What motivates you?

Mr. Ed

Mr. Ed

Be what you is not what you what you ain’t
Location
Central NY
I'm enormously unmotivated when it comes to exercise. Ideally I'd like to learn yoga, but without social support, my motivation wanes. I know exercise is beneficial, however, I cannot envision any long term effort on my part. Frustrated.
 
I'm barely maintaining my level of fitness these days. I walk the dogs once a day in the mornings going just under a mile weekdays and about 2 miles on weekends (they're small dogs.) If the weather is cool enough I like to take a 2.5 mile walk in the afternoon with the dogs in their stroller at my pace rather than theirs. Or my wife and I will go on a slow bicycle ride that's about 4 to 5 miles.

What motivates me to do the walks or bike rides beyond walking the dogs is that I don't want to have to regain a minimum level of fitness. Also I know that exercising improves my overall feeling of well being and mental fitness.

When I go above and beyond that level of exercise what motivates me is either the pleasure I get from the exercise itself (climbing, hiking, swimming.) Another thing that will motivate me is being able to do something else I enjoy (reading) as I'm exercising. But these things must be easy to fit into my routine in order for me to want to do them. Also some, such as climbing, require other people in order for me to do them. (I know I can boulder by myself, but I don't enjoy that as much as roped climbing.) Another aspect of climbing that motivates me is that when I do belong to a close group of people who climb together are the social connections I maintain while exercising.

Looking toward the future as Covid concerns to away (if they do) and eventually when I retire (probably 4+ years from now) I hope to join a group doing tai chi. I know I could learn to do this by myself with videos, etc but I'm concerned that I won't be doing it correctly and there is a certain level of satisfaction, pleasure and calmness of seeing myself as one of many doing the same thing.

I do hope you find some things that can help you be motivated to get more exercise. If not I hope you're able to get yourself to do the minimum you need to do to maintain your health and well being.
 
Liberty said:
We are very fortunate... can read and walk at the same time 4 or 5 miles a day! Know its hard when limited
by circumstances, though. It requires creativity to get in motion and stay moving.
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How do you keep from tripping over stuff or see that you're not walking into traffic or a parked car?
 
My dogs!
They live in the present moment only and have had a fun daily routine since we got them which consists of long walks and plenty of playtime. They love playing ball out in our yard and don’t understand or really care that there’s a pandemic going on around them so I keep up the same routine ‘cause they are family and mean the world to me. In return they help keep me in the present moment so I’m not worried about the past or future since they only exist in terms of reference and that’s golden.
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On the really hot days which went up to around 34 to 36 for about 3 days, I took them early. We also go to the river to cool them off and I swim too. Kayaking and canoeing has given us something to do together yet away from others where we can have fun and keep safe. It’s great exercise and lots of fun. Unfortunately the dogs can’t go in the kayaks so we can’t go as far. With the canoe we can get a motel and bring our dogs to stay over night.
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Absolutely nothing motivates me to do a routine of exercises or using a treadmill or stationary bike. I just hope I am getting enough exercise from my daily routine to keep me fit. From the time I get up to after dinner I'm on the move. I have a big home to care for and yard work. I'm up and down a flight of stairs many times a day a perk of not being able to remember 2 items at once that I need to bring up from our storage room.
Trying on clothes from my closet for the next season motivates me to keep moving and try and keep my weight in check. Especially bathing suit time. You can't hide anything in a bathing suit.
 
Mr. Ed said:
I'm enormously unmotivated when it comes to exercise. Ideally I'd like to learn yoga, but without social support, my motivation wanes. I know exercise is beneficial, however, I cannot envision any long term effort on my part. Frustrated.
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Retired at age 54 obese per Gov. standards but wanting to live a long time in retirement. Reality there is no magic pill!!. @79 and needing only cholesterol med for hereditary cholesterol keeps me motivated.
 
Mr. Ed said:
I'm enormously unmotivated when it comes to exercise. Ideally I'd like to learn yoga, but without social support, my motivation wanes. I know exercise is beneficial, however, I cannot envision any long term effort on my part. Frustrated.
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Had a major coronary scare about 12 years ago. That changed my attitude toward diet and fitness. The good thing is that eventually the better habits become ingrained and you don't feel like going back to your old ways.

There is a great book called Younger Next Year which really helped me at the time of the CABG surgery. I highly recommend it.
 
I believe largely to do with exercise and motivation to do so is attitude and learned behavioral skills. Some years ago I weighed 257 pounds with a size 50 waist. I lost down to 200 pounds and maintained a weight between 217-220. Right now I weigh more because of exercise restriction from COVID-19, my clothes are uncomfortable which is very annoying.

This is why I wanted to learn yoga, but as I said before I need group motivation. Hopefully the YMCA will reopen shortly and I will be able to swim and workout on the machines.

I'm thoroughly enjoy scuba diving training because of the risk and technicalities that go along with diving.
 
Motivation to exercise?

Chores, here at the cabin
Don't do certain things, you don't have certain things
....like warm winters

It takes me a bit of psych up to get moving
I call it 'my meditation'

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I do enjoy a good hike

Riding a stationary bike or tread mill?
No
Can't
Tried it
Felt like a gargantuan hamster in a wheel
Going nowhere, but getting there reaaaaal fast

In town, I hit the weights and walk somewhere

But, here at the cabin, work is my excercise
...and there's plenty of it

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