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I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

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Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

#111

Post by kaitai »

SoftTalker wrote: post #51
Tarsul wrote: post #29

I read a HN comment a while ago wrt running that said that motivation might come from saying "I want to see this beautiful place again" (where the running leads to.) instead of saying "I need to run because I want to lose weight" (or whatever). I'd like to say it works, but actually what was even more important for me was to change my thoughts about running. If you feel like running is a chore, you will never motivat…

> Also, how your body feels after a run, is one of the best motivators to do it again. Not everyone feels like this. I hate running, and hate the way my body feels afterwards. I just want to go to bed or sit down and do absolutely nothing. It wrecks my productivity for hours. I tried to get into running a few times because of the supposed "high" that you eventually start to feel. Never once felt it, even after severa…

I've never gotten a "runner's high" from running. After decades of not experiencing it, I started doing circuit workouts in my basement due to covid. Strangely enough, finally experienced the "high" from circuit/HIIT workouts that combined weights & bodyweight movement. A pleasant surprise.

Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

#112

Post by deegles »

Tarsul wrote: post #29

I read a HN comment a while ago wrt running that said that motivation might come from saying "I want to see this beautiful place again" (where the running leads to.) instead of saying "I need to run because I want to lose weight" (or whatever). I'd like to say it works, but actually what was even more important for me was to change my thoughts about running. If you feel like running is a chore, you will never motivat…

I like the idea of reframing your goal from "I will run 5 times per week" to "I will be a person that runs often."

This works for me because if I miss one day of running then I've failed my goal immediately, whereas missing a few runs won't break the second goal and lets me make it up. This works for other goals as well.

Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

#114

Post by davidivadavid »

astura wrote: post #87
prirun wrote: post #74

I started working out 6 months ago for the first time, with a personal trainer. I had tried a few times to do it on my own or with a friend, but with a friend it's too hard to coordinate schedules, and without a pro, it's too easy to get hurt (tore my shoulder up the first day and it took a year to sort of heal). Hiring a good trainer has lots of advantages: - you don't have to think about what you need to do - they…

I used a personal trainer for 3 years and I can't say I'd really recommend it. Definitely had it's advantages, but too many disadvantages to be worth the cost. High turnover - I had about six different trainers during that time. They all picked some random exercises for me to do whereas I'd rather have a well thought out schedule. They are all flakey, lots of appointments cancelled last minute for "family emergencies…

Sounds like you had bad trainers. Definitely wouldn't recommend that. Finding a good one on the other hand is easily one of the best investments you can make.

Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

#115

Post by layer8 »

ChildOfChaos wrote: post #41

I just got a VR headset so that it makes working out fun. Now I work out 7 days a week for an hour. I use weights and resistance bands to make it a bit more demanding and I can do it at home and enjoy it. No need for hacks.

What software/program do you use?

Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

#116

Post by bb123 »

SoftTalker wrote: post #39
endisneigh wrote: post #23

I'm happy for the author, but I've always found these sort of tricks to be a chore. I bought a cargo ebike and use it for 99% of my traveling, including a 20 mile commute to work (~40 minutes each way). Now you can exercise for free, no tricking necessary. Sadly you aren't going to become super muscular riding around a bike, but I assure you, you'll be in excellent shape even with an ebike. Maybe it's because I'm laz…

I wouldn't wear that weighted vest too much. If you wear it all day, it will have the same adverse effect on your joints as being 20 lbs overweight. It's fine to use it to add work to body-weight exercises such as pullups, squats, etc. but don't wear it for hours just walking around.

Surely that’s only true if the poster is already at the high end of normal? If he weighs 160lbs adding 20lbs isn’t going to do any harm.

Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

#118

Post by thenerdhead »

Accountability is fairly easy to game. I don’t think it works for everybody though. Money to me doesn’t motivate. I could probably spend $100 per missed workout and not feel attached to it because it doesn’t feel real nor painful.

For me, having kids did it. Being able to get in good routines while I’m still young is my hope that I will be able to squeeze out another visit or two from them by extending my life a few more years.

Hacking your habits is a great place to start, but getting clear on why you do certain things is how you master it.

Re: I tricked myself into working out 3 times per week

#120

Post by Jcampuzano2 »

The easiest way to workout plenty is to find a physical activity that you actually enjoy doing. It really doesn't matter much what it is as long as it's active. Some people think it has to be going to the gym and lifting weights for an hour or two every other day (this just happens to be what I personally enjoy doing), but really any kind of activity will work. Biking, walking, running, lifting weights, team sports, wrestling with your dog, yoga, etc.

This is great for the author, but this type of motivation tends to fail at a certain point. So I'd say you can start with this, but in the meantime find something you love/like doing.

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