| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/17/2009 8:17:31 AM | | In the past year and a half i have been trying to lose weight I have done pretty good 85lbs so far , but lately i have been having troubles staying motivated. I love going to the gym, i love the way i feel after i have gone, the energy i have, my trainer helps some but he can only do so much. I seem to be in a slump at the moment, and i am not sure what to do to get out of it. If anyone has a hints or ideas please let me know. | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/17/2009 8:38:41 AM | | Whats good for one is not good for all but you can certainly try. Is the motivation just going to the gym? I know winter seems that it would be the best time but it is so depressing going out in the cold if you don't have to. Boredom is obviously the reason most of the time. If it was a blast it would be no problem. I try my best to keep things changed up but after 8 or 10 years it's getting very old. I really love working out outside,and i don't mean lifting weights i just do manual labor on projects that i could use machinery on. Something that realy motivates me is looking at pictures of me before i worked out. You can try a new gym, new workout, new partner and stuff like that. Again that is what works for me. Granted i do not work out like i used to but without mixing it up i would'nt at all. | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/17/2009 10:18:52 AM | | i think my biggest problem is just working up the energy to go, I dont think energy is the right word here. maybe it is becoming to routine for me i will talk to my pt about that. | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/17/2009 10:38:27 AM | | The biggest thing I use to motivate myself is music. When I really need an extra kick I cut myself off from listening to music from my favorite CD or artist and the only time I listen to them is when I go workout. It may seem like putting yourself in a timeout corner but it works for me. | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/17/2009 11:19:34 AM | For me, a couple things help.
The major one for me is not to think....just to go. If I can get to the gym, and get on something, a treadmill, elliptical, whatever - then I'll be ok. But getting there I don't go by my mood, I just go. I tell myself if I hate it and want to leave after I'm there 10 or 15 mins, then I'll leave, but I never do.
Other things that motivate me or get me in the mood are reading fitness mags (I take my Shape or Women's Health with me), changing up my ipod and looking forward to new playlists or songs, looking forward to people I know being there, switching up my routines so they aren't mundane, bringing a book and looking forward to reading and having "me" time, and I am getting more and more involved in a nice sauna session after I work out for an hour or so, so I look forward to that too (in New England lately, it's quite refreshing). | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/17/2009 6:36:13 PM | There are lots things to try. Personally, I find that getting my body fat measured always helps. Even when I feel like I haven't been making any progress, the good old calipers always tell the truth! The scale is not my friend at all.
You could try a class. I find the ones at the local university (offered to everyone) are really cutting edge and the instructors are absolutely amazing. There is something for everyone, and there's nothing like changing things up to give your fitness a jump start.
Music is good, but I really think if you have the ability to read while doing cardio you're not working hard enough. My opinion only.
Good luck and keep up the good work! | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/17/2009 6:47:44 PM | Music is good, but I really think if you have the ability to read while doing cardio you're not working hard enough. My opinion only.
I assume that one was for me. Yes I actually read while doing cardio - I can pull somewhere in the 180 heart rate range on the elliptical while reading, and I like to read while on a stationary bike as well. Of course reading on the treadmill doesn't work for me tho, so I see your point there. Most of my best reading tho is in the sauna after the workout. But, reading fitness and workout mags any time of day will motivate me to work out more overall.
You mentioned body fat tho, and that reminds me. Getting on a scale and weighing myself will motivate me too....if I see I gained a pound or two, it pisses me off. I get a good two or three workouts a week outta that one. | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/17/2009 7:28:00 PM | | Try a different routine, or sometimes just joining a new gym will help. A new gym might have machines that the one you are currently at does not, so it will be something new for you to do. Maybe alter your diet a little, trying new foods. | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/18/2009 1:29:55 AM | Kateb30 'In the past year and a half i have been trying to lose weight I have done pretty good 85lbs so far , but lately i have been having troubles staying motivated. I love going to the gym, i love the way i feel after i have gone, the energy i have, my trainer helps some but he can only do so much. I seem to be in a slump at the moment, and i am not sure what to do to get out of it. If anyone has a hints or ideas please let me know.'
