Cure for Laziness?

[nyfo]

:star:

I am / What I need
I am LAZY. I'm 5'8", 145lbs, young male. I need to get into shape, I need to work on my cardio. system and I need to build up some muscle.

Why I need it
I'm an EMT with specialization in vehcle extrication / rescue which in all reality requires me to have some muscle / stamina since there are times I'm stuck out in the hwy in full turn out gear in the heat, manipulating the [heavy] tools. In addition to this I am set to go to the police academy this approaching March.

My problem
I'm lazy. I don't have the energy to do the work out. My sleeping habits stink almost as bad as my fast food diet. How do I get my energy back? Where should I start? I know it sonds pathetic and people say if you want it that bad you'll do it but I just don't have the energy. Any pointers?

Thanks

Evan J

[Kegan30317]

Well consider this old saying The more I sweat in the gym, the less I bleed in the street

[hopefulskeptic2]

with that point (which certainly got my attention!), my first thought is that you ought to try something that would test you and expose the difference between you and someone who is fit. Maybe something where you have to compete or do hand-to-hand combat with others.
Also, try all kinds of cardio. For example, running on a treadmill is very different from running outside. Ditto with stationary bikes and biking outdoors. Jumping rope will kick your tail. Try inline skating or ice skating (I have a friend whose first time on ice skates was at the age of 37 when he started playing hockey).
If you're competitive at all (I'm lazy too, but if somebody tells me I can't do something, they're in for a big surprise - people limiting me is a huge motivator to me), explore that. At the very least, keep written track of your progress.
If you get bored easily, do something different every day. The gym is great and I'm in there with weights several times per week, but the point, at first is to get moving. Your energy WILL improve quickly.
Find someone to do it with! That should help too.
Kegan had a great point, though. Be aware that as you veg out, research has shown that you're, well, to be blunt, slowly dying and that exercise, while not stopping that process, certainly helps slow it down.
One last thing, take pictures of yourself in a bathing suit. Place those pictures next to someone's picture who you think looks great. That's a good reality check.
In fact, find someone to use as an ideal - whether it's someone who excels in a competitive sport or someone who just looks great, doesn't matter, but think how great you would look and feel if you achieved what they have!
Live long and prosper, or something.:D
Okay, sorry for the plug, but go to the library and check out the book Body-for-Life. Read it. It's not the be-all and end-all, but it's gotten a LOT of people up off their couches. It might be a good start for you.

[ppb2]

To start with, eating a fast food diet is not a good thing for gaining energy...

[Mongo]

Start off simple and work up from there.

You said you have a horrible diet. One way to increase energy is to eat better. I'm not saying (and I can't say) you should never eat some tasty fast or fatty foods. What I am saying is that you should try to keep junk out of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also, instead of sodas, beer and juices - only drink water. If you cut your junk food to a minimum and drink all water you'll feel the increase in energy. Find foods that you like and are good for you or provide nutritional value to you and eat them. Think about what you are going to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner...hell prepare them if you have time just to make it simple and avoid the temptation of eating 'easy, fast' food.

Secondly, start working out gradually. You don't need to rush out and buy a gym membership or get some fancy pants equipment. Invest in some running shoes and hit the street. Even if you just walk 30 minutes a few times a week you'll see an improvement in your energy levels. In addition to that, when you get back from that walk do some pushups and situps before you shower up. That's a start, from there if you get motivated you can seek out running advice, more advanced strength training advice....and new shoes since your will be worn out.

It won't happen overnight, but set realistic goals. You want to feel more energetic....so that's your first goal. Once you hit that, up the goal and keep moving.

Good luck!

[PaulNunis]

At best, your description of no energy, poor diet, and lack of rest is a vicious cycle, at worst it is a catalog of symptoms.
I hope you have discussed these exact issues with your doctor, and ruled out any underlying medical problems such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, low grade infections, or Epstein Barr/mono.

If so, the key to reversing the cycle is to build core strength, which will boost your metabolism, which will give you more energy to work out, which will help you rest and eat better.

Instead of working arms, legs, cardio, I would suggest that you focus on building strength and flexibility in your lower back, with a combination of lifts such as squats, deadlifts, etc, and trunk exercises such as medicine ball, Swiss ball, and so forth.

With your metabolism recharged, you could then optimize your rest and nutritional regimens, and move on to more and varied exercises later.

take care

Paul

[SgtDeen]

The key is you have to be committed to a lifestyle change, and then like Mongo says just start slowly but make it a routine. I think that old saying is if you do it for 30 days it will become a habit. Just find a time that fits in good to your schedule, and then force yourself to do some activity every day at that time.

[LongArm]

Originally posted by PaulNunis
At best, your description of no energy, poor diet, and lack of rest is a vicious cycle, at worst it is a catalog of symptoms.
I hope you have discussed these exact issues with your doctor, and ruled out any underlying medical problems such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, low grade infections, or Epstein Barr/mono.


Get your thyroid levels checked, too. That'll affect your metabolism/energy level/etc.

Other than that, I think you've already gotten reams of good advice here. Change your diet, gradually work in some regular exercise. You might start with something simple like a set of all-you-can-do pushups as soon as you wake up in the morning.....

Good luck

LongArm

[MsCoyoteKatie]

You're realizing you need to change--that's a good start. Getting your head "in the game" is very important. I also suggest reading the book "Body for Life", especially the beginning--it focuses on mindset. It also gives a good basic eating and exercise plan. Many people in the Emergency Services field have used it successfully.

I think your diet may be the main factor in your fatigue (barring any medical reasons)--the last thing you want to do after eating high fat, heavy, salt laden foods is exercise!

Secondly--maybe making yourself accountable to someone/something will help get the ball rolling:

Finding a workout partner is a BIG motivator--knowing you have to meet someone makes you go even if you don't feel like it. If you have someone on the same schedule as you--even better.

Taking classes (either at a gym, martial arts studio, etc.) gives you a specific time and day for exercise--make it a priority and schedule AROUND your classes. Most larger facilities have classes througout the day, so this will help with a changing work schedule, like yours.

A personal trainer can take care of doing both of the above--if you have the cash for a trainer, that is! Same goes for joining a group such as Weight Watchers, etc.

It takes more energy to get a ball rolling than to keep it rolling--taking these first steps will be the hardest and once it becomes a lifestyle--you'll have more energy than you know what to do with!

Stay Strong--
Katie

[PatsFan]

Walk everywhere

Take the stairs

Park far from the mall, movie theater etc

Throw out all the junk food

Drink more water

Go to sleep at a reasonable hour and get enough sleep so you arent wiped out the next day

Drink less booze

Step away from the computer :D

Good luck !

[CustomsCop]

Have you thought about getting a job?

[Sandles2Sidearm]

<h4>Start dating girls well beyond your league, or work out until you can date girls well beyond your league</h4>

[nyfo]

My job doesn't help as an EMT. I take the truck out and hide under an overpass with a small cache of cookies and fruit snacks.

As for the dating hot girls, now thats motivation!

My girlfriend offered to let me run with her, shes bangin out like 3 miles day. I went Mt Biking and totally got wiped out on the hills but it was a great work out. Thanks for everyones suggestions!

[CustomsCop]

Originally posted by nyfo
[B]My job doesn't help as an EMT. I take the truck out and hide under an overpass with a small cache of cookies and fruit snacks./B]


I mean a real job. One in which you get either a weekly or bi weekly stipend for your duties. The movie theaters is a good place to get exercise or even being mall security.

[nyfo]

I do get a bi weekly pay check hence "job"... :o