Trying to stay on the exercise kick

[Oh Yeah]

Okay, I fell off the exercise wagon a few weeks ago. Now I'm back on and I'm looking for ways to stay motivated.

The topic of exercise has come up here before, and I know some of you are into it. So, what type of exercise do you do and how do you stay motivated?

My latest angle is to try to have goals that are not related to weight loss or physique. For example, I want to exercise to increase my health, decrease risk of disease, improve the quality of my life as I age, etc.

[Oh Yeah]

Did I say 'increase' my health? I meant 'improve' my health.

[Pub Guy]

I do 1 hour aerobic-type 3 times a week (1/2 on glider, 1/2 on bike). I hate these because they go by so slow and are boring, so to make things a little better, I read while on these machines (I used to actually bring my SOA exam study stuff back when I was taking exams).

I also have a weekly standing hoops game and am starting to get back into racquetball. I find it much easier to spend time in these competitive, somewhat-aerobic sports versus the above machines. In fact, if I could find enough folks for these games, I would play a number of times a week and totally get rid of my machine routine.

Good luck.

[Hagbard Celine]

I agree with Pub Guy about playing aerobic sports over using machines. You get a good workout and it's actually fun.

Unfortunately, it has gotten harder and harder to find people with which to play these sports since graduating college.

[WQN]

I try to exercise on my lunch break. I walk, run, lift weights. We're lucky enough to have an exercise room in our company, showers and all. We can also easily walk or run outside. I also exercise for general health. I assume I will exercise at lunch and only don't if I have errands to run, etc. I eat at my desk when I'm done.

[Shrek]

Find other walkers/runners/lifters and keep each other going. It's easy to stop going when nobody's waiting for you. Used to work for me.

[Patience]

hit the gym 7:00 every morning to beat the traffic. (its attached to the office)

30-40 minutes 5 days a week. some reps on one or two machines then some abdominals.

Can get the TV through the walkman, helps move it along, plenty of conversation if you want I switch machines to keep it from getting too routine. No true goals, except to kee upping the level I can do easily.

[Agtuary]

Training for a marathon. I got involved with a group called Team-In-Training.

Each season (spring/summer or fall/winter) they go to x number of marathons/half-marathons or century rides (100 mile bike). In order to participate as a member of the group you must raise a minimum $ amount based on which race you choose. The money is donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma society.

The minimum is 4x the cost of sending you to the race, so they pay airfare, lodging & entry fee. They also provide training coaches, fundraising mentors, training schedules, and a whole bunch of motivation.

The motivation includes:
1. You are matched with an "honor patient", someone who has Leukemia or Lymphoma, who provides incredible motivation.
2. Lots of group support, weekly (or more often) group runs with other members
3. Once you start telling people and raising money it is pretty difficult to back out. (umm, sorry I took your money, but I decided I'm too unmotivated/lazy/busy/etc. to do what I said I was going to do, but thanks for giving me money!)

I have also seen another group that looks similar but raises money for Diabetes.

It has provided more motivation than I could ever imagine, and I will be running my first marathon in less than six weeks!

[Minerva]

My general philosophy on exercise is "No pain - good."

To elaborate -

Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it, don't use them up on exercise. Everything wears out eventually.
Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

[Mr. Grim]

Is it longevity or quality that is most important?

Of course, I can sleep 20 hours a day, and may live along time but how much fun would that be (unless of course I have alot of Pamela Anderson dreams in those 20 hours)