How do I motivate myself : How do I motivate... - Couch to 5K

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How do I motivate myself

11dan profile image
76 Replies

How do I motivate myself

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11dan profile image
11dan
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76 Replies
Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Hello and welcome to the forum, you are here, so you have been thinking about running or maybe have already started...

This program works and you soon start to look forward to your next run session...

There is a guide on how to follow the plan here

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

This forum will provide support and encouragement so keep posting.

Good luck😊...

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to Bluebirdrunner

Thank u

Decker profile image
Decker

Some days are harder than others, but maybe just get moving - bring your gear and go for a walk and then if you are feeling it, do your run. I leave my running gear out the night before so I have to walk past it in the morning - somehow makes it a bit easier to go.

Another source of motivation for me personally is reading some of the posts by others here and in the bridge to 10k forums. People of all ages and backgrounds with a multitude of different personal challenges are getting out there, so I figure, I can too.

And music - hearing my favorite tunes makes all the difference in a challenging run.

Hope you manage to get out there at least for a walk and maybe more. Good luck!

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to Decker

Thank u

Decker profile image
Decker in reply to 11dan

no worries - you've come to a great place to get started - some really kind and supportive people in this group like Oldfloss and Bluebirdrunner :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

You say... "Do I want to become the person I know that I really am?

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to Oldfloss

Thank u

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate

Ask yourself if you want to stay the way you are.

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to Tasha99

Nope I do

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate in reply to 11dan

You do want to stay the way you are?

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to Tasha99

Nope I don’t want to stay the way I am

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate in reply to 11dan

There’s your motivation then. If you don’t do anything you’ll stay as you are or decline further. You’ll get to the summer having got. I further forward and you’ll be annoyed with yourself for not getting on. That’s my motivation. Can’t you go out once 2 year old is asleep for half an hour with 12 year old minding? Have your phone on you for emergency. Maybe do a few of loops of a small area rather than running further from home.

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to Tasha99

Yes bab

11dan profile image
11dan

The other thing is I have a 12yrs old boy and I have a 2yrs old girl to so finding the time to do it is so hard I just need help

Mamabear5 profile image
Mamabear5Graduate in reply to 11dan

I run with my nearly 2 yr old after I walk my other 2 to School , she loves being in the pram whilst I jog along

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to Mamabear5

Same here

ebcroquet profile image
ebcroquet

Plan - decide when you’re going to run, lay out your clothes along with everything else you need, charge your phone, plan your route. Then when the time comes, the time you’ve planned and decided - get dressed and go out there. Trust me you will surprise yourself 👊🏃‍♀️👍

ebcroquet profile image
ebcroquet

I know it must be difficult with 2 children but remember you are looking for just 30 mins opportunity - and even when I’m not enjoying it at the time I just say to myself it’s just 30 mins 🤞

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to ebcroquet

Ok cool

11dan profile image
11dan

Thank u

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Motivation is the one thing that you have to bring to the feast.

We can supply support, advice and encouragement but there is only one person who can make you move yourself...........yep, that's you.

I am much older than you and at the age of 57 I saw many of my peers suffering from conditions and diseases that were almost all in part attributable to not having been active enough.........diabetes, heart disease, stroke to name few.

Fortunately only one of my mates died but another is hugely limited after a stroke, while others have now recovered and had to battle against much reduced health to try to become physically active......... it is so much easier when you still have some fitness.

So for me starting to run seemed like a necessary chore to avoid going the same way as my mates, but that was the incredible surprise......... within a few C25K sessions I was totally hooked and wanted to run every day..........which is not advisable for new runners.

Four years after starting running, I was fitter than at any time in my life, when I was given a diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer. That was eight months ago and I am have now finished radiotherapy. This treatment often causes the patient to suffer extreme exhaustion alongside many other side effects. For me it has not been so devastating and while I did take a couple of months off work, I now have returned and am feeling pretty good about things. Apart from a ten day break after an invasive hospital procedure, I have continued running throughout this time.

