A lot of people ask me what I think about when I'm working out and how I stay interested. I know a lot of people get bored while at the gym and having the right mindset while working out helps a lot. Cardio can get boring, even when listening to music... Some gyms have TV's that help the time go faster, but, if you are like me and going to the gym at 6am, there isn't much on TV, so I tend to listen to my Ipod.
Lately, my cardio has consisted of Running and Spin Class. Since I am following the C25K plan, it is easy to keep my mind occupied as there is timing I need to follow and I use Nike+ App that talks to me and tells me the time and such. I think, however, that once I am done the running plan at which time, I am hoping I will be a super awesome runner, I will use running time to sort out my thoughts. If you know me, you'd know that my mind is always going. I can't concentrate often on just one topic, so exercise often lets me compartmentalize different things that are on my mind. For example, when I get to the gym and get on the treadmill or stairmaster or eliptical and get my Ipod all ready to go... I often tend to pull whatever is most prominently on my mind and I start to analyze... Whether it is a problem at work or with a friend or with some of the stuff I volunteer with or family or whatever it is, I just start to think about things. I find that passes the time very quickly. This is the reason I cannot do Yoga very well as I cannot clear my mind and concentrate on my breathing... Breathing is the very least of my worries on a regular basis. Haha. And finally, sometimes when I go early I am not quite awake and de-caffeinated, I just watch people around me and that makes the time go quickly! The crowds at the gym that early are an interesting bunch and it's easy to be amused just observing... I am never judging these people, just wondering what their stories are and what makes them who they are, I would never judge someone for their reason for wanting to work out and the way they do it! You'd have to see what I mean to understand.
When I lift weights, it is easy to stay occupied... Or it should be easy... as there are so many factors involved. I am generally concentrating on working a certain muscle group in the right order and ensure I keep my form in line. With weight lifting, especially when you get into heavy lifting, it is important to concentrate, one small slip and you could be hurt by a dropped or slipping weight!
Spin Class, however, is more of a "training" session for me! I like to push as I am actually preparing myself for the 2013 Y Ride (a 6 hours Spin-a-Thon) raising money for the Strong Kids Campaign. This year it is extra special as I am dedicating my ride to Tina Espey, my friends daughter, who passed away in December due to an overdose. While I'm doing Spin Class right now, I am finding myself thinking about Sherri and her daughter... and it makes me work even harder because I definitely wanna kick butt for the 6 hour class and raise as much money as possible. If it weren't for Sherri, I wouldn't be where I am today. The work she did to lose weight and get in shape inspired me and she became the best work out partner ever... as well as my friend. Now when I'm spinning, I am just thinking about how much I want to raise for the Strong Kids Campaign to help to keep our youth occupied and involved and away from the opportunities from making deadly mistakes and hopefully saving another family from the pain that they have felt this year. Such amazing people that my heart is aching for. I miss my work out friend, but I know I will never understand her pain. I want to keep going strong at the gym so when she is ready to come back, I can help her and inspire her to get back to where I know she wants to be physically and, Sherri, if you are reading this, whenever you are ready, I am waiting!!!
I guess this is another issue that my brain tends to gravitate to and analyze while doing cardio. On the plus side, the money I raise from the Spin-a-thon as well as the money Mary Kay is donating from my make over contest prize, will be donated in Tina's honour and the Y plans to do something nice to ensure her memory is preserved and to recognize just how increasingly important youth programs are in this ever changing society.
The point of the paragraph above is that, with you goals are properly aligned, you can use this time to concentrate and bring yourself back to why that goal is important to you and use it to centre yourself and bring yourself back to you work! It doesn't have to be boring in the grand scheme of things!
Well, as you can see, I am a little off topic now as my mind wondered, just as it does while doing cardio or any other time. It is important to try to keep your change in lifestyle aligned with the goals you are hoping to achieve. I like to help people whenever I can... It is hard for me to help people without first helping myself. I can't make anyone else happy if I am not happy with my own life. Feeling good about yourself makes you want to do more and continue on your journey. Eventually, the reason you are doing what you are doing overtakes any doubt or boredom your mind may create for you!
Finally, going to the gym over tired can very much negatively affect your workout... So if you haven't slept enough or are dehydrated or sick(which can cause fatigue), have a nap first or take the day off. However, if you are stressed or angry or sad... Go!!! Crank your music and kick some butt! Run as hard as you can run... Lift as much as you can lift... Because, as I mentioned in my last post, the increase in endorphins can naturally improve your mood and settle you when you are upset! However, don't work out when you are so upset for whatever reason that you risk hurting yourself because you can't concentrate on what you are doing!! That isn't good either.
Also, make sure you are doing your work outs for YOU and no one else!
And if you are the type to just really enjoy working out to music and can clear your head and not have to worry about getting bored or distracted, here is some fun, upbeat work out tunes that you may enjoy!
Night All!
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