So What Keeps You Motivated At The Gym??

livingloca · 01-15-2008, 10:19 AM

Friends always ask me what keeps me motivated to make it to the gym everyday. It has become a habit... so I don't give myself the opportunity to decide whether to go or not. Seeing my gymrats is such a huge part -- simply because I am such a social butterfly!!

What keeps YOU motivated???

powerman2000 · 01-15-2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livingloca

What keeps YOU motivated???

My love of lifting heavy ass sh*t.

Seriously though, I've been doing this since highschool so It's an ingrained part of my life. I'd have to find ways to motivate myself to stay out of the gym.

Oh yeah, and having a physique at my age that turns heads at the pool is pretty cool too.

bodyhard · 01-15-2008, 10:25 AM

Bodybuilding to me is not a hobby or something I just do, it is a lifestyle I am in it for the long haul.

Motivation? I am obsess with it!

Ohh by the way nice AV

ntrllftr · 01-15-2008, 10:27 AM

Getting that freakin 1st place trophy...

Too many 2nd and 3rd place ones.. get me to the gym GET ME THERE FAST!

Wow sorry got a little carried away.

farsscf · 01-15-2008, 10:29 AM

Can't they tell by looking at you!?! Coming on here and seeing other's progress and knowing I have a goal to get to keeps me going.

TANK25 · 01-15-2008, 10:33 AM

I just love working out!!!!If I have to miss a day I feel like crap!!!!

someday · 01-15-2008, 10:36 AM

the look in my husband's eyes

Capt. America · 01-15-2008, 10:38 AM

Well.....there's this one little blonde that always.................................

djl_ottawa · 01-15-2008, 10:39 AM

Mine right now is all the comments from friends and family.

I have not been to the gym yet this week (interview yesterday and was suppose to have another one today but they canceled) so did not bring my gym stuff.

I might go later tonight because if I go after going home and getting my stuff the place will be jammed.

But also should mention for me it's also the numbers I take each month that shows a difference.

Roger035 · 01-15-2008, 10:39 AM

Looking younger and stronger than my 25-33 year old friends.

livingloca · 01-15-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bodyhard

Ohh by the way nice AV

Thanks!

livingloca · 01-15-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djl_ottawa

Mine right now is all the comments from friends and family. But also should mention for me it's also the numbers I take each month that shows a difference.

That is huge... Having friends and family notice your changes is a HUGE encouragement. Way to go!!!

rhollan · 01-15-2008, 10:44 AM

this is an ironic thread -- i've gotten bummed out a bit about going to the gym lately... not that I don't want to go, but rather that I still seem to be very weak.

My trainer had me doing one-legged and sumo squats yesterday. The sumos were fun, but the one-legged ones were killer!

I almost blew off my 45 minutes of cardio at the end, but pushed myself through it, knowing I'd feel awful if I didn't (and I made a new PB on the stationary bike for 15 miles: 41:40).

But, some exercises have me quitting knowing I have one more rep in me, and others, I DO push out that last rep (sometimes, the second set of an exercise is great, but the first is brutal).

I DO like the fact that I've lost fat, and gained some strength. And I know that it's a slow, hard, slog, to keep improving, but some days I ask myself, "self, why are you killing yourself?"

I even had a beer the other night with dinner. And, I haven't done that in ages. Surprisingly, I didn't like it! I know one beer isn't going to ruin all my efforts, but I don't want to get back into the habit of going out 2-3 nights a week and having 3-4 beers each such night. Fortunately, I haven't.

But, to answer the question of what keeps me motivated and gets me out of funks like this, I look at the progress I have already made in a short time, and the progress other people here are making, and tell myself to "just suck it up".

That works for me.

agsuper · 01-15-2008, 10:46 AM

The mirror

Mark1T · 01-15-2008, 10:52 AM

I am motivated by:

Wanting to look a whole lot better than I would if I didn't workout;

I admit that I want to look more attractive to the opposite sex.

The challenge of progressing each training session.

Wanting to be strong than weak.

Wanting to be one of the strongest pound-per-pound guys in the gym.

farsscf · 01-15-2008, 10:54 AM

Isn't it "I want to look good naked"?

rocketman44 · 01-15-2008, 10:55 AM

One word: Ego.

