Excercise and getting bored...help?

I don't mind running or going on the elliptical but I always find that I get bored after about 10 minutes, I'm not tired and could keep going but it just bores me even when i do have music.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stay interested?
Thanks =)

i am the same. try reading a book or a magazine while on those machines. the machines at the gym i go to have a little thing that holds up books/magazines i think most machines do now.

switch exercises. do 3-4 things for 10 minutes each. Treadmill, elliptical, bike, rowing machine.

do intervals. go normal pace for 2 minutes, then go fast for 2 minutes, then slow down to catch your breath, then go fast

I have the same problem - I have my own elliptical machine but I set up a little tv (or you could use a laptop if you have one) in front of it and watch an episode of something. If you pick a show that's supposed to be an hour long, that'll give you a good 45 min workout. Or if you're actually watching television and not a show on dvd, it might even last an hour :)

Unfortunately, if you're watching a sitcom, you have to be careful not to get lulled into just trudging along. Watching things with more action sequences tends to make me put more effort into the workout, at least.

some gyms have machines with little tvs on them, too. or reading a book/magazine is a great idea - unfortunately, the only problem with that is that you have to hold the book up or open, which takes away from the exercise if you've got the moving handles on your machine.

I watch tv and listen to music at the gym.  Usually at the same time.  that way I can switch between the two or focus on one and then the other. 

The other thing I do if I'm really struggling and feeling bored is use imagery....I picture in my mind what the outcomes of the exercise will be if I continue (i.e., flat abs, toned legs, whatever it is you are trying to acheive). 

We have an elliptical at home.  I listen to podcasts of science shows, philosophy shows, etc., which take my mind off the numbing boredom.  My favourites are from www.cbc.ca , and are around 50min long.

My husband is into audio books in a big way; these are often divided into 30min segments.

We're considering buying a mini DVD player to put on the shelf in front of the elliptical, but have yet to find one that supports AVI files.

are you working out at home or the gym??

 if the gym, you may want to try the group classes, i find i can do an hour in a class and not even think about the time. 

 

When I workout at the recreation center on my college campus I take a pair of headphones and a magazine. We have rows of televisions with little plugs on each machine to plug your headphones into. It gives me time to watch the news when it is on, or a basic television show (I otherwise don't choose to watch TV). But I think the magazine is the best route to go. I'm subscribed to Cosmo and Women's Health. And I just subscribed to Fitness. Reading magazine articles about weight loss, eating right and exercising are always motivating to my daily workout =P  And every machine there has a shelf that holds the magazine, as well as little knotches that hold the pages in place. So your arms are free to use the machine and your mind is occupied (and maybe even absorbing helpful information that will further motivate your healthy lifestyle)

I agree with bnm12.  I read fitness magazines while running on the treadmill.  It keeps me motivated and reminds me why I'm doing what I'm doing.  I also like to read Weight Watchers magazines because they always have before and after photos, those motivate me too.  Also, this may be weird, but I enjoy looking at the recipes in the back of the magazines (most fitness mags have them) because just the pictures of the food is enough to get me through finishing knowing I could eat all of that if I wanted right after I'm done.  ;-D

wow awesome =)
thank you so much guys, i usually go to the gym and i try and read magazines but i still get thinking like 'oh i could be doing something mroe interesting'
and i try and listen to music and watch the tv's too hahaha. i think i'm going to try the switching machines, that way i should enterating myself hopefully, and i love taking yoga so i'll try and take that more =)
anyone have any sweet tunes you listen to?