Oh man, what have I done? I’ve become one of those people who actually enjoys exercise! Don’t get me wrong, dragging myself out of bed before 6am so that I can pull on my walking shoes is not my idea of fun at all, but as part of my knee rehab I have to walk to build up strength, so it’s gotta be done. Not to mention those endorphins, holy moly – that makes getting up early so worth it!
I’m not saying that you have to haul yourself out of bed at the crack of dawn to exercise, but I do because it’s the coolest part of the day (I hate being all hot and sweaty while I’m exercising – I know, what a diva!) and it leaves me feeling energised for the rest of the day. It also means that I’m making time for it – during the day I am too busy working and at night I’m tired! If you’re finding it hard to get motivated or you just don’t have the slightest clue where to begin, don’t worry – I’m going to share a few things that are keeping me motivated.
Keeping track using Endomondo:
I’m the first to admit that I’m as competitive as hell, but I’ve come to realise that I prefer to do this kind of exercise alone. Instead of having a friend or a walking group to motivate me, I’m using a free app called Endomondo. You pick what kind of exercising you’re doing and what your goals are (I’m walking, and my goal for this walk was to walk the route I’d mentally planned out in 30 minutes or less), hit go, and the GPS tracker will let you know how you’re getting on. There’s even an audio coach who checks in with me every lap (which I’ve set to every 1km) to let me know how far I’ve walked and how long it took. I might not be the fastest walker, but that’s fine with me – it gives me a place to start and allows me to see my improvement! I think that the trick for me will be to keep changing the route I take and pushing my goals so that I don’t get bored.
DOWNLOAD IT: On iTunes and on Google Play
Embracing the endorphins:
My post-workout happy face
The first day, I felt grumpy because I had to get up early and it was raining. It was cold, I was tired, there were so many excuses I don’t even know where to begin. But by the end of my walk I felt amazing! Hmm, weird, what is this euphoria? On day two, same thing – I was full of energy and I felt great! It must be a trick. I went back for more, and I’ve got to admit that these endorphin things are pretty darn good. I think I might stick with this!
Wearing comfortable clothes:
You can work out wearing whatever you like. You don’t need special workout gear to exercise but I find that it can not only be more comfortable but it also helps me get into the workout mindset. I feel mentally prepared for exercise when I’m wearing my workout gear – does that make sense? I’ve been road-testing the Nikki leggings from FITforever and I’m loving them – they’re a bit thicker than other workout gear I’ve worn, meaning that they don’t go see through when you’re doing a downward dog pose in yoga, they hold up to chub rub and they’re nice and warm on chilly mornings. They have a high rise and sit just below my belly button, with a fairly fitted elasticised waistband and a drawstring (great if weight loss is your goal, as you can adjust them as you go), and are very roomy in the hips and thighs. They’re meant to be a cropped legging, but I have quite short legs so they look a lot longer on me. To give you an idea of size, I’m usually a 24-26 on the bottom and I’m wearing the XXL which is equivalent to a 22 – so they’re great if you’re a 22 but still good for a couple of extra sizes if you don’t mind a firmer waistband (perfect for me, because my waist is smaller). These plus size leggings are available in M-XXL (that’s 16-22), and FITforever also does straight size leggings in XS-L (6-16) as well as other gym wear.
SHOP IT: Nikki Leggings, $65.00 from FITforever
Walking somewhere with a view:
Cows at Cornwall Park
I could work out at a gym, but I far prefer to get out into the fresh air and walk in nature. I’ve been going to Cornwall Park a fair bit because it’s not too far away and there are animals and awesome scenery. A walk in the park beside a field of gorgeous cows has to be infinitely better than being stuck on a treadmill, right?
Do you enjoy exercise? What helps to motivate you?
xo Meagan
Meagan wears:
Basic Scoop Neck Tank from Autograph
Sara Zip Jacket from EziBuy
Nikki Leggings c/- FITforever
Active Intent Carmina Shoes from The Warehouse
I love “zombies, run!” myself, it also lets you know how you’re going and has a great story. You can put your music with it too. You don’t have to run, but I can’t help it when the music gets pumping!
Okay, I’m liking the sound of this! I think I remember a friend telling me about this, it sounds fun!
I was getting into a great exercise routine when my husband was working the early shift. I’d work out at 6am and go to work afterwards. It was a good routine and I had no trouble getting up as my husband got up at 4.30am. I always felt great after a workout and the day just seemed that much easier. I was doing the Nike Training Club at home, alone.
Now that my husband is working a later shift, I don’t have the same inclination to get up early. It’s so easy to find excuses not to get up when the other half is snoring!
I have to say, it’s SO much easier to get up when Doug is heading out on a training ride! I’d much rather stay in bed though, so we lie there and have a wee grumble before we get up haha
I’ve been doing more walking since we moved into a nicer area (I feel safer) and the days are getting longer.