Being fit stood me in good stead, but I have not escaped unscathed.......my running has got slower and slower and my ability to run uphill has been severely hit, but I am not giving in and a few days ago I had a run that boosted me hugely, after I managed to run up my favourite hill route without stopping.

You never know when a critical illness like cancer is going to hit you and it is undeniably true, as my oncologist agrees, that you have much more chance of survival and reduced side effects if you are already fit.

You owe it to yourself to shift your arse and get yourself fit.........but even more you owe it to your children..........do you want to see them grow up?

Once you start, you will understand why so many people run.......it is not to get fit, it is because they are run junkies and just have to get another fix.

Only one person is stopping you.

PippiRuns profile image
PippiRuns in reply to IannodaTruffe

❤️

in reply to IannodaTruffe

👏❤️

IgaT profile image
IgaTGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

<3

Mcdon profile image
McdonGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

Amazing story but so true. I’m 50 this month one of my friends hubby had a stroke at 50 just 2 months ago he has long way to recover yet. Your health and fitness are priceless and if a few runs a week help then I want to continue x

11dan profile image
11dan

I know

11dan profile image
11dan

I just so tired all the time and I am just need some one to keep me get positive

IgaT profile image
IgaTGraduate in reply to 11dan

If you are too tired to run every other day, start by running even once a week. It is more than nothing. Then increase it to twice a week. If you skip the run, well... Life happens. Don't worry, and go oit there as soon as you can. Tomorrow? Fine. This weekend? Fine as well.

Tbae profile image
Tbae

First thing is Relax.😴 Do not pressurise yourself.🙈You have responsibilities and you are not the lone ranger in that respect😂😂

Look at when is the best time in your day when you can get one hour minimum to begin with each day.7 days per week.🤔 Your time or Me time.

Your preparation will just develop around you.Try not stress and if you can be ahead of your self👍

If you are comfortable with not knowing what Laura, podcasts or choice of four others , are going to request you to do, go with that.You can change anything anytime if it suits you better.👍

Choose which 3 alternative days would normally suit you better.Say Mon /Wed / Frid. eg. for C25k programme.

So that would leave Tues/Thurs/Sat? Say for the Active10 walking for example. 10 stands for 10 mins brisk walking.You can do stuff on your in between days , but not running, these are your repair days.👍

Sunday day of Rest? Or whatever you choose.

That’s you committed to building a new running body that will pay you back handsomely with your total wellness.Yes as you will hear life changing and it is no exaggeration.👍

You need physical, mental and emotional support.Three pillars.You will get them here.👍

The A team and forum are here to steer and cheer you to the end of your 27 runs that will build your strength, fitness and stamina to sustain you to jog for 30 mins. That is a shared goal.👍

Whatever you bring on your first day and every other run is your best. Believe that. How long it takes is not relevant in building a running body, all that matters is you arrive there with this new resource and maybe fall in love with running and your new uplifted mood and confidence.

Good luck, listen to the teams advise and the forum.If you have time read the FAQ-POSTS.The beauty of the programme is you can take it at your pace , but not the runs. No stopping on them🙈, that’s where your stamina will come from.👍👏👏

Just a few ideas, 🤔 you have had the best inspiritational advise above. Some tough love as they say.👍👏👏

11dan profile image
11dan

We’re do I do that bab

11dan profile image
11dan

We’re do I get FAQ-POSTS

Tbae profile image
Tbae in reply to 11dan

Abbreviation for the Couch to 5 kilometres or jogging for 30 minutes.The links for the FAQ Posts are on your HealthUnlocked page.You will not get your own personal trainer , but you have the A team and the forum and that is better.Relax Start Positive Stay Positive Enjoy.There are no problems only solutions. Just think about stuff and when you comfortably could make a start.Good luck

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to Tbae

We’re do I find that FAQ page

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to 11dan

Here: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

11dan profile image
11dan

And can I ask what C25k is

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to 11dan

Couch to 5k is this: nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/...

Sometimes people come on here for a laugh and that’s fine. Enjoy yourself 11dan. We are going running.

11dan profile image
11dan

We’re

11dan profile image
11dan

I need one to one help though this

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to 11dan

Help through what? What's going on that you need help with?

