I started exercising (haphazardly) by doing the "M&M" trick. I read an article decades ago that stated an office worker who had a bowl of M&M's on their desk was more likely eat the bowlful than if the bowl was some place where they had to get up and walk to it (even if it was a mere 7 feet away). So, I started keeping dumbbells within arm's reach of my home office desk, and I installed a pull up bar on the door frame. While I wait for a video game to load, or am watching a YT video, I'll do 10-15 reps. Whenever I step out of the room, I'll do a single pull up, and one more when I re-enter. Yeah, I'll never be a "body builder" at this rate, but I figure it's better than sitting at my desk doing absolutely nothing. And I can do 5 pullups at once now, compared to 1/10 of one on the day I first installed the bar! 😁

I love how human your approach is. It makes me feel better about struggling, too many KZfaqrs seem too perfect in terms of productivity and while that may be great for them I find it hard to relate to and follow.

I found a very simple mental trick that always worked for me in terms of exercise. Whenever the thought of exercising entered my mind, what followed was an internal debate about whether or not I should go (do I really have time today, I have all of these other pressing things I need to do, I'm tired, etc). So, I made the decision that the moment I began debating whether to exercise, that I would stop thinking and begin walking over to get dressed to work out. Stop thinking, start changing clothes. It works for me. I've only ever used this device for exercise, but I procrastinate in other areas of my life. I've never considered adopting a similar solution for other things I delay doing, because I just thought of it as my exercise activator. Something about this video sparked me to think broader about it though, so thank you!

You are teaching the CBT that I can't afford yet in my life. Thank you Elizabeth!

You went back to using your photos for thumbnails instead of AI generated pics 🧡

“Watching this while desperately trying to stop procrastinating by watching KZfaq”-button (Where my ADHDers at??)

In stoicism Marcus Aurelius suggests taking a task and breaking it down. First do the first half and then do the second half. If you have to wash a sink full of dirty dishes first wash the knife, then the fork, then the plate and so on don't look at the entire job just at the peice of the job at a time. Also in stoicism Epictitus suggests, "Fortify yourself with contentment for this is an impregnable Fortress." Therefore get rid of all your doubts and thoughts and fortify yourself with contentment then move forward.

One of the things that helps me out with automatic thoughts is, after noticing they're there and what they are, repeating them to myself out of context, often out loud. That also tends to break the usual chain reaction. Being like "oh man, I have to go to the gym" when it's like, Sunday and I know the gym is closed on Sundays allows me to analyze the thought more easily, as I don't believe it at that point in time. That might not work for everybody, as they might just recontextualize into the next time they have to do the thing, but it helps me a bit.

I've got the AuDHD and I used the book "Atomic Habits" to develop a practice habit for playing music. But honestly? It's haphazard and all over the place. I don't "practice violin at 12:00 every day." I just pick it up at least once a day and now feel weird when I don't.

The trickiest part in following this suggestion of yours is being able to monitor the thoughts, we are so engulfed with the automatic thought that we tend to not monitor it. Could be a good exercise though 😀

incredible, incredible insights. one of my favorite things to tell a friend repeating their negative thoughts is "YOUR ANXIETY IS LYING TO YOU" (actually there's a shirt with this phrase on it, so I just say "don't make me pull out the shirt" and send the photo of the shirt lol). I feel like everything in this very beautiful detailed video is essentially a bunch of tools to expose that lie (specifically as it relates to self-defeating anxiety about our habits), and respond to it by making both your mind and body understand that the MOUNTAIN of barriers that your automatic thoughts create.... simply isn't real. What it's saying isn't true. And not because we're burying our head in the sand, but exactly the opposite -- because the fears simply doesn't hold up to sober, logical scrutiny. Plus, I cried watching this video at a few unexpected points, one of which being the "Miracle Question" - it seems so simple, but it felt incredibly powerful to me to realize even as I watched you describe your own "miracle", that just by using our imaginations we can essentially... give ourselves a glimpse of that miracle as if it had actually happened. By describing that person, there's almost a sense of getting "in character" to understand what it would feel like to be that person, like a concentrated, instant gratification version of "fake it til you make it" - "fake it and instantly feel like you've made it" lol. As someone w/ adhd, it's hard for me to overstate how much hope that gives me that the constant feeling of dread might actually resolve one day. Without a thought exercise like that, achieving goals sometimes feels like being asked to imagine a color we've never seen, or imagine the taste of a food we've never had. It feels, quite literally, impossible-- giving you a nagging, hopeless feeling that your dreams are impossible, too. That exercise also has the added benefit of emotionally reframing the situation from "I'm running from my fears [being sedentary forever, never achieving goals of being strong, shortening my life span from lack of fitness...]" to "I'm chasing my dreams [of feeling the way that this miracle version of me feels, because I've already had a taste and realize it's possible]", which is dope lol I relate so much to the way you think, approach, and explain things and DEEPLY respect all of the hard work you put into sharing it here. thank you Elizabeth!!! WELL DONE !!!!! 🩵

Whatever breath or zephyr danced around your ankles and caused you the desire to do these vids, I put a candle in the window for, welcoming you and your insights. I've tried so many things, and I'm not saying that yours have changed my life around, but your ideas resonante and define, and have made a change -- which I've waited for many solar courses to feel. Thanks.

