Which do you think is more effective? Negative or positive reinforcement?
Say for example, I want to work out and get in shape. I get out of breath after climbing the stairs. So, yes, I want to get in shape. I want to not be sore after working on Sundays.
But I have little to no motivation. At least not when I need to have motivation. Around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, I feel like I want to go work out. I have workout energy. When I get home from work around 6 or 7, I feel like I want to plop on the couch and not get up until I have to go to bed.
This doesn't bode well for my getting in shape.
So do I promise myself a present if I work out? Or do I have someone berate me and take something away if I don't?
I need someone who's butt kicking will get me in gear. I sure can't do it on my own. For a while I had a girlfriend who I told to call me in the morning to get me up early. Then after two days, I told her to stop! Ugh.
What to do...
21 comments:
present! present! that would work really well for me. set a goal of maybe how many minutes you will exercise each week (that way you can count going on walks, or cleaning furiously, too) then if you keep that up for a certain amount of weeks - like 6 or 10 - then you get a present. shoes anyone? :)
Remember how I don't clean anymore? But I know what you mean. I need to go on walks. It's so nice out.
I could walk to DQ. But that kind of negates the exercise, huh? I love DQ. I can't wait for my birthday to get an ice cream cake!! My favorite!
I may have to take this topic up with the hubby. He'll first of all have to keep me from buying anything for a period of time. Because I'm a really good shopper.
Maybe pick out a present that is remotely expensive. Like jewelry or Cutest Shoes Ever. Something to ponder for sure.
Maybe it has to be two-fold. I get a present if I do well, I get something I like taken away if I do badly. (aka: not do anything) Hmmm.
I don't like the berating thing. I find that after a couple of times, it actually plays on my self esteem.
Set a small goal and when you reach it give yourself a gift of some kind. Good luck :)
That makes sense, Maki...
And besides, who doesn't want more presents anyway, right?
as fun as walking to DQ would be - and as much as that would be a motivator in and of itself - it seems to kind of defeat the purpose. BUT - if you're going to DQ ANYWAY, then you should definitely walk. then you can get a bigger sunday.
I can start calling again. I'm good at singing to you. It sure made my day hearing your non-coherent words.. :) (hee hee) :)
I say start small. Have Andy drop you off at the entrance to work. That way you'll have no choice but to walk. Wear your tennis shoes and have your work shoes in your bag.
I don't want to hear any excuses!! :)
Jean...You're right, you're right. But he'd have to drop me off in the middle of the street. And I don't know that I want to be "that lady" who wears tennis shoes with my skirt & black tights.
Heather, I'd defintely be able to get a bigger sundae! But I don't think I could handle a bigger Sunday. It would be just too much for my weekends. ; )
A calorie counter can be a great motivator.
As I sit here eating sour candies...
yes you do. You know deep down inside you want to be one of them...
Noooooo!!
ha!! see??
SEE?! See what!? I don't see nuthin'!
I started walking/sometimes running to the tanning salon down the road anytime I want to go tanning. I've found that to be a pretty good motivation. I want to get brown but I am not allowed to drive to do so! I am getting tan- but good grief do my legs hurt lol
positive reinforcement works better, negative reinforcement has the very high liklihood of making you depressed.
Do you remember how in shape we used to be? Work out or run practically every day? Now that's depressing.
my gosh- tell me about it. My little 3/4 of a mile run (or walk) to the tanning salon makes me completely ache! And yet how far do you think we ran every day in track practice? Geesh, I was a sprinter and I bet I was still doing 2 or 3 miles total every day. Ok, now I am depressed too!! Oh, and I have got this lovely little extra around the middle that I just absolutely can not get rid of... but had nothing of the sort in high school. Getting old sucks lol
Yep. That's what I'm talking about. That middle blob. Boo hiss. And I figure if I don't do something about it now, I don't know if I ever will.
And trust me...if you don't do something now...that blob in the middle will just be added to when you have your first precious and adorable baby! It gets even harder to get rid of after that happens! But...running after a very active 2-year old definitely helps burn off a few calories a day! :) It's the kind of exercise I wouldn't trade for the world...but I will admit that it doesn't do a whole lot of trimming off fat.
You and Jean are hilarious. Every post, the two of you are bantering back and forth. Ha ha ha. You guys are pretty good friends, huh.
I do love me my Jeanie-bean... :)
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