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If it ain't fun, don't do it

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I know a guy who feels sick the day before a big workout, because he's anticipating the hardships ahead. To me this is just wrong-headed, the gym needs to be fun and a source of pleasure, not something to be dreaded. For me, if it's not fun, I stop. This is probably the soundest piece of advice I have given myself. Basically it means that on days when I'm tired, or having a hard time working really hard, I have permission to just do what feels good.

Knowing that I'm allowed to take it easy and just do what feels good, is what keeps me going back to the gym as often as I do. I went from zero times a week for years, to around 5 times a week. When I first started out, this advice to myself meant that I could just walk around the track listening to my iPod if that's what made me happy. Eventually, my good mood inspired me to run a bit. A good song would come on, and I would just take off, stopping when I wanted. Eventually, the running spurts ran together, and my base pace is now a light jog with hard runs interspersed throughout.

Having super high expectations before I leave the house though, used to mean that I wouldn't go for fear of disappointing myself. What happens now is that I get there and say "aw hell, what's wrong with 15 minutes of hard intervals on the cross trainer before my run." Then, I get to the track and say, "well I'm here now, may as well do 45 minutes." Then I finish, and think, 'ok, just a few exercises in the weight room,' and before I know it, I've been training in there for 1 1/2 hours.

If I really don't want to go hard though, I just take it easy knowing that there's probably a good reason for it (one can over-train after all).

So usually, once I'm there, I find that what is fun is pushing myself to the wall. However, knowing in the back of my mind that I'm allowed to just do an easy run if I really feel like it, or just a dance class say, is what will get me out the door.

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Creator: Marnina
Category: General/Other
Posted: 4/19/2008

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	“ This is so on point. Most people give up on a new exercise regimen because they've made a poor choice, forcing themselves to do something they don't enjoy. Finding something you like is the key to motivation! ”
	- runningbear on 6/28/2008

	“ You could always trip 'em... ;) ”
	- plucky on 6/10/2008 in response to Marnina

	“ Yeah, I like that schedule myself, although I always aim for a 3 day split (rarely manage it) 3 days on, one off, 3 days on. It kills me to do that, but the very last day always feels like such an accomplishment (even if all the youngens are passing me on the track because I'm so beat. ”
	- Marnina on 6/9/2008 in response to plucky

	“ It's so true! It starts feeling so good you just want to push it. ”
	- Marnina on 6/9/2008 in response to OldeButGoode

	“ I also tend to leave things a bit open - sometimes go hard, sometimes go light. As long as I'm consistently going, I know the workouts will be good. Even though I do end up having a fairly regular routine, I try to look at it as a weekly thing and not daily; as long as I get 4 good cardio workouts and 4 good weight sessions each week, then I'm on track. ”
	- plucky on 4/22/2008

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