Low motivation mindset: Breaking out of it

[NegatronPrime]

Hi guys.

Recently, I'd say for a good month or so, my motivation for anything has just plummeted and stuck at rock bottom. Worst part is, I need that drive and motivation that i've lost, now more than ever. Generally I have a negative outlook on most things (hence username), but hope for this to change and have my username as somewhat of a laugh.

Yeah I still go to the gym and lift as hard as I can but I often find myself daydreaming, resting in excess of maybe 5+minutes between sets, especially when going heavy or attempting something I haven't lifted before trying to get into the mythical 'zone', that never happens and I just sit there. I still attempt the lift but I don't put half as much into it as I should.

Recently seeing results at the gym too, you'd think id be thinking "holy hell, did I really just accomplish that lift?", spurring me on to try even harder, but no, I just go about my session as if nothing has happened.

The other day I attempted incline bench with 38kg dumbells for a 1 rep max. Yes I know it's nothing special but that's damn heavy for me. My left arm rocketed up but my right arm caved in about half way up. So I know if I just get my head in the game I will nail that lift. Doesn't sound impressive but I think it is for me personally considering no less than 4 weeks ago I barely managed 28kg press for 10 reps, and yesterday I did 34kgx10 with ease.

I used to run anything between 2-6 miles every other day and I loved it. Now I can barely muster the energy to even think about wanting to go. I haven't ran consistently for a couple of months now. I really need to because I've got army selection on the 21st of this month and I'm slacking way too much. That's right, I've got the final step, one shot to pass (unless I fail and want to wait 3 months to try again), one shot to enter a new and exciting career and here I am sat on my ass wondering "what the hell happened?".

I'm into strength building, cardio fitness and bodybuilding but lately I just cant get pumped like I used to. Ive been training since May 2010, I weighed in excess of 16stone/ 225lbs, 27%fat, not healthy, fit or stong in the slightest, struggling to deadlift 50kg off a rack; now I weigh around 82kg/180lbs, average strength, deadlifted 155kg off the floor a couple months ago (stopped for a while due to severely tight lower back affecting me) average cardio fitness and a far better body than I had last year with apparently ~9-12%fat . Granted im not exactly ripped because I lost weight fairly rapidly, especially this year, and my skin is playing catch up and needs to shrink back, which im kinda self conscious/annoyed about but I've finally got that arm vascularity that I always wanted. I know deep down I've done well and I praise myself for it, especially recently gaining 6kg on incline dumbell press in 4 weeks, but why can't that drive and motivation just stay there so I can continue?

Right now I'm just trying to gain as much strength as I can before I get into the army, where Ill lose size and strength during vigorous endurance training, but hope to at least maintain a level of strength that Ive worked so hard to achieve.

I need to get my ass in gear and really work hard, especially on my running as I've only got 10 days til selection.

If anyone can give any advice on what you do for motivation or to get your head out of the gutter I'm open to suggestions.

[King_Madness]

Do you want to go into the army?

[NegatronPrime]

Yes, but inb4 "if you want to join just get on with it" response, no offence.

Believe me sometimes I'm really pumped for the idea but when it comes down to it and I think, right, Ive gotta run/lift tomorrow, the morning comes and its just like the barrier comes right back up.

I could put it down to anything, but I wouldn't consider myself lazy. Sometimes I question if it's my diet. I know for a fact I could eat a whole lot cleaner but I do often wonder if the way I eat restricts energy levels.

[King_Madness]

From what you said, you believe that going into the army will hurt your size and gains because of all of the endurance exercises. Maybe your not trying harder because subconsciously you believe it to be useless since you will be going into the army and all of your gains will be lost. IMO your gains won't be hurt, but get better when you get into the army, you would probably get more cut. Your body is more complex then you think, those endurance exercises can be really good for you.

Also I hear iron deficiency leads to low energy levels, maybe you could look into getting more iron in your diet, or start taking a multivitamin. I actually strongly suggest multivitamins, once I take mine in the morning I'm bouncing the whole day.

[NegatronPrime]

Not gonna lie, my diet could be more in check.

Ive got multi's, each one contains 14mg of iron which apparently is 100% of the RDA but to be honest I've no idea how much I need to intake for a decent level of iron.

I think my blood pressure is just slightly on the low side too. And I know re-regulating my sleep pattern will help a whole lot.

Its not so much thinking that ill lose it all in the army so Im not going to bother trying now, its quite the opposite. Im actually trying to gain as much strength/size as I can before I go so, even though I wont be able to train how I do normally, Ill at least be able to try and maintain what I've gained so to speak. But I get what you mean as a possibility.

I'm quite lucky when it comes to strength, when I do try hard, my strength gains are excellent, most likely will plateau one day but for now I ain't gonna complain about progress :P

Currently take ZMA prior to sleep, Sida Cordifolia pre workout as a stimulant and started recently using Optimum Health Ultimate One for carbs and protein (with extra bits in the mix e.g. creatine&glutamine). All of which have made a difference to my training and strength.

It's just my own mind I've got to conquer but struggling to break down that barrier

[King_Madness]

I conquered that barrier when I stopped giving a **** about everything. Stop caring about what everybody thinks, stop caring about this or that anything that holds you back.

You should write a list of all the things you think are holding you back, then ball the paper up, throw it in the trash, and say **** it. Then go to the gym and handle your business. Anytime something stupid has you down, just say **** it.