ratbastid

A few months ago, I looked at the calendar and realized that I hadn't been to the gym in three weeks, and the way my evenings were scheduled, it'd be three weeks before I'd get back there. So I promised myself I'd get up at 6:00 the next morning and go to the gym. Which I did, and it was good.

So good, in fact, I decided to do it every morning. And I did... And it was VERY good. I got to work early, totally primed to demolish my day. Felt great all day long. I lost four pounds or so in about three weeks.

Then life happened, I had a couple late nights in a row, and 6:00 am didn't seem like such a hot time to wake up any more. Struggled myself out of bed a couple of times, but slept in more often than not. Today I look at the calendar and realize I haven't been to the gym in three weeks.

This is right at the crux of what's not working for me around fitness. I get fired up, work like a lunatic for a while, then something happens and I quit.

What do YOU do for motivation? What gets YOU out of bed and to the gym?

JStrider

i got the same problem... except its been a whole semester since ive gone.... and its starting to show...

but i always found if i was meeting a friend that it was easier... or atleast i had to pull a "well hes gonna be there all by himself which would suck" and that would be enough to keep me from goin back to bed...

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-=JStrider=-

~Clatto Verata Nicto

Sparhawk

The advice that was just given me is to switch things up about your routine. Find a new time to work out. If you've been running for however many weeks, switch to swimming, or biking. Try going to a just dumbbell workout for your weightlifting.

What you (and I) need is something new to bust out of a plateau (or funk). I'm starting lap swimming 3 times a week, instead of running on those days.

Good Luck!

__________________
"In Iraq, no doubt about it, it's tough. It's hard work. It's incredibly hard. It's - and it's hard work. I understand how hard it is. I get the casualty reports every day. I see on the TV screens how hard it is. But it's necessary work. We're making progress. It is hard work."

Washington

I think of all the people who made fun of me for years and years and I find I have more than enough motivation to run 30-50 miles per week and weight train every other day.


The more I loose (fat) the more motivated I become. Its when I hit plateu's that I start to slip. But then my brother says stuff like "hey stupid ass, stop screwing up all your hard work" and thats usualy all I need.

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there is no absolute, only the moment.

Snead Hearn

hello! i don't know if this is relevant to your thing, but i run just about every morning. what keeps me motivated, is i know that if i run i'll feel really calm, focused, energetic through the whole work day and even better on the weekends. maybe if you don't allready excersize in the morning, try that. it definately works for me! good luck.

Snead Hearn

ooh geeeze! i forgot the most important thing. when i first start exsersizing, i have to go through the first few weeks of having that stiff muscle pain. so when i consider missing more than 2 days, i think about what a drag it is to go through all that crap, and it gets me out there running.

Jadey

I look in the mirror. That either depresses me to the point that I order a pizza and sit and pity myself or it inspires me to workout. Thankfully, it's been the later for about the last year. For the couple of years previous it started the pity party.

On a side note, I weighed myself at the club today before my workout and I was at 318lbs. The first time I've been under 320 in about 10 years.

Sparhawk

Congrats!!

__________________
"In Iraq, no doubt about it, it's tough. It's hard work. It's incredibly hard. It's - and it's hard work. I understand how hard it is. I get the casualty reports every day. I see on the TV screens how hard it is. But it's necessary work. We're making progress. It is hard work."

rodgerd

First things first: I find getting into a habit is the hardest part. If I can keep up an effort for, say, three months, it ends up becoming harder not to go than to go.

Results help - and at the start of a program, results tend to come reasonably quikly for most peope. Record what you're doing, measure yourself, track your progress.

Working with someone can be good, since you can remind yourself that you're letting them down if you don't go.

Also, if you go at 6am (which I also do) you've got to make sure you get a decent night's sleep, or you'll be so knackered you won't go.

Another suggestion: I go 4 times a week, and if things get hectic, I give myself a day off per week, usually toward the end of the week, which keeps me going but gives me a bit of extra rest.

Structure in changes in routine and breaks to keep yourself fresh - I generally grab a week or two holiday a few times a year, and will tweak my workout to run slightly differently, to help with variety and interest, as well as reworking aspects if I plateau.

And finally, my trick of last resort is a little early morning carrots and self-loathing. If I find myself ready to roll over an go back to bed, I remind myself how much better I look now than a year or two ago (the carrot) and dwell on hgow crap I'll feel if I get into the habit of missing workouts, how my progress will go backwards, etc.

4thTimeLucky

I find this. We all do.

My advice: do something fun.

Pounding away at a bench press in room with no windows I don't find fun.
Running on a summer's evening. Swimming at the local pool. Playing hockey. Going ice skating. Those I find fun.

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I've been 4thTimeLucky, you've been great. Goodnight and God bless!

ninety09

My girlfriend keeps me motivated. I want to look as good as possible for her..

rogue49

The rates I pay for my gym make me feel obligated.
I hate wasting money.

lanmaniac

I like the feeling I get the next day after a hardcore workout. I like the way I look now ( only really been doing this for 6mo, but I love it. ). Watching myself get stronger is a real kick for me. Hope this helps.

