Burning Out

I do better when i go first thing in the morning (as soon as the babysitting starts at the gym). I always feel better when i get it out of the way : ) I also find that it is easier if i mix it up a little. I try and go 4-5 days a week and start out doing 30 mts of cardio, then i rotate between arms and legs. I do my abs at home because i do not want to make a fool of myself in front of strangers! lol good luck!

Try adjusting how much exercise you do -- or the time of day when you do it . . . We quit because we get to an "I don't feel like it day", or we are seriously burnt out. You either do less on days like that, or you push yourself past the "I don't feel like it" mood.

I used to swim a mile every day after work before going home. (I was single then) Some nights, I didn't want to bother, but I drove to the Y anyway. I would get into the pool thinking I wasn't going to push myself, and usually, I think because I started slowly and with no expectations, I would generally swim my best lap times.

Find a time to exercise and an amount of exercise that will allow you to be consistent about DOING it. After child #4, I decided I would run in the mornings, before I showered for work. This often meant running in the dark, and that was kind of scary for me, but I did it . . . later, when I shifted to running after supper, I was AMAZED at how much more energy I had, having been fed before I exercised. If you run, walk or bike, be sure you leave a written note at home with your route listed.

And other than that, when you "burn out", instead of stopping exercising, simply cut back a little. At least do SOME, so you feel you are continuing with the game plan. And you may find that once you start, you just keep going. Starting, for me, isn't half the battle -- it's the WHOLE battle.

Don't overdo it. Find a couple 30-40 minute workouts you like. Once you get bored with them, change to a different set. Remember that for your health (and your mental health) just pressing play on the DVD is the important part. Keeping strong and healthy for my kids isn't always as much of a motivator. Decide about how many days you want to work out and change it up. If you feel tired one day, don't be hard on yourself take a day off. However, make a "trade" in your own mind of the day off for some other day of the week. Then, no matter what you do, press play that day even if you totally don't want to. As long as you keep your integrity to yourself life will work out.

i know i would be more consistent if i had someone to work out with. But no one i know is interested for free to do it.

Just an idea, would you do better if you mixed it up. Walked a couple of days, did a class, did a tape went biking etc? Either that or paying for a class. I would stick with it just because of investing the money.

Good luck, If you want to trade emails, I'd be more than happy to hear what you did each week.

First I would say get a workout partner. My husband and I go to the gym together. When I don't feel like going, he motivates me to go and when he doesn't feel like going, I motivate him. It's really a big help. I would also suggest mixing up your work outs. Take a couple classes, ride the bike a little and then do the elliptical. If you're starting to feel burned out, take a day or two off and head back. Take a book that you only read at the gym.....music you only listen to at the gym....it gives you something to look forward to. Hope any or all these ideas help you out!! Good luck!

A 20 minute walk is about 2 Miles.
You do not need to push yourself it is almost too easy.
Anything is better than sitting on the couch.
Find a partner to walk with and they will keep you motivated.
God bless.

When they say 20-30 min. a day...it doesn't all have to be at once. Try cutting the time in half and doing whatever you do twice a day for half as long. Unless you GO to the gym or something that is just not feasable to do twice. Now that the weather is getting nicer you'll have more options for activities to do outside WITH your family. I'm super psyched about that. I'm tired of my treadmill and want to go outside with my kids to play, I mean exercize ;)

Hi M.,
I'm not sure if you work out with a heart rate monitor, but ever since I started using one and followed this man's advice (a very successful triathlete), I have enjoyed working out and my fitness has increased 10 fold. Anyway, here is the article that changed my life: http://www.duathlon.com/articles/1460
Good luck, it's so cool that you want to do that for you and your family.
M.

if you are interested in a coach with great experience check out www.powerfulathlete.com or www.abingtonpsychology.com. Dr. bank does tele-coaching too! good luck!

M.,
What kind of exercise are you doing?
(My credentials: I have done this for a living for 30 years: teaching dance and exercise, coaching people on exercise, doing exercise prescription; I currently teach at ESU)
L.