Posts: 1,643
9/15/10 8:42 P

O2V - You have motivated me once again, simply by your request for help. Keep at it, I know you will meet your goals. We are here for you.

current weight: 131.0

180 166.25 152.5 138.75

125

SparkPoints: (40,849)
Fitness Minutes: (23,154)
Posts: 6,301
9/15/10 7:02 P

great, send me an SP mail. I am going to be going once a week for accountability but if you know of any groups or have any good local ideas, i am all ears.

thanks

Robert

Pounds lost: 118.0

0 41.25 82.5 123.75

165

SparkPoints: (115,149)
Fitness Minutes: (67,880)
Posts: 2,344
9/15/10 10:55 A

O2V - I know exactly what you mean. Been there, done that, have the t-shirt! I know myself and know I am just not as good alone as I am when I have someone there pushing me. When I finally "gave up" my trainer, I started strength and stretching classes which have given me that accountability. At my gym, we have to make a reservation for classes and get "demerits" if we don't cancel and are a no-show, so there's my motivation to get my butt out of bed at 5:30 am! Since you and I are neighbors, we could talk "offline" a little about specific gyms, classes, etc. if you'd like.

Sue

current weight: 4.0  over

5 2.5 0 -2.5

-5

Posts: 252
9/13/10 6:44 P

I was going to suggest that you try the buddy sessions with a trainer because you can usually get a good deal with that and then you both get training, but since you said your schedules don't mesh than that won't work. I think what once a week training would be good if you could still afford that, but what I think is most important is that you don't let yourself go. You obviously know this is a fear of yours, so don't give in to it! When you are thinking of skipping a workout, think of how powerful the mind is and find the motivation. I know this is easier said than done though.
Some other good things are to schedule your workouts in a planner or something just like you would your sessions with a trainer. Or like DesertFlower suggested, joining a group is great motivation. You should check out Meetup.com, they have all sorts of groups from running to cycling, etc. depending on your area. It's all free, just input your zipcode and you can even start a group of your own.
Hope this helps, but remember that everyone is here for you and rooting you on!

Posts: 1,437
9/13/10 2:09 P

I don't know your location, but you might try looking online for active groups or "meet up" groups in your area. Where I live, there are running groups, trail-running groups, and various cycling groups that I found online. There are scheduled bike rides almost everyday -- before work, after work and usually several on the weekend. There seem to be at least 4 trail runs each week at various times and with long and short options. Anyone can just drop in to join the scheduled run or ride. I joined in the cycling groups a bit and it is great to have a group to ride with and a ride all mapped out. I've never joined the running groups, but I have used their online maps to find great trail runs to do with my dog.
For myself, I am not much of a joiner, but I find I do more when I join in a group ride, that the company makes the time go faster, and that I usually end up seeing local areas that I would never have explored on my own. . . win win win

current weight: 143.0

178 163.5 149 134.5

120

Posts: 8,524
9/13/10 9:21 A

I love your honesty ON2...

On my last life on SPARK, I reached my weight goal, was a leader of several teams, and ended up on the motivational thread pages....

Something happened though...

I still needed support, but I was the one (I thought) that was suppose to give it and BE THE EXAMPLE.

I backed away from the food tracker and SPARK wanting to BE ABLE to handle nutrition on my own.

I gained 10# back and almost STOPPED exercising (severe IT band issues at the time).

I felt like a failure...., but I kept getting these SPARK PAGE messages and e-mails about how MOTIVATING I was.

Well, I sure didn't feel motivating. So I started a new SPARK LIFE so that I would NOT HAVE TO BE the motivator all the time...

In hindsight, I should have asked all those people I knew for help...I should have been HONEST with myself... and asked. I should have asked SPARK COACH JEN to take my SPARK PAGE off the motivational pages.

This is such a great place for support....

I have a lot of respect for someone who can both be a great LEADER and MOTIVATOR and also be HONEST, just like you ON2!!! What a gift!!!

Edited by: SEABREEZE63 at: 9/13/2010 (09:23)

current weight: 132.0

138 135.25 132.5 129.75

127

Posts: 17,897
9/13/10 9:16 A

You can probably find or start a team here for accountability. I also find that tracking my workouts using the online tools here is great motivation.

Also, I am surprisingly motivated by my honey. He has only just started working out, but there have been a few days when I wasn't really feeling like a workout, but because he was going, I went too!

Good luck - you can do it!

SparkPoints: (34,601)
Fitness Minutes: (49,969)
Posts: 8,170
9/12/10 9:12 P

Give yourself time to adjust to being your own coach. This might work as it did for me. I was involved in a Tri Club that was awesome and so encouraging. The coach and the others were highly motivating. It stopped meeting just before the first triathlon and would reconvene the following February. I couldn't wait....and then....the coach got a bigger better job and the Y couldn't find anyone else to do it, so it dissolved. I honestly didn't know what I would do without that class. But I started training myself... By now, I basically knew what to do. All of last year I did it alone and was fine! This year, I met someone who has his own Triathlon club with no dues, etc.....just show up for group rides, runs, and show up at Masters Swimming.

