how do i motivate myself into working out?

Question

in high school, i used to do track and i was already in shape. but now that i'm in my sophomore year of college, i'm not working out as much and not eating healthy. i did little bit of working out my freshman year in college, but it didn't help me much. i only did the elliptical for 20 min. 3x a week. it made my legs stronger, but not my abs and hips. summer i don't usually work out, but i should have. i haven't worked out yet this school year yet b/c my school work has taken priority of my life and there isn't any gym classes available. i want to be able to eat healthier and work out to get the perfect abs, hips, and legs. how do i motivate myself into doing that again? i used to, but now i have a lot of stress and everything to deal with. sometimes when i get back from classes, i spent time on the comp. a lot. my schedule is that i have classes MWF 10-12, Mon. 4-6:45pm, Tues/Thurs. 9:30-10:45 and 12:30-1:45. and i might get an off campus job. so what should i do?

Answer 1

Dedicaiton is key. Not only will you look great, but you'll feel great too. It's like studying for a test. You study hard to get that good grade. And it pays off too.

Answer 2

I know exactly how you feel. I found it a lot easier to get into shape if i found somebody to work out with. That way you're not only working out for yourself but you have another person who depends on you. That pushes/motivates you at the same time.

If you're looking for some routines to work out your abs try some of these:

*Decline sit ups (be careful that you don't strain yourself. i pulled a groin muscle doing this) There should be a decline bench if you work out at a gym. I personally don't go all the way down just half way or until i can feel it. the first 5 i do normal and then the next set of 5 i will hold half way down for 5 seconds each repetition. Then a regular 5 followed by 5 held. i started at 15 and worked up to 30. doing 3 sets.
*Try sitting on a ball so that your legs are at a 90degree angle and do a simple crunch.
I hate treadmills and the stair stepper so i do the eliptical as well. Cardio although it's the best for your abs is just boring and repetitive. This is where a partner comes in handy. start at 15 minutes and work your way up. try to increase at least 5-10 minutes a week. if you don't have a partner bring an IPOD or a magazine. Something to take your mind off of the task at hand. Bring a towel and water as well so that you don't give yourself an excuse to get off and stop. If you want other ab work out's let me know i have more. I hope this helps you i know how hard it can be....

P.S. Try taking a kickboxing class. Depending on where you live there should be a variety of different ones. They're usually very fun and i promise you'll be able to feel every muscle in your body tighten. Usually they have pretty good music.

Answer 3

Hi,
No one can tell you what will motivate you personally, and that is the toughest part. It sounds like you have the desire, which is great. Get a couple sets of dumbells one that you can lift now and one that is challening to move into. Lift the weights tree sets of ten, focus on tripceps, shoulders, biceps. Do some lunges holding the weights, and some squats and calf raises. Finish with some crunches. Take a brisk 45 min walk every day. If it seems boring, try to walk somewhere with w purpose--like walk to the library to study etc. Make sure that you are eating healthy. Cut out white flour, sugar etc. Eat a salad with lunch and dinner. Avoid sodas, and sugary energy drinks. Do this for a month or two, and you will have probably toned up, lost several pounds, and you will have gottne your body ready to handle a more rigorous routine. You will probably be motivated to stick with it because you will see results. Maybe you have a gym on campus also. I do this very workout and I am a busy grad student and mom, who is frustrated with not being able to go to the gym 6 days a week like I used to. I have to admit that you get quicker results hitting the gym hard 6 days a week,but my clothes are already looser. Also remember that muscle weighs more than fat, so pay attention to inches lost if the scale doesn't show weight loss. Best of luck to you!!!

Answer 4

Hello!?!? We're talking about your life here. That should be motivation enough! Don't you wanna live long and prosper??

I found an easy diet called "The Abs Diet". It burns fat (starting with your gut) while you're sitting still, but you have to eat 6 times a day and work out 3 days a week for 30 minutes at a time. The foods are good and probably not much different from things you eat already. Buy the book and check it out. I lost 5 lbs. in the first week. There's also a women's version, too.

Answer 5

The best motivation for me for eating well is to post a picture of either a guy I like or a girl with the body type I want to have on the fridge, so every time I go to grab something to eat, I think about my goal to eat healthy. Also, you should stop buying unhealthy foods completely. If you bake, change the recipe so that if it uses flour, make a quarter to a half of it whole wheat flour- it gives healthy carbs and if you put less than half in and use all purpose flour for the rest, you can't even taste the difference. Have at least a small side salad at dinnertime (I love putting chicken on my salad- it makes it more restaurant style, but still healthy). Also, if you have a roommate or a friend that lives nearby, work out and diet together- that way, you have someone to remind you of what you should be doing. It's surprising how much weight you can lose just by going on a fifteen minute walk while talking with a friend. Also, about the job, just make sure that you don't work near any fast food stores, like in the mall right by the food court, because it is way too tempting. Good luck with your weight loss!

