How to exercise regularly by Deskdude

"If you're of the right mind, once you're in the habit it's psychologically painful to miss a workout!"

How I did it: Previously, I had made minor attempts to get into shape at home, none of them lasting more than a few months really. I would just get bored or busy or stressed and drift back in to my old lifestyle.

This time, I joined a gym (financial commitment), and joined a weight-loss competition at work (accountability) - which I won btw! I also got a free fitness evaluation upon joining the gym--on which I scored miserably (motivation) and started tracking my progress for every exercise (goals). In six month's time, I've more than doubled all of the weights I can work out with comfortably as well as doubled the time I can do cardio without dying. I'm still no where near where I want to be, but I've lost 25 lbs and the gym has replaced smoking and more wasteful preoccupations (mindless surfing, tv, etc.). It's kind of a home away from home.

Lessons & tips: I think for me it was important that I became religious about never missing a workout for the first four months. I went to the gym every other day for weight training and cardio whether I was on business travel or had to squeeze it in before bed at 10:00 at night. I finally ended up missing some workouts in my 5th month when I became sick enough from a cold/cough that I stayed home from work - and I felt horribly guilty! - So guilty, that once I was on the mend, I beat a path back to the gym for fear of falling out of the habit. My tip? Do the same. lol

Resources: 24-hour gym membership and an iPod. :)


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Oct 28, 10:20PM PDT | 0 comments | 8 cheers


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