I have lost all my willpower and motivation over the last few years. I can understand why I lost it with everything that has gone on in my life. What I can't understand is why I can't reclaim it now that I have much happiness in my life. I am at the heaviest I've been - ever. By 3 lbs, but nonetheless it's way heavier than I should be. I have a definitely round middle. I know this is not healthy for me and I know what I need to do to change it - work out more! I have all the equipment I need including the clothing to keep me outside in all types of weather. I just don't do it and it's killing me because I beat myself up about it all the time.

I do manage to run with a friend about once a week but we live almost 30 miles apart so that's as often as it happens. I also try to get out and bike with another friend once a week or so but both our schedules have changed in the past year so that doesn't happen as much as it used to. It's going out on my own that I struggle with, and I really used to enjoy it. I should be working out at least 5 days a week. And it's hard to find people that have the schedule I do, or at the level I am at. I can join running groups at work for free, but they meet on Saturday which is when I meet my friend.

I'm just really frustrated with myself as I lay in bed this morning listening to the wind and coming up with yet another excuse not to go out and even run a lousy mile - which takes under 10 minutes. I should be doing 3 even though it's a struggle right now. Even walking an hour would be helpful to me at this point.

Last night I got home and felt so down that I napped for an hour. I should have worked out and then sat down and worked. You know, money for bills I need to pay.

OK that's it for now, and I'm going to do my core/balance exercises so I feel like I've accomplished something! Thanks for listening

Have you ever used motivational CDs from the library? They're free and make you feel better. Everyone tends to feel down at this time of year, there are fewer hours of natural light and it affects people differently.

There are tons of exercise DVDs available at the library. Try a couple and see if you can't do 20 minutes twice a day via your own TV. Don't beat yourself up. Offer yourself a reward for each 20 minute session you do. Some on-line time, a flavor tea, a phone chat with a friend, bubble bath, home spa time, facial...whatever you like. Finish in time for your fav. TV show

Thanks Cyd, I've been meaning to make a trip to the library soon.

As for the DVDs/tapes I only have the DVD on my laptop. There are tons of Youtube things out there too. But unless we are snowbound, there is no reason I can't get outside, even if for a walk. We have sidewalks and the streets are somewhat lit. I admit it's more difficult to RUN at night since our August/October storms (yes, people still have debris kicking around) but walking isn't a problem. And that's not a good enough excuse either as I have a headlamp I can use to run with.

It's just me getting out there and DOING it instead of thinking about it. And I wake up early and then doze off and have very vivid dreams about working out, only to find I am still in bed!

On the plus side I do have twice as many miles in me this January so far, as I did all of last January. So I am doing better. I only need another 35 miles and it will be my best January ever. I have forever had a goal of at least 500 miles from January to March and I've never made it, even when I had a coach.

My motivation comes and goes. I worked out a ton in Nov and Dec and have been slacking since. I had a goal, met it and lost focus.

I'm so sensitive to both hot and cold that I prefer to use my exercise bike inside. I'll usually watch something while I ride and then try not to think about how much I have to do. The bike I have also has arm action on it so it's cardio as well.

Time to get back to it.

Diane, you are DEFINITELY not alone! I was doing well on the regular exercise front until Dec hit with a vengence. I won't go into details here (I have on other threads) but self-care went out the door!

The good news is that seeing this thread inspired me to hop on my stationary bike for 15 min this morning. I am definitely out of shape because 15 min was all I could do in one session. But I'm telling myself that 15 min was better than none so I've done OK.

I'll be back to keep reporting. I'd like to suggest that others do likewise so we can encourage one another.

I'll start a thread for us to stay accountable.

Organize your Exercise

Diane I am exactly the same. What I have found I can do at the moment is put some old dance songs on from the 90s which are very energetic, and dance like a crazy person to them. I use my pedometer/heart rate thing and when I really go for it I burn as many calories as I would doing aerobics for the same length of time.

However my mindset is different with dance I love it and on a night out I am the first on the dance floor and I have to be dragged off when it is home time. So I don't see dancing for half an hour in the house as a chore like I do doing organized exercise like aerobics. Sometimes we have to find something that tricks our mind

Thanks all for not minimizing this! It sounds so silly doesn't it? I go to the bathroom, eat and sleep every day and working out has been and needs to be a part of my life AND I actually enjoy it.

I am also noticing the daylight is a huge issue. Of course if I can force myself to get up and workout early, the sun does come up. But yesterday I got home and it was dreary from the snow nad rain, and I had no motivation. Today it was still light when I got home so I'm feeling good.

Kim - I hate doing cardio indoors! Especially alone. I can force myself if I'm with someone but it doesn't take much for me to talk myself out of it. When I worked at the bike shop and in that industry, I was lucky enough to outfit myself with the right clothing and shoes to be able to stay outside. I just hate the wind more than anything. It's been close to 20mph all day today. I was hoping it would die down so I could run, but even thoughts of a walk fell out of my head with 20mph winds. Hopefully it's less tomorrow so I can get out before my 9am meeting.

Thanks also for the new thread.

Darlene - you're right, 15 minutes is better than doing nothing at all!

Karen, I'm afraid I don't dance at all so that doesn't work for me lol. I love watching people who can do so without looking silly though!

Diane - Oh it is not pretty I can assure you. I can dance, but I exaggerate the moves to get the best work outs. Sometimes I catch myself in the mirror and give myself a good laugh You will get there and hopefully the weather will cooperate with you in the near future.