What motivates you?
Discussion
No idea how old you are but suspect you're 'young'. By 'young' I mean under 40, and what many seem to forget is the long term consequences of what they 'do' and 'eat'.
It's simple.
Exercise alone won't make you lose weight.
My generation didn't get obese. Why? Something changed along the way. We had no crap food outlets on every corner. In fact, most of us looked like beanpoles.
I still do and I have turned 60 - 6ft 1, just over 11 stone. Same as i was at 17 !
I would never dream of going near a McLibels etc, in fact you couldn't pay me to. And DON'T ever, ever drink today's coke!
Regards long term, some of my friends have awful joint injuries from lot of running in early days, knee problems being the highest (jog, and later on you'll be one of the lucky ones if you don't have 'em from all that pounding). Pointless.
So 'CYCLE or WALK (miles!) both cost little, the latter costs 'nothing', yet will keep you as fit as fiddle and you take in all the scenery, wildlife, etc, my generation took in, but today the majority totally miss as they are either all too busy, sat on their ass at a PC ruining eyesight (long term), or going in a mode of transport that's too fast to notice anything but the time of day.
And if you believe all the gov and nutritionist nonesense about 'low fat' food you'll get as fat as the rest of the nation who believe it. Ask yourself why now, after 'decades' of 'low fat' foods, the majority who followed it got fatter and fatter?
It's big business.
I'm from the era that went to work on an egg, bacon sarnies, red meat, veg, etc - we had a 'balanced' diet, the real secret. 'Full gold top' cream milk was the 'best' not a 'fear!' (now too hard to get so it has to be organic 'whole' milk).
Still do. Think about it!
I published a diet book in the early 90s that each time it was reprinted each time we had to increase the proportion of the population that had become obese enough to have a health problem. When it first came out daft obsessed low-fat nutritionists shot us down.
Who was right?
I sigh to myself when I see tragically overweight people buying 'skimmed' milk and packs of miniscule pots of gut-type yoghurt. Fools, who stare, puzzled at me in the queue with my 8 pints of whole milk.
You stick to your bowl of bran flakes soaked in more calcium-high skimmed, like Mr Hoy tells you in the adverts (do you really think he eats a bowl of it every morning? I suspect he advocates it for a much simpler reason!). What they don't tell you is that Bran was once the waste by-product of the milling process, until someone realised there was a fortune to be made from it. As a non-food, the fibre content is useful for one thing (can you guess what it is?), but it is certainly not something to be consumed on a daily basis, unless, of course, you are mad!
It's simple.
Exercise alone won't make you lose weight.
My generation didn't get obese. Why? Something changed along the way. We had no crap food outlets on every corner. In fact, most of us looked like beanpoles.
I still do and I have turned 60 - 6ft 1, just over 11 stone. Same as i was at 17 !
I would never dream of going near a McLibels etc, in fact you couldn't pay me to. And DON'T ever, ever drink today's coke!
Regards long term, some of my friends have awful joint injuries from lot of running in early days, knee problems being the highest (jog, and later on you'll be one of the lucky ones if you don't have 'em from all that pounding). Pointless.
So 'CYCLE or WALK (miles!) both cost little, the latter costs 'nothing', yet will keep you as fit as fiddle and you take in all the scenery, wildlife, etc, my generation took in, but today the majority totally miss as they are either all too busy, sat on their ass at a PC ruining eyesight (long term), or going in a mode of transport that's too fast to notice anything but the time of day.
And if you believe all the gov and nutritionist nonesense about 'low fat' food you'll get as fat as the rest of the nation who believe it. Ask yourself why now, after 'decades' of 'low fat' foods, the majority who followed it got fatter and fatter?
It's big business.
I'm from the era that went to work on an egg, bacon sarnies, red meat, veg, etc - we had a 'balanced' diet, the real secret. 'Full gold top' cream milk was the 'best' not a 'fear!' (now too hard to get so it has to be organic 'whole' milk).
Still do. Think about it!
I published a diet book in the early 90s that each time it was reprinted each time we had to increase the proportion of the population that had become obese enough to have a health problem. When it first came out daft obsessed low-fat nutritionists shot us down.
Who was right?