Stiltzkin

I'd say simply having a friend who is doing the same thing you are is the biggest help. They feel obligated to go work out because they don't want to disappoint you, and you feel obligated to go work out because you don't want to disappoint your friend. Its a mutual thing, and I found that it worked really well for me a couple of years ago, until they closed the gym off But if it hadn't been for that, we'd still be there, every day, working out.

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The most important thing in this world is love.

bigoldalphamale

On a side note, I weighed myself at the club today before my workout and I was at 318lbs. The first time I've been under 320 in about 10 years. [/B][/QUOTE]

grats! when i first really got into working out, i was lucky enough (ie young with nothing better to do) to get to the point where i was seeing excellent results. quite frankly, i never thought i could look like the doods in the workout magazines, but there i was, ripped to shreds and strong as a fucking ox. but eventually, college got harder, and then i graduated and started working and all that shit and stopped going for months at a time. but, i know that if i get back in there and stick with it, i can get as jacked and as strong as i want. been back in for 3 months now and its already coming back. word!

Jadey

I was in the same boat. Coincidentally 10 years ago was when I graduated from high school. I think the amount of alcohol that became a staple in my diet also had something to do with the increase in weight.

illdeviant

hehe. yea. booze does it to ya. im having the same problem of waking up that early and such, but ill try to do the friend thing. also, being more energetic throughout the day will help. hopefully the early workout will force me to sleep earlier=/

cliv

I look in the mirror. That gets me motivated to start going if I've been away from the gym for a while.

Also, one I start going regularly, it sort of addictive. I like the feeling of more energy and getting on the scale to see how much I've lost. Since I tend to be competetive, it's sort of like "me vs the fat"

Sleepyjack

Ok firstly, when you decide that you "need" to work out or excersice you have to set resons as to why? you are doing it.
The most important resons are health and your will for life. You need to be excercisng so you generally feel better everyday and your quality of life (physically) is generally a lot better. However, if your drive is to "look good" i would think that your motivation wouldn't be as strong.

Just that you're working out to look better is so superficial it is kinda meaningless to yourself, so you probably don't feel as motivated, as if you;re working out, such that you generally feel better everyday to take on all the hassles life throws your way.
btw it is not bad to work out to "look good" however it should be s secondary or teritary goal, your primarily goal is being healthier and a general feeling of well being.

i digress....
although if thats not motivation enough (somtimes you feel down so its not) i find music is really a key factor in either pumping you up or lifting your spirits or outlook. Just put on your favourite tunes (maybe the more heavy/rocking stuff) and it should lift you right up and get you motivated.

Tool (one of my fav bands) is really great to get you motivated.

good luck!

tobasco

setting specific goals help, and give you somethign to work towards rather than just the vague notion of 'staying fit.' ie. training for a marathon (or a shorter fun run), or smaller, short term goals like losing 5 pounds. once you've reached one goal, set a new one and keep going.

StrangeCargo

I change my training program at the gym every six to eight weeks. I get an instructor to work me one out and lead me through it.

It keeps it fresh, and i get better results, particularly because it makes sure that i don't concentrate on just the stuff i enjoy the most.

And my instructor is a foxy little minx, that always helps...

almostaugust

Training buddies are heeps good, but at the end of the day its usually gonna be your inner drive that gets you out there running in the cold. My advice is to be selfish with this facet of your life. All top athletes are usually pricks because, they have had to be really ego-centric to get where they have. Just focus on your individual gains, and not worry about other people's opinions of what you might look like.

__________________
'And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember all the times I tried to tell my myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass'

JohnnyRock

For me the motivation changes over time. First it was to lose a lot of weight. then it was to meet women. now it's so I can throw the ball with my baby boy in a few years. You have to realize that what you do today affects tomorrow and the more good you do now the better you'll feel later.

__________________
Not only do I not know the answer...I don't even know what the question is!!!

taog

The thing that keeps me motivated right now is a girl.... well.. four girls actually. Mostly just three though.

My recent ex is one.. but not a big one cause i don't really care what she thinks of me. The next time i see her i want to look good though, like anyone who sees their ex's. She said all this stuff about not liking 6 packs (which is what i want to get back) so i guess that's probably why i don't care what she thinks.

The second girl is this girl that i'm going to meet today for coffee (chocolate milk). I don't know why she's part of the motivation. I am meeting her for business. Maybe it's because there might be a chance that i really like her or something...

The third girl is my ex from just over a year ago. I haven't seen her in a long long time and she really hurt me, so being in great shape with results that show would be a good thing for the next time i see her.

The last girl is the girl of my dreams.... i think it's obvious why i want to look good for her. She is also in great shape too, and she's the hottest girl in the world!!!!



