Starting a Workout Routine

So I came to a deep, personal revelation about myself while playing Minecraft for the first time...

I love planning things, but when it comes to doing those things, I become easily bored. That's pretty much the problem I've had working out. I love knowing why I need to start, setting my goals, planning a routine, knowing what time I'd need to be up, what days will be rest days, what foods I'm going to eat, what rate I'll lose weight at, and all the other good things that come with it. Then, on that first day when I try and get up to do it, the gravitational field around my bed intensifies tenfold.

I've seen a lot of threads about how to stay motivated to continue a workout routine. That's not what this is. his is a thread to see how people get motivated to start a workout routine. Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I'm sure I'm not the only one in this boat.

What worked for me was finding a goal that I actually really wanted. 'Getting healthy' or 'getting fit' is a kind of vague wishy washy theme with no end point. My personal goal is to run 8k in December to raise money for a charity that means a lot to me... that has been enough for me to get up and start.

Gravitational field around the bed huh? Haha.

Sounds like you're trying to exercise in the morning. I can't exercise in the morning (the same gravitational field is around my bed in the morning). I exercise at night for that reason.

Try planning your routine for the night. I'm MUCH better at sticking to workout routines at night.

As learn-to-know already said, its much easier to plan for workouts at night or afternoon than in the morning. Once you have the routine,then you can change it to the morning way easier.

A part from that, try to set little goals, like, if you follow the routine for 10 days then treat yourself with a piece of cake or something and keep doing it until you don't need to find a reason to stick to the routine

May the force be with you.

You're right. You're not the only one in that boat and that's unfortunate. I really feel for those in my generation who are having trouble building healthy habits especially in regards to weight. Every generation has their health battle so to speak. For our grandparents it was smoking, for our parents it was processed foods and still smoking, and for us it's unhealthy diets and sedintary lifestyles.
I played soccer when I was a kid all the way up until high school, so I've always been active, but it wasn't until I joined the military that I started working out. It literally took some vicious SOB screaming at me to make me do pushups when I already felt like my shoulders were gonna break off and crumble into dust. To keep my fitness up I just had to do it. If you're looking for a secret to get past procrastination and stuff like that to start a workout, that's the secret: do it. Start today. There is no other tip, trick, or way around it. You just have to make the decision to go run or go to the gym or just do some pushups instead of doing something else. I will say that it's easier to do with a group so if you can, get some friends together and go run or get gym memberships or something. But it all starts with the decision to do it. Willpower myfriend. Willpower.

I leverage other habits, like putting a training calender on the fridge and trying to avoid snacking until I've ticked off a training session.... or having a reward only had after training, like nice tasting protein drink for example. Another trick is to just focus on the next immediate step, and not associate it to the subsequant negative activity, such that you can trick yourself to winding up in the gym, and well once your there you might as well do a workout
:lol:

It really is just a matter of doing it. You do or you dont. There is not try I have everything all set out the day before, that way when I wake up, it is staring me in the face saying "See this? Shoes, running shorts, tank top, bottle of water....See? Put me on. Now!" I also give myself a distraction. On the tredmill I have a dashboard which I put my Ipad on. It hides all the numbers so I cant see them (A watch pot never boils) and I play candy crush.

I also guide myself into it slowly. First week I just do a light jog...Second week I build it up. If you try to jump in head first with everything...you burn yourself out before you even settle into the routine. Heck...you burn yourself out before you even get out of bed. "Godzzz....I gotta do all THAT!? No way!"

start with only fifteen minuets. Then build up to twenty. Then thirty five. Then forty Five. A good and proper exercise only need your heart rate elevated for 45 minuets. So make that your first goal to work up to.

"By the end of December. I will be able to keep my heart rate elevated for 45 minuets."

Don't need to say how. Perhaps its a walk? Or a bike ride? Or doing push ups. As long as by the end of December, you can elevate your heart for 45 minuets....You passed your first goal!

Be practical with yourself Don't be crazy.....just yet.