subject: The Couch Potato Workout Pointers [print this page] In the past you were concentrated and disciplined that you never missed a day of exercise not until the day of bad cold hit and a few rainy days and your energy absolutely went down the drain. All you want is to go back in that routine but nothing seems to work. When you just feel too heavy to get off the couch, try these ideas to get yourself all fired up to work out again.
1. Just do something, and then you're started!
Breaking inertia is not the easiest thing to do but once you've done it, the hardest part is over. Just do something then you're started, all it takes is one good step, no matter how small. It can be one healthy meal, a few stretches, a short walk, then tell yourself that you're over the hump and you're on your way.
2. Do it for three days
So you made it through day one. Whatever practical step you did, do it for a minimum of three consecutive days. The three-day repetition will give you back your confidence and you will feel that you're back in control. Keep this concept in mind and it will help you regain interest and become inclined over and over again. Don't worry too much if it isn't the most challenging action, your purpose is simply to get back into the groove. You can resume your power workout in time.
3. A 1- minute solution
The couch potato sign hits you the next day, don't give in. Don't give yourself a chance to reconsider, before make a deal with yourself that you only have to do it with 10 minutes and afterwards you can stop. It may not be the full blown workout; the kind of high intensity you used to, it is enough to keep you from slipping back to inactivity. This approach consider as a tool to help you get through those low energy, low motivation days. These days you'll just feel so removed that the 10 minutes are over but sometimes you just feel so fired up, there's no stopping. Either way, you win!
4. Find new tricks
Do not wait, be proactive and learn to motivate yourself. Try to find out what it is that inspires you to take action, invent new tricks, create fresh ideas. One person I know puts on an exercise video or watches one over the internet when she feels too inactive to workout, but once the music gets going it's easier for her to join in. Whenever those days hit you, just reach for this list and rev back up.
5. Anyway do it
Do it anyway whenever a day's that you don't feel like going to work out. Cleaning the house or washing the clothes is the same thing goes. The significant thing is that you won't just wait around unless you're in the mood. This applies to the same rule of exercising or eating right: just go ahead and do it. Forget about the leftover chocolate cake and have your fresh fruit instead. Turn off the television and put on your running shoes. When you are seriously faithful to your goals, do not allow yourself to find any excuse not to do what you're supposed to. Tell yourself, "Come hell or high water, I'll do it anyway."
