Self-Motivation

This is a great question. Most of us don't want to appear un-motivated so we don't talk about how difficult it is to muster up the energy to do anything at all, let alone exercise.

After my first mastectomy, I was very frustrated at all the things I couldn't do. I couldn't blow dry my hair (although chemo took care of that little problem), lift a cup of coffee, put on a tshirt, raise my arm over my head. I was very discouraged, then I started chemo and didn't have the energy to even be discouraged about what I couldn't do. At some point, I got tired of not moving. I started (very slowly) focusing on what I could do. Any small gain was a big deal for me. I kept doing the stretches the doctor prescribed and before I knew it, I was able to lift my coffee cup. A small victory, but I really enjoyed that cup of coffee.

So in answer to your question, I would say focusing on what you can do versus what you are unable to do will provide motivation to get you moving! Every day do a little more than you did yesterday and soon you will be unrecognizable to yourself.

I wish I had a good answer for this:) Some days, I just allowed myself to be lazy and do absolutely nothing other than lie on the couch. But, if I felt a little bit of energy, I would start small. A trip to the laundry room, a walk to the corner store, and eventually build up to walking a few blocks until my energy slowly came back.