Maybe it’s not shocking news to those of you who have exercised regularly for most of your lives. But I’ve just discovered something. Exercise is almost as addicting as lack of exercise. I used to hate exercise because it was hard, I never saw results, and there were a ton of things I’d rather be doing. Now, I love to exercise because it’s not so hard, I’m seeing results, and there’s not much I’d rather be doing. Exercising is a chance for me to lose myself in whatever thoughts I want. I can blast whatever music I want, I can watch whatever I want, I can forget about the things that frustrated me during my day. It’s great and I crave it.
I assume that my exercise cravings are just like those pesky cravings for unhealthy food that I used to have. They have mostly gone away because I haven’t fed them in a while. But in terms of exercise this can be a bad thing. I haven’t exercised much in the last few days. My life has gotten in the way–we’ve been out and about, the kids aren’t feeling well, and we have a lot of upcoming house projects, social engagements, and trips planned. I really need to find a way to make exercise a permanent fixture in my life instead of the first thing that gets chucked out the window when my life gets busy. I’m going to the gym tonight to feed those cravings–after the kids are in bed. I’m terribly afraid that my exercise cravings will go away like my food cravings did. This is one craving I can’t wait to feed!
What do you guys do to make exercise a “permanent fixture” in your lives?
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Having three kids all under the age of six, I wake up at 4:30 in the morning so I can have an hour or so to myself.
I agree – exercise is addictive once you start seeing results. Plus, I am always in a better mood if I have exercised.
Also, although not everyone will agree with this, when you wake up at 4:30 and go to bed at 10:00 – COFFEE IS YOUR FRIEND!
I exercise first thing in the morning, and I think that has helped me make it permanent. There are no excuses about having a bad day at work or being too tired after running around all day.
In order to make exercise something that you don’t chuck out the window when life gets busy, you just have to make it a priority. Rearrange other things when you get busy in order to fit exercise in.
I agree with @Amber – you may have to re-arrange other things in order to make the time. I’ve done so with appointments and such. Sometimes I’ll combine it with errand-running on the weekend: hit the gym first, shower, then finish the grocery shopping (or what have you).
I try to “schedule” my exercise just like I schedule a meeting at work. That way it is already part of the day and it is really tough not to do it.
I have been exercising on a regular basis for so long that I really don’t have to think about it too much. I really need my exercise and definitely feel like I’m missing something if I don’t exercise. If I find my schedule is really tight I try to do something, even if it is much less than a regular workout, to keep me in the flow.
Make it a priority, and make it a permanent fixture in your schedule.
Also, make it as easy as possible to do it. Find a gym close to your home or office, so you don’t have to go out of your way. Or work out at home, if that works for you. (But be sure to still schedule the time, or you’ll just figure you can do it anytime and you might never get around to it!)
I’m with you Denise – I sleep an extra half-hour (until 5), but that early morning is the only time I can fit in exercise. I work full time, am a full-time student and have a 4 year old and husband who want my every extra minute, all of which are blessings but make it hard to take care of myself.
It was a hard habit to start, but once you make yourself do it a few times, your body won’t let you hit the snooze button any more. What helps me is rearranging several playlists on my iPod so I can always have something to match my mood and don’t always hear the same songs in the same order. Music is a HUGE motivator for me.
Yes. It’s not like a ‘harmful’ addiction, but it becomes part of my values (fitness for my health and future) as well as my good feelings (enjoying the feelings of being energized). To NOT exercise lets me down on both my values and my feeling good.
I’ve definitely experience this exercise “addiction” before, when you’ve been exercising for weeks at a time, it’s almost automatic, but then something simple ruins that pattern and you’re off exercise for months at a time…
I have a lengthy (mental) list of all the ways I can exercise at any time of day, in any location. I try to make any equipment I need as convenient as possible, and I give myself permission to do a “lazy workout” (short, easy) to get started, and often end up doing something pretty tough.
Every time I hear, read, see a new idea, I try it out and add it to the rotation if it works (skating, skiing, snowshoeing in the winter). The more I can make the activity a natural part of the day, the better it works. I run next to my son as he bikes to school, then run a bit out of my way to make it 1/2 hour by the time I get home — voila — 30 minutes exercise in about the same time it takes to walk/drive my son to school, park the car, etc.
I’ve found that it helps to make it a game. Also, the way my mind works, if I KNOW 8 different things I could have done to exercise before work, and I did nothing because I was feeling lazy, that will typically only happen 1x in a row, because I start feeling stupid that I didn’t just do it!
I find that classes help ’set’ a schedule. it’s hard to just go to the gym when i’m busy, but if i’ve signed up for 10 dance classes (and paid for them) i’m going to try hard not to miss a single one.
also, having a gym buddy helps. if you have somebody who is relying on you to come with them – it’s easier.
having goals that are based on activity rather than outcome can also help ie i will go to the gym 5 times this week
At this very moment, I am in love with life! I just love how it all works together.
