Motivation?

[DebSP]

Why is it that if I can't go riding for some reason, I can't seem to motivate myself to do some other form of exercise? But when I am out on my bike I take on the biggest hills and I will take long routes and I feel like I could just go on and on cycling. Like I don't want to stop! And I love to challenge myself. It is obvious that I am not afraid of working. And if I push myself to start a kettlebell workout or a free weight workout I give it my all and I am usually sore the next day. It is just that initial umpf to start that I find so hard. And I really want to stay in shape because I worked really hard to get where I am and it is too easy to backslide and end up gaining back some weight and losing my strength. But I am finding it hard to get started and winter is coming and I am afraid I am going to become even less motivated! I went through the same problem last year and I really, really struggled. I feel as though I need a babysitter or a mom to call me and insist that I get started! LOL. I cannot believe what a mind game it is to me! Does anyone have any suggestions? What do your coaches/trainers tell you that make you workout on the days that they are not right beside you?

[Swan]

I have the same problem! But I've taken to forcing myself. If I can just get myself out the front door, it's easy to hop on my bike and go. So I force myself out the front door as soon as I think of it, whether it's raining or dark out or a hot, hot day.

Keeping things right there and ready are a big help. I fill my water bottles back up as soon as I come in, kick off my biking shoes at the door, and have a shelf full of cycling gear (plus poncho) with a laundry basket for shucking off day-wear into just beside them. Having everything right there and keeping my bike within sight + easy access of the front door is really motivating because it's just so easy. No hassle. No reason not to.

But it's also easy to make excuse after excuse after excuse not to do it anyway (oh, my bum hurts today... oh, I'm just so tired... oh, it's going to rain)... so I think to myself, "Would I rather spend an hour or two enjoying myself on a nice bike ride losing/maintaining weight, or spending twenty-four hours feeling miserable and flabby?"

[marni]

that is why I pay for a personal trainer at the local 24 hour fitness gym. It's the being responsible to another person that gets me up and out the door, and once I have done a workout with the trainer, I ususally stay another hour for the satisfaction of it. It also helps me to lay out my clothes whether I'm riding or training, the night before. Since I also almost always predictably eat the same breakfast, getting into the right clothes, or geared up to ride becomes part of the morning routine like making coffee. That being said, I will admit that I sometimes get there and start negotiating with my inner self about how I'll only do a half hour after the trainer, or I will skip cardio and just doig some stretches etc. It's all part of the mental discipline but it ain't always fun.

[goldfinch]

I am stuck here up north for another week before heading a bit south. It is windy. There is snow on the ground. I just can't make myself ride. I have been walking for two miles every morning with my walking group so at least I have that. But the cold and the creeping darkness tends to depress me.

[DebSP]

Yes the weather does not help. We are going to have seven days of rain. I don't even want to leave the house. I have tried the personal training route and enjoyed it, but with a DS in university and DD living here and using my car to get to work while she saves up money for a big move and the washing machine deciding to leak oil all over the floor(right after I bought a new bike) I can't afford a trainer or a gym membership or even drop-in classes right now. So this morning I am determined to do a work out with weights right in the living room! I have to wait for the new washer to be delivered today so I made a list of things to do. I know from past experience if I write out a to do list I usually try to get the things down. DD's room is supposed to be set up as a workout area so I have to make do!

[nuliajuk]

I have another sport, swimming, to get me out of the house, but I know I really should be lifting weights at least once a week. Sitting on the home trainer watching a video is low on my list of favorite things to do, but it's all my better half wants to do in the winter, so I feel I need to do it at least twice a week.
Maybe we'll have enough snow for XC skiing this winter. I'm walking home from work a couple days a week to try to prepare my legs for it. It really does help to have several activities that you enjoy. I don't think exercise should be this boring bitter medicine to be forced to do.

[amb]

It sounds like you love cycling and everything else just doesn't compare so you're not as motivated. Maybe you should try a few new workouts to see if anything else strikes a chord for you. I like to really mix up my workouts - Zumba, boot camp, spinning, etc. I love dancing so I'm always motivated to go to Zumba. My Monday boot camp is a corp boot camp so the fact that my co-workers go and bug each other to go really helps.

For me, I have to leave the house to workout. I personally am not motivated enough to do a video or home workout. Good luck!