I want to, but I don't

[Minotaur]

Lift anymore, that is.

I don't know why I cannot get into it anymore. I've been dragging myself to the gym once or twice a week. Usually it's only for shoulders. I haven't worked legs, back or chest in the longest time, except for one full body workout last week at the company fitness center, using the machines. Except for dumbells that go up to 65 lbs, it's all machines including a Smith machine.

I Smith squatted; machine lat pulled down; machine chest pressed; machine shoulder pressed. I simply felt like I did something, but there was no spark. There is no spark. :( I just keep putting off going to the gym, and finding some lame excuse. I loved my split routines, but I find myself missing a body part workout. I dislike full body workouts for he most part.

Yet ironically I don't want to lose the muscle I've gained. I think I'm losing fat being back on keto. Cardio has been out of the question too. The mountain bike hasn't been out once this year. I'm just finding this whole weight lifting thing a chore and a bore. Asking to tell me "Get your ass back in the gym!" for motivation isn't it. If I had the motivation I would do it.

Well, I just don't know...

I came across this fbw, and am thinking of it with some simplifications. http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=4195843

I'm telling myself to get to the gym tonight to try the workout. Or maybe just do the major moves, mostly barbell, in a 3x8-10 scheme. I want to keep things simple and be done with it. No calculating this week to that week; no paper log; "just lift the damn bar" as Dr. Squat said.

The routine says beginner, and maybe that's what I need to do. I'm tired of pushing for maxes and hurting something. Maybe it's mental burn out.


A Simple beginner's Routine
You will do 3 work outs per week on non consecutive days. The first work out is your heavy work out. The second work out is your medium work out, use 10% less weight for your work sets. The final work out for the week is your lite work out, use 20% less weight.

Do a lite warm up with 1/4 of your work sets weight. Do a medium warm up with 1/2 of your work sets weight. Do 2 work sets with the same weight. Choose a starting weight and start light.

These are the seven exercises you will be starting with.

Squats
Bench Presses
Bent-Over Rows
Overhead Barbell Presses
Stiff-Legged Deadlifts
Barbell Curls
Calf Raises

You will be running this program on a five week cycle as follows:
The first week do all 4 sets for 8 reps.
The second week do all 4 sets for 9 reps.
The third week do all 4 sets for 10 reps.
The fourth week do all 4 sets for 11 reps.
The fifth week do all 4 sets for 12 reps.
If you got all of the required reps on the fifth week then increase the weight by 10% and repeat the cycle. If you didn't get all of the reps on the fifth week then repeat the cycle with the same weight. You shouldn't need more than one minute rest between the warm up sets and you shouldn't need more than one minute thirty seconds between the work sets. Do some cardio and abs work on non weight training days.

[drewkawa]

Mino,

I hear ya 100% and I know all the yelling and screaming won't get you there. Your post made me think of the movie Rocky when he battled the Russian. Remember his training? No weights, no dumbells, no gyms, no pen & paper. He totally disconnected himself from the outside world and his traditional training so he could better connect himself with.... himself.

Are you suffering from burn out? Who knows. One thing is for certain: you know yourself physically, you've pushed your own limits and you've learned from them. Now is your time to soul search and find a new mental focus that inspires you physically. You laugh and shake your head at people who talk on their cell phones while working out right? How can you translate that to your life outside the gym? Disconnect yourself to connect yourself...



2-cents,


Drew

[Karl_Hungus]

Lift anymore, that is.

I don't know why I cannot get into it anymore. I've been dragging myself to the gym once or twice a week. Usually it's only for shoulders. I haven't worked legs, back or chest in the longest time, except for one full body workout last week at the company fitness center, using the machines. Except for dumbells that go up to 65 lbs, it's all machines including a Smith machine.

I Smith squatted; machine lat pulled down; machine chest pressed; machine shoulder pressed. I simply felt like I did something, but there was no spark. There is no spark. :( I just keep putting off going to the gym, and finding some lame excuse. I loved my split routines, but I find myself missing a body part workout. I dislike full body workouts for he most part.


As they say, the best workout is the one that you will actually do. So, if you liked splits better, I say go back to splits.

Also, you might just need a week off or so. Usually, when I am burned out and take a week off...toward the end of the break I can't wait to get back to the gym and hit it again.

