Motivation with a Treadmill

M

Miss1128

0
So excited to get a price of equipment I imagined with make me happier and thinner. Did not think about lack of motivation, pushing through the tirdness, and just plain boredom at times!!!

Anyone else relate? If so, how do any of you deal with boredom and exercise?

Thanks
 
I got a treadmill from a friend of my mothers. I also was super excited and thought the weight would melt off! But I really struggle to find the energy and motivation! What helped me on the treadmill is to change the pace. One speed bores me. I don't run every day but try to set a goal for 3 to 4 times a week and really have to nag myself to get off the couch.
 
I watch Netflix shows. I'm at a public gym (not really public, a gym in my condo building) so just stick my headphones in and put my phone where I can see it on the display. An ipad would be a little better as the phone is pretty small but it works. I also do run/walk intervals so I get a change of pace as well.
 
I watch tv on my iPad, read magazines, listen to music or do intervals. I find it helps if I enter races and have to train for them, rather than just running.
 
I completely relate. I have an exercise bike (running is not my thing) and thought that as it's right there in my living room I would be using it all the time. But, like you, I struggle with motivation.

Sometimes you just need to set yourself reasonable targets. Tell yourself you will use it every other day for a week. Or every day for a week and see how you get on. Maybe do it in short bursts, 10/15 minutes, for example? By being reasonable and setting yourself small targets your eliminating the daunting prospect of putting all that effort in to use it. Once you've met your small targets you can set yourself slightly bigger ones...20 minutes, every day for 2 weeks, etc The battle is making it habitual, you'll be surprised how frequently you'll use it without really thinking about it once it's become part of your habit or routine.

And like others have said, use the time to catch up on Netflix, or podcasts or something. I use the time to play Xbox. One of those things I never do normally because I don't feel I can justify the time to play computer games...but when I'm peddling away on my bike I'm not exactly doing anything else and it passes the time much quicker. It also motivates me to look forward to doing the exercise :)

Good luck with your treadmill :)
 
As all the others have said, it helps to do some other activity while on the treadmill, like watching TV, reading a book, listening to music/a podcast, etc. Why don't you try HIIT jogging? You don't have to jog for very long, about 15-20 minutes but it's highly effective at burning fat because of the intervals in it. For example, you jog for 30 seconds then walk for 1 minute then jog for 30 seconds and repeat. This type of cardio is proven to not only burn more calories but it also increases your metabolism for up to 48 hours after the workout. I like this style because it's not as boring—you're changing speeds and it doesn't last as long. I've gotten great results with it, so I recommend you check it out :) Best wishes!
 
^ Love that idea! Never heard of that before. I'm not a runner, but wouldn't mind building some stamina, even if it's just so I can run for the bus or something lol. Sounds like that method would not only improve your fitness but gradually get you into running for longer periods :)
 
Music has always worked for me. Have you tried it?
 
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