When I get up in the morning, I always find it a struggle to get motived to go for a swim (or bike ride). That inertia can sometimes be overwhelming when I’m not feeling 100% – however, once I’m in the pool swimming or on the bike riding, I love it.
To help me keep motivated and overcome this inertia, I’ve done two things. I’ve created a Facebook group (anyone interested is welcome to join it – https://www.facebook.com/groups/RJHexerciseTeam/ – it’s a closed group so I need to approve memberships). This group tracks daily exercise. I see may of my friends doing incredible things to support me in exercising, as they too take on new challenges. It feels good to be joined in the journey, but also helps to encourage me to get out as I need something to write about when I create the exercise poll each morning.
My other way of motivating myself is to set a stretch goal. This is a goal that I may or may not be able to accomplish – something kind of crazy – but also achievable. Chemo may make it impossible, but it gives me a reason to get over that morning inertia and get into the pool (note that I only swim in the morning, because that is when the pool is at its cleanest). Most of the time I have the pool to myself. So, my stretch goal is to do a triathlon in December (after chemo before surgery). I am still trying to find a tri that I can do (something in California so I can easily get there without flying ideally). Regardless of what it is, it helps me when I’m swimming in the pool to swim just a little bit longer (although when I bike I’m trying to hold myself back a bit as I tend to overdo on the bike). I’m now thinking of the couch to 5km program. I’ve never been a big runner (back arthritis makes it a challenge), but I can also walk and work on walking faster.
So, what do you to help get over that inertia? To help motivate you to exercise when you aren’t really feeling like it?