[Minotaur]

...Now is your time to soul search and find a new mental focus that inspires you once again physically.

Drew

Thanks for the p.o.v. It's a good one. And if I think hard enough about it, I may have found it:

1. There is a young bull, and I do mean bull, who works at a local business. Over the past few years I've seen him go from a Billy Mays (r.i.p.) -type physique to a beefier one, with much less of a belly. I almost didn't recognize him yesterday. I was really proud of him; very inspiring. I can't let him down.

2. One of my young Greek friends from the diner (remember, I'm an honorary Greek :D) came back from Greece. He weight trains too. He blurts out "o tavros!" ("the bull" in Greek) when he sees me. I can't let him down. Besides, how can I let a 27 year old show up a 52 year old!? :eek: :D

[Minotaur]

As they say, the best workout is the one that you will actually do. So, if you liked splits better, I say go back to splits.

Also, you might just need a week off or so. Usually, when I am burned out and take a week off...toward the end of the break I can't wait to get back to the gym and hit it again.

The problem is I've had too much time off, and now this is a bad habit which has become hard to break. But you may just be right about sticking with splits. I get more satisfaction out of them, especially by the end of the weekly cycle. I was doing 4 days: Mon., legs; Wed., chest & tris (now Tue. or Thu due to Wed. guitar lessons); Fri., back & bis; Sun., shoulders & tris. I may condense it to a 3 day legs; push; pull. Then I have my Sundays free again for my morning trail rides.

I think maybe talking this out is a good idea.

Wait, wut? :eek: Isn't that the idea of this place? :)

[drewkawa]

Go get em Bull...


http://minthouse.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/bull.jpg

[Minotaur]

Ha! Lower Manhattan. I know it well. I've attended *** training @ 45 Broadway. I once saw a guy there I dubbed "The Bronze Bull". He was South Asian or Middle Eastern, black hair, light brown complexion, wearing a bronze colored suit, and built like a bull.

[Old-Time-Lifter]

Just Do It!!!!!!!! Enough already......... ;) :)

[Minotaur]

Asking to tell me "Get your ass back in the gym!" for motivation isn't it. If I had the motivation I would do it.



Just Do It!!!!!!!! Enough already......... ;) :)

There's a Pvt. Joker in every crowd! :p

JOKER
Sir, I said it, sir!

Sergeant HARTMAN steps up to JOKER.

HARTMAN
Well ...no ****. What have we got here, a
****ing comedian? Private Joker? I admire
your honesty. Hell, I like you. You can come
over to my house and **** my sister.

[Old-Time-Lifter]

There's a Pvt. Joker in every crowd! :p

JOKER
Sir, I said it, sir!

Sergeant HARTMAN steps up to JOKER.

HARTMAN
Well ...no ****. What have we got here, a
****ing comedian? Private Joker? I admire
your honesty. Hell, I like you. You can come
over to my house and **** my sister.

Is she less hairy than you.................... :p

[pmartel]

I kinda know that feeling.

In the winter when I was dragging my butt to the bus at 5AM, it was all I could do to keep going.

When I'm off, I try to do stuff at home

The one Godsend is that my gym is at work. Now that said, there's one about 10 minutes from where I live, but COSTS more, so at $5/pay, the 1st option is better!!

But I hear ya, keep at it, worth it in the end!!

[Minotaur]

Is she less hairy than you.................... :p

No. :p

[x-trainer ben]

Lift anymore, that is.

I don't know why I cannot get into it anymore. I've been dragging myself to the gym once or twice a week. Usually it's only for shoulders. I haven't worked legs, back or chest in the longest time, except for one full body workout last week at the company fitness center, using the machines. Except for dumbells that go up to 65 lbs, it's all machines including a Smith machine.

I Smith squatted; machine lat pulled down; machine chest pressed; machine shoulder pressed. I simply felt like I did something, but there was no spark. There is no spark. :( I just keep putting off going to the gym, and finding some lame excuse. I loved my split routines, but I find myself missing a body part workout. I dislike full body workouts for he most part.

