The first 5 minutes
Even though I claim to love working out, I must admit that there are days when my motivation wanes and I have to force myself to persevere through those first 5 minutes, particularly if I am doing cardio early in the morning. This morning was one of those times. After only 1 minute on the bike, I already wanted to stop turning the pedals and jump off without looking back. My mind was working to formulate a reason for why it was okay to skip my cardio for the day. I told myself I was too tired, I had too many other things to do, and my legs were too sore (from my last leg workout) to continue. These excuses were good enough to convince a part of me that getting off the bike was the right thing to do. However, another part didn’t want to give up so easily. It was saying things like you’ll feel so great after you’ve worked up a good sweat and finished riding the full 40 minutes that you had originally planned. This part was also telling me to continue riding because, with every minute, I was getting healthier, improving my physical fitness, and moving closer to my goals. So, I had a choice to make: give up, get off, and take the easy road out or stick it out, persevere, and choose the harder path.
I am happy to say that, today, I chose the latter. I made a deal with myself that I could get off the bike after reaching the ten-minute mark. However, when I reached that point, I no longer wanted to stop. In fact, I continued on, eventually completing 1 full hour of cardiovascular exercise. The decision to continue past the first couple “agonizing” minutes wasn’t an easy choice for me to make as it required me to give more of myself both mentally and physically. However, over time, I have found that the rewards are well-worth it. And when this happens again, which I know it will, I hope I choose the same.
August 24, 2007 at 11:27 am
I was curious as to what you do? I see the profile name as nursenic, but when you write your blogs they are very well done. I was starting to think that you could be an aspiring writer? Or do you just enjoy writing? Well either way, I enjoy reading your post. They seem well thought out, organized, and enlightening. Keep it up.
Tom
August 24, 2007 at 11:27 am
I know exactly what you mean. To solve that problem for myself, I read my goals and my power statements. By the time I am done, I am past the "I dont want to be here stage." Glad you conquered your excuses today.
August 25, 2007 at 12:43 am
Great job. I let my excuses get the better of me this morning, but after reading your post, I have decided round two will be this evening after work, and I will come out victorious.
Glad to see you won the match in one round. You have inspired and motivated me today. Thank you.
August 25, 2007 at 12:54 am
Goes back to that saying, "Motivation gets you started". I’ve had those days before, or I’ll get half way through my workout and feel sick and debate pushing through it or not (at the risk of losing my supps before they absorb). Every time you get through it though, it’s that much easier to do it the next time. Inertia is quite annoying at times, but get it going and it can be your best friend! Keep at it!
August 25, 2007 at 8:57 am
I had that same experience last night and only made it through half my cardio workout (for the exact reason that my legs were sore due to my last leg w/o and my motivation was rather low). I am planning on going back in there today, with regained strength, and realizations that I am not the only one who experiences such adversity; Good for you for sticking it out. Again, you have inspired me to make it through the long haul even when your body and other things might be telling you to stop for superficial reasons. Heck, if I can run 17 marathons, I had better be able to stay disciplined, right? You rock, girl!
August 25, 2007 at 9:12 am
Let’s face it…no one really likes killing themselves in the gym unless their into pain. It’s the rewards that keep us going through the pain and it looks like you’ve been rewarded quit nicely for all your hard work!
August 25, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Yeah getting started is the hardest part of the workout I feel. That’s why I always make sure I tell myself that this is for the greater good and it’ll be worth it in the end. Of course making sure I had something to give me extra energy always helps as well.
August 27, 2007 at 11:05 am
YOU RULE!
August 27, 2007 at 2:23 pm
I read this post and it motivated me to get into the gym today despite my brain telling me otherwise. Same as you…the first couple sets were rough, but after that it was a great workout…Thanks a million!
October 6, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Without going into depth like I did with my last blog comment, I’ll simply say that once again, you have written a great blog on a topic we can all relate to certainly.