The novelty of the gym has officially worn off. Saturday I had to force myself to go. I didn’t want to do it. And I wanted to do it even less once I saw that my weight – which I had hoped would show some sign of decreasing – remained exactly the same. I know that some of you workout all the time. How do you stay motivated when it feels like you’re just spinning your wheels? Or am I just totally overreacting, because it’s only been a week and I’m already expecting some kind of results? If that’s the case, how long does it take to start seeing some real changes? I need something to cling to fast, folks.
Claire
January 19, 2002 — 11:21 pm
Kris, ditch the gym. Gyms suck! I’ve always found it so artificial working out in a small room doing brain-dead, repetitive movements on a machine. Humans weren’t made to do that! I like to swim or jog – there’s no substitute for sunshine and fresh air!
Kris
January 20, 2002 — 1:02 am
I hate jogging. So that’s out. Swimming is fine, but there really isn’t anywhere conveniently nearby to do it. The gym is pretty much my only option, unfortunately… My workout’s not too bad though. I do about nine different weightlifting exercises, which is enough variety to keep it interesting. It’s just the cardio I hate.
Kristen
January 20, 2002 — 2:42 pm
You’re going to hate this, but it will probably be about 3 weeks minimum to see any significant changes. Keep it up. It gets better.
Aim
January 20, 2002 — 7:59 pm
yeah, no kidding…just be patient. the only thing that’s ever been able to motivate me is remembering and savoring the way you felt after you wanted to go to the gym and then did. that satisfaction should be enough to keep you going – if not, read the email you sent me about how good you felt afterwards. it made ME want to start working out, dammit. (my new apt.s have a little gym. i’m there.)
Kris
January 20, 2002 — 8:39 pm
I talked to the Snook’s brother-in-law yesterday and he said that for him, it took three months to see weight loss. He’s doing the same type of workout I am, and he says that you might even gain weight at first because your body is converting fat to muscle. So I’m ready to be patient. I’m just gonna stop putting so much store by the scales.
Tara D.
January 20, 2002 — 9:18 pm
Hey, that’s what I was going to say. As sh*tty as that is, muscle does weigh more than fat, so try your hardest to wait. In fact, what I would do (if you have the willpower) is have someone hide the scale from you, and only get on it once a month – then you cannot stop working out because of it. It will help you stay motivated.
Kristen
January 21, 2002 — 4:31 am
Muscle does weigh more than fat – but the good news is that it takes up less space!
Max
January 21, 2002 — 5:37 pm
I’m going to back up the Tara D. on this one, Kris. Hide the scale for a few weeks and just keep going to the gym. Since you’re doing a lot of weight training, it WILL be a little while before you see results on the scale, but take it from me: Until I started lifting weights in addition to doing the usual cardio, I never had any significant weight loss. So you’re totally on the right track, but it’s not instant. It took me over a year to lose the bulk of my extra weight(about 75 pounds total)–just a pound or two a week. It seemed like it took forever, but they started adding up (finally!), Keep it up–it’s not easy but it’s so worth it, and you’ll be an even more incredible goddess (if that’s possible) when you’re done!
(Oh, and look for your first results in CLOTHES, not a scale–pants that fit better, shirts that hang differently on your shoulders, etc. I guarantee those little indicators will be your first signs that you are making improvements.)