Answer 6

Take a picture of yourself in your swim suit! That's THE BEST motivator! You don't have to share the picture with anyone, but just the fact you now have evidence of how others see you is a REAL motivator - a reality check. You might think you look great when you look in the mirror, and that's fine - you have high self-esteem. But if you truly want to start a committed workout plan - start with a picture.
Stop making excuses to not workout! Be realistic, you'll probably NEVER have enough time to get everything done on your list. BUT you have to start somewhere, right?
Also, tell all of your family and friends you're starting a workout plan and diet, and that you'll probably need encouragement soon after. People close to you will help you succeed! Maybe even join you!
And lastly, keep track of your progress. GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 7

Im actually going through sort of the same rut.I think you really have to treat it as a lifestyle change,also dont totally eliminate yourself from foods you enjoy (because I tried that and I end up going crazy and then pigging out on cookies)just if you get a craving have one or get those 90 calorie packs.I firmly believe in an exercise ball,I would use it for 1hr during my nightly shows and people noticed my results.(my 2 soon to be 3 yr old broke it,so Im waiting to buy a new one)I think if you got up early and walk/jog, find a workout buddy that would help too.Also drink lots of water 10-12 cups a day is what women should have,men are a little less.Its always been said to drink a full glass before your meal to help you feel full, resulting in eating less.Well,hope I helped and good luck:)Also another trick,fill your plate with mostly fruits and veggies and use small plates or bowls(its about portion control):)

Answer 8

I know it's hard, I feel about the same way.
You'll have to set yourself some goals. Write down exactly WHY you want to work out and WHAT you want to achieve by doing it. eg: "I want to work out because I am currently in a state in life where I feel my body is not a strong and healthy as it once was... I want to get stronger and thereby happier with myself..." Also write all the positive things that will come if you work out daily (or often). Have that piece of paper lying where you'll see it every day, or carry it with you. It's important that you set yourself some rules regarding food and training aswell.. Don't overdo it, but everytime you are craving for chocolate, for intstance, eat some delicious fruits... I know it sounds hard, and it IS! But I promise you, that if you'll stick to it, and work hard on motivating yourself, you will succeed. You mention that you don't have very much time. But don't let that be an excuse not to exercise. YOu need to do at least 30mins of exercise (running, riding your bike, swimming, etc.) every day. And honestly, there must be some periods during the day where you do nothing of importance!? Instead, go outside for a walk, or run a few miles.. Exercising those 30 mins daily is a great beginning... Once you do that, you'll probably already feel more motivated to work out, and feel better with yourself. :) Hope I helped!

Answer 9

Get a poster of a hot girl and a mirror on your wall... (trust me)



I usually work out at 7 or 8 in the evening, just because I finish classes pretty late too. It also helps if you can get a friend to work out with, and arrange a time both of you will stick to so you can motivate each other.


After a while, when you get back in shape, getting compliments at parties will be all the motivation you'll need- it just feels good.


GL

Answer 10

Really focus on why you want to work out, and why this is important to you. Are you going for strength? Overall health? Weight loss? This needs to be something you want to achieve for yourself, not something you feel you should do. I'm a personal trainer, and I see a lot of people who are at the gym because their doctor told them to exercise, or their husband thinks they're fat... And that's one of my red flags that theirs is going to be a hard goal to reach. Forget everyone else. This is for you. Your health, your energy, your confidence.

Second, you do have the time in your schedule, either before or between classes, and that still gives you time for a part time job in the afternoon. Make this a priority. For weights, you can develop a routine that only takes a half-hour. Find a trainer or someone at the gym who can help you figure out any machines you're not familiar with. Whether this is a free service or not, it will make you feel a lot less intimidated, and make your workouts that much safer and more effective. Aka you don't waste that half-hour.

If you're lucky, your campus is one that you can walk all over (class, sporting events, etc) and get pleny of cardio outside the gym. Get a few friends to be workout buddies, or join an intramural team together. If track was something you enjoyed, find out when the school track is open to runners. This way everyone keeps each other on task. No backing out of a game/session! There are a lot of great options out there in addition to the cardio equipment at the gym.

Finally, if you're goal is weight loss, keep an eye on nutrition. There are (sometimes) healthy options at the dining halls, but there are also a lot of bad ones. Not to mention the late-night pizza specials. My campus had someone on staff at health services who could answer questions, or you could even take a class. Good luck!

Answer 11

I have a hard time getting motivated too. When I exercise I usually work out in front of the mirror, when I am about to stop or something I just look at myself and imagine myself fit and athletic and i usually pick up the pace. Another thing I do is I listen to a lot of really high speed, pop music, something that makes me want to dance or get moving. It makes me feel energetic and it is very motivational. I have a stationary bike so usually pop in a movie like Bend it Like Beckham. When I always see someone in a movie playing a sport running or something it makes me want to exercise even more. Those are ways I get motivated.

Since you say you might get a job, start walking to your job and then jog home after work. Start eating healthier. I have been on a diet for the past week and just by eating health yand exercising I have already lost 6 pounds. So, if I can do it you can. Trust me I have a metabolism that is as slow as a turtle. I also have problems with emotional eating, when I am bored I eat a lot. What I tell myself is "I eat to live, not live to eat". I also make certain times I am allowed in the kitchen. Like 8:00 breakfast, 12:00 Lunch, and 5:00 dinner. The only snack I keep close by to me just in case I get hungry is fruit. I don't allow myself in the kitchen otherwise. I got this new Denise Austen video, it is five minutes for each workout and it targets your problem areas. So, your stomach for an example it has 2 five minute workouts for you stomach, I do both and it is a good, effective workout that only is 10 minutes long. So, just start by walking more and eating healthier. Good Luck and hope you succeed.