My personal trainer (great investment) warned me that every 4-6 months I would probably hit a slump, and for 2-6 weeks might not see any weight change. And then reminded me this was a lifestyle change, and to remind myself that this to shall pass. She also suggested (and it worked) that I add a new routine when I am in a slump. So in winter I do things like shoot basketballs at the fitness center or do racketball even if its by myself. And I laugh a lot. And always remind myself to just have fun!!
Could you elaborate more on what this slump involves? | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/18/2009 1:39:25 AM | Change your routine. You are specific on what you do (resistance split, cardio, etc.) but keeping your routine fresh with changes every 4-6 weeks has always helped me stay motivated.
Congratulations on your weight loss! Sounds as if maybe you hit a plateau too, and that can be frustrating or give you less motivation also. | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/18/2009 4:16:52 AM | In addition to the other suggestions, I would advise you to keep a training diary. I use one for my anabolic routines. If I am able to bent over barbell rows for 3 sets of 6 reps with 100kg then the next week I shoot for 3x8x100kg. i am sure you could change it to fit what you are doing.
Additionally, I suggest that you put a photo of yourself when you were at your heaviest in a spot where you can see it. Anytime you think of not going to the gym, take a look at that photo. Think about all of the hard work you did to make a change in your life. Then ask yourself if you want to return to the way you were in the photo or to keep making a change in your life. That has worked for me. | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/18/2009 8:45:51 AM | I think the worst thing is that this is the first slump i have been in and i got my gym membership a year ago and this is my 50th week seeing a personal trainer, i have the same trainer i started out with but am at a different gym. Even when i had surgery the only thing i was upset at was the fact that i was limited in what i could do. I am thinking about going and buyng an outfit that i want to fit into and having that displayed in my room so i can see it everyday , give myself a visual goal.
P.S. I just wanted to thank you all for your advice and hints | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/18/2009 10:23:23 AM | Sometimes you need a chance of venue.... I got tired of the gym scene.. It felt artificial and felt a bit tedious... Like you, I was loosing my motivation to go so I changed course and started running outdoors.. It's been 3 yrs and I have not gone back to the gym since, saving tons of money because its FREE....
Running outdoors with my small cd player has become a passion for me.. fresh air .. hills new scenery all the time..Its part of my morning routine now like brushing my teeth...
Granted its not for the faint of heart.. I run outdoors consistently year round ( even in winter in single digit temps) .. brutal at times, but its also exhilarating!!
So take a break from the gym- get outdoors .. You can alternate as well..
Good luck | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/18/2009 5:43:22 PM | I know what you mean about motivation. I also run outdoors as much as possible during the winter to relieve the tedium of the same old gym routine. Yes, it's sometimes hard to get out there--but I always feel great at the end of it.
Last winter a friend of mine joined a local social sport club for singles here in Ottawa and participated in a weekly coed house league game. The games included soccer, floor hockey, volleyball, basketball and dodge ball. Hmm, I might be missing one or two, but you get the picture---After the game everyone goes out for a beer at a local pub. You probably have something similar in your area. | |
|
Msh90
|
Joined: 8/30/2008
Msg: 15 | |
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/18/2009 7:43:04 PM | whenever I'm at a slump I go shopping for new gym clothes...this may not help everyone but it helps me. If I look good i'm more inclinded to put the clothes on and use the gym.
Sometimes taking a week off also helps. If I hit a slump a week rest gets me motivated to go again next week. This sometimes has the advese effect though where I will want to continue to take time off...not good.
Mixing things up really helps. I love Body Attack and I do that as much as my Body allows but If I get bored of it I do a weights class, go for a swim or just something different I havn't done for a while. keep things interesting and make someone go with you it's much more interesting when you can have a chat while you're exersizing. | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/18/2009 8:06:58 PM | | KatB30 (OP) what have you done to pamper yourself? I ask because this is something my personal trainer really encourages. We get so set on losing weight, keeping it off and getting healthy, and then we forget to invest in a nice massage or getting our nails done etc. I am NOT talking about becoming a high cost care woman, but simply doing something every three months that says 'I am worth it'. | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/19/2009 8:55:39 AM | | I use mini goals for motivation, and non food rewards. I want to lose 8 lbs this month, so as soon as I reach that 8 lbs, I want a new hand bag, shirt, pedicure or new hairstyle!! Or something along those lines, working towards a goal is always motivation. One of the problems that people make is that they set their goals too high and when they don't reach them they give up. You may actually need to lose XXX amount of pounds in the end, but keep the mini goals under 10 lbs. | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/19/2009 9:38:42 AM | Maybe once every 2-3 months I take a whole week off from doing ANY exercise at all, eat like a pig and drink like a fish. By the end of that week my body as well as my brain will be howling for me to get back on track!
 | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/19/2009 3:44:31 PM |
Edsta:Maybe once every 2-3 months I take a whole week off from doing ANY exercise at all, eat like a pig and drink like a fish. By the end of that week my body as well as my brain will be howling for me to get back on track!
