INTJs and Exercise Program?

[INTJMom]

Are there any INTJs here who have been successful with an exercise/weight loss/muscle-toning program?

I'm 48. It has to be low impact because of a bad back.
Migraine meds deteriorate my muscles, so I can't strain myself,
but I need to build my strength back up.

How do you psyche yourself up for it?

[GirlAmerica]

darlin...read my lips...............elliptical! (mine works upper and lower body)
It changed my life.

My (blue) jeans have completely changed shape (if you know what I mean).
I do it for 20 mins every day that I can...and I LOVE IT!

I spent about $1200 and it is in my bedroom...so, I hop on it first thing in the AM and shower. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! worth every freakin penny.

I decided on it because of having had knee surgery when I was in high school, and it bothers me more and more as I get older.

[Usehername]

I vote for a rowing machine.

They work more muscle groups than any other sport. And they are cool. And you can sit while working out

Seriously--I have never looked more toned and hawt than when I was really into rowing. Your legs and core will be very surprised. And your arms will get perfectly toned (but not gross and buff). Becuase it's more your other muscle groups than your arms. Your back muscles, core muscles, leg muscles, etc. etc. etc.

[INTJMom]

Originally Posted by GirlAmerica

darlin...read my lips...............elliptical! (mine works upper and lower body)
It changed my life.

My (blue) jeans have completely changed shape (if you know what I mean).
I do it for 20 mins every day that I can...and I LOVE IT!

I spent about $1200 and it is in my bedroom...so, I hop on it first thing in the AM and shower. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! worth every freakin penny.

I decided on it because of having had knee surgery when I was in high school, and it bothers me more and more as I get older.

Thank you.

Does it help strengthen your stomach muscles?

How long did it take for you to start enjoying it and doing it regularly?

[INTJMom]

Originally Posted by Usehername

I vote for a rowing machine.

They work more muscle groups than any other sport. And they are cool. And you can sit while working out

Seriously--I have never looked more toned and hawt than when I was really into rowing. Your legs and core will be very surprised. And your arms will get perfectly toned (but not gross and buff). Because it's more your other muscle groups than your arms. Your back muscles, core muscles, leg muscles, etc. etc. etc.

That sounds good, too.

[GirlAmerica]

Originally Posted by INTJMom

Thank you.

Does it help strengthen your stomach muscles?

How long did it take for you to start enjoying it and doing it regularly?

As sad as this sounds...I have to set it in my mind the night before that no matter what (hell or high water) I am going to do it.
I also have found that doing it to a video (music) channel helps..because if I can last about 5 videos I have my 20 minutes in.

I started about 2 months ago...and thought I would have to call the medics in after 3 minutes on a low level...now I am up to a moderately high level for 20 minutes.
I also have to have certain things to make me comfortable...each and every time.

1. water near by CHECK
2. Carmex on my lips CHECK
3. fan pointed on me on low CHECK

somehow this routine sets the mood........boy, I sound complicated!

Honestly, because I only did what I could comfortably...I never found it really all that bad. I commited to work up and not burn myself out.
So far...it has worked....

You will have to let us know if/what you decide.

Maybe we could do a diet buddies thingy for the new year.
I would love to drop about 10/15lbs.....

It would be fun!

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by INTJMom

How do you psyche yourself up for it?

It's just a matter of selecting a program and a schedule and going ahead with it. Once you get into a good routine, you can just put your body on auto pilot and daydream. You get to achieve something beneficial to sate your Jness while staring off into space. I like that about it.

Seriously, I know it's pat, but the hardest part's just getting started and developing momentum. Like many things in life, I've found it to be much easier than people make it out to be.

Edit: you should PM Metamorphosis. He's MBTI Central's resident Hans and Franz.

[Xander]

MY INTJ friend went from an overweight lad to a marathon runner though that's a little high impact probably.

The thing that occurs to me is that wouldn't you be better having something which you need to exercise for? Then exercise is solving the problem rather than being a thing in and of itself.

[Santtu]

I'm training for marathon with an INTJ, and he's extremely slim. His running pace is pretty decent too.

He has some training program he uses combined with a heart rate monitor. So his computer tells after each exercise whether his heart rate was in the correct range for the planned time; each training day is there for a purpose.

He follows the schedule quite religiously. One time it was raining at a rate of 1/4 inch per hour, and a wind of 30feet/s. Temperature of 37F or so. He had a scheduled training session of 4 miles of running at a moderate pace for that day - so I guessed he would want to cancel it when asked. Do'h, no!

So I wore my waterproofs and went for the run. We got our feet wet, tho.. and the almost horizontal rain on my face was also quite uncomfortable.

He seems rather motivated to do his exercise. Shall I ask him how he got himself so motivated?

[Natrushka]

Originally Posted by INTJMom

Are there any INTJs here who have been successful with an exercise/weight loss/muscle-toning program?

I'm 48. It has to be low impact because of a bad back.
Migraine meds deteriorate my muscles, so I can't strain myself,
but I need to build my strength back up.

How do you psyche yourself up for it?

You just do it, to steal an overused quote

You lift weights and you eat right if you want to put on muscle. Muscle growth is primarily about a calorie surplus and partitioning, you eat the right foods and you do the right exercise and with some hard work you achieve body recomposition.

Stumptous.com has some good advice for older women - for anyone actually. This was written for older women, however:

Old broads (that's her title, not mine!)

And don't fear the words "muscle" or "gaining muscle". "Muscle tone" is a four letter word. Tone simply means tension a muscle is under while at rest and it's the same thing has 'muscle growth' or <shudder> "sculpting". The myth of 'getting hyoouge' is just that - a myth. Women are from the planet Estrogen. Men are from the planet Testosterone. And older women, well, planet Testosterone is so many light years away it's not even worth discussing. You won't get hyouge. You will get stronger, feel better, and have more energy.

And it's bloody fun to lift heavy things.