Just kidding. It's a number of things:

1. I enjoy the act of lifting weights

2. I like the way I feel after a good workout; it lasts for days, or at least until the next workout.

3. I need to expend energy. I am not a couch potato. Unless there's a good football game on, anyway.

4. I need to fight the aging process. So it's not just for enjoyment - I need to do this.

5. I need to fight genetics. Weight tends to accumulate in my belly. I have to counter that.

6. Reading about this sport and about people like the members here who are in the same boat, trying to improve, trying to stay healthy.

So it may not be all these factors that motivate every workout, but one or two are always on my mind when it's time to workout.

ectoBgone · 01-15-2008, 11:05 AM

Well, I thought it was pretty much the mirror until recently. Althought that still plays a significant role, I would still hit the gym even if I had the exact look I wanted. The increased energy and overall positive impact it makes on me mentally and physically keeps me going. I would miss the solid, pumped feeling you get the day after a good lift, as well as the release you get during the workout itself. It's a great mind flush.

crazycelt · 01-15-2008, 11:13 AM

Hearing my son "brag" to his friends about his Dad's strength and fitness level!!!

creb · 01-15-2008, 11:14 AM

This question is coming from people who see the gym as work.

Is there a proxy for my efforts? Yes, we all have something in mind, and if that image is an ideal physique then I'm also working out with my eating and sleeping, albeit more religiously than the average person.

I need no motivation to lift weights- I do need motivation to eat. If someone next asks me what motivates me/gets me to the gym, I'll ask them what makes them eat a tuna sandwich.

Blake Austin · 01-15-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocketman44

1. I enjoy the act of lifting weights

2. I like the way I feel after a good workout; it lasts for days, or at least until the next workout.

3. I need to expend energy. I am not a couch potato. Unless there's a good football game on, anyway.

4. I need to fight the aging process. So it's not just for enjoyment - I need to do this.

All of these. And also like another post stated, I've been doing it since high school. I just can't stop! I can't imagine doing anything else after work, besides going to the gym. Now, when/if that day comes that I can imagine doing something else, then I will stop or at least slow down. Well probably I will. LOL

bobbyanderson · 01-15-2008, 11:23 AM

My results keep me motivated. and i plus im going to nashville to do my first show in may. also it seems the more muscle i gain the better i feel, so i pretty much love it, lol.

livingloca · 01-15-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farsscf

Isn't it "I want to look good naked"?

Yes it is!

LOL!

Bronkko · 01-15-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agsuper

The mirror

my gym has the biggest mirrors i could find.

to quote the immortal terrell owens.. "i love me some me."

you thought i was gonna say... "thats my quarterback man, thats my quarterback." in my best crying voice didnt you?

Luke Whippo · 01-15-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creb

This question is coming from people who see the gym as work.

Is there a proxy for my efforts? Yes, we all have something in mind, and if that image is an ideal physique then I'm also working out with my eating and sleeping, albeit more religiously than the average person.

I need no motivation to lift weights- I do need motivation to eat. If someone next asks me what motivates me/gets me to the gym, I'll ask them what makes them eat a tuna sandwich.

i need no motivation eithier Creb for a progressive training session, I may need some motavation in order to do something "mind blowing" but as far as progress efferts and progress in a training session, i can do that on my worst day (see I know there are tougher things in life).

with that said, I really treat this as a hobby as what I do in a training session is really just that, but there is a life changing reward that comes with it, the "training" aspect is a hobby that absolutly will not bore me!!!

chrisbute · 01-15-2008, 11:32 AM

It's the RESULTS - The body transformation that occurs from the hard work at the gym. That's my motivating factor.

mdocruz · 01-15-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agsuper

The mirror

LOL! the same here! :]

IronCamp · 01-15-2008, 11:48 AM

I don't think it's related to motivation anymore...maybe at first, but I enjoy working out, so I view it more like a hobby! I tell people working out is my hobby, b/c they can't understand how I can spend the time I do in the gym or working out. Some people like to crochet....I like to lift heavy things @ the gym!

powerman2000 · 01-15-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronkko

you thought i was gonna say... "thats my quarterback man, thats my quarterback." in my best crying voice didnt you?

ESPN -->

<-- Me

barrymac · 01-15-2008, 11:56 AM

A few things:

My HA1C number now at 5.9 instead of 7.2

My weight now being 192 instead of 240

My Cholesterol now being at a good level instead of 310

Knowing that I kicked Diabetes in the ass instead of letting it kicking me in mine...

I feel better now then I have in 20 years, I am 100% addicted to the gym, I love the way that I feel when I am there and my day is so much better after a good vigorous workout. Great thread, rep added...