So....maybe you can find some like-minded people and do group workouts if you are looking for some extra motivation. Are you on Facebook? Post it out there...friends wanted for fitness... Or at the club...ask around?

But as was said on here....WE AT LEAST ARE HERE! Sign in and let us motivate one another on!

Good Luck!

Pounds lost: 7.2

0 6.25 12.5 18.75

25

SparkPoints: (40,849)
Fitness Minutes: (23,154)
Posts: 6,301
9/12/10 9:11 P

my crazy work schedule will not really allow for a buddy program. however she is going to work with one of her friends on a buddy program so that will help.

Pounds lost: 118.0

0 41.25 82.5 123.75

165

SparkPoints: (40,849)
Fitness Minutes: (23,154)
Posts: 6,301
9/12/10 9:08 P

Thanks for all of the input, I think for at least over the winter, I will go to once per week just for a weigh in and a good push and take the saved $$ and spend it on my honey. she has gotten started with a package a few weeks ago and have already told her that I would spend whatever needs to be spent for her to reach her goals. I guess I am feeling my own insecurities.

thank you so much, you guys are da bomb!

Pounds lost: 118.0

0 41.25 82.5 123.75

165

Posts: 2,176
9/12/10 9:00 P

One other thought...Check and see if your club has a 2-fit where both you and your wife can work out together once a week and then she can go it alone w/the trainer the other 2xs a week!

current weight: 112.0

115 112.5 110 107.5

105

Posts: 12,316
9/12/10 8:55 P

How about having your wife give you that pat on the back especially since she will be training too. You could support each other. My husband plays that role for me.

Pounds lost: 42.6

0 20 40 60

80

Posts: 2,176
9/12/10 8:48 P

I have a trainer I love too. Just b/c you stop doing the personal training doesn't mean this trainer won't still check in w/you to see how you are doing. I am assuming you will still be going to the gym and you will still see your trainer while there. If she is someone who is a REALLY good trainer she will still chat w/you when she sees you and will ask how you are doing. I finished my training package and have decided to not do another one right now and my trainer still texts me to check in every few weeks. When you form a relationship w/a trainer over as long a period as you have been going they have an investment in you even if you can't train at the moment! Does she teach any of the classes at the gym? If so, take one. You will still have the time...even if you have to share it and she will keep you motivated.

And, you always have us here to pat you on the back, cheer you on and encourage you to go farther!!!

current weight: 112.0

115 112.5 110 107.5

105

Posts: 13,559
9/12/10 8:42 P

I run 3X per week and finally started doing workouts with a trainer 1X per week
2 & 3 X would get expensive.

Why dont you try switching to only 1X per week with trainer and do the other 2 sessions on your own. This will also allow for budget your wife can go sessions 2 X per week

OR

try completely on your own giving your wife a try of 3X per week, if you find youre slacking you can always do 1X per week with trainer like I suggested.
Ive tried both and the trainer pushes me harder than I can ever do on my own I dont need the pat on the back per say but the push during my workout

John

Edited by: FREEDOMSTAR at: 9/12/2010 (20:46)

current weight: 184.0

222 211.5 201 190.5

180

Posts: 7,356
9/12/10 8:39 P

And that is exactly what we are here for - to support, to cheer, to give the pat of the back and to give the push if need be. So I say - YOU CAN DO IT! Give your wife her chance with a trainer and prove to yourself that you can do this. Standing by to hear results and if you want to check in weekly or daily or how ever often you need to - I am here!

current weight: 124.6

126 124.5 123 121.5

120

SparkPoints: (40,849)
Fitness Minutes: (23,154)
Posts: 6,301
9/12/10 8:34 P

I am currently working with a personal trainer and have had good results. I also have an attachment with this person simply because she has helped me through alot. i guess i am feeling like it is time to move on, after 3 36 session packages, if i dont know how to workout by now, i never will.

my issue is that I want the accountability since I still have a long way to go weight wise. my wife is just starting with a training package and frankly, I would dump mine in a heartbeat to make sure she can get off the ground and moving in the right direction, I cannot afford for both of us to go 2 or 3x per week.

on the one hand, its obvious, she should go and i should move one and go it alone. on the other hand, i need a pat on the back and someone in my corner to cheer me on once in a while. maybe i am afraid if i do, i will go down the toilet and all of my hard work and money spent will go down the drain. this is a question only i can really answer but sometimes i need input from my friends. i have friends but none of them are really into fitness and would not understand the way you guys would.

Pounds lost: 118.0

0 41.25 82.5 123.75

165