Motivation Insights - get inspired, inspire others!
View All Blog Articles | View All Motivation Articles

The DVR is my Secret Weapon

While working on my health over the past 25 years, I’ve discovered that if I want to sustain a high level of physical activity, I need to have a variety of strategies to do it. So over the years, I have tried rollerblading, bowling, tennis, dancing, basketball, rowing, kayaking, walking, weight lifting, landscaping and biking. The intimidating part is that I am not an athlete; I am a musician, so each of these experiences has been an adventure.

 

A significant lesson I’ve learned is that I need a “go-to” activity that I can count on, no matter what. So in my basement studio I have a treadmill and elliptical machine to use whenever I need. I also discovered the value of having a TV and DVR with a headphone jack so I can listen through my headphones without it blaring and disturbing the rest of my family.

Since I’ve discovered this secret weapon, I now DVR my favorite shows and only allow myself to watch them while I am exercising. Using this rewards-based approach has supported me to confront my physical activity during bad weather, late at night, and when time is at a premium.
This doesn’t mean that everyone has to purchase a piece of exercise equipment for their home to be successful with their physical activity. But I will say if you want to be able to sustain a high level of physical activity over a lifetime, having a “go-to” activity can be an incredible advantage.

What are ways you motivate yourself to do physical activity?


 

 

 

by HealthCommando on 01/05/2012 | Share Story With a Friend

tags: Weight-Loss, motivation, exercise, mood, strategies

About the Author

Jon Niehaus

Jon has worked at HMR for 25 years as a Health Educator, Senior Account Manager, National Trainer and Coordinator of HMR’s Mentoring Program. Jon is always looking for new ways to be healthy and spread the health message to others.

Comments (8) Post a comment
I too enjoy the use of my TiVo to make exercise more fun. Unfortunately as much as I would like to get a runners high or enjoy that time... I simply do not. However I do like the benefits of exercise, mentally, physically and knowing I am less likely to experience health problems like many of my friends and family do. So two birds and one stone! Thanks for sharing sir. I can totally relate.
by teresa4texas on 01/12/2012
For me its video games, I play active games like DDR and Dance Central with the family before playing some of the Core games.
by phillAtSilverscape on 01/09/2012
Jon, I don't do much PA at home - I am more of a gym rat. First, I am motivated by the way I feel and look when I am in a good PA cycle. Secondly, I love to measure progress. When I found my weight loss was closing in on my target I had to find something else to measure - Enter the Heart Rate monitor. I have really had a good time competing against myself to outdo my previous workouts and the Heart Rate Monitor has been a big help.
by ivandrago on 01/06/2012
I use the DVR for my treadmill at home but also use my iPad for workouts at the gym. I would also add that I find record keeping to be motivating--setting a weekly goal and then progressing towards that goal is very reinforcing.
by DesireeRogers on 01/05/2012
I, too, record certain shows and will watch them when exercising on home equipment. I look forward to the shows and the time I spend on exercising goes by so quickly.
by PamMorton on 01/05/2012
John, I have utilized the same type of strategy, I try to use a book that I am eager to read and only allow myself to read while on my elyptical. It makes me feel as if I have doubled the use of my time and it flies by so much faster. Thanks for sharing. Cindy . R. N.
by shortcake on 01/05/2012
I'm with you on the DVR secret weapon strategy: endless episodes of Law and Order, last night's Stephen Colbert, all while getting PA done on the elliptical. I've also starting downloading podcasts of my favorite radio shows on the iPod (e.g. This American Life)for those occasional times the weather is nice enough to walk outdoors. Jeff
by jpennerIHM on 01/05/2012
it is great to hear of strategies for activity from a non-athlete. I have seen musicians get a good work out from their performance so performing and practicing has to count for something. I have recently found that traveling with a jump rope makes getting in some high intensity activity a bit easier. It is much harder to build up reps than when I was a kid :) - Dancing around the house to some good oldies music is also a great activity that does not need special equipment.
by ChristineWeithman on 01/05/2012