What’s up with me lately?!? I’m just not in the mood to exercise. It’s gotta be the weather, right? Winter just takes the motivation right out of me. Blah. 
This afternoon, my Just Do It method didn’t get me moving like it usually does, so I tried something new. Self magazine suggested a fun way to excuse-proof your workout with a stack of index cards. Here’s what you do: write down your biggest “get-fit barriers” on the front side of an index card. On the back, brainstorm all of the ways you can bust through those blockcades. It sounded like it might just work, so I gave it a try with my two biggest excuses: I hate winter and I’m tired.
(My “Rock Out” playlist is the one that I use to run road races. It gets me movin’! 
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Even just writing out these index cards made it easier for me to get my be-hind to the gym this afternoon. I’m hanging onto these babies for the next time I need motivation and I really don’t want to exercise.
AND… I had a pretty good workout at the gym (when I finally got myself there)! I did some strength training for my hip, followed by 35 minutes of intervals on the elliptical, 20 minutes on the bike, and 15 minutes doing abs and core work. I would have stayed longer at the gym, but the place really started to fill up.
Dinner
My husband is so funny sometimes. I do all of the meal planning for the two of us, and usually he just goes along with whatever I want to make. He just likes that I cook for him and he doesn’t have to think much about it. However, every once in awhile, he’ll insist that we add a specific meal to our weekly menu. This week it was Hawaiian Pizza– a very delicious idea! 
On the side, I had a small salad topped with balsamic vinegar.
Pizza + salad = one of my favorite meals ever!
(You can see how the Hawaiian pizza scored over on Trading Up Downtown. 
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For dessert, I had two Sandwich Thins with peanut butter and chocolate chips on top. I will forever and always love this treat!
I’m doing a little work then relaxing and reading in bed. I just grabbed the new issue of the Improper Bostonian this afternoon, so I’m looking forward to reading through it. I wonder what Ezra has to say this week?
Enjoy the evening, blog friends!
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That card idea is brilliant!!
I always find, if I’m not in the mood to workout, I remind myself ‘you only get out what you put in’; so if I want to see firm abs, I have to darn work for it! It normally kickstarts my workout, then once I start, I find I’m away on a roll and don’t want to stop
have a good evening!
There is something about those soft and chewy sandwich thins that make them so tasty! Right now my get fit excuse is that I am trying to find a new job (while I still have my other) so right now I am up at 5am doing my resume – maybe some yoga will help me get it done though!
For some reason my motivation this week has been a big fat goose egg as well. It’s weird beause I was so diligient about working out during the holidays and sticking to my normal routine that I almost feel as though I want to back off this month-the month when most people are ramping up their workouts again. But like you Tina, just focused on getting there and going through the motions and as luck would have it, I actually had a pretty strong workout yesterday. Sometimes showing up really is the hardest part.
Great little cards!
Adam is the same way. Most nights he’s fine with whatever I make, but for next week he requested steak and cheese subs. I guess we’ll be having that soon. Gotta keep the hubs happy
sorry tina but I love mal’s suggestions for meals…heheh. Those cards are great. Right now I do not want to go outside..it’s PAINFULLY cold.
What great tips! Hawaiian pizza is my favorite!! My husband is the same way…he’s just happy there’s a plate full of food in front of him, then he’ll randomly go “Buffalo chicken wraps tonight!” haha.
Hi Tina! I’m not sure if you’ve already covered this, but I don’t remember seeing it – if so, my apologies! I’m wondering if you might share some of your favorite workout tunes with us. I am always looking for new motivation, and upbeat music helps get me through. Thanks!
@Caitlin: These need to be updated, but here’s a start: http://carrotsncake.com/fitness/workout-music
That’s awesome you were able to demonstrate that the flashcard method worked! And it sounds like you had a really great workout. Getting warm in the gym is my biggest motivator right now
Pizza and salad is one of my favorite meals too! I could easily eat it a few times a week.
That pizza looks DELISH! And the index cards are a good idea, one I might have to try – the weather is probably my biggest setback right now, but I’m trying to just push through it!
Ooo! I like the excuse-proof idea! Thanks for the tip
Genius idea! I’ll definitely have to do that sometime soon, as it somehow seems like the Siren Call from my warm dorm bed is far too seductive than walking around 500 feet to go to the college gym!
I have been having a hard time working out too! Oh my gosh it’s so cold I don’t even want to move. Those cards are a good idea though. I’m gonna have to try it.
I’m going to have to try out those index cards! Some morning I just don’t want to get out of bed and work out even though I know I’ll be SOOO much happier if I do.
This past week I have been struggling to work out I sit in my work out clothes thinking of all the reasons I don’t want to do it! Those note cards are an awesome idea!
I did a blog post about this awhile back because I was always finding excuses.
Hunni is the same with meals. Occasionally he wants something but most times he’s just happy to not have to cook.
Have you tried Maranatha’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Spread. It is AMAZING. Everytime you post that snack on the sandwich thin I try to remember to recommend it. It is soooo good.
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