You actually bring up an interesting thought. How many people who hit a slump, may indeed need to treat themselves to a special meal, banana split etc., in order to tell their body, ok, you have had your treat, now lets work out.
Everyones body is different. Just know that when I eat French style, where I eat smaller meals like I was raised to do, and dinner where a small sweet ends the meal, that I do better. What got me off track for a few years, due to stress in my life, was all the unhealthy eating between meals. | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/19/2009 5:38:04 PM | OP, I don't hang out at the gym but I run 4-5 times a week. Usually they're short runs with the exception of Sundays when I'm out for a couple of hours.
Motivation, for me, is all mental. When I start telling myself I'm an idiot for suffering like this so I can train to run a half-marathon so I can get a piece of hardware, I crank up the volume of my iPod and sing in my head. I made sure that I have a very fun and varied playlist. When you're going to run for a couple of hours, there will be time when you need that power song pretty bad! Running with a group also helps. I'm accountable to them as well as myself.
I learned that I respond very well to the reward system. So if I do well for a few weeks, there will be a treat at the end. My treats tend to be running stuff but whatever works. I also learned to listen to my body. I take breaks. Not too long, just a day or two to give my head a break, especially if I've been pushing myself. A day or two won't matter in my overall training.
The whole thing about this and motivation is that if you're always thinking diet, gym, training, eventually your brain screams stop and your motivation goes down the drain. Have you thought about getting a gym buddy? It may help too.
Failing all this, you know that this too shall pass and your motivation will come back in full force. Good luck! | |
|
HO2
|
Joined: 10/11/2008
Msg: 21 | |
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/19/2009 11:22:51 PM | Cross train - learn something new, change the setup, the routine, the timing.
Balance training, wobble board, bongo board, medicine balls, kettle balls, mix it up from the gym, etc
For one example check out --http://www.fitter1.com/ | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/20/2009 6:37:37 AM | I've been training for about 10 months now, as a life coach, I use several techniques to keep my clients (and myself) motivated. Some of them might sound weird but they work.
Put a yearly planner on your wall and set targets that you want to achieve throughout the year.
Take photographs every 2-4 weeks and look at the difference.
Get a photo of your goal and put it on your wall. Mine is a photo of a bloke with a decent set of abs that I ripped out of a magazine.
Weigh yourself only once a week and record it on a fitness chart.
If you have an ipod, download podcasts to relieve the boredom on the cardio machines.
Here's a great one:
Once you have lost say 10kg, get a bucket, put it on your weighing scales and fill it with water until the scales read 10kg - then pick it up.
It will feel quite heavy and that is how much weight you are no longer carrying about.
Here's another great site that has forums and is free to join - http://johnstonefitness.com/
I found the advice on here invaluable and it didn't cost me a penny.
Good luck | |
|
Chet B
|
Joined: 8/11/2008
Msg: 23 | |
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/20/2009 12:38:35 PM | Wow, 85 pounds!
That alone should be enough to keep you motivated big time.
Why would you want to stop???
During my weight loss and body transformation I been looking at the pictures from before I started and comparing them to the current ones... it makes me want to keep going even harder.
Getting comments from friends and family also help out alot...
I am sure you are getting them too if you lost that much weight so far.
Good job and keep it up!
 | |
|
| How do you stay motivated
Posted: 1/20/2009 7:18:28 PM | Thank you everyone for your ideas.
Well i took a week off today was my first day back (im sure i will feel it tomorrow LOL )
I have tried some of the things mentioned like the reward thing, small goals , i have not tried the photo thing but i think i might do that i am also going to get a an outfit so i have another visual goal that i can work towards. | |
|
HO2
|
Joined: 10/11/2008
Msg: 25 | |
| |
Home
login 