I sigh to myself when I see tragically overweight people buying 'skimmed' milk and packs of miniscule pots of gut-type yoghurt. Fools, who stare, puzzled at me in the queue with my 8 pints of whole milk.
You stick to your bowl of bran flakes soaked in more calcium-high skimmed, like Mr Hoy tells you in the adverts (do you really think he eats a bowl of it every morning? I suspect he advocates it for a much simpler reason!). What they don't tell you is that Bran was once the waste by-product of the milling process, until someone realised there was a fortune to be made from it. As a non-food, the fibre content is useful for one thing (can you guess what it is?), but it is certainly not something to be consumed on a daily basis, unless, of course, you are mad!
Motivation for me comes from exercise itself I just love it guess I'm lucky like that.
I recently tried out this www.britmilfit.com It's fantastic for motivation as it's a team effort to get everything done and you feel like you're socialising at the same time they cater for all different levels as well. No harm in going to a trial session which is free by the way.
I recently tried out this www.britmilfit.com It's fantastic for motivation as it's a team effort to get everything done and you feel like you're socialising at the same time they cater for all different levels as well. No harm in going to a trial session which is free by the way.
EmmaP said:
I don't know whether or not it is feasible but having a personal trainer is a must I think to set you targets and to be your guilty conscience. They can design a program to suit your specific goal and take into account any issues such as shin splints. Are there classes at any of the hotels you go to or are there just gyms to use on an ad-hoc basis?
I agree great for motivating you to keep going and they can also help to see where you're going wrong so you're not wasting your time with specific exercises.
Good to see this thread is still alive, and that some people have actually read my original post.
Emma appreciate your input - all useful, and I agree that if my schedule permitted I would get a lot of benefit from a personal trainer. However given the utter unpredictability of my schedule and the large proportion of time I'm out of the country, this isn't really viable.
What particularly interests me - and what I guess I was getting at in my original post was this bit though..
Emma appreciate your input - all useful, and I agree that if my schedule permitted I would get a lot of benefit from a personal trainer. However given the utter unpredictability of my schedule and the large proportion of time I'm out of the country, this isn't really viable.
What particularly interests me - and what I guess I was getting at in my original post was this bit though..
EmmaP said:
I get a buzz out of pushing myself and seeing improvements. .... . I always feel so much happier and more alert after exercising.
This is what I'm failing to get at all from exercise. I only get this kind of 'good feeling' / endorphin rush etc from something competetive. Is this 'post exercise high' something that you developed from doing this a lot, or was it always there from the start?Edited by mr_tony on Thursday 5th August 12:48
The gym never did anything for me, and actually as I was so knackered after the gym the takeaway option was far too tempting ;-)
Basically the only way I can lose weight is cut the portion sizes down. If you are eating in resturants and hotels all the time, lose the dressings, and ask them to take out the fatty foods as much as possible. And then give you smaller portions.
Basically the only way I can lose weight is cut the portion sizes down. If you are eating in resturants and hotels all the time, lose the dressings, and ask them to take out the fatty foods as much as possible. And then give you smaller portions.
mr_tony said:
EmmaP said:
I get a buzz out of pushing myself and seeing improvements. .... . I always feel so much happier and more alert after exercising.
This is what I'm failing to get at all from exercise. I only get this kind of 'good feeling' / endorphin rush etc from something competetive. Is this 'post exercise high' something that you developed from doing this a lot, or was it always there from the start?
mr_tony said:
EmmaP said:
I get a buzz out of pushing myself and seeing improvements. .... . I always feel so much happier and more alert after exercising.
This is what I'm failing to get at all from exercise. I only get this kind of 'good feeling' / endorphin rush etc from something competetive. Is this 'post exercise high' something that you developed from doing this a lot, or was it always there from the start?First off, long time no see. 
I used to travel a lot (short haul) but it frequently meant that I was out of the country, but the hotels had gyms. Like you I hate the gym. Properly hate the gym, but without it the middle aged spread continues... it’s a chore.
However, I’m a competitive type, and therefore I found the only way to get into it was to set myself targets and push myself. The cross trainer is my nemesis, but pretty good at burning the calories – so it became the answer. Where no cross trainer exists, go for the rower, and then the treadmill. The exercise bike is useless unless you’re going “spinning”. Writing down targets (weight, calories used, time, distance) gave me a motivation and something to beat, in the absence of someone to compete against.