I started a new era in my life in 2001 with BFL. Losing 100 lbs changed me on as many levels as getting myself out of debt. With my fitness addiction firmly in place, I’ve recently become more money conscious, discovered GRS via The Simple Dollar, and have now come full cirlce finging you as a fellow Portlander, fitness convert, and frugal spender.
I’m soooo looking forward to catching up on all your sites!
In terms of fitting exercise in better, I’ve been playing around with Turbulence Training routines, which are only about 35-45 minutes long, and can even be modified to use primarily your own bodyweight. That way, if push came to shove, you could still get a good workout in without having to go to the gym. You could also do your HIIT right after the strength training, so you’d only need to workout 3 days a week.
Lately, in addition to my regular gym visits, I’ve been trying to incorporate more activity into my normal routine (e.g. ride my bike to work, walk to the grocery store, scrub my floors with a rag instead of a mop).
Hope this helps.
I got into the habit by giving myself a 21 day challenge. Supposedly it takes 21 days to form or break a habit, so I figured if I did an hour of exercise a day for 21 days, I’d have the habit set.
It was a lesson in soreness, but by the third week I felt a whole lot better.
Dede,
You lost 100 lbs and have kept it off? Outstanding! I’d love to hear more about how you did this. and how long it took. Of recent interest ion this site s the issue of plateaus: did you ever go 3 weeks without losing any weight during your time of weight loss? How did you respond to that?
I love to hear about success stories! Tell us more, please.
I’ve found that entering in my results really motivates me. I use runnersworld.com to enter in the info from my runs and it’s awesome to see all of the days in a row that I run (or if not days in a row then how many out of that week). I feel disappointed when I look and see a few days missing any activity so that helps me to get out the door.
I also do the same thing with my blog on tumblr (http://blog.annmione.com). It’s great to look at it and see all the posts with my running and exercise results.
Well, I’ve sort of kept it off. This is actually the 3rd time I’ve lost 80-100 lbs since 2001. However, each time is exactly the same and I’ve used BFL every time. My body responds very predictably with it. I consistently lose about 2 lbs a week, get hydro weighs (in a dunk tank) every 12 wks to make sure it’s fat and not lean tissue lost, and then I keep it off for a year or so. No plateaus. No
Why I put it back on is all emotional, but each time do, I learn something new, gain new tools, and feel stronger than the last time. This time (and I’ve honestly never said this before), I don’t just feel stronger, I feel completely different – more integrated. The fitness element of my life isn’t separate from keeping my house clean, going back to school, building a community of support, seeking spiritual peace, or improving my financial fitness. Everything is interconnected and reliant upon eveything else. My physical fitness, laundry, GPA, circle of friends, daily joy, and bank account are all manifestations of a deeper shift. I think. We’ll see.
Regarding your question about a plateau, no, I’ve never experienced one. I think it’s because I was extremely honest and consistent with both my nutrition and training, and kept my body guessing by changing all my workouts every 3-4 weeks and constantly pushing the limits of my weights. But that’s just my guess.
Mornings work for me too. If I don’t do it then, it doesn’t get done. It’s too hot in Florida if I wait until after work.
When I first started exercising, I’d go to the gym every day. When I slept in, I still went even if I only had time for three bicep curls. It wasn’t so much the exercise as the reinforcement of the habit. Just remember that ANYTHING is better than nothing.
Chers!
Brigid
@Brigid: That’s one of my favorite mantras: “Anything is better than nothing.” It’s like the anti-so-perfectionist-that-we-don’t-bother credo.
I use demandfitness.com. I hate going to the gym cause I’m a grad student and a GTA, so I never have time. Plus, I am horrible at running/walking/biking on my own. It’s boring, and I won’t do it. With demandfitness, I can do my workouts at home any time I want (usually at 10 or 11 at night). There’s a teacher right there motivating me, and there is also a huge number of classes to choose from (step, cardio kickbox, body sculpt, etc.). It costs money, but I consider it more of an investment in my own health and well-being. After all, if I keep myself healthy through exercise and a good diet (i.e., Weight Watchers online), then I hopefully won’t have to pay as much later (when I have a lot more financial, personal, and professional responsibilities) for my health care.
I make exercise a part of my daily routine. I hate gyms… instead, I just walk everywhere I possibly can. If something is within 3 miles, I don’t even consider another form of transportation… I just put on good shoes and off I go.
I’ve always enjoying losing myself in my exercising but it has never been enough to really get me motivated as long as you have been. I think I still need to find that real motivator to get me into the gym (or on the trail as I enjoy walking outside a lot).
Reading your blog helps a lot, though!
There is a gym about a block from my office. I go every day at lunch. Co workers always express amazement that I go every day, but I don’t know what else I’d do! We are all able to eat at our desks so I can’t understand those who go out everyday. When I get back from lunch I quickly wipe myself down with unscented baby wipes and change back into my work clothes. I only choose not to go about 4 times a year when I’m not feeling well.