Yet ironically I don't want to lose the muscle I've gained. I think I'm losing fat being back on keto. Cardio has been out of the question too. The mountain bike hasn't been out once this year. I'm just finding this whole weight lifting thing a chore and a bore. Asking to tell me "Get your ass back in the gym!" for motivation isn't it. If I had the motivation I would do it.

Well, I just don't know...

I came across this fbw, and am thinking of it with some simplifications. http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=4195843

I'm telling myself to get to the gym tonight to try the workout. Or maybe just do the major moves, mostly barbell, in a 3x8-10 scheme. I want to keep things simple and be done with it. No calculating this week to that week; no paper log; "just lift the damn bar" as Dr. Squat said.

The routine says beginner, and maybe that's what I need to do. I'm tired of pushing for maxes and hurting something. Maybe it's mental burn out.

"I think I'm losing fat being back on keto"
this jumps out at me screaming^^^^^^
The no energy or ooomph diet! The lethargy, no motivation for your cells, diet.

[Minotaur]

But I hear ya, keep at it, worth it in the end!!

Yes, you are right. Until now my lifting was not a problem. Cardio and diet were. Now diet is getting dialed-in, and cardio and lifting have fallen by the wayside. I'll get lifting back on track, and have to work on cardio. Jeez, this is like herding cats. :rolleyes:

[Karl_Hungus]

The problem is I've had too much time off, and now this is a bad habit which has become hard to break.

I hear ya. Same thing happens to me after a longish break. I head back to the gym, and even though I am amped to be back, I peter out about halfway through thinking "my god this sucks!". It takes getting back into the swing of things and getting used to it again.

You might also try setting some specific goals. I remember awhile ago, you posted that you were really interested in pursuing some strength goals. It might help to set a goal, and then tailor your lifting toward meeting that goal. Then as you become closer to reaching it each week, it might serve to fuel your motivation. Nothing is more motivating (at least for me) than seeing progress each week and watching the numbers go up.

Good luck man! :)

[Old-Time-Lifter]

No. :p

:eek: :eek: :eek:


"I think I'm losing fat being back on keto"
this jumps out at me screaming^^^^^^
The no energy or ooomph diet! The lethargy, no motivation for your cells, diet.

I thought the same thing, I started the Keto diet and then aneas talked me out of it....... it screwed me up for a couple of workouts though. :(

[...Kennedy]

Take an hour and read some random journals in the O35 section. Guaranteed you'll feel like lifting after that.

[Minotaur]

You might also try setting some specific goals. I remember awhile ago, you posted that you were really interested in pursuing some strength goals.

Good luck man! :)

Yeah, I was going for the strength. But then it was burning me out. Maybe that's the bad taste I have left. I have to get rid of this gut. I'd be happy to get to size 38 pants. I'm in 42s now (new, and some are even snug :eek: ); I have my 40s put away, which I can use on the way down, then treat myself to another new set when I reach my goal (the one I've been working on for 12 years).



I thought the same thing, I started the Keto diet and then aneas talked me out of it....... it screwed me up for a couple of workouts though. :(

A traditional diet does me in even worse. I'm really carb sensitive and insulin resistant. I look at carbs and I blow up. Actually the high fat in keto is what keeps you going. Though almost all ketoers will admit that workouts have to be short and intense because you don't have a lot of muscle glycogen. Yet for endurance, it's great. I have no problem on mountain bike rides. KLMARB is very knowledgeable on keto.

[Minotaur]

Take an hour and read some random journals in the O35 section. Guaranteed you'll feel like lifting after that.

I'm getting there already. :)

Either this...

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u12/Minotauros_2007/039-1.jpg

Or this...

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u12/Minotauros_2007/194.jpg

[IR45N]

Lift anymore, that is.

I don't know why I cannot get into it anymore.

the company fitness center, using the machines. Except for dumbells that go up to 65 lbs, it's all machines including a Smith machine.


I dislike full body workouts for he most part.

I'm just finding this whole weight lifting thing a chore and a bore. Asking to tell me "Get your ass back in the gym!" for motivation isn't it. If I had the motivation I would do it.

Well, I just don't know...

I came across this fbw, and am thinking of it with some simplifications. http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=4195843

I'm telling myself to get to the gym tonight

I want to keep things simple and be done with it. No calculating this week to that week; no paper log; "just lift the damn bar" as Dr. Squat said.

