Motivation needed

[Sambenjoe]

I need something to get me going. I come home from work so tired I just can’t drag myself out the house. Also I think my diet is bad.

[Sp81 Graduate]

Hey, sorry to hear you’re struggling, could it be the weather/darker evenings drawing in etc? Have you started c25k?

I’m currently managing by having 3 days non negotiable run days. Plus set stuff out night before. I make sure I come straight in get changed and go as if I sit down for a second I know the run will not happen.

Re: diet. Maybe a diet diary app of some sort may help, keeping within a certain calorie count.

[OmtaOcto in reply to Sp81]

Years ago it took me over an hour to get home from work. Retired now . My motivation being tired and dark out was to run with a neighbor who arrived home within a half out of each other.

One of us would be motivated at the time to run and would call the other and it usually balanced out that way. We would run on dark winter and sometimes icy nights with icicles hanging off our eye brows. When I think back which was many years ago I can’t believe how we did it. We both had pressure jobs and this helped us tremendously

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

🤔 we each have to find our own reasons...

But do read the guide to make sure you get the full benefits

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Diet? Without being pushy... try watching The Game Changers, What the Health or Forks over Knives.

Just over a year ago I too never had any energy or motivation to do anything after work, couldn't possibly find extra time... just a week into plant based eating I honestly couldn't believe how much more energy I had, and that has not changed 💪🏻😁

I started C25K as I wanted to continue to improve my cardiovascular fitness (my husband and I had just done roughly a year of cycling) and I wanted something I could do in small bursts (30 mins or so) after work. These days I can easily find 1.5 hrs after work or 5 or 6 hours at the weekend 🤣

You don't have to go that far but 30 mins 3 times a week is going to get you results you won't regret. 👍🏻

[Corarun Graduate]

Could you try a different time to run? Is it possible to go before work or at a lunch break (I’m able to go before work and find getting up and straight out really helps). I do find as well that having a set three days to go (doing couch 2 5k) helps me as it just makes it non negotiable on those days - I have to go no thinking about it!

[Candy46]

Sorry to hear you’re finding it hard ❤️ I think a lot of C25K is mental , about making choices and deciding you are going to do it. I have seen myself get up and be getting ready all the time not knowing if I have decided to go for a run but have decided to ‘go through the motions’....I have always gone for the run. I prefer to run in the morning but can’t always do this logistically. So sometimes, like today I take my kit to work get changed there and then run before I get home.

If you have decided to do this you want to make changes.....this is just one day....just keep telling yourself to do one more run...that has really worked for me. Keep checking this forum as well....so helpful. Good luck 😍

[Sambenjoe]

Thanks for all of the advice. Start again tomorrow........hopefully

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

Welcome to the forum! 👋

Which week are you on? Enjoy a good rest this evening, but do a bit of strength & flex. Put all your gear out ready for tomorrow. Decide on your route and download some fab music all in readiness. Once out there tomorrow relax and embrace the feeling of shaking off the days troubles. 💝

[Distance]

Hi Sambenjoe,

I have switched to morning run's as evenings are too dark now. Find 2 days where u can start work later or set alarm earlier & do the 3rd run at the weekend.

Good luck!

[Alast]

I have to do my running in the mornings as not only would it be difficult for me to fit it in any other time of the day, I know that I would have thought of a number of excuses why instead of going out this evening I'll go tomorrow! In my running days I just set my alarm for an hour earlier than I usually get up, brush my teeth, put on my running clobber (that I've set out the night before) and go. This gives me time to do my run, get home & recover etc. and then get ready for work at my usual time. The other advantage is that on these days I feel much better due to the run, work is almost tolerable!

[Reviewer2000 Graduate]

I have been thinking about your post. I am fortunate not to have many restrictions on my time, so it is only down to motivation to get out. I have just finished W6 (very tough for me).

Straight off, good on you for looking for motivation - you want to do it but it's just that bit more that you need. At the end of W6 they say, I think we can call you a runner, but I'm not, really. I just about made it to the end of the session and probably looked to most people like I could walk faster than that, but I got out, and I did it, and that's more than I did 6 weeks ago. So perhaps just focus on that, that it's about getting your shoes on and getting out.

The other thing you mentioned is your diet. I definitely have experience of that. I'm not sure of the details behind your comment, but after some thought it occurred to me that maybe you just want to focus on one step at a time. Maybe get the momentum going again with the running first, and then when you are in more of a rhythm, turn your attention slowly toward your diet (or maybe the reverse). I don't know what the issue is, but for me, to help weight loss, I have decided to try to reduce my alcohol and junk food intake. That probably sounds like a low-level objective - I'm not even cutting it all out - but it's better than doing nothing and ignoring those habits (esp the junk food. Goodbye to crisps dinner.) It makes me feel a little bit better about myself.

Wishing you the best. And now I will quote my app trainer, Laura. YOU CAN DO THIS! 😃

[Beany123 Graduate]

Could you go with someone else? Or a group? That way you are less inclined to let others down. I am currently doing Wednesday nights with club and Saturday parkrun. I need to get a third one in but am not at moment!