How do you make exercise a non-negotiable?

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 26, 2009

The "getting up early routine" would never work for me: so, I don't even try. I do it after I come home from work each night. I leave for work around 0830 and get home around 1830. Yes, it's hard sometimes to do it at the end of a long day, but it is easier for me to force myself at that time than it is to get out of bed early in the morning.

Perhaps it would help you if you integrated some exercise into your evening routine in the barn -- just 15 minutes or so. Since you are already tired and sweaty, etc. That way, you would only have to do a very brief exercise session in the morning and it would seem more "do-able" in the morning. In other words, do 2 short sessions rather than 1 longer one -- neither of which would seem to overwhelming when you don't feel like it.

After you establish the habit, then you could lengthen the time in the morning or evening -- whichever seemed to work best for you.

When I really don't want to exercise, I tell myself I only have to do 10-15 minutes. Then, once I get to the end of that time, I can usually push myself to do a few minutes more. And if I really only do 10-15 minutes, well, that's better than nothing. It help reinforce the habit and gets your metabolism going.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2009

That's a really good idea to incorporate it into my barn routine. I actually have a 3 month old foal who needs to get out and about and see the world, so I can easily take him on 15-20 minute walks and it will be good for us both. I may try the evening workouts too, maybe I can even get my hubby on board with me, as he is not much of a morning person either. Thanks for the tips!

Guest717236 · Mar 29, 2009

You could always add workouts that compliment your

horseback riding. Two that come to mind are yoga for riders

and pilates for equestrians. You would need to rotate these

with a good cardic workout. if you need more info on both

please pm me and I will forward some info to you..

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2009

My dogs give me that expectant, puppy dog look. Who can resist? I walk 4 miles every day I have off. I also always take the stairs instead of the elevator at work, and take any other opportunity to include a few more steps into my day.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2009

Thanks everyone! Well, I did it again this morning. Set alarm for 5:30, drug myself up at 6:35. Maybe Mondays are not the best time to start this? I think I will try adding some walking to my barn routine and also taking the dogs for a walk after dinner. Mornings just are not for me :)

I do have the yoga for equestrians book, and I love it! My problem right now is that with 3 horses, I have none that are rideable. My 22 year old is retired, my three year old is not started under saddle yet (but that will be changing soon) and of course the 3 month old is way too young! But, since I can't ride it gives me time for the walking part!

I think I will also try taking a couple walk breaks at work. I can make the round of my school building pretty easily, including stairs, in 5 minutes or so. Every bit counts, right? On the plus side I met my goal to lose at least 3 lbs last week (actually it was about 4 1/2, but I know alot was water weight!) Woo-hoo!

stellina615 · Apr 6, 2009

Thank you for this thread. I struggle with making exercise part of my daily routine as well. When I'm having a hard time justifying spending the time on exercise or getting the energy to work out, I try and think of patients I've cared for who probably could have avoided their whole predicament in the first place if they had just taken better care of themselves. There are definitely lots of cautionary tales that we can take away from our patients! This goes for exercise as well as other lifestyles changes (I work in a facility that does a lot of acute ETOH detoxes, so you can guess that I hardly ever drink).

Getting back to exercise though, I also think back to when the Bodyworlds exhibit came through my city. There was a display case in which there was a cross section of an obese person and a cross section of a person who had a healthy body weight. They were like bacon slices, and you could see the differences in the organs, adipose tissue, etc. So on the days when I'm really not inclined to go for a run, I think to myself "what would my bacon slice look like today?" More often than not, I'll heave a sigh and go put on my sneakers. Best of luck! :)

morte, LPN, LVN · Oct 10, 2009

since YOU have to think that YOU are worth the trouble....maybe a little "talk therapy" along with the happy pill?

short of that, hypnosis may help...

talaxandra · Oct 10, 2009

Also, if getting up early is a problem maybe you need to look at when you go to bed - insufficient sleep has been shown to contribute to weight gain and other health issues, in addition to an increased tendency to hit the snooze button :)