Thursday, December 4, 2008

Exercise Motivation

I notice that if I don't exercise first thing in the morning that most likely it wont happen. However, today, I actually exercised at around 3 in the afternoon. Which is a miracle because usually that is the time that I hit an energy low. I put my daughter down for a nap, and I usually spend her naptime either blogging, checking my email, reading a book, cleaning up around the house, or sometimes I even nap. But today I was motivated.

Why? I ask myself. Why am I motivated to exercise 5-6 times a week? I am not an exercise lover, per say. The answer is food. When I exercise, just knowing that I burned that extra 400-500 calories a day allows me a tiny bit of leniency in my daily food intake. With weight watchers, I am allowed 20 points a day at my current weight. The plan does allow me to use my exercise points, but I find if I do that, then I don't really lose the weight easily. So I don't use the points. What I do instead, is allow myself a half teaspoon of butter on that roll, or a tiny handful of chocolate chips or whatever. It makes up for not being perfect with my eating. This is the only way. I am learning that I need that tiny bit of leeway.

What are your exercise motivators? I would love to hear from you.

2 comments:

Janet said...

I have two major exercise motivators...

1. Same as you - Food. Working out allows me to eat a little more (not too much more though, that's a recipe for disaster).

2. Vanity.

(I know there are other benefits to working out, like increased energy and overall health - but to be honest, those aren't the things that get me up off my butt and into the gym.)

scrapwordsmom said...

Food is a big one!! LOL!:) I also love the feeling I have all day after my exercise and it is a great stress reliever!!! I am just a happier me when I exercise. Now if I could remember that on days I am lazy and don't!