I can't believe people have to force/trick themselves to work out... It's amazing!
I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week
11–20 of 169 posts
Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week
#12This method can stop working immediately if both parties decide to stop working out. Also there is nothing that FORCES you to pay to the other person, no legaly binding contract so if you really don't feel like you're just gonna say "fuck it and fuck you" and it's gone.
Your first point is fair I guess but nothing to worry about really. The up-front cost is virtually zero (just find a friend to agree to do this with you), so if your friend wants to bail you could try find another friend.
Your second point shouldn't be an issue for anyone who has some level of maturity and/or values their relationship with their friend... not like it is likely to break a friendship but it seems like a dick thing to do.
Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week
#13This method can stop working immediately if both parties decide to stop working out. Also there is nothing that FORCES you to pay to the other person, no legaly binding contract so if you really don't feel like you're just gonna say "fuck it and fuck you" and it's gone.
So not only will you be out of shape you'll have forfeited your integrity, self-esteem, etc.?
You're correct. It's optional. There's no contract. But that's exactly the point.
It's a simple nudge. I tiny but effective behavioural hack.
The alternative is what? The status quo (which isn't working)? I guess the question is: what's your answer then? That's not being troll-y. I'm seriously curious about other effective alternatives.
Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week
#14I did a version of this to achieve the holy 6pack grail. My wife held me accountable - I just had to stick to daily limit of calories (adjusted over time) and that's it. Around 7 months work.
Then when I "finished" I couldn't stabilize the habit and am still stumbling at around 19 % body fat... I guess it's time to dust off this method.
Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week
#15If this sounds appealing, but you want a nice UI to go along with it, check out https://www.beeminder.com/home . Not affiliated with them, just a happy customer for several years.
Huh. I like most of the idea, but there's no way I'm going to incentivize a company such that they do better if I fail.
It was never a problem for me. Between reading their blog posts about the theory of motivation and actually experiencing their UI (and interactions with their customer support when something went wrong and I was accidentally charged) I believe they really do want you as a happy customer above all which means helping you with your goals.
Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week
#16I did a version of this to achieve the holy 6pack grail. My wife held me accountable - I just had to stick to daily limit of calories (adjusted over time) and that's it. Around 7 months work. Then when I "finished" I couldn't stabilize the habit and am still stumbling at around 19 % body fat... I guess it's time to dust off this method.
how little body fat do you need to be at to have a 6 pack?
Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week
#17I’ve had great luck with his technique and highly recommend it. Whenever I need to try something radically new and I find myself resistant to doing it, I’ll Venmo a friend a $100 and tell them to donate to my anti-charity if I don’t follow through. Hasn’t failed me once.
Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week
#18I did a version of this to achieve the holy 6pack grail. My wife held me accountable - I just had to stick to daily limit of calories (adjusted over time) and that's it. Around 7 months work. Then when I "finished" I couldn't stabilize the habit and am still stumbling at around 19 % body fat... I guess it's time to dust off this method.
how little body fat do you need to be at to have a 6 pack?
It probably depends but roughly <= 10%
Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week
#19I have a somewhat different financial game I use to motivate myself to work seriously on my hobbies. When I have a piece of gear I want to buy, like let's say new hiking boots. I make my self complete a challenge where say every time I run hills I put 5 dollars in savings towards the boots. That way I can't just buy the gear without putting in serious work at the activity first. Same thing for computing stuff, or photography, art or music. Want a new guitar? Need to play the one I have more to earn it first.
Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week
#20Something that's worked for me is to pay for a group fitness/yoga class. The first couple of months are easy. You'll see enough results and you're also motivated. By then you'll make enough connections that you don't want to "let down" by not going. However, it is much more expensive than going to a gym - about three times as much. Still worth it for some people like me.