To put this in context, at the beginning of December I weighed just over 16st, but by April I was down to 13st. I’ve had 3 months out the gym and climbed back to 13st 8, so started back on Monday.... (and went yesterday too). I’m out the door at 6am, and if I’m back by 8pm it’s a result.. so you can find time to do i, if you are determined.
I used to travel a lot (short haul) but it frequently meant that I was out of the country, but the hotels had gyms. Like you I hate the gym. Properly hate the gym, but without it the middle aged spread continues... it’s a chore.
However, I’m a competitive type, and therefore I found the only way to get into it was to set myself targets and push myself. The cross trainer is my nemesis, but pretty good at burning the calories – so it became the answer. Where no cross trainer exists, go for the rower, and then the treadmill. The exercise bike is useless unless you’re going “spinning”. Writing down targets (weight, calories used, time, distance) gave me a motivation and something to beat, in the absence of someone to compete against.
To put this in context, at the beginning of December I weighed just over 16st, but by April I was down to 13st. I’ve had 3 months out the gym and climbed back to 13st 8, so started back on Monday.... (and went yesterday too). I’m out the door at 6am, and if I’m back by 8pm it’s a result.. so you can find time to do i, if you are determined.
Sign up to an event of some sort. Then train specifically for that.
Cycling/running/swimming - anything where you are competing against other people.
The fear of turning up on the day and not making it all the way round or posting a rubbish time should be enough motivation.
Running is perfect for this, but I believe you said earlier you can't run due to injury, so I'm not really sure what goes in on other sports, but I'm sure they all have regular events.
You'll do one event and either hate it and think the training was a waste of time, or you'll see the fat old woman that finished ahead of you, and swear to beat her next time.
Cycling/running/swimming - anything where you are competing against other people.
The fear of turning up on the day and not making it all the way round or posting a rubbish time should be enough motivation.
Running is perfect for this, but I believe you said earlier you can't run due to injury, so I'm not really sure what goes in on other sports, but I'm sure they all have regular events.
You'll do one event and either hate it and think the training was a waste of time, or you'll see the fat old woman that finished ahead of you, and swear to beat her next time.
Podie said:
First off, long time no see.
Yep not made an event in ages, too much bloody work and being married etc etc. Might make it down to the next Sunday Service with the Mog, if you're there come for a spin 
Podie said:
To put this in context, at the beginning of December I weighed just over 16st, but by April I was down to 13st. I’ve had 3 months out the gym and climbed back to 13st 8, so started back on Monday.... (and went yesterday too). I’m out the door at 6am, and if I’m back by 8pm it’s a result.. so you can find time to do i, if you are determined.
I'm impressed! And now have someone to complete against - 3st is fantastic! I'm 15st right now, and dropping back to 13 would be my target. Cross trainer is probably a good idea - good training for ski season to I would think When it comes down to it though all the exercise in the world isn't goint to make a difference if I don't stop eating loads of nice food.
I guess maybe I need to start booking into hotels on the basis of the sports facilities, rather than the restaurant reviews.
mr_tony said:
What particularly interests me - and what I guess I was getting at in my original post was this bit though..
Well I used to find the gym tedious and boring. I didn't feel motivated and that was because I didn't have a programme or a set of targets. Needless to say I saw no real benefit. Then seeing myself become somewhat flabby in my late twenties I decided to re-enroll at the gym. This was some five years after having done three or four yeas of martial arts, a time when I was fit as fit can be and rather muscular.EmmaP said:
I get a buzz out of pushing myself and seeing improvements. .... . I always feel so much happier and more alert after exercising.
This is what I'm failing to get at all from exercise. I only get this kind of 'good feeling' / endorphin rush etc from something competetive. Is this 'post exercise high' something that you developed from doing this a lot, or was it always there from the start?Anyhow...I got a programme from a personal trainer at the gym and I immediately got hooked. I could see and feel a difference very quickly. I'd train two or three times a week for 1.5 hours at a time. I then got introduced to boxercise, a circuit based class along with lots of boxing pad work. The instructor was an ex-RAF PTI so knew his stuff and pushed us in the nicest possible way to the point of feinting. This, along with two gym sessions a week, completely transformed my physique. I lost inches around the waist and got the body I had always wanted, the flat stomach I had been chasing since I was a youngster. I felt really good about myself.
