Getting/Staying Motivated - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Dano069 · 09-05-2003, 09:28 AM

I'm 41 and am having trouble staying motivated for workouts. In the past month, I've worked out a week and then blow off the next week. I use a 5 day on, 2 day off schedule. I workout legs one day, shoulders and arms another day, and back and chest the third day. I rotate the exercises daily. I'm having trouble staying motivated. I started earlier in the year and was able to go 12 weeks and since then, it's that workout one week, take a week off. I change exercises to keep the workouts fresh, but, I just can't seem to stay focused.

I need to get back into it since it helps with my depression. Any ideas?

Cowman · 09-05-2003, 09:54 AM

Try changing the pattern in which you work out. After 5 grueling days on, and then 2 easy days off, who wouldn't find it hard to go back for another 5 days? Instead, maybe try scaling down to 4 days a week, and don't do it straight. Pick 3 days you're busiest, IE you might have to work all day tuesday, and also cook supper, drive the kids to baseball, etc etc. That would be a good day to take off.

So it might look like this

Sunday - off
Monday - Legs
Tuesday - off
Wednsday - Shoulders/Arms
Thursday - Off
Friday - Chest/Back
Saturday - Legs
Sunday - Off

I don't know, maybe something like that. Then just switch around so you're not stuck doing legs twice a week every week and then everything else only once..

Maybe plan9 or one of these other guys can expand on what im trying to say

Plan9Senior · 09-05-2003, 10:11 AM

I actually like that schedule Cowman, a lot of rest especially for those who train very intense. I switch around my schedule every 3 or 4 weeks just to keep my muscles from getting used to my routine. Currently I am on this 3 day split:

Mon: Chest/Triceps/Cardio
Tues: Biceps/Back/Forearms
Wed: Cardio
Thurs: Shoulders/Legs
Fri: Cardio
Sat: Cardio
Sun: OFF

So far, this one is kicking my ass... but I love it

Dano069 · 09-05-2003, 11:19 AM

The routine I'm using now does rotate. Sometimes, legs only get done on a Wednesday, example.

Mon: Shoulder/arms
Tue: Legs
Wed: Chest/Back
Thu: Shoulders/Arms
Fri: Legs

The following week, I pick up where I left off.

Mon: Chest/Back
Tue: Shoulders/Arms
Wed: Legs
Thu: Chest/Back
Fri: Shoulders/Arms

They rotate again the following week. I'm careful not to do more than 45 mins. tops with the routines. It's not that I'm getting tired. I can't keep the momentum going.

Thanks for the suggestions though!

Cynthetiq · 09-05-2003, 11:53 AM

I used to do the rotation 3 days on 4 days off... then switch it up. Sometimes I'd even do it every other day... just to keep from getting bored.

i stopped after a motorcycle accident and haven't gone regularly since....

i'm planning on going now that there is a gym at the bottom of the building.

Asshole Lover · 09-05-2003, 05:55 PM

just work hard and the results will keep ya motivated!

Nimbletoe · 09-06-2003, 09:13 PM

It's all about the willpower really. You have to want it. It's hard because you see no immediate results, but im trying now.

Sleepyjack · 09-07-2003, 08:58 AM

Most of the time, i just listen to music and get really pumped, such that i feel like want to break something, well to that extent. Or something pisses me off during the day, i focus my energy on that and that easily gets me motivated to lift weights etc.
Mainly the music though.

Cowman · 09-07-2003, 09:10 AM

The other day I didn't go in the morning when I usually go and figured "ahh Ill just rest today and not go to the gym"

but then I came here and read a bunch of posts and it got me pumped up and I went straight to the gym

Dano069 · 09-08-2003, 06:43 AM

Okay, I think I'll be back to it this week. No, wait, I KNOW I'll be back at it this week. Did the treadmill yesterday. I've been depressed the past couple of weeks. I believe that had a lot to do with it. Here's to successful workouts!

Plan9Senior · 09-08-2003, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dano069
Okay, I think I'll be back to it this week. No, wait, I KNOW I'll be back at it this week. Did the treadmill yesterday. I've been depressed the past couple of weeks. I believe that had a lot to do with it. Here's to successful workouts!

When I start slacking, I definately notice a change in my mood. It is amazing how exercise can make you feel better mentally as well as physically.

Dano069 · 09-09-2003, 05:28 AM

WeeHoo! Got back to it last night. Did a leg routine consisting of squats/stiff-legged deadlifts/leg raises/leg curls and calf raises. Felt good to be back under the iron.

almostaugust · 09-09-2003, 07:11 AM

Will power man. Its that bad bastard inside of you that says- keep going. I have this friend i run this greulling mountain stairs track. I hear him screaming at himself ahead of me sometimes... i guess whatever does it for you. Definately vary your workouts. Revalute why you are doing this and who for.

seizei · 09-10-2003, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Plan9
When I start slacking, I definately notice a change in my mood. It is amazing how exercise can make you feel better mentally as well as physically.

The gym I go to closed for 3 weeks, from aug.8 to sept.2, and man did I ever notice a change in energy without it. pair that with a bruised heel that kept me from jogging, and my energy level was insanely low. I had a hard time even getting up in the mornings. Now that it's open again, I'm up without an alarm clock and ready to go!

as for the splits above, I strongly recommend that you work your triceps the day AFTER your chest, since you need them as a support muscle to get the most out of many chest exercises.

For motivation, philosophically speaking, make sure that you are working out for the right reasons. To truly stay motivated, you have to be doing it for yourself. When I'm working out, sometimes it feels like meditation - I could be surrounded by 100 people in the gym, but it can seem like I'm alone. If you're working out to look buff and impress the chicks, chances are you won't last.

The comments about changing up your routine are great.

But the number 1 thing that motivates me to go on is every time I see an older person hunched over a walker and shuffling at 0.5 km/h.... I cannot let myself get to that point ever - I want to be out-pacing the 20 year olds when I'm 80.

Dano069 · 09-11-2003, 05:00 AM

Well, last night was my first real test of my motivation. My two boys' curriculum night at school was last night. We didn't get home till about 9:45 or so. I actually went down and worked out! I had a shoulder/arm workout and it went very well. Maybe now I'll stick to it! Thanks for all the ideas on staying motivated.

09-05-2003, 09:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dano069 is Nucking Futs! Location: On the edge of sanity	Getting/Staying Motivated I'm 41 and am having trouble staying motivated for workouts. In the past month, I've worked out a week and then blow off the next week. I use a 5 day on, 2 day off schedule. I workout legs one day, shoulders and arms another day, and back and chest the third day. I rotate the exercises daily. I'm having trouble staying motivated. I started earlier in the year and was able to go 12 weeks and since then, it's that workout one week, take a week off. I change exercises to keep the workouts fresh, but, I just can't seem to stay focused. I need to get back into it since it helps with my depression. Any ideas?

09-05-2003, 09:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cowman Psycho	Try changing the pattern in which you work out. After 5 grueling days on, and then 2 easy days off, who wouldn't find it hard to go back for another 5 days? Instead, maybe try scaling down to 4 days a week, and don't do it straight. Pick 3 days you're busiest, IE you might have to work all day tuesday, and also cook supper, drive the kids to baseball, etc etc. That would be a good day to take off. So it might look like this Sunday - off Monday - Legs Tuesday - off Wednsday - Shoulders/Arms Thursday - Off Friday - Chest/Back Saturday - Legs Sunday - Off I don't know, maybe something like that. Then just switch around so you're not stuck doing legs twice a week every week and then everything else only once.. Maybe plan9 or one of these other guys can expand on what im trying to say __________________ You don't like my point of view..but im insane

09-05-2003, 11:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dano069 is Nucking Futs! Location: On the edge of sanity	The routine I'm using now does rotate. Sometimes, legs only get done on a Wednesday, example. Mon: Shoulder/arms Tue: Legs Wed: Chest/Back Thu: Shoulders/Arms Fri: Legs The following week, I pick up where I left off. Mon: Chest/Back Tue: Shoulders/Arms Wed: Legs Thu: Chest/Back Fri: Shoulders/Arms They rotate again the following week. I'm careful not to do more than 45 mins. tops with the routines. It's not that I'm getting tired. I can't keep the momentum going. Thanks for the suggestions though! __________________ I may look attentive, but I'm taking peeks down your blouse faster than the human eye can follow.

09-05-2003, 11:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	I used to do the rotation 3 days on 4 days off... then switch it up. Sometimes I'd even do it every other day... just to keep from getting bored. i stopped after a motorcycle accident and haven't gone regularly since.... i'm planning on going now that there is a gym at the bottom of the building. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

09-05-2003, 05:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Asshole Lover Crazy	just work hard and the results will keep ya motivated! __________________ smells like ass, tastes like _______.

09-05-2003, 10:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
Plan9Senior Banned Location: Orange County, California	I actually like that schedule Cowman, a lot of rest especially for those who train very intense. I switch around my schedule every 3 or 4 weeks just to keep my muscles from getting used to my routine. Currently I am on this 3 day split: Mon: Chest/Triceps/Cardio Tues: Biceps/Back/Forearms Wed: Cardio Thurs: Shoulders/Legs Fri: Cardio Sat: Cardio Sun: OFF So far, this one is kicking my ass... but I love it

09-06-2003, 09:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
Nimbletoe Junkie Location: Michigan	It's all about the willpower really. You have to want it. It's hard because you see no immediate results, but im trying now.

09-07-2003, 08:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
Sleepyjack Fast'n'Bulbous Location: Australia, Perth	Most of the time, i just listen to music and get really pumped, such that i feel like want to break something, well to that extent. Or something pisses me off during the day, i focus my energy on that and that easily gets me motivated to lift weights etc. Mainly the music though.

09-07-2003, 09:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
Cowman Psycho	The other day I didn't go in the morning when I usually go and figured "ahh Ill just rest today and not go to the gym" but then I came here and read a bunch of posts and it got me pumped up and I went straight to the gym __________________ You don't like my point of view..but im insane

09-08-2003, 06:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
Dano069 is Nucking Futs! Location: On the edge of sanity	Okay, I think I'll be back to it this week. No, wait, I KNOW I'll be back at it this week. Did the treadmill yesterday. I've been depressed the past couple of weeks. I believe that had a lot to do with it. Here's to successful workouts!

09-09-2003, 05:28 AM	#12 (permalink)
Dano069 is Nucking Futs! Location: On the edge of sanity	Success WeeHoo! Got back to it last night. Did a leg routine consisting of squats/stiff-legged deadlifts/leg raises/leg curls and calf raises. Felt good to be back under the iron. __________________ I may look attentive, but I'm taking peeks down your blouse faster than the human eye can follow.

09-09-2003, 07:11 AM	#13 (permalink)
almostaugust Junkie Location: Oz	Will power man. Its that bad bastard inside of you that says- keep going. I have this friend i run this greulling mountain stairs track. I hear him screaming at himself ahead of me sometimes... i guess whatever does it for you. Definately vary your workouts. Revalute why you are doing this and who for. __________________ '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'

09-11-2003, 05:00 AM	#15 (permalink)
Dano069 is Nucking Futs! Location: On the edge of sanity	First Test Well, last night was my first real test of my motivation. My two boys' curriculum night at school was last night. We didn't get home till about 9:45 or so. I actually went down and worked out! I had a shoulder/arm workout and it went very well. Maybe now I'll stick to it! Thanks for all the ideas on staying motivated. __________________ I may look attentive, but I'm taking peeks down your blouse faster than the human eye can follow.