It's funny to me how ubiquitous insecurities are, especially about arbitrary things, and especially when we have every right to feel confident and self-assured about it. Especially coming from someone like you. I guess we all have our stuff. Thanks for the great content and tips.

The miracle question and hypocrisy rule is a game changer 🙌🏽 this video made me realise that I've used the miracle question for exercise for years, but why haven't I done it with reading scientific papers? Time to make some progress 🕺

Omgggg you uploaded! Your videos are so insightful for me, and so fun to watch :) I am so glad I found you as teenager, so I won't have to struggle with habits and discipline for the rest of eternity. Love You SM

Loved the Miracle Question on the email, this breakdown was strategically helpful! Always love your videos.

The Miracle Question! I just read about it recently in your newsletter and I'm so glad you addressed it in the video. Insightful, as always. PS - You have such a calming voice I could listen to you for hours, at 2x ofcourse haha.

Liz, genuinely, this video is PACKED with value. Thank you💜

I am literally in love with the fact that how helpful the contents you make are with topics that are very much needed to be talked about more, and I'm so thankful for all the effort you put to make them easier to understand and put them very neatly for us to comprehend. Wish you all the besttts.

Just found your channel a few days ago and I wanted to say thanks for making these videos! It's been really good for my mental health to understand how to really think about my ADHD and how to cope with it. I'm excited to put in to practice your life hacks!

Using weights is for gym fans, try getting a selection of Thera-bands, a range of workouts for use at home, easy ones difficult ones, any time you want, you’ll be moving every muscle, between daily schedules. Go on it’s a treat, it’s like bathing, should I say swimming, fantastic and peaceful, like resting afloat.

What you said about being insecure but being able to handle it in other areas anyway was super helpful for me. Thank you! ❤

Loved the video. I was wondering how someone who also feels insecure can have a KZfaq channel and then I realized that that's the whole point; to work out of one's insecurities. I feel the same way and have been working myself out of it. Anyway, I will have to listen to the video again because I got carried away.

Can't wait for 1 Million Elizabeth💕

I love you videos so much. the concepts and ideas you talk about are so underrated and unknown. I'm really happy to have come across your videos

One of the best videos ever created! It resonates a lot! Thanks!

Thank you so much for sharing so many of you're insecurities. It really helps put into perspective that I'm not the ony worst possible outcomes type thinker. And you're examples where very clear!

Its so real when you said that people who just did sth, don’t have these phases thoughts! I pretend to be one of that people!! Thank you so much Elizabeth ❤❤❤

Thank you soooo much, you answered exactly what I am fighting since some months now. I am sure that this viedo will help because it already changes my mind state ❤

This is a fantastic watch. Thanks Elizabeth :)

Thank you for sharing. This really helps me. Love it.

Love it! You've given me handles for tools hovering on my understanding. Thank you!

The one thing I admire you for the most is all the work you have done to understand and manage yourself! You're so inspiring! Lil question: Is your voice a little changed, or is it me?

Love the way you talk and how you deliver the message.♥

thank you! Great video!!

I love your voice we could never get sick of it although people can get bored I don't think anyone could get sick of such a sweet voice 💖.

This is was the best and most entertaining video you’ve ever done. Particularly the segment with your thought spiral for why you shouldn’t visit the gym.

Thank you so much for all your videos! They've helped me sooo much in my life! ❤️

Thank you so much for the video. Keep going. You are doing really good work.❤

One thing that I know for sure: people love watching those kinds of videos, but never change anything about their lives 😅

Another great video!

Most always plan for the worst and hope for the best. ... everything else is a pleasant surprise. Thanks for sharing your insights Eliz.

amazing concepts, thank you :)

Top job with these videos, Liz, really enjoying them. Keep em coming. I'd been interested in how CBT works for a while and this was a great overview. Interesting comment section too.

I love your channel and the content you provide.

Love love love this video!

I am so glad I found this channel

Great Video!

So enjoy to watch your video and couldn't argree more about the contents in video. I always spend time on getting new habits since I believe that will leads me to see and live in a more diverse life.

OMG I love you so much - find your final words hilarious, enjoyed that video a lot, even though I cannot apply the content of this video not one-to-one to my own live (working out at home reduces the anxiety factor I guess) but it gave me quite some impulses. However, I need a way to challenge my points more structured otherwise I will keep loosing the grip again and again. Some buddy would be helpful. Keep doing your awesome content - it's good to have someone who faces similar behavior patterns as I do.

This was massively informative. Thanks for putting it together.

Thank you so much!! your videos are so lovely

Woohoo! 🎉🎉🎉 a new video !

You are the best ❤ your content is uniquely helpful :-)

efficient as always!

This video is very on point, very informative, successful ☺️

All the things you're say are crazyy useful. I actually have a sheet by my therapist, where there are all these questions you're talking about. And they work every single time. It is for questioning the irrational thoughts that I have after something

Thank you for this 🙏

Selective obstruction. Finally I have a term for the thing I am constantly doing all the time LMAO ☠ Bless this video

I love your vids :) ❤

Not tired of your voice at all!

I really liked this video Elizabeth. well thoughts!

So proud of you ❤❤

Imagine a question generator made to either convince yourself to do a responsibilty/healthy habit or convince you not to do a bad habit

The only thing that surpasses your beauty it's your competence and your way to explain the given topic

Omg we have the same thing work-exercise thoughts, this is so helpful

its been a while Elizabeth congratulations on your success

My queen forever❤❤❤

Thank you! You too. Nice English very clear. Have a great weekend. 👍

We have very similar personalities (I think, at least), but I have a slightly different method. I usually prepare my arguments (for why I should do what I set out to do) in advance. Most of them are specific to the activity (why should I go running? It increases heart health, vo2 max, leg endurance, it'll make me feel better, etc...) One key argument which is universal to all activities is thus: "If I told someone else that these are my reasons to not do what I set out to do, would he think I'm being reasonable, or would he think I'm being a wuss?" When you're in your own mind, with your foolish emotions, "I'm a bit tired" can sound like a good reason not to go to the gym, but when you look at it through someone else's eyes, it's obviously a bad reason.

So my personal trainer - Nate - appeared on the screen at 21:02. That's cool!

Thanks so much!

Thank you so much

Thanks for sharing .congratulations 🎉

Don't Beat yourself Up. I love your voice and accent.

Wow. You are wonderful. What a great mind you have. I love your voice

much luv respect/appreciation to u

Really interesting. Would you mind sharing the tiles of some of the papers/books you used for your research? I’d be interested in reading up on this as well

Please pleeease do a video about getting good at math pleaaaaaaaaase like my comment so she can see it

Remain blessed dear ❤❤❤

I really liked this video Elizabeth. Would you consider doing one on insecurity and other ways you've had to confront it?

Thanks!

glad to hear your a gym bro now. lol. i get embarrassed to try moves especially in the beginning.

Great Lizzy, finally HABIT.

The Quatation she "Don't believe everything you think" is really impactful on such a deep level.

I like this framework. If I implemented this, if not for anything else I'd go to the gym right at the time I scheduled just avoid having to do that whole introspection lol.

Read Untethered Soul. Thank you. Love your constant curiosity and research.

I am god damn sure that I can watch you for million times. You are my community.💜🌅🏵🌝🍀🌻🌲❤

Hi there, in the "Consider" chapter you talk about stopping/pausing to think about the automatic reaction. But: How do you manage to take this mental puff from Sherlock Holmes' pipe (that's what I imagined as a remedy, when I found out about how I spiral into a freeze), as an automatic response is exactly that: automatic. I can sense the ambivalence but I cannot get into a "mindset" in which I can actually create this pause or gap between the automatic reaction and the emotional response. How did you solve that problem ?

W😮w I think I'm in love.😍 Interesting I wonder if I can apply something like this to my drinking habits.

I missed you❤

Love from Chennai India ❤

Thanks, 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

I’m very different - i love training, but i still procrastinate and often tired.

I love this. I used to have the same problem with exercise. But I solved it differently though. Have you ever tried climbing? It is more fun than exercise. And I actively have to stop myself from climbing with this process😂

You are awesome

Hahaha! I didn't blink and went to click as fast as I could ❤❤❤❤😊

I’m focusing on the wrong thing! ❤

I think I'm falling for you ❤

Hi, Elizabeth. Thanks for the great video, I've written down some of your practical suggestions. One of the links in the description is broken, it's the one to your newsletter in the main paragraph, probably due to a random parenthesis. (The one in the list of links is fine.)