The routine says beginner, and maybe that's what I need to do. I'm tired of pushing for maxes and hurting something. Maybe it's mental burn out.

Mino, Could be mental iron burnout. Could be you're bored with the machines; any chance of signing up for a short term at a gym with free weights?

That routine would be better labled straight forward/basic vs beginner & you're no beginner no matter how long you've been off.

If at all possible; do as Dr. Squat says; just go to the gym tonight, do or don't do that routine if you want and leave when you feel like and be satisfied. For tonight, or a while, go, (you know you'll feel better having gone) do what you want vs what you feel you have to do and don't beat yourself up afterwards (kind of goes against the idea of bodyBUILDING).

Still wonder if maybe the machines aren't challenging enough for you; other than whatever weight you pick.

Don't let the iron get relegated to a chore. You've enjoyed it in the past; you can get it back!

[Minotaur]

Mino, Could be mental iron burnout. Could be you're bored with the machines; any chance of signing up for a short term at a gym with free weights?

Oh, my regular gym is free weights. I rarely use the company fitness center because I don't like the machines. I need to refocus and re-commit. As of right now, I'm hitting the gym tonight. I'll go home, get changed, fidoodle as little as possible, and head out the door. I'll do legs.

[JolietKev]

Why just shoulders? I could do back everyday though so I know how it is.

[Minotaur]

Shoulders? For some reason I like doing them best. I like overhead presses, a variety of them... seated barbell, standing barbell, Viking Press, but not dumbell presses. Even side raises. But they come last.

[GuyJin]

Frank,

Sounds to me like you're burned out a bit, not to mention you've got other personal stuff going on in your life. It happens to the best of us. FWIW, I'd take a couple of days off and when you start back, start conservatively and take it from there. The routine you listed is a good one, and less is always better when the burnout hits (if that is the case, and I think it is)--you can always do more when you're ready. The key is to GET ready and to BE ready. Hang in there, bud...

My two yen.

[EMISGOD]

Play guitar more.

[Tyrbolift]

Why did I read this whole thread?

The motivation is up to you. We're not going to give it to you.

[jeffaus]

I woke up this morning and just did not feel like going to gym, which is unusual for me as I normally just love it. But this morning I didnt want to get out of bed and go. So I get up and dragged my sorry arse there anyway. Walked in through the door and decided that the hardest part was done and if I dragged my butt in there, I was going to have a good session. I had a great training session and felt so damn good about myself afterwards. Motivate yourself Mino, if you really want it, then just damn well do it.

[shlape]

Disconnect yourself to connect yourself...

^^^ totally! I could be accused of being a snob at my gym because I tend to shut everything and everyone out.


1. There is a young bull, and I do mean bull, who works at a local business. Over the past few years I've seen him go from a Billy Mays (r.i.p.) -type physique to a beefier one, with much less of a belly. I almost didn't recognize him yesterday. I was really proud of him; very inspiring. I can't let him down.

2. One of my young Greek friends from the diner (remember, I'm an honorary Greek :D) came back from Greece. He weight trains too. He blurts out "o tavros!" ("the bull" in Greek) when he sees me. I can't let him down. Besides, how can I let a 27 year old show up a 52 year old!? :eek: :D

A strange irony was how I was busy reading your post when, on the internet radio, Atreyu's "Becoming the Bull" was playing...

Grab the bull by the horns
The old adage goes
Nobody tells you where to go from there
Seems like fate?s pulling you
Decisions have to be made
The best path is the hardest earned

Back and forth a struggle consumes us all
Trying to keep a level head
In the most unsettling of times
Today I become the bull

I thought I'd add that... seemed fitting. All the best with your training Mino.

[gbg]

Same thing happened to me, switching to Olympic lifting re lit the spark!!
bb'ing was not a challenge for me anymore.
Maybe if you try something totally new to you it will help, it worked for me :)

[Minotaur]

Frank,

Sounds to me like you're burned out a bit, not to mention you've got other personal stuff going on in your life. It happens to the best of us. FWIW, I'd take a couple of days off and when you start back, start conservatively and take it from there. The routine you listed is a good one, and less is always better when the burnout hits (if that is the case, and I think it is)--you can always do more when you're ready. The key is to GET ready and to BE ready. Hang in there, bud...

