Why Is This So Difficult?!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Why Is This So Difficult?!
7
Wed, 09-15-2004 - 3:20pm
I'm frustrated and I need to vent. This is one of many days during which I am tired of being me. I hate my hair. I hate my body and I hate myself for not having the willpower to resist temptation and exercise on a regular basis. Quite frankly, I would rather get root canals and pap smears than exercise. I do not get a natural "high" from exercising, even when I do it regularly. I get sweaty. That's it.



Because of our work schedules and the fact that my office is almost an hour from home, my husband and I eat late dinners. After cooking, eating, doing dishes and one or two other chores, I still have to answer e-mails for my company. By the time I'm finished, it's 10 or 11pm and I'm ready for bed, not a trip to the gym. I don't have the willpower to get up early and go, either. The gym is 20 or 25 minutes away, which is 40 minutes round trip. Add that to a modest 45 minute workout and another hour and a half to get dressed for work and have breakfast, and I'd be getting up at 5am to pull it off. My husband would kill me if the alarm went off that early. He doesn't get up until close to 8am and if his sleep is disrupted, it's not likely that he'll be able to go back to sleep.

Before you write anything, let me tell you that I'm self-employed. I own a cabin rental business in a resort area of the mountains. Moving the office is not an option and the town is not a great place to raise a family, which is why we live 45 minutes away. The business is still young and I can't yet afford to hire anyone to help me. Also, my husband is good about helping around the house. This is definitely a problem with me.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2004
Wed, 09-15-2004 - 4:14pm
First of all, you need to change your internal dialogue. Your being very hard on yourself. I agree that your schedule is jam packed, but there are opportunities for you. It sounds like you are doing cardio you don't like, but there are tons of options out there. Instead of going to the gym, get up in the am and do a video or take a walk outside. There are videos at my library and I have rented them, so check out your local branch. I rarely ever set foot in a gym for my own workout. That shaves off some time for commuting to the gym. Now, I am not a morning person by any stretch, but once I get in the habit (a few weeks in) the early morning is great. But like any habit, whether breaking or creating, you have to be patient. Do you like to dance? Turn on MTV or CMT and dance your heart out in your own living room. I can dance pretty well (I think) when no one is looking. You can be goofy, sexy, sweaty and it is all good.

I dread my exercise routine as well, and reading your post I think of me. I can't really "get into it" until I am about half way done (and I realize I gotta get back home somehow..LOL). I have learned to think of it as a break and not a chore. It is the only "me" time I get most days.

Make modest changes to your diet and prepare and package foods so they are easy to grab. You don't have to cut out everything you like, just portion control them. Diet and exercise have to go hand in hand. Diet is a big part of your goal. You're not going to gain or keep the pounds eating A cookie, but ten, then yes, your creating a hazard. You didn't mention anything about your WOE, but I thought I'd throw that in, just in case.

Give yourself a break. The more you think it is a problem, the bigger the problem and the more upset you're going to be about it.

Got this in my email today...

A big part of success is believing you can succeed. Is the voice inside your head saying, "I can do this"? Or is it saying, "I can't do this"? Be aware of the messages you're sending yourself—they're a lot more powerful than you think! Make a note of negative thoughts in your Journal, and then make a conscious effort to replace them with positive ones! Instead of thinking, "I should" or "I wish" or "I hope," tell yourself, "I WILL!"

Visualize reaching your goals, sticking to the plan, and enjoying your newfound health and energy! Draw or cut out photos of how you'd like to look and clothes you'd like to wear, and paste them in your journal for inspiration. Tell yourself, "I like exercise," and "I feel so much better when I eat right and drink my water." Psychologists say your subconscious mind will make whatever you tell it a reality—so think positive and see yourself living the life of your dreams! You deserve it!

Instead of thinking of your body as the enemy, think of it as your best friend.

Stay positive!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2003
Wed, 09-15-2004 - 4:51pm

BRAVO.... to you for posting every admission you feel about hating to exercise and hating your body and hating your hair, etc.

~~ Steffy ~~
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 7:33am

Nicole- it's tough- not an easy thing to do- this getting in shape thing

_____________________________________________________

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2004
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 8:46am

Hey Nicole:


Everyone here has offered some really awesome tips on how to get at least a little exercise in.

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Fear

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 9:37am
Thanks, everyone. It felt good just to get all of that off of my chest and your words of encouragement did more than you'll ever know to brighten my day. I read every word of what you wrote and it helped me take an objective look at myself. I am unmotivated. I do hate exercise. However, I also have a lot on my plate right now and I guess I never realized it because it's what I've grown accustomed to over the last three years. Three years ago, I was single and starting out in a new business. I was also 30 pounds lighter. Now, I'm three years older, 30 pounds heavier, married with 2 step-children and a growing business. It's a wonder that have any of my sanity left. That being said, I need to ease myself into working out by taking those walks after work instead of feeling obligated to do an hour at the gym. I need to ditch my "all or nothing" attitude and embrace those baby steps. Doing so goes against my nature, but it has to be done for the sake of making any progress.

Thanks again. All of you are AWESOME!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2004
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 2:59pm
OH MY GOSH!!!!! I FEEL THE SAME WAY!!! HOW CAN I BE SO SO INTELLIGENT, ORGANIZED, AND PRACTICAL ABOUT MY KIDS, MY HOME, MY JOB, AND MY MARRIAGE BUT, I CANT GET A GRIP ON MY BODY!!!!! I KNOW I EAT WHEN I'M BORED, WHEN I'M EMOTION, WHEN I'M STRESSED YOU NAME IT I EAT WITH OUT EVEN THINKIN!!!!! THEN I THINK WELL I CAN EXERCISE, THEN I GET MY KIDS OFF TO SCHOOL GET MY JEANS ON TO CLEAN AND RUN TO STORES, LIBRARY ETC... THEN I GO WELL I DONT WANT TO GET SWEATY NOW!!!! OR WHEN I WORK (PART-TIME 3RD SHIFT) THEN I DRAG MY BUTT AROUND ALL DAY. I COMPLETELY FEEL YOUR FRUSTRATION I MEAN HOW CAN SO MANY WOMEN WHO ARE SMART ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE IN THERE LIVES STINK WHEN IT COMES TO EATING AND EXERCISING. I DO CARE ABOUT MYSELF, I DRESS WELL, TAKE VITAMINS, STAY ACTIVE, AND AM NOT TOO TOO OVER WEIGHT BUT, I DONT FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF!!!! BUT TODAY I FEEL A LIL BETTER CAUSE I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER WOMEN WHO ARE TICKED OFF TOO!!!!! SO THANK YOU!!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Fri, 09-17-2004 - 11:56am

Hey Danidietgirl!!