In a rut can you dig me out ?

What are you some kind of panzy... why I bet you would not even give the courtesy of a reach...

 Oh, sorry... too much?

It happens buddy. If you are going to sit in it, then enjoy it for now. If you can't enjoy it, then get up. The only way out is through.

Sometimes I need that kick, or some mental carrot to help me out... but every single time is no different than the last time... it ended when I said enough, and I began putting one foot in front of the other... NO MATTER WHAT.

Spring time is right around the corner... sunshine, birds chirping, GREEN... time to get moving.

NOW HTFU CUPCAKE!!!

Wait, you need help?  Whatever happened to personal responsibility?  Just kidding of course.  

It's all about focus in my opinion.  Every time I start thinking negatively, I remember there are people with problems a million times worse than mine.  Keep busy, keep doing.  Set little goals at first.  Accomplish those goals and don't stop making goals.  When it comes to eating too much, change it up a little.  Rather than worry about volume, get rid of the garbage you don't need.  Once you're eating better foods, you can then work on volume and timing.  This starts at the grocery store.  If it's in your house, you're gonna eat it.  If you don't buy it, you can't eat it. 

btw, it doesn't hurt to surround yourself with positive people.  Limit time spent with the negative life-suckers.  They will do just that if you let them.

 Can you run?  I have found that when I swim a lot I am drawn to food more strongly.  Maybe it's just me, oh well.  When I'm running I feel great.

Laugh.  Play games.  Have fun!!!  It may sound silly or immature, but I know so many folks with sticks up their you know whats, I swear it's gotta be at least part of the reason they look so miserable.

Good luck and keep us posted.

HTFU CUPCAKE ha ha i would if i couldnt stop laughing 

We all get there from time to time. There is plenty of time to rest when you are dead... oh... no... wait one....

This was posted not too long ago. Very inspirational story, truly great young athlete.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324532004578358780883339720.html

I have found the quickest way out of myself is to help others. Perhaps pick someone and go swim/bike/run for them???

Mmmmm, chocolate chip cookies... the couch is calling...and ice cream mmmmm... 

Here you go.

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what helps me:

1) I don't really think too much about it. I schedule the workout, then do it. No think.. just do... like a robot. 

2) I track them in my training log. for some reason that log helps keep me motivated. 

According to a clinical psychologist I know, pity parties can last up to three days, then you need to suck it up.

I find watching the Kona highlights on YouTube to be pretty good at getting the juices flowing again.

ooh that's a good one.  Super motivating - especially when riding your trainer ...

Dave, like Kate said - sometimes you just have to not think about it and just do it. Put your gym bag in the car - make a workout date with a friend - do something that will get you there.

My rule is usually give it ten minutes - if you're still not into then bail.  And if in the end you still don't make it.  Okay.  You don't have to do any of this.  It's not your job

(but you know you feel better if you do!)

I just took a mental week off. I did a couple of runs during it, but my head just wasn't there. I got back on the horse yesterday and I'm feeling great.

Embrace the rut for a couple of days then get yourself the heck out of the house.  You'll feel better and once you are in a rhythm again, you'll feel fine.

I'm not fast but I'm the competitive type. Signing up for a race of any distance gets me motivated.  Also this has probably been posted before, but this is my favorite video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSC2vx7zFQ

I just got back from a 20 min run which is big for me nowadays.  I can almost feel the place in my brain that makes excuses, measures my motivation level, etc, etc and I stay out of that mental area.  The only thing I think about is getting the clothes on and out the door.  Then I plan to run 10 minutes; usually I'll do more.

That being said, I haven't gotten an even an hour of exercise in a week in a long time - probably over a month - sigh.

Well Bigdave, your question made me think about ruts and how it is possible to dig an exercise rut.  Okay, maybe this isn't a rut but just a habit, so I just exercised for the second day in a row.

I also use a lot of tricks to get myself to exercise.  One is I don't allow myself to come to Begtri unless I have something to post in training.  Someone on begtri wrote that he decided that he would only shower at the gym not at home and once he got to the gym he would wind up doing a bit of a workout; I loved that idea!

Let us know if you figure out something that helps get you out the door.

Things I focus on:

- the day before, lay out clothes for the next day's workout
- if it's an evening workout, I get home, change, turn 180, back out the door before I can settle down and make excuses

Big one:

- don't be too hard on yourself about what you missed.  You can't change what you did last week, or yesterday, or whatever.  Change what you're doing today.