Hello group I didn't know existed

[Capt. Obvious]

I'm in my 40's and finally decided to live a healthy lifestyle (quit smoking, massive cutback on drinking, massive overhaul of diet, and just started going to the gym). I'm still early on in this midlife quest (day 15 smoke free, should be day 3 at gym after work) and this shit is hard.

I'm afraid I'll give up on going to the gym without some motivation - self motivation isn't a strong suit. I've started using MyFitnessPal app and that seems to be my only motivation: I have to get to the gym to burn x amount of calories for the day because my diet didn't go so well.

Getting to the gym is tough with work and family commitments so I have a built in excuse every day (my first trip to the gym meant that I had to get up an hour earlier the following day to do laundry and stuff I would have done the night before if not for the gym).

This group seems rather dead but I was looking for others in a similar boat where maybe we can encourage each other and tell war stories of crushing the treadmill. This seems like the most logical group.

[LeftofObama]

1. Here's my advice, but remember it's worth as much as you're paying for it. LOL!

1. Commit!

Exercise is a commitment so set aside one hour each day that you absolutely will not let anyone distract you or take it away from you. That one hour is yours. Claim it!

2. Find your exercise of choice.

This may take a while, but you need to try different things to find out which one you like the best. Some people are swimmers, some people are runners, and some people are bikers. Find out which one you like the best and build on that first. You don't have to be good at it, you just have to like it enough to keep working at it to get better.

3. Set goals.

Today I'm going to run to that tree and walk for five minutes and then run to that stop sign and then walk for 3 minutes and then run to that bush and then walk for 3 minutes, etc. Before you know it you'll be running the entire route if that's the exercise you choose. You can do the same thing with swimming and biking.

Once you've mastered the cardio you will find that it becomes a mental game. You'll know it when it happens and you'll be ready to move on to something else, but for me cardio will always take precedence over any other form of exercise. You can incorporate working out with weights into it eventually, but for now just concentrate on working up a good sweat.


I wouldn't necessarily worry about dieting right now. Eating healthy is important, but right now you're just trying to get your body used to moving and working muscle groups that haven't been worked in a while. I guarantee you that after you've worked up a good sweat running, swimming, or biking for an hour the last thing you'll want when you're done is a cheeseburger and fries. Mostly what you'll want is a big drink of water and to sit for a few minutes.

If you choose running, look for a local 5K and start training for that. Make that your goal. There is a wonderful app called Couch to 5K that will get you there.

That's all I have for now, but I wish you the best! You can do this! Own it!

[Capt. Obvious]

3. Thank you for the response

I'm feeling my way along the different equipment as it's all new to me. I went tonight with a goal of burning 300 calories. The last 20 calories was tough.

I also did some non-cardio for first time tonight on the Ab-Crunch machine.

I'm hoping once I get my wind and legs going it might be good to find an adult rec league for basketball.

[LeftofObama]

6. You're welcome.

Once you find your groove you'll see how easy it is to keep going. If you're keeping track of calories there's another app called Run Keeper. (it isn't just for running). Just tell it what activity you did and for how long and it will tell you how many calories you burned. I ran 9.5 miles on Monday and burned over 1000 calories. That's 1/3 of a pound.

[Capt. Obvious]

8. It may be a long time (never?) till I can run 9.5 miles

MyFitnessPal has those options as well. My only problem is that most of the options are in metric (I think the database is populated by users so that makes sense) or are not exactly what I'm doing.

Last night I kept track of the calories burnt on the different cardio machines and then played around with the app to get it to match as close as possible for calories burnt - I burnt 300, the app says I burnt 302.

[LeftofObama]

9. Good job!

Remember, even though your app says you burned 300 calories you also boosted your metabolism and you'll burn more calories faster throughout the day! You're rockin' it!

[kdmorris]

2. Heya!!

In the same boat here... I was trying to ride my bike every morning, but I found that I'd get up and look for excuses NOT to do it.

My husband and I just recently joined the gym too, to try to improve our health. I had to change my diet in 2002 and quit smoking in 2003 because I found out I had Diabetes. And... it's STILL hard sometimes.

For me, having a routine keeps me motivated. But I often need need stuff to keep me interested... like riding my bike every morning has gotten dull as shit, so joining the gym has gotten me interested in my fitness again.

And for me, having two young sons that need me for many years to come keeps me motivated. I know that they aren't going to get a 25 year old mother, but I can stay as young and as active as possible for them.

And, after I work out, I always feel great, so I try to remember that feeling when I'm sitting there thinking of reasons why I just can't. If I don't prioritize my health, no one will!

[Capt. Obvious]

4. I tried walking/running around my neighborhood

But the loop is only 0.25 miles. Gets boring quickly.

[kdmorris]

5. Yeah, my loop is just under two miles

But still tedious I still plan on doing it two days a week and go to the gym the other 3... loose plan, of course.

[Capt. Obvious]

7. I'm hoping to get obsessed with it

I need my OCD to take over. I'm going to go tonight as well. I was sore yesterday and cramped up while running. Feeling it this morning.
Friday nights through Sunday I'm always away so weekdays are the only days I'll make it there.

Here's my breakfast this morning:

[kdmorris]

10. mmmmm tasty!

I have to eat protein with each meal, so often I add some no-fat Plain Greek Yogurt to something like that.

I get weekly emails from MapMyFitness that basically clicks on my OCD... I almost end up in competition with myself... "I can do better than that" LOL

[Capt. Obvious]

11. I used to eat yogurt, granola,

And a big bowl of fruit every day. Once I got the app it's either yogurt and granola or fruit portion shown in my photo.

I just got back from 3rd night in a row at gym. 329 calories burnt on the elliptical and treadmill, and 60 ab crunches.

[kdmorris]

12. Very nice! Keep up the good work!! n/t

[flibbitygiblets]

13. Hello, welcome!!

[codysartony]

14. Cool!

You are well done! I myself quit smoking and I know how hard it is! Good luck with your endeavors!