Motivation

Wiggles88

Hey all,

I've been lifting weights on and off for the last few years but what always seems to happen is after a couple of weeks of good training I loose all interest in training and go back to a couch slob :P so I just end up going from a fitness freak for a week or two to a slob the next and back again. How do you guys stay motivated to keep working strong when your desire to train starts to waver?

Hanley

I look at pictures of either hot girls or partially paralyzed/amputee males heavily photoshopped to make them grungy and hardcore looking, with motivation text over the front.

Hanley

...I actually do struggle with motivation sometimes because I'm not training "for" anything. Is there something you could target, an event, a goal (weight lifted, timed workout, etc etc) which would keep you going?

Wiggles88

Yeah thats a good point. when I started I was very overweight and my goal was a specific weight. That kept me going well in the early days. Now that I'm in a healthy weight range I dont have any specific goals other than just staying in shape and generally getting fitter.

I guess I'll come up with something new to work towards, something measurable that'll piss me off if I'm not heading in the right direction :P Might even set up a log over on the sub forum so I'll feel the need to train and post even if no one reads it :P

WeeBushy

I find in general motivation isn't so much of a problem for me because I'm doing something I enjoy. If I didn't like lifting weights it would be a struggle to go to the gym every day and eat right, but seeing as I enjoy it, it isn't as hard.

Find something you really enjoy doing and its easier to stick too, progression is easier as you actually enjoy doing it, and eating right is easier as you know if you don't the thing you like to do becomes harder.

Same as others, short term goals help as well I find, as the ultimate aim of 'lose 2 stone' or 'look like Arnie' seems unachievable most of the time. Short term goals help keep me focused and motivated.

In saying that I do have days where I just couldn't be bothered and would rather sit on my arse all day. But I figure that's ok, I'm not a professional athlete so the odd day where my head's not in it is fine. Beneficial maybe, as I'm always invigorated for a good while after days like that.

Wiggles88

Yeah I actually do really enjoy lifting weights when I am actually doing it, its the dragging myself to the gym that gets me. I dunno I just find after a while I just find any excuse that'll keep me from going to the gym will stop me even though I still love the actual act of lifting weights and get huge satisfaction from it.

Duck's hoop

Hanley wrote: »

I look at pictures of either hot girls or partially paralyzed/amputee males heavily photoshopped to make them grungy and hardcore looking, with motivation text over the front.

So many questions, but firstly, what in da fuq you on about?

Hanley

Duck's hoop wrote: »

So many questions, but firstly, what in da fuq you on about?

This sort of boll0x...









Pure vomit inducing.

Duck's hoop

Fair enough.

My irony/sarcasm/sardonicism detector is obviously operating sub-optimally.

Would have been a drag to have to get into why these people's primary function and motivation is not to inspire others. Among other sh things.

ETA; Yer wan on the plyo box is savage.

LuckyLloyd

Lay out a realistic schedule and program when you start back to training - i.e. don't start out with five sessions in 8 days where each session involves two hours or more of a time commitment. That's a sure recipe for disaster and something I've seen (and done) a few times over the years.

Start out with two or three sessions a week doing stuff you like and build from there.

siochain

Wiggles88 wrote: »

Hey all,

I've been lifting weights on and off for the last few years but what always seems to happen is after a couple of weeks of good training I loose all interest in training and go back to a couch slob :P so I just end up going from a fitness freak for a week or two to a slob the next and back again. How do you guys stay motivated to keep working strong when your desire to train starts to waver?

Hey Wiggles88, if its weights you like join and Olympic/power lifting or strength & conditioning club. The group setting helps bring you on and you’ll learn loads. Or find a gym buddy as your less likely not to turn up and you can bring each other on.
Cheers

Col_Loki

Hey Wiggles88, if its weights you like join and Olympic/power lifting or strength & conditioning club. The group setting helps bring you on and you’ll learn loads. Or find a gym buddy as your less likely not to turn up and you can bring each other on.
Cheers

I think Gym buddy is a great idea. It also helps if you have little bets between yourselves....ie first to lose to x% Body Fat gets a free pint/pints etc. I find having a gym buddy really helped keep me interested and focused. It is also a bit more social.

deadlybuzzman

Wiggles88 wrote: »

Hey all,

I've been lifting weights on and off for the last few years but what always seems to happen is after a couple of weeks of good training I loose all interest in training and go back to a couch slob :P so I just end up going from a fitness freak for a week or two to a slob the next and back again. How do you guys stay motivated to keep working strong when your desire to train starts to waver?

Routine-once you have a set routine you cant go wrong. Have set days and times that you go and thats that, no excuses or putting it off.
Decide youre doing it and then you just do it.