@Kit
Haha that could work for me if I don’t go straight to work after swimming!
Make it a habit so that your day feels off without a good workout.
Azar said:
Make it a habit so that your day feels off without a good workout.
It has become a habit for me! I always feel incomplete if I skip, but mornings sometimes feel dreadful. Maybe it’s just poor sleep.
@Fionn
I have backup plans for mornings. If I can’t make morning practice, I have the option to go at lunch or later in the evening. But it’s not as easy. The morning swims are tough, especially when it’s well below freezing outside. Getting out of bed can feel impossible.
For me, I just remind myself that it’s discipline that gets me to my goals, not motivation. This mindset has really helped me.
Carson said:
For me, I just remind myself that it’s discipline that gets me to my goals, not motivation. This mindset has really helped me.
Maybe I need a specific goal for swimming.
@Fionn
Whether it’s a vague goal or a precise one, it definitely helps.
I aim to just reach the locker room. If I don’t feel like swimming once I get there, I can just turn around and go home. But 99 out of 100 times, I end up jumping in and having a decent workout.
Kiernan said:
I aim to just reach the locker room. If I don’t feel like swimming once I get there, I can just turn around and go home. But 99 out of 100 times, I end up jumping in and having a decent workout.
Haha the effort to just get to the locker room is so real! If I’m there, I wouldn’t not swim.
@Fionn
It sounds silly, but it works for me. If I can’t even make it to the building, I’ve got bigger issues.
Kiernan said:
@Fionn
It sounds silly, but it works for me. If I can’t even make it to the building, I’ve got bigger issues.
Yeah! I tell myself to just get to the pool. Even if it’s just a dip. I almost always end up swimming, and it reminds me that my day is better when I make it to the pool.
When I’m in the pool and starting to struggle, I tell myself “Just push off”. It means just push off from the wall and figure it out on the way. I’ve started applying this to when I’m at home and wondering if I should swim too. Just push off the couch or the bed. It can feel daunting thinking about packing, driving, and swimming, but just that one act of pushing off is easy to do. Once I’m in motion, everything else just falls into place.
@Zorion
This idea is useful for everything, not just swimming. Thanks!
Fionn said:
@Zorion
This idea is useful for everything, not just swimming. Thanks!
It really does! I saw a video about this mental hack a while back. It’s a simple trick, but it works.
It’s not about motivation. Motivation can be inconsistent. Dedication is what matters. Set an alarm and stick to your schedule. Days without motivation can be tough. The workout can feel less enjoyable and time-consuming, but halfway through, I tend to forget. I also enjoy listening to music while swimming to make it more fun.
I keep reminding myself how lucky I am to be able to do this. Plus, I set a low minimum distance for myself, so I don’t feel pressured to swim a lot, just enough to make sure I get in the water.
Doughnuts.
I tell myself not to overthink it.
You make it a regular thing so it becomes second nature. Plus, getting a good night’s sleep beforehand is important.