i need motivation advice--ideas?

Question

my new years resolution is being more active, and running more. i play tennis, but not year round and not everyday...i want to start running more, lose maybe about 5 pounds, but i have no motivation and i quit easily. i have a school dance coming up in a month, and i plan on wearing a dress at knee length, i know its a short time away but i want my legs to be toned maybe?? it may be too late, but how do i motivate myself to run more and stay in shape? also, any leg exercise ideas?? thanks :)

Answer 1

I know that this is going to sound odd...but I'm also trying to lose weight.

My weight gain is due to medication I was taking(Stopped taking it when i realized that it was the cause of my gained 70lbs!!! in just 3 years!!! and i'm only 19!!!!!)...

I found a picture of myself when I was thin. I put it on the fridge, and i taped it to the inside of the "Junk food cabinent"... and onto the front of my portible cd player (I take my cd player with me when I walk.... I get bored and the music helps)...

If you've alwyas been the same weight and dont have pictures from old days... maybe a magizine clipping can work for you (Dont try to be as skinney as those sickingly looking people though lol...)....

Since you only have to lose about 5lbs, I'm sure you can do it!!!
Try doing things you LOVE doing. If you HATE running, DONT DO IT!....If you love swimming, do that! (if its cold where you are, find an indoor pool in your area).... If you hate running, you'll probably end up quitting.... but by doing something you enjoy doing, you're more likley to stick to it.

Answer 2

I don't think it's too late at all. (And if you believe it is, you probably won't motivate to exercise at all). I suggest setting reasonable goals for yourself and changing the way you look at exercise. If you are dreading going for a run, maybe you can say, "today I'm going to run one mile, and speed walk two more." You'll get just as good of exercise but it might not be as hard to motivate. When you speed walk, flex your buttocks as you walk to work your butt and legs more. If you are concerned about toning your calves more, stand with your feet about 5 inches apart and raise up and down on your tippie toes. do this about 20 times 3 x a day and you will see a difference in your calves. Hope this helps and best of luck in the new year!

Answer 3

DETERMINATION!! WILL POWER! u shd tell ur own mind that u need to achieve this in a month and jst keep doing cardio and weight lifting atleast 30 to 45 mins every day but watchout for those knees do not strain them a lot! I combine elaptical machine and bicycle for anothre 20 mins .... see the difference in 1 week..... jst tell urself how great ur leg would look that evening for ur dance........ good luck!

Answer 4

this may sound a bit corny or even crazy, but what I do is look at myself in the mirror for about 2 minutes and talk to myself. ok, that did sound crazy! lol but it works for me. look yourself in the eyes, deep in your eyes, and tell yourself only YOU can make this happen. Listen to atleast 3-5 favorite songs while you work out. time each song to see how many you need to listen to, atleast 15 minutes to a half hour should be good. as for toning your legs, use weights, leg lifts, make sure you stretch first.
good luck, hope this helped.

Answer 5

Nah, a month is still a long time to go. If you just tell yourself that new habits are formed in a week, you can probably get into this. Just one week is all you really have to force yourself to stick with it, and then you will have gotten into the habit and will probably have no trouble sticking with a plan for a month ... or longer. Good luck.

Answer 6

before you go to bed write a list of goals for the next day. it may help

Answer 7

Motivation comes from within... if you want something badly enough you will do it.