Thursday, June 4, 2009

Workout Sabotage

Workout Sabotge! Sound familiar?
Most of the women that i know are genuinely interested in their health and desire a regular fitness regimen that provides them with safe and effective exercise for a healthier future. Sadly, many of these women do not (as i prefer to say) show up for their health on a consistent basis. The reasons/excuses are endless. Although many of their reasons are valid, the real issues are never addressed. Time continues to pass and the commitment to be and live the healthiest possible life for you is never fully achieved. At some point in our lives we will all be faced with the inevitable....it is to late! So what are you waiting for? What is holding you back? Why do you sabotage your desire to be healthy and strong? I know we can help each other with these challenges, but you must be willing to be brutally honest with yourselves. Without honesty about ourselves , success is nearly impossible! I developed this website to help women realize their health and fitness potential. I want all women to know that it is possible to overcome the obstacles that stand in our way. We have created many of them...we have the power to move them out of our way. You have the power to be fit for your future!!! Please share you thoughts!

18 comments:

  1. Al, your energy and enthusiasm is contagious--without you I don't know where I would be. When I started training with you 10 years ago I was of the mindset (like so many women) that every other day or three days a week of working out was OK, good enough and adequate. Where did that even come from? I don't know. However, over the years I have made working out an almost daily habit and I feel healthier, happier, more confident and more fit because of it. I used to think that I just morphed into this habit over time but really that is not the case. In reality it was your special way of saying "So what are you doing tomorrow?" and "Will I see you the day after?" Or "If you don't want to work out let's just go for a walk" (!!!) And there was the "Are you coming to my class?" "Let's try yoga!" and "What do you mean you don't want to come today? Just come on!" So my point is, Al, that over time your enthusiasm and energy became contagious and if it weren't for you, who knows? Keep up the greatness! Love ya, Joy

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  2. Exercising as well as eating is often more of an emotional issue than physical. Each of the questions you pose need to be taken separately and answered to begin the journey of why we sabotage ourselves. The biggest obstacle I face presently is self motivation. What suggestions do you have to help with this obstacle?

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  3. Hi Debra, thank you for responding to "workout Sabotage" I agree there is a strong underlying emotional component lurking when it comes to sabotaging our efforts to stay positively focused on our health and fitness everday. Maintaining a regualr fitness regimen can be challenging, at times. Giving up is just easier sometimes!Perhaps, our motivation needs to come from somplace other than losing a few pounds or fitting into skinny jeans. We need a goal that will hopefully carry us well into our future. Feeling and looking good today is important, no doubt. Being healthy and feeling strong for our future is also important. As women, we want to have enough energy and strength to enjoy our children, grandchildren and many wonderful activities and events. Perhaps looking ahead to a healthy future will provide you with some much needed motivation to stay with or begin your health and fitness program. Continuing this necessary dialogue is very important...many women share your feelings Debra. I hope to continue this discusssion...there is so much more to talk about. This is only the beginning. Namaste

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  4. My motivating moment came hen I realized the long term benefits of being fit. Like what I want to look like not in my 50's but in my 80's...that was powerful for me.

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  5. Allison -- you are such an inspiration! I'm re-starting a fitness regimen after a long-time hiatus and can't seem to shake the mental "oh...you can just skip it and do it later" mindset. I know I CAN get up and work out in the mornings (and I always feel GREAT after I do it), but it's just SO HARD to drag my a$$ out of bed.. HOW DO I DO IT?!?!?!?

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  6. Sounds to me like you may need a plan for the morning that involves a commitment to a trainer,class or a workout buddy. Often, when we know someone is counting on our presence, when we feel connected to a group or another person, being accountable to someone other than just ourself we are motivated to show up...to be there! This not only helps others but it helps us as well. It feels good to be needed and wanted. Give this a try and let me know how it works out. Be in charge...get your own group together. Empower yourself in the process. If you need some suggestions....just ASK! Good luck!