I am very competitive. With a programme the trainer would set me a target, ie weights and reps and on the bike revs. I have to say I was blessed with the most amazing personal trainers at the YMCA gym in Nottingham. They knew their stuff and were hard task masters so I would have them in my mind's eye when training, like a drill sergeant. I would change my programme every three months because I would get bored. When running I'd have arguments with myself in my head because it really hurt but I set myself targets (distance and pace).
So, to get back to your question about motivation. I suffered with body dismorphia from the age of 8. At the age of 35 I got the body I always wanted and the confidence this gave me was incredible. Life changing in fact. I guess that this was the addictive aspect. As someone above said I wanted to look good naked. The results I got motivated me to continue the boxercise once a week alongside two 1.5 hour sessions of free weights and CV. I also started running in 2005 and was doing anything between 6-17 miles per week. (I did this for about three years then stopped because of an injury and never got back into it sadly.) I could eat like a horse too and not put an ounce on which was good because I've always loved my food.
Truth is I've always hated team sports because I was utterly s
t at them at school and still feel the pain of being so terrible now. I've always been competitive. When I was doing competition running I'd push myself over the last 100-200 metres to the point where I thought I'd have a heart attack (didn't want to let the running club down).I need a target. I lost a target for a while last year as I had a cough for 3 or 4 months. Running for a bus was almost impossible. I put on 4lbs (noticeable when you have a small frame like myself). I was also completely and utterly miserable too. There were many factors in this but I have to say that the lack of exercise was a factor. Exercise lifts my mood and gives me energy. I now have set myself a target to get fitter as I was horrified at how I lost all my muscle tone in just six months. I guess my ego is motivating me now because I want to look better naked and be able to run like I used to. I doubt I'll ever do the distance work I used to but I'd like to be able to run a mile without struggling too much.
I've also trained briefly with an ex-Royal Marine who has managed to push me to the point of wanting to cry. I should be training regularly with him next month onwards so I am looking forward to a return to my former self. You can't beat having someone pushing you. I do really enjoy circuit training style classes with other people. I use them to pace myself and as a target. It is unfortunate that this option is not open to you. If you'd like I would be very happy to put together a programme for you. I'm no expert mind.
Edited by EmmaP on Thursday 5th August 22:31
Podie said:
To put this in context, at the beginning of December I weighed just over 16st, but by April I was down to 13st. I’ve had 3 months out the gym and climbed back to 13st 8, so started back on Monday.... (and went yesterday too). I’m out the door at 6am, and if I’m back by 8pm it’s a result.. so you can find time to do i, if you are determined.
Quite an achievement that is Pod! Losing the weight that is 
Very interesting comment by dandarrez. It takes no time at all to cook fresh meals. I prepare all my own meals. I think that this generation does eat a load of rubbish and is very lazy. When I was a student I walked everywhere (too mean to buy a bus ticket when I'd rather spend it on beer) and carried things like furniture home because I was too mean to pay for a taxi.
I think that we are more sedentary now. I guess there is a change from manual labour to more desk based work too. People tend to bus/car/tube/train as they travel further to work or school.
I think that we are more sedentary now. I guess there is a change from manual labour to more desk based work too. People tend to bus/car/tube/train as they travel further to work or school.
The pain you feel is the motivation for me. Because people don't see results straight away they get disheartened. I think thats why a lot of newcomers give up. After a good gym session if I'm aching I know I've worked hard and I'm moving forward. Set yourself a target and then every time you come out of the gym in pain you know you're a little closer to it.
In a way I'm lucky though I can eat what I want and don't gain anything. I don't do cardio at the gym, it bores me. I just do weights and then play football twice a week. Its the gaining part thats harder for me.
In a way I'm lucky though I can eat what I want and don't gain anything. I don't do cardio at the gym, it bores me. I just do weights and then play football twice a week. Its the gaining part thats harder for me.
Muzzer said:
It's my thinking time. It's 2 hours a week where there's no phone, no interruptions, just me and my iPod.
Ditto, plus I know excercise is good for my diabetes/blood sugar control so although my meds mean I'm not loosing a great deal of weight, mentally I feel better for having done it. Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff