Can't find my mojo

[hacw]

This will be my third attempt at this program. I remember I felt really good mentality about myself when I was doing this program. But I just can't get going.

Any tips or advise please.

[PerkP14]

Hi hacw,

I have been in exactly the same position as you many times. I am currently on Week 6 for what feels like the 10th time. What do you mean by can't get going? Is it a case of you get half way and then you just stop and don't know why?

Or is it physically too challenging?

One thing I learnt was I was not giving myself enough breaks in between runs. I assumed I had to go every other day and a day's rest was enough. This time, I've been going when I feel like it. Sometimes have 3 days gap in between a run but having much more energy and properly healing in between. Patience has been a massive learn too.

Also knowing in advance that if I'm ill, or stressed or haven't had enough sleep there's just no point in going to the gym and trying. It spurs me to take better care of myself in between runs.

Good luck.

[hacw in reply to PerkP14]

I can't even get out the door. I always find an excuse. (not that there is one just my mind playing with me) every night I say 'right tomorrow I shall put trainers on an start'

By morning, too dark, haven't time, carnt be bothered, I'll do it in the evening then the same at evening time. It a vicious circle.

Been like this for 2 months. Need a kick.

[PerkP14 in reply to hacw]

Oh right. Well, if you really don't want to do it you won't, is what I think. I think there's a difference from getting home from work and really not wanting to go out but forcing yourself for the greater good and mentally not being in the right frame of mind to even begin. The second one being the worst!

I don't know your personality so don't know what would work but I'm a slight narcissist so putting something on that was lose on me this time last year for example and seeing my lower gut protruding out is a technique that spurs me on like nobodies business. If I feel bad about myself, I almost enjoy the goal and strict regime because I feel I desperately need to change/do something.

Everyone's different however. I do know that putting pressure on yourself is the worst thing you can do, so maybe just saying you'll go once a week to begin with instead of feeling like you have to do 3 runs a week as suggested, might help. Then it'll just feel like a tiny thing to do within your whole week.

Or not doing running at all but walking instead, cycling at the gym, get the routine going to start with then start the running when you're in a better place mentally? I used to go even knowing I'd not really be doing anything properly beneficial because the routine was good for me to stick to!

[Steve_L Graduate]

You have to want to do it. Don't expect other people to motivate you. It's a fantastic thing to do, but it has to come from you. Do it!

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

I don't know where you live -- but I do know that there are many many people who live in a highly urbanised environment - who never leave that environment and who have NEVER ever had to exert themselves physically. Whenever they may try to do some physical exertion, it is alien to them and they don't like the feeling!! If this applies to you, I don't know how you get around it - BUT you must understand who and where you are before you can make any changes.

For me , it was the understanding that many of my "elderly" compatriots are morbidly obese and are having trouble standing on their own two legs. I wanted to make sure that this didn't happen to me and I could see that I was on my own decline. But not now!!!!!!!!

[carerof Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

Well said Bazza. I work with the elderly and see the poor shape many of them are in. This scares me enough to try and prevent the same thing happening to me as i get older. I retire this year and running three times a week makes me feel i am at least trying to help myself. Eating healthily most of the time and staying active by walking as often as i can also helps to foster that feeling.

[Bazza1234 Graduate in reply to carerof]

One day I will no longer be able to run -- but today is not that day!!!!

[helcl Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

Oh I like that. I'm might stick that phrase on my fridge

[misswobble Graduate]

I hope you DO do it. It's so worth it. It is a life changer. Baz is spot on!

If you can't be bothered to do things then don't, stay on the couch, grazing while you watch telly, but if there's that niggle in the back of your head, that itch that needs scratching, that thought you have, "what if" then get out the door. You've nothing to lose have you?

I don't know why you are talking yourself out of it. Talk yourself into it. Make a list. Left hand side = positives. Right hand side = negatives. See what you come up with

Take time to read the positive posts here. Maybe that will convince you.

You have to want to do it for yourself though, and without that motivation you won't do it, sadly

[Sarah-A Graduate]

I sometimes get those niggly 'excuses' and it is the reason I had to restart the C25K program from scratch again. A few years ago I was running 5.5 miles on the summer evenings and then life gets in the way and my totally rubbish excuses came into play when the winter came in (new puppy, snow, injury etc etc). I was really disappointed with myself I let my fitness slide.

I usually walk my dog before hand and put my running kit on to walk her - so by the time I get home from that, I only really need to change my trainers and plug my music in. I'm already halfway there.

You do feel so much better for getting out there - even if you don't feel like initially going.

I am competitive with myself (not against other people) - so wanting to improve (my times or distance) and using my Garmin stats helps too.

Good luck!

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

The Ten TOP tips for running

youtube.com/watch?v=7vvcyJC...(Not working as expected?)

Tip Number 1---- Get out the door!!!!

[Dolphin12 Graduate]

Put a song list together of songs that make you feel like you want to get up and move / sing along to / dance

Lace up your trainers and start walking.

After a few of these switch back to Laura.

I would also say:-

You are not being sponsored so don't run fast

To gauge your speed - ensure you can talk in whole sentences.

Then just concentrate on Laura's voice.

Even my depressed neighbour of 70 is now walking, lost weight and stopped being the old git next door and is moving.

He used to sit in front of the telly for 11 hours a day at least and shuffled when he walked.

Stop making excuses for yourself.

In 9 weeks you will be amazed you didn't do it sooner.

[runningphobe_no_more Graduate]

You said you remember you felt good about yourself when you were on it. Can you remember exactly why? For me it was very physical - my almost non-stop acid reflux cleared up, and when I had to take a three-week break because of a chest infection, it started to come back, so I HAD to get back out there. (There were other things too, but one example is plenty) Have you got a definite benefit you can focus on?

Also, I still can't say I really like the running, but I love the feeling of achievement (OK - smugness) each time I complete a run - even if it's only a "recovery" run of two 10-min stretches. And the thought afterwards "Haven't got to do it tomorrow". And the weekly "Two days off, now".

And finally, I got through quite a few of the difficult ones by composing my victory post for this forum - eg thinking "just another 5 mins and I can go home and write 'I DID IT!' "

All a bit silly, perhaps, and I do envy the people who have learned to love the actual running, but hey - this programme has done me so much good even without that.

Oh - and don't forget the mantra "Laura says go slowly"

Really hope you do keep going - you wouldn't have posted if you didn't really want to....