If you can’t motivate to go to the gym
It might be because you find the gym boring
Find a sport or an activity that:
Isn’t boring (to you)
That has a positive non toxic community
You’re interested in learning or getting better at
Is high adrenaline
Is something that’s more interesting to talk about than lifting weights or running on a treadmill like a hamster
Edit: some people enjoy the gym so I have updated
I find the gym to be a struggle for sensory and boredom reasons. I've figured out some decent activities for cardio like exploring hiking trails with slopes and sup boarding around, but weight bearing exercise is harder for me to make interesting. When I'm in nature I can keep pushing easily because there is always novelty in what the flora, fauna, and fungi are doing, but not sure how to incorporate weights. I understand that weight bearing exercise has its own list of benefits and want to make it work for me, but every format I've tried so far has been too boring to keep me from focusing on how much my muscles are burning and how I can stop and do something else.
Any recommendations on how weight bearing exercise could be more of an adventure? Btw I have worked in warehouses and loved moving heavy things around for a purpose but that seems more complicated to do at home or in public.
Has anybody tried it? Any tips appreciated.
I just got diagnosed last week (33F) with inattentive ADHD. Went through options for meds and landed on Vyvanse. First day I took it, I also had my regular cup of coffee in the am and then went to teach a fitness class (high intensity aerobics + strength training). Holy smokes. That was the most intense day I had 👀 besides that, I’ve had Vyvanse + worked out two other days. It helps me remember choreography and I feel like I am present with my class. I teach maybe 2-3x/week, but grew up dancing and cheerleading… then once I certified as a fitness instructor (before kids) taught basically every day or took a class. Now that I have three kids, i don’t have as much time as what I used to, so it honestly makes sense why my symptoms were “masked” for so long/I learned how to cope.
Getting to my question, are there any other fitness instructors? I am considering getting certified in something else so that I have other options (and can get paid more), but also don’t know if I choose to go that route, to continue with Vyvanse. The days that I teach a fitness class my brain feels like it’s working 100% versus the days that I don’t. And if you are a fitness instructor, what do you teach and do you take some kind of medicine?
I had a good routine for the last 1 1/2 years.
Go to Hotworx 3x / week, after work. I started with only the HIIT sessions, which were a great starter since I was usually alone in the small saunas. Eventually I got brave enough to use the weights area and started lifting with dumbbells and using a cable machine. Building muscle is fun and addicting. I just want to get stronger! So I loved what I had going and it was working for me in most way.
But Hotworx is expensive ($65/month) and I'm tired of not being home until 7pm 3x a week. I feel like I have no time for other things in my life. (Already struggling with executive dysfunction makes the time I DO have seem even less, because sometimes things just take me so long to start.)
So I want to start working out in the morning with a friend, and we decided on a different gym (which is also cheaper, yay!).
However, I have to start all over now and be a complete beginner, which is really hard for me. So that's already one area of friction I'm having to overcome.
Not only that, but working out in the morning is more "work" than in the evenings. There's no lollygagging, and I can't just jump into the shower and PJs after I'm done. No, it's all about efficiency so I'm presentable and not late for work. I have to get ready ready, you know?
So it's very daunting. Changing to mornings when mornings are tough for me. The extra hassle of having to get ready for work after working out, and be snappy about it so I'm not late. Being new and not knowing the layout/machines/people.
So what I'm asking for: any tips to reduce friction, anywhere.
Buy a second set of makeup, straightener/hair dryer, hygiene products that live in my gym bag so I'm not always moving that stuff around.
Keeping shower supplies in a locker at the gym.
Having everything ready the night before.
Etc Etc etcetchelpmepleaselol