to start working out!
I decided to make my friend into my exercise partner. My friend will be the positive reinforcement for my work out plan. I really enjoy hanging out with my friend, and I told him to ignore me and not hang out with me when I refuse to work out. Not only that, his house is filled with great food and TV! My house doesn't have a TV [because my mom thinks its a waste of time], and my mom and I normally don't eat at our house, so our fridge is empty. If I work out, I get to hang out with him and eat healthy, and watch TV as much as I want!
Also, I am quite addicted to my Nintendo DS Lite, and I carry it with me all the time, but from now on, if I fail to work out at least three times a week, I shall not play any games for that whole week. This might be quite hard for me because I always play games on my free time between classes, or before work.
Not watching TV, and not playing games will be my negative punishment for not exercising, and my friend not hanging out with me or ignoring me will be a positive punishment.
I actually walked 2 miles with this plan, and I plan to keep this plan for as long as it works!
According to this one website I found, cardio is the best way to start exercising, http://exercise.about.com/cs/exbeginners/l/blimplement.htm
So I plan to start by walking and running, and slowly merge into lifting weights or even lifting myself with push-ups and sit-ups.
Also, since I am quite busy [excuses... but I do have two jobs with 21 units... or was it 22...], so this article I found seems very helpful.
http://exercise.about.com/od/fittinginexercise/a/busy_exercise.htm
It talks about how to exercise in a busy schedule.
I think I'm doing most of the envolving other people in my exercises.
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Hi Iuri,
ReplyDeleteI was reading your plan and definitely it seems you are already very busy with those 22 units and your two jobs. I really admire your determination because even though your schedule is so busy, you still want to push yourself to workout. I like your plan, and I think that it is very nice that your friend has agreed to collaborate with you for your project. However, I don’t know if relaying on your friend’s company and absence as a positive reinforcement and positive punishment is the best alternative. What if for some reason your friend is not available during a week in which you met your exercising goals? Then, instead of getting the deserved positive reinforcement (his company) you would be getting the negative punishment (his absence). For this reason, I wanted to suggest maybe finding something else as a reinforcement and punishment so you don’t relay on your friend’s availability. Nonetheless, I think that having a friend as your working out partner is a great idea to feel more motivated and committed towards your goal.
I totally agree with your mom in that TV is a waste of time. Having said that, I think your positive reinforcment is the strongest part of your plan. Working out with people you enjoy hangin out with is definitely an effective strategy because often it becomes really dull to work out alone. However, I also agree with Andrea in that relying on only one person might not end up working to your advantage.
ReplyDeletewow. I really admire that you wish to work out with such a busy life. The positive reinforcement is great because it wont be lonely and is a great time to catch up on all the things you enjoy. However, Andrea's point is great advice because it most likely will happen. Something else you could do if this does happen would be to have music with you when you work out. http://www.thedietchannel.com/Music-and-Fitness-5-Ways-Music-Enhances-Your-Workout.htm - this site gives some info on how music can encourage you to work out and helps your intensity with your work out. Plus the music can help you get in a good mood and take your mind away from all the things in your busy schedule for a while. I wish you the best!
ReplyDeleteI think the websit you found is pretty good for your situation. Your life sounds so busy (two jobs and 21 units!!!), and you still want to work out. I very praise it. You have good negative punishment which is not playing any games for that whole week, but you need to make sure you can control yourself not to play it. I usually can't punish myself, but you may not have this problem. good luck.
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