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Seeking supportFitness support/accountability-buddy
I have been really slacking off on my fitness routine/commitments. I am looking for some sort of support around this. I have an autoimmune disease that definitely flares when I am not working out regularly, producing a vicious cycle of not going, feeling too weak to go to the gym. I'd love any sort of virtual support or checking in or anything to keep me more accountable to my health. It scares me to have flare-ups and I know exercise helps keep those at bay and lessens my depression. I'd be happy to reciprocate the accountability. I know have lost some of the gains I made earlier in the year in terms of strength and this makes me very sad.
In short, I am tired of talking about what other's (TiPs) are doing to their perfectly healthy bodies (the ingrates!); I want to focus on my own (aging) body and keeping it/me in good health. I am a bit peeved with myself for not prioritizing my physical and emotional wellbeing of late and want to turn this around. Maybe you want to too?
I'd be open to talking about this. I recently did a strength training class with a small group of all women and really enjoyed it. I'd like to do more, but it's pretty intimidating. I'm also rubbish at motivating myself to do any workouts at home, though to be honest the only thing that has worked for me so far is joining things with friends who pick me up on the way to a physical location. I have been thinking a lot lately about how girls largely drop out of sports once they hit puberty, and how things like sport and exercise are actually very important, and give a ton of confidence. I want to be fit like Linda Hamilton in Terminator.
I too am 'rubbish' (😊) at getting myself to work out at home. I have all this little equipment I never use--probably bc I have a gym membership. I like my gym and was doing well getting there until the treadmills stop supporting netflix. I cannot just look at a path video on an already boring treadmill. I did find a dance class there that gives me the cardio I need, and I really need cardio. Like every single day. I do an entire circuit training, which I responded to well. I just have a really hard time dropping lbs. Muscle building is fine, but I need to lose visceral fat.
I know I can just slack off if I am actively committed to going or doing something. Someone yesterday posted that exercise has been shown to work better than anti-depressants. This really struck a cord with me bc I've been depressed lately and remember feeling better when I was going to the gym regularly. Then the warm days hit and I've been doing these ridiculously endless projects in my garden. I need to get back on the exercise wagon for so many reasons and need to make it ingrained habit for my mental and physical health.
I tried keeping track on a chalkboard but I think I need a bit more guilt about missed days. If I know I am obligated to report my shame of blowing off something I know is good for me, then I am more likely to have to face up to it/myself. I lose mental wellbeing, muscle strength, cardio stamina and so much more when I don't exercise regularly. bah!
Anyway, what would work for you? We could DM weekly goals and follow up once a week. Like this weekend, I want to go to the gym today. This is going to be a challenge bc its beautiful out and all I want to do is garden. Oh, that is my other problem. When I go to the gym it takes hours. 35 min circuit training; ideally 40 min cardio, then I do stretching in the sauna and steam, shower, ride my bike back home. It is a big commitment of time. I need to balance with other things like yoga.
Okay, so gym today (maybe restorative yoga tonight). AND some gardening. That is the goal I have today; how to figure out both, which I have yet to do. Tomorrow just hatha yoga and gardening. Sunday: gym or equivalent (long hike). I also want to try to add some short planks to each day to help strengthen my core and pelvic floor.
If there is a video you like that we could do, I'd be happy to add that in. I know I will never be Linda Hamilton fit but I am pretty strong. My long-term goal is to shed 30-40 lbs. I have to face the fact this might take 1-2 years. In the meantime, adding 2 or 3 dance classes a week would help get me to this goal. Feel free to dm me.
If you like nature, is there an option for you to run in the park or forest?
You said you find treadmill boring, and I agree with you. But I love running outside. So you could maybe start walking/running more, if there is a nice place nearby.
You could also try commute running - running to a shop, or even to a gym.
I miss commute jogging. My goal is to build back up to jogging (I am almost 60 with an autoimmune disease so it will take some time). I have nature all around me. If I want nature, I walk into my garden (in the city; I am very lucky in some ways, though we pay through the nose for it and I work my ass off to make it beautiful). I will commit to biking everywhere. That is easy, it is my only form of transport besides public trans. I hope I can build back up to jogging the 3+ miles to the gym by the end of summer.
3 miles by the end of summer sounds like a doable goal! Good luck with building up strength for that!
is this still going? Was some sort of accountability group started here?
Valkerie at the Disco and I have been checking in on Sundays to set goals and check in about the previous week. I'd say it was focused on fitness but other things have been thrown in --like less time on SM. I'd be happy to more of this. Tbh, it has really motivated me a lot more and I have doubled my exercise for the week bc I know I have to report back.