Either way, i am mostly motivated because i want to look good. I do want to feel good too, but it's mostly the looking good part. I guess for me, the health factor is secondary, improtant, but secondary to the looks factor. I have enough motivation to keep it up for a long time though.

acidburn

The thing that gets me out of bed is the picture I have hanging in my room of me at the finish of a 5k race where I finally beat one of my race rivals for years. Looking at that and remembering how good I felt that day is all the motiviation I need...

bigoldalphamale

Either way, i am mostly motivated because i want to look good. I do want to feel good too, but it's mostly the looking good part. I guess for me, the health factor is secondary, improtant, but secondary to the looks factor. I have enough motivation to keep it up for a long time though. [/B][/QUOTE]

trew! my girl is a hottie and has the body to match. she takes pretty good care of herself and i reap the rewards evertime she takes her clothes off. i owe her the same courtesy. and she show her appreciation...often!

jrm

Having exercised on and off for 30+ years, I have found myself in a similar situation many times. First, do not worry about missing days and getting discouraged. Life happens. More important though is to get into a routine that you enjoy and do exercises that you like. I think going everyday when you start is a waste of time because you suffer burnout and the body needs time to recover from each workout - 2 on 1 off or every other day is good.

Two things to consider - Any good program requires about a month to get started - your body gets over the discomfort, your head gets into the game, and the effects keep the momentum going forward. Also, get into a good diet plan. World Gym was excellent for me - I lost 20 lbs in 4 months and got really toned.

I used to train for triathlons. I became a zombie training 20-30 hours a week plus working. Gave it up because I could not keep up the pace. Stress will kill an exercise program quickly.

Good luck.

tikki

When I am at school, I usually get home and take a nice nap. When I wake up, I go about doing stuff, and then head to the gym around 10:30 or 11pm. Once I am done, I am tired again and get back to bed. I am not a morning person so waking up early isn't an option for me (unless I stay up all night)

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Take notice. Take interest. Take me with you.

LittleOralAnnie

I always remember how great I feel after working out and that usually seems to keep me motivated enough. Normally the best times for me to work out is right after working, because I'm still full of energy. I've personally never had a weight problem so I could afford to skip a few sessions here and there.

stinkynutz

i hate running. it's hot as hell here in texas for that. but i go to this park in the city wehre a lot of ppl run all the time.

i simply get behind some hot girl who is going at a fast enough pace for me. that bouncing, round, scrumptious booty in front of me is pretty much the only thing i need to get me going.

tikki

I wish we had those kind of ladies in podunk Indiana.

When I work out, I am surrounded by old ladies or dudes. blech.

yoshi

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tikki
[B]I wish we had those kind of ladies in podunk Indiana.

What about some hot men?

yoshi

I'm actually having the same problem right now. I feel better when I work out in the mornings, but I can't get my ass up to workout. Then I plan on doing it after work and sometimes I work late or something comes up--it's never ending. I like to switch things up from cardio w/weights and just cardio. Anyone with any ideas on getting up when you're not a morning person--please feel free to suggest anything!

Sparhawk

Go to sleep in your clothes, and have your sneakers there by the bed. No one gives a damn what you look like at 5am anyway...

__________________
"In Iraq, no doubt about it, it's tough. It's hard work. It's incredibly hard. It's - and it's hard work. I understand how hard it is. I get the casualty reports every day. I see on the TV screens how hard it is. But it's necessary work. We're making progress. It is hard work."

guypunkr

I'm having that exact same problem. As a matter of fact, I'm supposed to be working out this very minute, but what am I doing instead? Procrastinating.

But if it wasn't this, then I'd probably be doing something else instead of keeping in shape.

I used to be very active, playing a lot of sports (wrestling, tennis, track, marching band [yes, it is a sport, you should try it if you don't think so], cheerleading [that's hard as balls too when you're the only guy on the squad], and a few others), but since I moved here to Hawaii, I've found myself totally lacking in the motivation department...

I read most of the things that have been posted previously, and they're all pretty good (I've tried most of them) and I'll try the rest... But they never seem to have that lasting impact I'm looking for... Can anyone figure out a more permanent way to keep this problem from coming back?

RemyLebeau97

Self motivation is the key, just think how good your going to look and feel once you've met your exercising goals. Also, visualize the muscle you want to work on in ur head and picture that muscle growing and getting stronger. Personally my girlfriend is my motivation, I keep a pic of her near by when Im working out at home. Just find something you love or care about deeply and let that be your motivation too.

numist

Stiltzkin knows whatd going on...

I bought my dad a bike, and he found a friend, now hes lost over 50 pounds (now hes 180) and works out every weeknight with his buddy.

Now hes roped me into it... guess it works too well...

indestructabill

you want motivation well here it is...........................................................
SEX, if you want to keep getting this, keep fit!

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Bring back Buck
ps: dont forget the anaaaaaaaaaaaa1

vinnyferrozzo

I stay motivated by looking in the mirror. When I am seeing to much fat and not enough muscle it's time to get back to working out

Stinky Pee

Date a really...no I mean really...attractive woman. It just works.

oh yeah, and my dad calls me dough-boy and starts trying to give me his pants. That works too.

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Eat my fuck.