I use MapMyWalk to keep track of my routes and keep time etc. It’s got a good community feel because you can share or keep private your exercise and you can see local routes that others have mapped out and saved. I like to get the updates on how long it’s taken to walk my km. I’m at about 12mins/km which isn’t too bad but I’d like to shave it down to 10mins. Of course, it’s probably because I get so distracted that I end up staring at a pigeon for 20 minutes lol. I also like taking routes others have created in an effort to get to know my new area better 🙂
Keep up the hard work Meagan!
A lady after my own heart! I get distracted by flowers, cute animals, trees, everything… Definitely going to be working on getting my time/km down though, I think today was 17 minutes which was longer than usual but I’ve added in more little hills so I guess it evens out!
ooh soe zoggs go to size 26
Ooh, will have to check them out! Thanks for the tip 😀
Don’t tell anyone, but I really love going to the gym and exercising. It started out with riding a bike everywhere instead of a car, then aqua jogging, now full on swimming and going to a gym. It’s the first time I’ve exercised for the enjoyment of it – and to make my body feel good – all other times I did this was when I was d**ting.
BTW – Zoggs make great boring togs suitable for full on lap swimming up to size 22. Boring as – but everything stays in place.
Good on you Genny! I think that’s the best reason to exercise 🙂
If I owned leggings like that, maybe I WOULD be more motivated! They’re beautiful.
I’m not a fan of forced exercise (if I tell myself I have to do something because I’m “exercising” I immediately become disinterested, haha. So stubborn!), but I *love* walking. I walk everywhere 🙂
I love your idea of competing against yourself on an app. I must admit I’m a group walker – the thought of letting them down with a no-show, or knowing if I don’t get up and meet them they’ll text me which will wake me up anyway is what motivates me to get out of bed and go walking at the crack of dawn! Also agree early morning is a great time to exercise – it’s done and dusted, sets you up nicely for the day and gets around all those end of day excuses.
I’d love the best of both worlds – I need someone to motivate me to get out of bed but then walk alone!
I have always enjoyed walking, and used to walk 20-30 miles a week before Fibromyalgia and CFS/ME struck, and then exercise (as I was used to) became quite painful. But just recently I’ve discovered that if I overdo it on a longer walk and am in pain the next day, rather than resting, a quick 10-15 minute walk actually helps the pain. I always used to be a ‘go big or go home’ person and couldn’t see the point of such a small walk, but circumstances change and after 7 years of this crap, I’ve learned something new. Rather than seeing exercise as a thing that makes me feel worse, I now know it can help me, so I’ve fallen back in love with it.
Awesome to hear that the short walk helps you to feel better! So cool to hear that you’re still able to carry on doing something you enjoy so much. I really love seeing the Instagram pics of your walks! xo
I like the look of those leggings, so often they’re a bit see through which is NOT what I’m after haha. I love going to the gym and doing weights most of all. My mum loves running, but I’m just not that into it, I prefer to do the elliptical trainer as it’s not so hard on my joints.
That’s one of the things that Kerry (the brains behind FITforever) was really particular about – the leggings being of a good enough quality that you can’t see through them! I really enjoy doing weights and stuff at the gym, and I think I might join a gym a bit later on. Maybe in the winter when it’s chilly and I’m sooking out about exercising in the cold haha. I’ve not had much of a chance to use an elliptical trainer, so I might give that a go! xo
Love this! Last year I was doing something similar, but somwehere along the way….well, I flaked out. Thanks for reminding me how much I enjoyed my self-competitive walks in the park, too!
I totally understand that! It’s easy to do – I find it so easy to convince myself that I need more sleep, or I should blog or bake or whatever … I’m trying to make it a priority though, because it makes me feel so good! xo
*Currently downloading Endomodo* That’s a good idea to walk somewhere with a view. Walks with a view tend to get me caught up that I don’t even notice how far I am walking anymore! Definitely have to start getting myself out there and exercising now that I have some gear that fits me!! 🙂 Thanks for being inspiring xoxo
Yay! Let me know how you find it. I just found out that it also sends you an update at the end of the week to let you know how your week went! So good 😀
I love doing walks and runs at Cornwall Park! isn’t it such a cute spot?
It’s so nice! Definitely one of my favourite city parks.
i like walking on the treadmill at the gym as my gym overlooks a swimming pool, but only when theres muscly guys down there swimming! I also go swimming after the gym. Our local harrier club has a good walking contingent. Its their summer programme now which is run/ walks at different location around my town on thursday evenings. A great way of seeing different locations!
I love the idea of changing up where you walk! I might start doing that when I get a bit fitter. Swimming is amazing too – especially if it’s after you’ve been to the gym!