I have two primary rules when it comes to working out:
1. Never skip more than one day in a row, and
2. Finish any workout that I start (barring injury)
I’ve broken rule #1 exactly twice since re-committing myself to working out (roughly three months ago). Both instances happened when I was traveling, and I didn’t really have a choice in the matter. Over the next ten days, I will likely break this rule again (except for the pushups), as we will be taking a 10 day family vacation, and I’ll probably cut myself a bit of slack.
As for rule #2, I haven’t broken it at all since getting back into the swing of things, though I’ve been sorely tempted. For example, this morning… I decided to squeeze in a 30 minute row before I left for work. After setting the monitor and getting started, I quickly realized that I was lacking a bit in the motivation department. But since I had set the workout monitor for 30 minutes, I was committed.
In the end, my performance was actually pretty solid, though I felt like puking at the end. That being said, I’m now looking forward to my next session, as I often pull off a fairly strong workout after I struggle through a rough one.
June 18th, 2008 at 6:59 am
I’ve found that a healthier rule than finishing what you start is to start and do at least 5-10 minutes. If you don’t feel like working out, there may be a very good reason for it (injury, fatigue, etc) and it won’t be in your long term interest to complete the workout. Then again, the majority of the time you just might not be motivated.
By determining that you’ll go out for 5 to 10 minutes no matter what, but then you can stop if you really aren’t feeling into it, then you can more easily motivate yourself to start and get out the door (or onto the rowing machine.)
Once you get going, if after 5 to 10 minutes you still aren’t feeling it, then you can call it quits and get a little extra rest. Most of the time you’ll find that once you get warmed up you start enjoying yourself more and you figure that you might as well keep going.
That’s been my experience anyway.
June 18th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Blaine: I agree, which is why I included “barring injury” in my rule. I also scale back my workouts based on perceived levels of fatigue (so I’ll set the monitor for a shorter time or distance if I’m still feeling it from a previous workout). What I’m really battling against with this rule is a lack of motivation. If something feels truly wrong, I’ll stop. The key, I guess, is learning the difference.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I like #2, but as for #1, I am more of a routine person, so exercising Monday, Wednesday, Friday works best for me. I tried doing every 2 days once, but if I missed one day, I screwed up my whole schedule and I would stop for a long time.
June 25th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
its all so personal too.
Id crumble if I didnt skip a few days but dont have rule number two because once I start Im always into it!
I need to adopt a NO WHINING rule.
I love the weights.
I whine about the cardio. I do it. but there’s lottsa whine.
Miz.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:43 am
I’m with da Miz on this one. It may be the workouts, but I’ve come cherish my “rest” days.
But I understand that whole lack of motivation thing, and can see that you need some system in place to fight it.
Mine: I have to do at least 20 minutes of a cardio. If something seems completely off with the machine I’m working on, I can switch to another but I still got to do the time.
With strenght moves, I have to do one set. I may have planned to do 3, but I have to do one.