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  7. allison, like your comment to sheldel; i know it helps alot when i know i am expected to show up! you can't just do a blow off when people expect to see you......thanks for everything. good luck, sheldel

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  8. Just a note to Bonnie: I loved what you wrote. I felt it was very inspiring and I look forward to your next article. Namaste

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  9. Working out needs to be part of your daily routine. People always ask..How do you stay fit? Well just like you brush your teeth, comb your hair and go to work , you need to plan for your workouts and incorporate them in your day! 20 minutes is better than 0! I love Mondays and Thursdays becasue I know Alisons class will be challenging and different everytime. It also helps to have your cheer team routing for you on the sidelines so grab your friend, your sister or someone on your same plane so you can motivate each other to get to the next level of fitness... and believe me there is always a higher level!

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  10. Great advice Karen! Everyone needs a cheerleader....one friend or ten! Just knowing that someone is cheering you on in life is so comforting and inspiring. Have a great day! P.S. Not so sure about the teeth brushing.... i still know adults who do not brush their teeth every day! Yuck!!!

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  11. Great comments
    Exercise is so important for your health

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  12. The last comment was actually posted by a wonderful client of mine...she used my computer., and my email name was auto generated. I am working on a full blown article about Workout Sabotage and all of the complexities involved. Hope to have it up next week. Hope you are all doing well! Remember.....You get Stronger...just by Trying! Keep up the tough work...it is worth every calorie burned. Namaste

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  13. I was thinking about some of my clients and how they often struggle in the mornings...getting out of bed... let alone working out feels close to impossible for them. My phone rings at 800 am and inevitably it is a client who is scheduled to workout with me within the hour. She is not feeling well today ! Migraine coming on, restless night, backache, stomach distress, knee hurts, elbow hurts, toothache,so many errands,need to get to the doctor to many phone calls...etc. they talk...i listen....i tell them they will be okay....i encourage them to get up ...this may take 10 minutes...eventually they make the workout happen. I am so glad i made it...i feel much better...can i go now????

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  14. There were days in the past that were hard for me to get out of bed too. I have a great metaphor that has helped me immensely. Imagine a old, sloppy but comfortable pair of shoes. These shoes no longer support me nor do they help me move where I want to go. But they are familiar; I know exactly how they feel. Now I have a new pair right next to these old ones. The new shoes can help make me feel good, look good and move with confidence. I just have to be willing to try them on. I used and use this "exercise" whenever the feeling comes up (which is seldom now) and have been successful with it.
    I just have to be willing to try on the new pair - or be willing to try on the new behavior (regular exercise). For shoeaholics, this may not be as valid for you :) but you might be able to find your own metaphor for metamorphosis!

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  15. I love a great metaphor...this is great! Thank you for your comments!

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  16. I have been reading various fitness blogs and i ahve noticed that the majority of them target workouts for the bikini beach ready babes. And while this is fabulous most 40-80 year women do not wear bikinis held together by dental floss. Well, some do and i say "more power to you". But, what about all the other women...just ASK me, i am 50 and i have many reasonable suggestions and workouts for you! Read more on our website this coming week! Send me your questions and comments! Allison

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  17. I lost 20 pounds. I am very pleased with my motivation and progress and am close to my goal. I am noticing, however, as summer inches towards Autumn, I feel very anxious. There will be some changes - kids going off to college, possible new job - these don't worry me. For some reason that I don't know, I want to eat all day long. So far, I've turned to walking more and low cal-high fiber foods but WHAT GIVES?! And how do I get over this hump?

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  18. Feeling anxious and unsure of yourself is very common as summer begins it's decline and autumn moves closer. You have obviously found a very comfortable and successful routine for yourself. Good for you! No reason to stop now! Try writing down your feelings/concerns along with a detailed program for yourself for the fall season. Make a new plan! Eating high fiber foods is a great idea...stay connected to friends...do something special just for you each day! These things really do help! Keep me posted on the blog....i will help and guide you through this shakey time. Congratulations on your weight loss....this is awesome. Remember, you are a wonderful inspiration for other women everyday! Allison

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