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Hi folks! Having been a member of this fine internet community for nearly 7 years (!), I've come to value (most) of the advice I've received from its members. That being said, I again turn to you all for help. After a period of *mumble3yearsmumble* relative inactivity, I'm looking to get back into the groove of working out on a regular basis. In the past, I never had a problem staying active. In high school, I played field hockey, ran track and captained the swim team. In college, I hauled my ass to the gym 4 or 5 times a week and coached swimming in the summer. However, the real world, is devoid of free gym memberships and varsity athletics, and I'm finding it difficult to motivate myself. What do you all do to remain active? Any and all suggestions are welcome, as I need something other than an impending beach vacation to get myself in gear. Thanks for reading!
-Jenna
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I'm in the same predicament as you, to an extent. I played soccer in Uni, etc. Now, I make a serious effort to bike as much as I can. I don't know if you enjoy biking, but it's an easy way to get active.
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It is summer time so swimming is always good.
And in the winter, instead of a gym membership, I know some hotels around me sell "swimming passes" so you can frolic in the pool all winter long.
Bike riding is my friends absolute favorite - so many people and places to explore.
Even walking does the job for my other friend.
And I know in my area there are several running clubs that meet twice a week or so, and cater to the distance runner and the sprinter. And we have an indoor aquatic facility that is much cheaper than a gym membership.
And do things that you think are perhaps dumb. Like park farther away whenever you go somewhere or even alter where you park at home.
You can always have a kid. :wink: You gain sme weight at first, but chasing around that little munchkin is exercise itself.
*Disclaimer - I do absolutley none of the above. My beer belly would object.
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Dana
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I'm on a track team and I train 6 days a week, year 'round and through all types of weather.
What keeps me motivated is having a coach who develops a schedule for me to follow. I have a copy of my schedule on my fridge, and one here at work. I know exactly what workout to do when I get home.
Also, I write my workouts down in a log afterwards - how I was feeling/how I did, etc. Having to be accountable like that sort of keeps you going. I would hate to see blank pages day after day!
Having a buddy to work out with helps too. I train with my club three days a week, and on my own the other three. If you want to go to the gym, have a buddy go with you. If you want to go for a run, try to find a running partner.
Good luck!
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I find that if I sign up for a 5K, or a bike ride, a few months down the road, it gives me motivation to get out the door and get in shape. It's a pride thing: Don't want to show up for the event and be unable to finish or suffer some similar unfortunate result.
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In the summer with the longer days and if I really want to up the exercise I will run in the morning before work and then bike in the evening to end the day (once the kids are in bed)
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I rollerblade every morning before work/school, weather permitting, and even though I never want to get out there I always feel better afterward. As long as I've got some good, uptempo music to set the pace it's not so bad. I find that I'm far more likely to go in the morning, as I tend to feel drained after a long day, plus I generally don't want to shower twice in one day. The wife and I often go for walks in the evening, or longer hikes on the weekend if we're feeling ambitious. I've also been using Wii Fit for the past year and have lost 25 pounds or so in that time. I'm not going to say that it's been the entire source of my weight loss, as I've also been doing other stuff (see above) and improving my diet over that time, but it's certainly helped. If nothing else, I've become much more aware of how what I eat and what I do affects how much I weigh, and the constant reminders provide incentive to not let myself slip too much. Good luck getting started!
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Thanks for the suggestions folks! I should probably mention that I want to focus on being active for the sake of my physical and mental well being. If I drop those extra 5 pounds as a result, awesome, but not necessarily my main goal.
-Jenna
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if you live by your school they prolly have an alumni pass for the gym facilities
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Unfortunately I'm a good 10+ hours from my old stomping grounds of Syracuse University. I suppose I could work out in the gym at the high school where I work, but I don't really want my students to see me in sweats, lol.
-Jenna
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I'm in the same situation. I'm not exactly thrilled with the current state of my health, and I'm trying to find ways to stay active as well. Biking and swimming are both a great idea. I'm thinkin' I might try both this summer.
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Mostly just been working out my Molson muscle lately.
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This might be a bit out in left field for some, but take a look at geocaching. Gets me out of the house just about any time I have free time. Also gets me out of the hotel room when I travel for work. I have explored so many new places and getting a work out at the same time (when I am not driving).
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I want to know how the hell you managed to hit the gym so often in college. I'm a full-time college student working 30-35 hours a week, and I can't find much time to breathe much less work out.
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I was more than a little bit over committed in college. 19 credits per semester, 12-15 credits in the summer. The only way I kept myself sane was to hit the gym a few times a week to manage stress. Student teaching put a slight wrinkle in that, and now, teaching 45 minutes from home kills my morning workout routine of yore. There's no way in hell that I'm getting up at 4 to exercise.
-Jenna
