonna be skinnier than you!!" We also work together on diet cause we are together most of the day, we stop each other from eating crap and go shopping together to get healthy food.

    The other thing that works for me is doing a set of classes that you pay upfront for ie. pole classes, dance classes, pilates etc. If I know its a 10 week course and I paid for it... Ill go.

  18. #12
    Featured Member
    Joined
    May 2011
    Location
    Miami
    Posts
    1,529
    Thanks
    2,260
    Thanked 2,276 Times in 730 Posts

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    When it comes to working out, putting on your running shoes/clothes and/or getting to the gym is 90% of the work. I once read in a magazine (Women's Health, I think) that if you are feeling lazy, just put on your work out clothes/shoes, and walk around the block. If you get back to your house and still don't feel like running, at least you tried. You can take off your shoes and not feel so guilty or beat yourself up over it.
    Again, if you just lack motivation, a workout buddy is a great idea because you know someone is counting on you as much as you're counting on them, and if you're a good buddy you'll be there

  19. The Following User Says Thank You to lokikola For This Useful Post:


  20. #13
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    1,686
    Thanks
    419
    Thanked 989 Times in 437 Posts

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    idk about everyone else but I like watching the E! channel.

    watching E! news, sex and the city, keeping up with the kardashians, and live from the red carpet, and looking at all those celebs look glam and toned makes me want to work out.

    and if I'm having a super lazy day, watching those shows anyway makes me want to give myself a pedicure or go tanning and look good instead of pigging out.

  21. The Following User Says Thank You to xGigi For This Useful Post:


  22. #14
    Senior Member DanceMami's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    169
    Thanks
    25
    Thanked 149 Times in 43 Posts
    My Mood
    Cold

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    Go to www.zumba.com
    Great workout in party mode.
    I teach classes and one of my students started out at 430lbs….after doing ONLY Zumba, and eating right, she is down to 217lbs… Not even a year. She looks good and her confidence has sky rocketed.
    ---MEMBER SINCE 2005---

  23. #15
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    1,255
    Thanks
    122
    Thanked 467 Times in 250 Posts

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    I'm about to finish work for a few weeks and start running. I'm hoping that without the late nights I can get into the habit of waking up, having coffee and breakfast then going for a run. I hope to take this habit with me when I start back at work after my break.

  24. #16
    Featured Member *Jade*Love's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    839
    Thanks
    360
    Thanked 814 Times in 303 Posts

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    Quote Originally Posted by tempest666 View Post
    Anyone need motivational pictures I have some!!!!!
    I wanna see them too!

  25. #17
    Member Jemmalyn's Avatar
    Joined
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    44
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    join a sports leauge! its fun and you have a commitment to show up to. I looked forward to it and didnt even realize how much a workout I got. flag football did wonders for my glutes and the rest of my body too. flag football has those intense intervals. Dancing is great too but everyone has their preferences.

  26. #18
    Veteran Member pipermonroe's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Los Angeles
    Posts
    458
    Thanks
    80
    Thanked 383 Times in 166 Posts

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    Take before and after pictures of yourself. Start with the before pics of course and hang them on the fridge. Most diet/work-out programs will have you do this anyway. Take one in a bikini from the front, the side, and the back. Don't hide them on your hard drive either, print and post on the fridge or somewhere you will see them all the time. Some people don't truly know how they look and it's an honest place to start.


  27. #19
    Veteran Member pipermonroe's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Los Angeles
    Posts
    458
    Thanks
    80
    Thanked 383 Times in 166 Posts

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    Quote Originally Posted by lokikola View Post
    When it comes to working out, putting on your running shoes/clothes and/or getting to the gym is 90% of the work. I once read in a magazine (Women's Health, I think) that if you are feeling lazy, just put on your work out clothes/shoes, and walk around the block. If you get back to your house and still don't feel like running, at least you tried. You can take off your shoes and not feel so guilty or beat yourself up over it.
    Again, if you just lack motivation, a workout buddy is a great idea because you know someone is counting on you as much as you're counting on them, and if you're a good buddy you'll be there
    Same with going to work for me. Getting to the club is 90% of the hard work!


  28. #20
    Featured Member
    Joined
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    1,430
    Thanks
    2,070
    Thanked 1,896 Times in 746 Posts

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    Honestly, I just buy unlimited packages for a class (I'm doing hot yoga) and think about all the money I'll "save" by going a lot. Not only do I get to feel good about myself for doing something positive for my health, I feel good for getting the most out of my money. I also agree with just putting on your workout clothes when you're lazy. Whenever I don't feel like going to class I throw them on anyway, and I've wound up going every single time I've done that.

  29. #21
    Veteran Member tropicalust's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2011
    Posts
    263
    Thanks
    154
    Thanked 186 Times in 98 Posts

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    If you do the same workout over and over again you are gonna get bored. Try to change your routine everytime you feel like you are gonna skip the workout. for instance, try p90x after you get bored change it for insanity and then change it for latin dances.. and keep changing!
    It also seems that you are doing too much reps in your workout routine, try to do circuit training and high intensity training.
    "A real woman has to be a chef in the kitchen, a lady in the living room, and a whore in the bedroom..T-Lust"



  30. #22
    God/dess tempest666's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Hamburg, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    10,607
    Thanks
    2,705
    Thanked 13,685 Times in 4,414 Posts
    Blog Entries
    5
    My Mood
    In Love

    Default Re: How do you stick to a workout plan?

    jajajajajajajajajaja my free "motivational pics" seem to be doing wonders for fellow SW members


    Feel free to post testimonials here ladies!
    "Fake tits are like Kevlar. They don't guarantee your chances of survival but they sure as hell improve it."
    Tempest

Similar Threads

  1. Workout Plan
    By MsLayne in forum Body Business
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 05-11-2009, 07:43 AM
  2. What do you workout in- Hot workout gear?
    By totalroyalty in forum Body Business
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 01-23-2009, 03:40 PM
  3. Replies: 18
    Last Post: 09-26-2007, 11:20 AM
  4. do you stick to one look?
    By pinkpvc in forum Newbie Board
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-13-2006, 06:01 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •