Music has been a staple conditioned reinforcers since before I can remember. For most music becomes reinforcing through pairing with our parents (them singing to their babies or playing music). I was lucky to have music be reinforcing in several different aspects of my life.
First was my parents taste in music. Sure I grew up burning a hole in The Little Mermaid Soundtrack (a ginger who had fabulous hair and NO freckles) but I also was exposed to The Doors, The Beatles, Grateful Dead, Little Feet etc. My dad went to Woodstock when he was 18 and also had been playing drums as a hobby. Later on my younger brother picked up the drums so now you hear someone practicing in the basement almost every night. My mom did not play an instrument but she does have a great appreciation of dance and letting us kids jam out for hours.
Another life event where music played the star role was when I was 3 years old. I had been born with leg issues where my feet turned in. Not to the point of needing surgery but there were really cool corrective shoes. When I turned 3 my pediatrician suggested that I took dance classes. Flash forward to my first dance recital where I was in a ballet dance called "Benny The Magic Bunny" I was hooked. During the recital I was at the end of the line and the dance ended with walking in a straight line off the stage. My mom still remembers how much I practiced "One, two, three, four, hop, wiggle your bum". The rest of the class did not get the picture so I was still on stage after the music had ended. No problem I would just walk and wiggle in place upping the cute factor. I got to make a bunch of friends, dance around, had fun, and my tutu had a bunny tail on it. To this day I still love listening to music from previous recitals and attend dance classes.
In high school music threw another reinforcement contingency. High school theatre program! I auditioned for the spring production of 42nd Street expecting to be in the back row of the chorus line. To my shock and horror I got a speaking role. After several rehearsals I was feeling great. Another new group of friends, new skills learned, and a hobby. Didn't hurt I met my boyfriend through the program either.
So let's raise a glass to music and it's potency as a reinforcer. Now who wants to dance?
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
New Year- New Contingencies
One issue I have been struggling with since getting out of school is getting enough exercise. My lack of motivation has really done a number on my self esteem (how reinforcing my appearance is to myself-self mediated reinforcement y'all). So here are a few of my changes that have increased my responding.
1. Mix it up: I have been signing up for everything lately. From dance classes, spin, swimming, and work outs online I do not allow myself to get bored.
2. Make options available in each setting: I have a workout system at home (dailyburn.com you can try it out for free for a month) where you can pick and choose any type of workout you want. Then at the gym I do a 10 minute cardio warm up three 7 minute work-outs (1 minute of 7 different weight training exercise).
3. Have a buddy: One way that I have been staying committed to getting to class is having a friend go with me. You feel like crap if you leave a friend high and dry to curl up and watch Netflix. So call a friend who is interested in a class and make sure you get there. I tell myself you wouldn't skip a meeting a work- don't skip a class.
4. Progress is Progress: I cannot do push-ups. So I have to start at the easiest variation. Does it stink that I am not great at it? Yes, but soon enough I will not need to vary push ups if I stay consistent.
5. Get your funk on: There is nothing worse than going to the gym and forgetting your head phones. I love to mix up my work out playlist. There are so many songs that make you work a bit harder just based on the speed of the beat.
6. Work out clothing: Make putting on sneakers and a yoga pants reinforcing. I am not saying to the point where you live in yoga pants, but find some clothing that shows your personality. I am a die hard Harry Potter and puns fan. Put the two together and it is comic gold!
So there you have it! Some aspects to consider when evaluating your motivation to work out. What type of exercise is your favorite?
1. Mix it up: I have been signing up for everything lately. From dance classes, spin, swimming, and work outs online I do not allow myself to get bored.
2. Make options available in each setting: I have a workout system at home (dailyburn.com you can try it out for free for a month) where you can pick and choose any type of workout you want. Then at the gym I do a 10 minute cardio warm up three 7 minute work-outs (1 minute of 7 different weight training exercise).
3. Have a buddy: One way that I have been staying committed to getting to class is having a friend go with me. You feel like crap if you leave a friend high and dry to curl up and watch Netflix. So call a friend who is interested in a class and make sure you get there. I tell myself you wouldn't skip a meeting a work- don't skip a class.
4. Progress is Progress: I cannot do push-ups. So I have to start at the easiest variation. Does it stink that I am not great at it? Yes, but soon enough I will not need to vary push ups if I stay consistent.
5. Get your funk on: There is nothing worse than going to the gym and forgetting your head phones. I love to mix up my work out playlist. There are so many songs that make you work a bit harder just based on the speed of the beat.
6. Work out clothing: Make putting on sneakers and a yoga pants reinforcing. I am not saying to the point where you live in yoga pants, but find some clothing that shows your personality. I am a die hard Harry Potter and puns fan. Put the two together and it is comic gold!
So there you have it! Some aspects to consider when evaluating your motivation to work out. What type of exercise is your favorite?
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