Motivation waning, help please!

ponygirl

Hi all,

LOVE this forum, it's helped me loads over the past few months. I've gone from coach potato pizza chomping lazy bones to yoga/running/horseriding fiend with a *fairly* clean diet, and as a result my energy levels have drastically improved. Thank-you all

Every now and then however, I find myself really struggling with motivation to keep it up. Tonight I'm about to force myself onto the treadmill just because I don't want to break my "Never skip two days in a row" rule and because I don't ever want to slide back to my old ways. Plus I KNOW I'll feel x1000 times better afterwards.

So how do y'all keep going when motivation/energy/dive are low? Just keep thinking of the end result?
Or do I just have the discipline of a sloth and need to stop overthinking and just do it? :rolleyes:

xebec

ponygirl wrote: »

So how do y'all keep going when motivation/energy/dive are low? Just keep thinking of the end result?

ponygirl wrote: »

Plus I KNOW I'll feel x1000 times better afterwards.

That's my number 1 motivation. The other thing that keeps me going is to set myself realistic goals. Instead of just doing exercise for exercise sake, actually have something to aim for which can be achieved in 4 - 8 weeks. For me that's been running races, following a training program to prepare and trying to improve my race time each time I race.

devineamydevine

A short-term goal (within longer overall objective) works for me, though I'm still faced with days when hitting the gym is the last thing I want - think that applies to most people at some point.

I'm looking to complete a triathlon by the end of the summer so if I really can't face going out for a run I'll hit the pool or go for a spin on the bike. I've found that there is pretty much always something that I am willing do as a substitute, which has been a help for me in sticking to my overall plans.

Keep it up!

FunkZ

I'm fairly unmotivated today, and have been diet wise all week. My cure is simple, I'm going to Tescos to buy two tubs of Ben and Jerrys (only 3.24 each) and I might get a pizza tonight!

So basically when my motivation goes I just give in a for a day or two.
I'll be back in action by saturday, though I'm very motivated to lift!

siochain

Like said above set short term goals and keep a log of all your training sessions, aim for higher\harder\faster or what ever, each session.

Change our routine at a minimum every 4 week, if your not doing classes in your gym try a spinning or circuit training class. Join a sports club (basketball, tennis, hockey etc) and or take up something like kickboxing.

Just keep thinking how good you feel afterwards, all the energy you have now and most of all look at it as an investment for the future.

Good luck and enjoy.

aye

do you have someone who could go with you?
people can be more motivated to do something when other are dependant on them.

i find when i start to lose motivation a little competition with a friend gets me back into.

ponygirl

Thank-you all, some food for thought in there...
I've now started a running log - so I can measure myself and improve speed/duration.

But the main thing (I'd never realised) was that I need to shake it up a little and have more fun with exercise. I loved the kickboxing idea, tried a beginners class over the weekend, and had a blast. Hitting stuff is fun.

I have great friends, really great, but well, none of my friends were ever chosen on the basis of their exercising habits they're a lazy shower basically... So I think getting involved in some fun classes and meeting more active types might well be a good move!

LegacyUser

I just say no and keep going...I feel as if i give in and go eat something that is nutritionally **** for you, i'll feel really stupid...start asking myself "Why the **** did i eat that?" when it's bad for you...

So I just start thinking of the whole "Eat to live...not live to eat" thing...that helps.