Tbae profile image
Tbae

Press on the link of the first reply you received and welcome from Jan- now - runs and that will get you to the FAQ POSTS👍👏👏 It is headed,HealthUnlocked and coloured blue.Just press it and you are off.You can keep using that until you find your way around.Will not take you long.👍

Tbae profile image
Tbae

Good luck with your reading , you will find it motivating.But as Mentor says you will have to bring it.👏👏

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador

What do you want motivation for? Why do you want motivating?

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to John_W

I can’t get motivation

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to 11dan

but what is it you want do to that you need motivation for?

11dan profile image
11dan

I want to loose weight

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to 11dan

You've just found your motivation - nice one.

"I want to lose weight" <<<<<< THAT'S your motivation.

Now... what are going to do about it... TODAY?

Tbae profile image
Tbae in reply to John_W

Very impressed.Now that is a skill to behold.👍

Weight loss is 11dan’s vital motivation.Not the trivial many.

She just has to bring it to the C25k, when she is ready and do some little movement today, maybe even now🤔

All movement is good , we were given muscles to use them.Go for it and do 5 minutes now.🤔👏👏

Relax Start Positive Stay Positive Enjoy, Do 5 mins of movement now🤔👏👏and give yourself a pat on the back. Anything.👏Just walk round inside your home.🤔

11dan profile image
11dan

I can’t it’s -4 its so so cold

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to 11dan

Can't what?

11dan profile image
11dan

Do anything to exasis today

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to 11dan

What about exercising indoors?

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate in reply to 11dan

Hi 11dan, its too cold to go outside today, why not download this Flex and strength podcast and have a go...it will get you moving and keep ypu warm...

nhs.uk/Livewell/strength-an...

As far as losing weight is concerned, once you start exercising, you will be more motivated to eat healthily. Cut out the snacks and sugary foods. There is a site on Healthunlocked to support you with this too.

Here is the link

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Tbae profile image
Tbae in reply to Bluebirdrunner

Wonderful.🌟

11dan profile image
11dan

I have a 2yrs old and 12yrs old

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to 11dan

the 12 year old is at school today, yes? And the 2 year old is with you at home. Why not get the 2 year old settled in a play cot or in front of the tv...

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to John_W

Nope it’s not open it’s to cold

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to 11dan

so... think about how you can do some indoor exercises when the 12 year old is back at school... have a look on YouTube - lots of video there to help you.

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to John_W

What like

John_W profile image
John_WAmbassador in reply to 11dan

CLICK THIS: youtube.com/results?search_...

IgaT profile image
IgaTGraduate in reply to 11dan

Encourage them to workout with you!

Tbae profile image
Tbae

Ask your children to walk with you or do some movement with them that you all share🤔👏👏🌟Indoors.It is the start that is everything,then come the rewards.We are all cheering you on🤔

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to Tbae

Ok thank u

Tbae profile image
Tbae in reply to 11dan

You can do this, small steps,small improvements, everyday, more enjoyment until you are ready to start your C25k journey.👏👏🌟

Keep your interest up by reading the links that Jan- now - runs has sent you.🌟

11dan profile image
11dan

Hi everyone want I mean by a one to one I wood like to have a sponsor to help me with it

If you can’t get out for what ever reason could you afford to buy a treadmill perhaps?

Anywa youve come onto the right forum for support. So with your determination and the support from brilliant people on this forum,you will get to where you want to be. It’s up to you😀

Stop the excuses..and get moving...

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to

I am not

11dan profile image
11dan

I am not

What's stopping you

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to

The water and I am not well

in reply to 11dan

Not well in what way? Mentally or physically?

in reply to

You just gotta go through your motions... Good luck

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to

Yes

11dan profile image
11dan in reply to

Both

Sooooo have you started to motivate yourself yet? No? Well how about this:

1. Get up.

2. Go out.

3. Follow the C25K app with Laura with 5min warm up walk and then gently jog.

What could be more simple than that. But YOU have to do this for yourself!

So what are you waiting for? 🤔

Come on you can do this ! 👏👏

Happy running 😀😀

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