My two yen.

Probably right. I've been wavering over what routine to use... do an abbreviated fbw or my regular splits. I prefer abbreviated training. I never was one for high volume.

I do have a lot going on. I feel overwhelmed:

"For 300 lives of Men I have walked this Earth. And now, I have no time" - Gandalf the Grey. That's how I feel. I used to be bored, and now I have too much to try to work in.

And maybe part of it is spending too much time on the internet. I can waste a couple of hours on the weekend and at night.I know that a bunch of people have backed off for that very reason. Maybe it's time to do that too.


Play guitar more.

Trying to do that too. And getting better, I think. I can (almost) do the Proud Mary rhythm D U x UU x U with the two mutes. Muting isn't easy for a beginner. I can do the rhythm without muting. But the muting makes it. I'm doing the Greenday version of Working Class Hero (somewhat different rhythm than JL's original).


Why did I read this whole thread?

Only you can answer that.


The motivation is up to you. We're not going to give it to you.

I wasn't asking for an injection of motivation or for anyone to give me anything. If you did read the "whole thread", you would have seen that I wrote "Asking to tell me "Get your ass back in the gym!" for motivation isn't it. If I had the motivation I would do it."

This was partially a rant, and partially a request for ideas and answers for why it might be happening. I'm sorry you wasted your time. :rolleyes:

[ArchAngel'73]

This was partially a rant, and partially a request for ideas and answers for why it might be happening. I'm sorry you wasted your time. :rolleyes:

Let's see if my psych degree works through teh internetz...
judging from what I've seen of your posts I'd have to say depression coinciding with really low self esteem/worth.
Family life is messed up right, chaotic beyond belief? Why workout, no one cares, I'm not worth it...and the cycle will continue until you come up with your own answers. Nothing your shrink can't tell ya.


Ideas-You have one of 2 options, quit or re-start. Cave in to life or man up, its really that simple.
We're not talking motivation here, we're talking your about your instinct for self preservation.
So my question to you is... what part of you are you going to let win?

[Minotaur]

Let's see if my psych degree works through teh internetz...
judging from what I've seen of your posts I'd have to say depression coinciding with really low self esteem/worth.
Family life is messed up right, chaotic beyond belief? Why workout, no one cares, I'm not worth it...and the cycle will continue until you come up with your own answers. Nothing your shrink can't tell ya.

Do you take United Healthcare? ;) :p

http://img.tfd.com/wn/08/5F8BC-bull-s-eye.gif

And the fatigue that comes along with all of it. I'm in a bad habit of blowing off what I should be doing for me, since I'm so used to dropping everything to help everyone else. It did just become a bad habit. You know, "why bother? It's only me".

Fortunately family stuff is settling down, but I'm not completely down with it yet. Things have been so messed up for so long it becomes an insidious way of life. I've completely written off his sister and want nothing to do with her. She was at the house the other day, and I did not even look at her. She's dead to me for what she's put us through with her own shenanigans and those of her sociopathic brat.

Partner got his car back since his niece, the bright one attending Seton Hall Law School and will one day be addressed as Madame Justice (yes srsly) is taking the train to school.

He's starting to look for work again. Being on SSI Disability he can work 18-20 hours/week. We need the money. Another $600-$800/month will be a godsend. The other nightmare with the sociopathic kid is coming (nay, has come) to a close. When we start to mention something about it, we cut ourselves short and say "you know what? who cares?".

I told Dr. Therapist that, not to minimize those who are really suffering from it, but I feel like I have a mild case of PTSD. I'm always waiting for the other shoe to drop. She said it's very possible, though more likely chronic anxiety. Clonazepam help. Dr. Shrink has me on .5 mg 3x/day. I think at my size I could stand 1 mg.


Ideas-You have one of 2 options, quit or re-start. Cave in to life or man up, its really that simple.
We're not talking motivation here, we're talking your about your instinct for self preservation.
So my question to you is... what part of you are you going to let win?

I've always been the strong one, and relied upon. I also say that even granite can crack. I know I have to take charge and take my life back. We both do. I want the physique and mentality that I have in mind. And I know no one is going to do it for me.