Motivation to Exercise

 I was sleeved on 12/31/11 and I've only lost 25lbs. My nutritionist says I'm right on track with my weight loss but it seems like people that were sleeved around the same time as me have lost more. I think its because Im not exercising regularly. I HATE exercising. I don't belong to a gym although they have a "gym" aka dusty gross work out room at work. I need to start exercising but I have no motivation. I know I need to do it, I think about doing it, but getting off my butt and doing it is another story. Any suggestions or advice? How did you all make the change from potato chip munching couch potato to lean mean exercising machine? LOL

Two things. . . First, you cannot compare yourself to others - your starting weight is lower than most of the rest of us. Second, yes, exercising is good and most of us hate it. I have the same issue. I have talked to my therapist about it. Exercise needs to become a habit. As such, you need to do it for 30 days in a row to make it a habit. Try 5 minutes a day of some form of movement you would not normally do. If you make it 7 days- reward yourself with something you like (other than food). Repeat 4 times . . and you have a habit. Then you can increase the time each day. Find things you like to do. (I love to dance) Do those for exercise.

I treat exercise like I treat my job.  It isn't optional -- it is required.  I rarely wake up to the alarm in the morning, leap out of bed and exclaim, "Yay!  I get to go to work!"  But, I do get up and go to work, even if I don't feel like it.  Exercise is the same.  I rarely think, "Yay, I get to go to the gym!"  But, I go anyway.

If I truly don't want to or don't feel like doing a particular workout that day, I choose a different exercise, but I don't let myself off the hook.  Today, I really didn't feel like going to the gym like I had planned, so I took my dog for a walk/run instead, and I will add the weightlifting I had planned on to my Saturday work out (doing the 5K Heart Walk with friends from work). 

I also have a lot of different work outs that I do:  walk/running on the treadmill or around the neighborhood, elliptical, swimming, weights, yoga classes, yoga DVDs, kettle bells with a DVD, Zumba for the Wii, water aerobics....  you get the picture.  That way, I never get bored and always have options.

Unfortunately, there's not an easy way to get in the habit.  Working out is hard if you're doing it right.  If it's easy, you're not working out hard enough.   It's like the advertisements say:  "Just do it."

LOVED your response. You are a great motivator. Thanks, Sharon

 Exercise can become a habit pretty easily. It is amazing how quickly you will feel better and then how quickly you will lose it once you stop. The secret is to find something to do while you exercise. For example, I usually watch my favorite TV program while I walk on the treadmill. Or I read a book. I make sure that I always get in my exercise. It's like brushing my teeth. I always make time. As I said, after a while it becomes a habit. Lately I have become totally addicted to Yoga. I never realized the benefit of Yoga. Not only does it build up muscle, it also is a great stress reliever. I usually work out 30 minutes on the treadmill, 20 on the stairstepper, about 20 minutes of weights 5 days a week and then I catch a Yoga class at least 3 times a week. I make it a priority. 

Need motivation u say? Well my motivation is the reason I had to do this surgery in the first place...Poor eating habits and LACK of EXERCISE!!!! All I have to do is look at my pics of myself before surgery and look at myself in the mirror today...after surgery...selecting healthy protein filled foods and YES...EXERCISE has shown great results. I love my new body, but most importantly I LOVE the results of my blood work almost one year out...NO DIABETES...NO MORE SLEEP APNEA....NORMAL CHOLESTEROL AND HOPEFULLY WHEN I GO IN FOR MY ONE YEAR CHECKUP...NO MORE BLOOD PRESSURE MEDS!!!  THAT'S ALL THE MOTIVATION I NEED...Good luck...Remember don't compare yourself to others...this is YOUR journey. We are all different and unique so our weight loss will not be the same. DO THE WORK AND YOUR WILL REAP THE REWARDS...HANG IN THERE...

I hear ya. It's tough. I'm finding exercise absolutely non-negotiable at this point as I try and get off the last few pounds. I had to change my mindset and accept that exercise is something I HAVE to do, like brushing my teeth. I just get up in the morning, and do it. I don't give myself a chance to even contemplate not doing it. I lay out my workout clothes the night before, the alarm goes off, I'm up and in my workout clothes before I have time to even think about it. Find something you like. I'm actually starting to enjoy working out more and more. I am doing a Couch to 5k with a group and that keeps me motivated. I love group exercise classes like Zumba or spinning. Find a walking group. Making it social REALLY helps, and so does having the non-negotiable mindset.

I can't exercise right now and I miss it...(arthritis is really bad right now)

I never really liked it...but I do like finishing and feeling pleased with myself for doing it. And sometimes, I just enjoy the feeling of vague superiority that you get when you realize you just exercised and so many other people didn't...

Your motivation is seeing the weight loss happen faster.
I hate exercising too but the day I was alowed to go, I got my ass to the gym and I havnt missed a day.
I go every day and do an hour on the bike, every 2nd day I do weights on 8 machines, then I go take a swim, suana and hot tub.

I hate the hour on the bike with a passion, but I plug my headphones into my ipod and listen to music and force myelf to get the hour in.

I remember when my surgeon came to see me in my hospital room, the words he said are always in my mind.
"We've just given you a tool to help you get your life back, but the rest is up to you"

I think about those words every day because I cant fail.
Ive tried every diet program and gimmick you can think of, only to fail everytime. This is the first time in my life that Im succeeding and if I fail this time, what recourse do I have? None!

Feb 3rd I weighed 362 and today when I left the gym I was 328.8. The more I lose, the more I'm inspired to keep going.

I think you have to treat this as a last resort because if we fail after the sleeve, then what? I dont know about you but I dont intend to find out.

Stay focused on your goal and start small, even just walking 10 minutes a day around your block is something. Start small and work up, and try to make it part of your routine.

Good luck :)

Oh I almost forgot one of the main bonuses of exercising...
It really helps curb your appetite. The more I exercise, the less hungry I am. I have to force myself to drink my protein shakes.
Also too, you will help firm and tone up your muscles and hopefully it will help reduce the loose skin when you hit your goal weight.

Also too its good for your heart !