I try not to think about any of those things. I use workout time to focus on the present, which is a great stress reliever. It's the only time in my day that I'm present, focused and not thinking, planning, worrying about other things.

To be honest? I am thinking how bad I would love to wear a bikini and how much time I have left until I am done. Usually when I think about the bikini, I turn up my music a little louder and work a little harder.

Generally I alternate between counting down the minutes until I can finish and thinking about all the things I would rather be doing with my life than slaving away for my Ph.D. I usually conclude that I should have gone to law school for biotech patent law instead.

I'm in between. Sometimes I'll be thinking about technique, strenth, breathing... but then I'll also be thinking about my problems or current things that are happening.

strength*

I think about the levels of weights I should be doing, how long I need to spend on each cardio machine, which machines I am going to dread doing (like the leg press because it HURTS) and how long I've been there.

OK.. that takes up maybe 2 minutes of thought.. the rest of the time I'm checking out all the hot guys who go to my gym.
=D

I think about going out with my girls and dancing to the music i am working out to.

I think about going out with my girls and dancing to the music i am working out to.

i'm a writer, and i have a tendency to work out the kinks in short stories or plot lines, and because I'm listening to music, they turn out very dramatic.

this is my bad self-image speaking, but i'm usually thinking how fat i look in the gym mirrors

I think about a mix of the above I guess.

One thing I love to do though is watch a sporting event while I do my cardio- it makes me work out harder! I think its because I feel like I can make my team play better if I work out harder; plus watching all those fit athletes makes me want to be fitter.

Oh no purrtykitty! When I get frustrated seeing my pudge I like to lift weights in front of the mirror so at least I can see my (still small, but growing!) muscles on my arms work and then I feel like Im getting there in terms of getting in shape. I think you just have to accept youre not perfect and youve gpt a ways to go but hey at least youre working on it!

i actually zone out, especially when i'm doing cardio. i can't meditate when i try to do yoga because like 800 things run around in my head, but during cardio, my brain just turns off.

I depends on what kind of work out. If I'm running then work, studies, everyday stuff as well as controlling my breath and counting steps.
If it's an aerobics class all I can focus on is keeping up with the steps/movements. Quite nice to spend an hour and a half not thinking about anything else.

depends on the mood on i'm. if it's yoga, then i'm concentrating fully on the class (although sometimes i get distracted with daydreaming during savasna!) and if i'm running, it's a combination of errands i need to run, any problems i'm having in my life and wishing my cardio session would end already!

All of the above!

When I really need that extra bit, towards the end, I start saying to myself, over and over again:

I am beautiful
AND I AM WORTH IT!

I run with one foot to each word and just keep going.

problems - it helps me relieve my stress and i use the feelings to get a better workout.

Combination of some of those things - mostly what I'll be doing after the workout or what I'm going to have for dinner (or breakfast, depending).

nothing.

All I think about is giving my workout everything I've got. I'll tell myself to sprint to the next lightpost before slowing down to a walk, or to jog to the lightpost and push harder.

I think about wanting the workout to be over!

On a long run I start out preoccupied but I zone out after awhile. That's a huge benefit - instant mood neutralization.

I think about getting that beach body and thinking slim thoughts and what sexy dresses I can wear for the near future that makes me work harder on the treadmill.
However, when I'm with my personal trainer going through the circuit training, I'm focused solely on making sure my form is top-notch and that I'm giving it my all with her. No slacking or complaining unless I'm physically going to be sick, or I'm cramping up. My trainer is FANTASTIC and I look forward to that "high" I get from an intense workout.