hey everyone :)

i've been on alli for two weeks. i'm in need of some motivation to exercise. what keeps you guys motivated to go to the gym?

Hi Nancy!
I think starting to GO to the gym has it's roots in the desire and hope to change your body into something more desirable to yourself.

I think to KEEP GOING to the gym, especially for that period of time where you don't SEE results but you FEEL them, is strictly based on faith and perserverance! Or in other words: decipline and focus.

Once you see a drop in your weight, notice muscle definition, increase your cardio speeds and amount of weight you lift...then it is EASY to keep it as a habit! A way of life!

I kinda liken it to brushing and flossing...it ain't alot of fun, but it keeps you healthy AND the consequence of NOT doing it is dire.

The consequence of NOT working out, is a body more prone to dis-ease!

Find your inner drill sargant and like NIKE said "Just Do It!!"

All the best on your journey to good health!
Carol Joy

Bribes!  Yup, I bribe myself!  My key change is that i used to bribe myself with food, but now I'm making the shift to anticipating something else.  It's like a wish list for every week.  For example, my fav. author is coming out with a new novel, so if I got to the gym 4 times this week, I'll let myself get it.  If I dont' go 4 times this week, then I have to go 4 times next week, and then I can get it!  The way I stick to it is by writting it down, and usually putting it on the fridge (where my calendar is).  This way I'm accountable to myself and my hubby.  I used to think that this method would be costly for me, but I've actually saved money since I so rarely eat out.  My last bribe I "won" was a manicure for a wedding I was going to!   One other suggestion is to subscribe to a fitness magazine.   There's often new workouts that I might want to try out at the gym.   Plus, there are often some inspirational stories that are good too! 

In the end, it's also about telling yourself that it's for your own good.  It means that you'll have some satisfaction at the end of the day when you relax, and you don't have that nagging reminder in the back of your head that you should get going to the gym.  Just always try to vary it up so you won't get too bored.  (I'm in eliptical bordom land lately!)

I was that way too....I just could not get it going.....

Well, I am motivated now...I have been working out and am looking forward to working out when I get home this evening.......Hang in there...

 For me, it helps to look around and see the whole "sceen". Everyone seemed so motivated to burn off calories and that ultimately makes me want to try hard as well. 

One thing that has really helped me is I signed up for a spinning class, they don't run all the time at my gym so having to sign up for it keeps me accountable and keeps me going.

Also, I'm very lucky, through my husbands job I am able to use the company wellness center and personal trainers for free. So I've set up appointments with the personal trainer. She pushes me to do my best and having an appt keeps me from bailing out.

~Lynne

 That is awesome that you get free support, support is always good. Yes, working at your own pace is def better choice! Do you use the whole gym at your dh's work at a dicounted price?

I only go three times a week, one to spin and the other two are with my trainer. So I do a lot of weight/resistance work and then on the elliptical and bike for the rest of the time I'm there.

It's a great workout.

I'm not motivated at all to go to the gym! I try to find other ways to exercise--like layering up to walk in 20s and 30 degree weather. If I absolutely don't want to face the cold or it gets too late I do workout videos or walk up the 10 flights in my apartment building. It's hard but I want to lose all the weight I can and exercise is one way to expediate the process! 

Those are good ideas.....I have the motivation to walk but it is raining so much lately when I am ready to go .....I do not like walking in the rain.......I have to find some other alternatives...(fast)

like the nike commercial says.. "just do it!"....  or one my personal favorites.. "fake it till you make it.."   make a point of setting aside 30 mins every day for YOU!!   you are important.. put yourself on the list.. i find that listening to music really healps if you are walking, or at the gym.. get yourself a headset or ear buds and  some tunes!!!.. if the music is fast, you will find yourself going faster.. try it!!  its your time, invest in yourself.. kathy

Hi, Nancy.Wang88 ---

   As I just posted on another "string" on the Alli Message Board, my motivation does not include going to the gym. When my Shanghai wife was alive (she died of pancreatic cancer 4 years ago), we discovered Wai Lana Yoga on KCSM-TV, College of San Mateo, Calif., early Sunday mornings. Highly appropriate to our condition and goals in healthy living programs like that of Alli, I especially recommend popping in the words "Wai Lana 5 Wild Horses" into your search engine, run the video, & please tell me what you think. Wai Lana is from Hong Kong, and in this video, accompanied by music, she dances & sings in Chinese (with English sub-titles) of the need to bring our "5 Wild Horses" under control. I love such ladies of the Asian Persuasion!         --- Sincerely,         --- "EcoChevy"