How do u maintain discipline in an exercise regimen?

@yourlisteningear

Hey very good question! It helps to slowly work it into your day. Maybe do a bit of walking in place while watching television. Maybe walking to lunch instead of taking the bus or car. Even changing what you eat can help you out. It can help you keep yourself accountable if you're able to document the activity and the food you eat.

@yourlisteningear

For me, it was starting small... I first started by changing my eating habits. I started with portion control while still eating what I wanted. But just limiting the amounts of what I ate.... Then I started by gradually working in some activity. I personally started with walking an indoor track. Just slapping on my earphones with my favorite music and walking kept me going and moving to the beats..... (As it was during the winter season that I started my journey 6 years ago)...I walked gradually 3 days a week and then built it up to 5 days. Then I started incorporating new things, treadmill, then the gym, then eventually Zumba. I literally watched the weight fall off each week. This alone, caused me to become MORE motivated to keep going...... Watching my weight change, my body change, and the compliments that others noticed as well kept me going!.....The biggest changes I noticed was in the very beginning when I limited and got rid of sugary drinks (sodas/juices) etc.... The weight dropped instantly for me at that time.

So I always tell others to start small, make changes gradually, build up from there, and as far as activity/exercise (to find something you love) and it will never feel like a workout!......Then perhaps find and try new things. Good luck!

I set my timer for 30 minutes and exercise.

@yourlisteningear The thing that really helped me get into exercising was finding a more experienced friend who could take me and show me how the gym works and what machines to use. I was so nervous and ignorant that I never would have gone by myself otherwise. I'd also recommend that you find an activity that you really enjoy and find a way to turn it into a workout. If you hate running, don't make yourself run. If you hate lifting, don't make yourself lift. There is no one way to get fit and lose weight. Try biking or swimming or long walks on the beach or gardening or hula hooping or playing hopscotch. You can use exercise as your "me time" that you get to spend alone, doing something you enjoy. Or you can use it as a chance to meet up with friends. Whatever works!

Definately baby steps. Your eating and exercise habits right now (or lackthereof) is a part of WHO you are and what your focus is. You didn't start eating bad in one day, you didn't not exericse for one day... you've been raised a certain way. Your habits today have been pounded into your routine day in and day out for god knows who long. For me.. I was raised that all we ate was fast food. My parents didn't cook period. I didn't even KNOW what healthy food was and why I needed it so bad. It's who I WAS. I was like that for 24 years, so of course it's going to take time to implement new habits right? What helped me was taking the big picture and breaking it down into a thousand mini goals and focuses. It's near impossible for someone to just DECIDE that one day they're going to eat perfect and go to the gym 6 days a week. I like to have my clients write a list of their vices and we pick one to focus on at a time until it becomes a habit. I'm just going to pick some, but say here are some of my vices.... fast food, over eating, never drinking water, never exercising. I'll have my client pick over eating first and all they do is focus on portion control and to stop eating before they are stuffed. That was my big problem, I could eat EVERYTHING on my plate, but what we need to learn is... just because it's on your plate, doesn't mean you have to finish it. Going out to eat? Have them split your dish is half and box up the other half for you to take home. Winning. Do you normally go back for second of your moms spaghetti? This time, DONT. Now you're winning again. It's all about very small, daily changes and next thing you know, you've built a new habit and it becomes second nature to you. It has been 4 years since I've been on my weight loss journey but I can tell you that now, exercise for me is second nature, it's a non-negotiable and my day doesn't start until it happens. I put my work out clothes on my desk next to my bed (EVERYTHING, panties, sports bra, shirt, underwear, shoes and my jacket because it's cold!), so when my alarm goes off at 4, I roll over, throw on my clothes, pound my water bottle and head to the gym. This took 4 years. Whatever you do, don't be discouraged and know that it is SUPPOSE TO BE HARD and anything worth having is worth the hard work, especially with regards to your health and fitness. You have this in you, I promise you that. Make your list and focus on one. You got this.

@yourlisteningear What works for me when I lack motivation to exercise, is mostly, the 'Just do it' mentality. No matter how badly I just wanna sit down and do nothing, I just start by walking somewhere, even if it is to the kitchen to get food and then I just take food but not eat it, and exercise and use the food as a reward.

@yourlisteningear

One thing I have done in the past to help me feel motivated is make a "Don't Break the Chain" calendar. The idea is that every day you complete your exercise/diet/life goal you get to put a sticker there. You start to see a chain of stickers building up, and it's motivational to not want to break that chain! And if you do, you get to start a new chain!

I know there is a free app called "Don't Break the Chain!" for iphone. You can also download a paper calendar from this website to use http://karenkavett.com/blog/2630/dont-break-the-chain-calendar-2016.php

@yourlisteningear

One thing that works for me is having a pinterest account and i have followed all the motivation related pages . I take 10 minutes out of the day to visit that and it gives a good boost.

I think it is helpful to choose activities which you genuinely like to do -- that way, you will be able to stick to them on a long-term basis. You can make your focus not only about weight loss, but enjoying the process of exercising, keeping active, and a healthy journey as well. That way, you will still be motivated to continue exercising and keeping fit, even after the weight comes off.