Posted by Bobbie | Posted in Excercise | Posted on Tue March 09, 2010
Yesterday I did NOT want to go and workout. I delayed my usual 4:00 pm workout. I thought of excuses why I should skip it.
Excuses like:
- I have a sinus headache.
- I’m still spent from Sunday’s workout with my trainer.
- I have web design work to do from home.
- I want to just sit on the couch and do NOTHING.
- I had a busy day at work and just don’t feel like going!
All of these were true, and all of these were excuses. Did I go to the gym and get my workout in?
YES
Did I push it harder than I usually do?
YES
I consciously thought about my decision and the ramifications of it. I thought about if I did NOT go, how easy it would be in the future for me to let excuses get in the way of my goals. I would be setting a precedent. I didn’t want to set a new standard of excuses = no gym.
I love this poster. I was really feeling my age last
year but you know what? Not anymore!
Last night I remember thinking, “Now I’ve made it to the gym – and I’m going to MAKE IT freaking COUNT.”
I changed things up a bit last night. I get bored VERY EASILY in my life, and this can translate to my gym sessions. So I decided I’d mix things up.
I hit the treadmill for 17 minutes and ran/jogged for most of it. Then I hit stomach/core exercises and then hit the weights. After about an hour of that, I hit the treadmill again for about 7 minutes of more cardio, running most of it.
Instead of doing three sets of everything, I’ve went down to two sets so that I can do a variety of more exercises and not get bored. I really like that. And splitting up the cardio before AND after my workout was cool.
When I left the gym I was completely covered in sweat. I mean DRENCHED. And out of breath. That’s how I’ve been measuring my workout success lately. I’m getting to know my body and I know when it’s working hard.
I put in one of the hardest self-motivated workouts I have ever done last night. All because I didn’t let excuses get in my way.
Last night when I was working hard, I realized it was my four month “health” anniversary.
And I was so HAPPY that I went and MADE IT COUNT.
Summer is almost here! Are you making it count? Are you changing your workout routine up to keep it interesting?
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Tue March 09, 2010 at 8:37 AM
LOVE THAT PIC of the old guy! I want that to be me when I am that age!
AND LOVED THIS POST!!!! You go AFG!!! I change it up all the time & it so makes the difference! Also, love that you pushed yourself past the excuse & then made the body do what the mind said it did not want to do.
GREAT STUFF!!!!
Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Dieting Reality – Tomorrow Is NOW!
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Tue March 09, 2010 at 9:03 AM
I just did a post about not having those conversations with yourself that include excuses. Glad to see that you feel the same way! Is it just me or do you find it odd when someone goes to the gym and leaves with a completely dry shirt? Yesterday as I was driving home from a workout with my trainer, it looked like I had wet my pants because I was so sweaty. Gross, I know, but when I got up this morning and could felt the “good sore” that comes after a hard workout, it was worth every drop of sweat that fell.
BTW, I want to be just like the guy in the poster when I grow up! I have a feeling that you will be one bad ass old lady yourself!
karen@fitnessjourney´s last blog ..Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution
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Tue March 09, 2010 at 9:16 AM
I don’t have the excuses problem….not per se…
I just don’t do it when I don’t want to.
Just as bad, eh?
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Tue March 09, 2010 at 9:35 AM
Good for you! And happy anniversary:) Next time I have a stupid excuse not to go to the gym I am going to think of you and get my butt there!
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Tue March 09, 2010 at 9:39 AM
Nice AFG! Age and excuses go hand in hand. I think we, as the doddering hominids that inhabit this Earth for God’s amusement, evolved that way to protect ourselves from danger. The older we get, the more readily excuses fly from our minds. By the time we hit forty, excuses are automatic. We learn that with excuses comes safety, and with safety comes, well, more time to kick back and think of more excuses to prolong our safety. It’s like an emotional wall of Nerf we build around ourselves to support our addiction to complacency.
The problem with walls, with excuses, is that they not only keep out the bad, but they keep the individual behind the wall from seeking out the good. Exercise is good. Glad you tore down that wall and made it count!!!
Emergefit´s last blog ..A New Persective On Squats, Lunges, And Living Life…
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Tue March 09, 2010 at 9:40 AM
Change is definitely a big motivator!
When I’m wanting to tank the workout (and don’t have a legitimate excuse), I tell myself I can get away with 15 minutes only, if I’m still not feeling it, I can stop. I think I’ve stopped at 15 minutes twice in 3 years. Once you get going, endorphins take care of the rest. :)
Cammy@TippyToeDiet´s last blog ..Companion Foods…and a Couple of Recipes
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Tue March 09, 2010 at 11:00 AM
at first i couldn’t believe what i was reading. i should have known you’d end up going to the gym and kicking butt!
so funny you wrote about change cuz this morning at the gym, i usually do 40 minutes on the precor. they all were taken. my first thought was – crap! but then i went on the recumbent bike for 20 and the precor for 20. it worked different muscles, all good!
love2eatinpa´s last blog ..I Need to Get Serious (A Little Rant)
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Tue March 09, 2010 at 12:09 PM
One of the thoughts I repeat to myself is similar to your gym experience:
Each time we “resist” an urge to fall off plan (or skip exercise) we strengthen our “resistance muscle” and each time we “give in” to temptation we strengthen our “give in muscle” making it easier to either “resist” or “give in” next time.
Congrats on your strength! ~ Angie
Angie´s last blog ..The Bearded Lady’s ~ Moments of Joy~
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Tue March 09, 2010 at 3:22 PM
Oooo, I like Angie’s comment.
4 months, already?! Awesome.
Gina Fit by 41 Maybe 42´s last blog ..When a Spouse* Calls You Fat and Gives Advice
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Tue March 09, 2010 at 7:31 PM
I have always loved this poster. My YMCA has it hanging in the hallway on the way to the locker room.. I always stop and look at it…
My excuses took over for me today….. :(
Tina´s last blog ..Some of my Inspirations ~
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Tue March 09, 2010 at 8:01 PM
[...] Leave a Comment Sure wish I had read Anonymous Fat Girl’s blog earlier today – Excuses & MAKING IT COUNT in the Gym – I let my excuses get in the way of my going to the gym today…. not only that I fell [...]
Tue March 09, 2010 at 8:39 PM
Thanks for the words of inspiration. I so needed this! I have been slacking in the workout dept. but tomorrow is another day! You are right summer is jsut around the corner so I need to make it count now. Thanks girl! I’m going to make it count for the rest of the week!
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Wed March 10, 2010 at 7:07 AM
I love those moments when you totally don’t want to go to the gym but you go anyways and kill it because it’s like the rare opportunity you get to shove it in the face of the part of you that tells you that maintaining this lifestyle isn’t realistic. Keep it up babe!
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Wed March 10, 2010 at 7:31 AM
love the picture of the old guy! good for you for getting your hiney to the gym when you didn’t want to. that’s 95% of the battle.
liz´s last blog ..Good Morning
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Wed March 10, 2010 at 7:36 PM
[...] Too much determination and a feeling that I’m really seeing results and change. Like AFG said today…there is something to be said for that feeling of satisfaction for pushing [...]
Thu March 11, 2010 at 3:36 AM
I always try to get out of the house even when I don’t feel like working out. When I get to the running track, I feel happy that I went. I run my a$$ off and feel so good after.
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