126) Maintaining Motivation

Working out used to be about looking good to attract bitches, hoes and/or hot dudes.  But as we've gotten older it has become more about being healthy so that we might avoid certain complications that come with age.  I like thinking about people's workouts because I like understanding what motivates others and the things they will try to successfully add exercise to their daily life.  Following are ideas I have heard or tried to keep motivated without having to join cross fit or suffer through the impossible P90X:

• Guiltless Sports Viewing:  I can retire to the back room and get a good 90 minute workout in so that no one else in the house has to watch an entire boring soccer game.  This works well for me and is probably the main reason I can remain consistent.  Sports could also be substituted by one of the million home renovation/home improvement shows.  Watching people make their house cooler can actually be motivating.

• A Dash of Violence: Introduce a punching bag to the workout so that there is an element of all out violence making the workout something a person can look forward to.

• Puppy Wear Out:  Running the dogs so that they get their exercise, and you get yours.  I know someone who does this and he/she runs each dog separately, in order to maximize the amount of time he/she is running.  Plus, running both dogs at the same time doesn't work because they are excitable and crazy.

• Party Exercise: Drinking and/or smoking to make a workout fun.  I do not do this personally, but have seen it plenty of times.  Usually I see it lead to bad form, but I know a lot of people who claim that smoking out before lifting weights helps keep them focused.  Not sure I buy that.

• Partner Up: Working out with significant other.  I think having a partner helps keep motivation high.  Misery loves company and all that.  Sometimes it leads to one person being pushed too hard, or the other having to relax too much, but I feel like a happy medium can be achieved if both are willing to figure out where that line is.  And both parties must minimize criticism.  

• Low Budget Personal Trainer:  I spent a summer writing and recording 30 minute workouts as if they were mix CDs.  I would call out "pushups" followed by 30 seconds of silence...followed by "lunges"... etc.  This allowed me to tune out mentally.  I followed the instructions, executed the task for 30 seconds straight, listened to music and after 30 minutes I was freaking tired and sore.  I intermix these with other workouts because these are tough.

• The Reward System:  If I workout then I can enjoy 2 glasses of wine with dinner instead of just one.  For me the rewards are attached to drinking, but one could easily substitute desserts here.

• Ink Meter:  Get a tattoo in a key spot like your stomach or bicep.  Once you see the tattoo becoming distorted, make sure you head to your gym.