Is anyone else out there having trouble with finding time and motivation in December?
It seems like from the time Thanksgiving dinner is done until the New Years Day football games are over, motivation and time are tough to find. Parties, shopping, end of the year deadlines.....blah, blah, blah. I have only been to the pool 5 times so far in December after averaging 15+ for the other months this year.
Swimming alone makes it difficult to find motivation when I am busy. Please be my "team" ... somebody give me kick in the a** to get moving again!
I actually find the holiday to be among the best times to swim. It's nice to take a break from holiday pressures, the gyms are usually less crowded (until the New Year's resolutioners show up), everyone is in a good mood and the hot tub at the end is even better since it's cold outside.
I agree that it is hard to make the time to swim (or bike or run;) ) during this season, but putting aside a few of those holiday tasks and making time for ourself is the best gift we can give and get to/from ourselves. It sure helps keep those extra pounds away!! Though this is not the season to try to lose any pounds, I have at least been able to stay even:p .
Just do it!!!
You love yourself afterwards, and amazingly, you still get everything else done!
Nancy
I was having the same problem . . . so I got on the scale this past Tuesday . . . didn't like what I saw . . . lo and behold, I made it to practice on Wed, Thurs, Fri, today and look forward to Mon, Tues etc.
my $.02
carl
Perkunas, you are so right! WOW! You need to be a motivational speaker! I'm ready to go for it! Thanks for the encouragement. You need to post more often!
Scales can be motivating. While others whine about how much or what they can eat, swimmers can take liberties that others would never consider. Swimming helps get my head in order for those gatherings with extended family that bring that unique once-a-year type of stress. Believe it or now, it's actually a time when I can find added opportunities to get to the pool. And not that I'm particularly competitive, but I enjoy training when I know others are slacking their way throught the holiday season. Think about the those in football players in bowl games, it could be the highlight of their athletic existence. We swimmers can make our next swim or race another highlight. Read the "Best Life" article about swimming, others use swimming to overcome serious challenges. Read the "Men's Journal" article about an Ultimate Marathoner - all we do is swim. Or remember the servicemen overseas that would love the chance to workout and spend time with the friends and family back in the States. Honor their sacrifice with some gutty swims. Make a friendly bet with another swimmer. Get to the pool, and find some aspect of your workout to take to the limits - there must be something you still want from your 2003 swimming that's not yet complete.
Due to the hustle and bustle of this time of year.....try swimming in the morning before you get your day rolling. If you already do....welcome to the hustle and bustle time of year!
I have just started swimming in the morning and I love it! The hardest part is getting out of that warm bed! I've found it much easier to get my swimming in during the Christmas rush because nothing can interfere with it at 5:45 in the morning! It gets me up and going and I feel great. I'm able to get more done too! I'm hooked!
