What you think while you work out?

Stephanie_9 · 03-06-2009, 04:21 AM

I was just wondering what some people think about while they are training, I seem to have an over active mind and sometimes feel like I am thinking a million things at once. I try to think keep my mind on what exercises I am going to do etc. and imagine what my idol fitness women look like and what they do to get there. What do other people think about? What keeps you motivated?

deawalsh · 03-06-2009, 04:58 AM

I try to really focus on my exercises and body...but somedays its just impossible, and its ok, things happen and everything...and on those days i just work harder to keep myself focus...and my big gift and motivation on that is definately the results i get from it!

BlackBarbieDoll · 03-06-2009, 07:11 AM

I'm a firm believer in the mind-body connection, and being as aware as possible when lifting.
I compare it to studying. If you kinda just skim the pages, and are passively reading..you're not accomplishing half as much as if you actively engage the text.
So I try to be really mindful of what muscles I'm pushing....when that doesn't work...I just picture how hot I'll look in a few weeks

PS: I'm also a hippy...so my advice is real new age

cfaith · 03-06-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBarbieDoll

So I try to be really mindful of what muscles I'm pushing....when that doesn't work...I just picture how hot I'll look in a few weeks

Haha, me too. And I try to focus on breathing the right way. If I am having a hard time getting through a set I imagine myself the way I WANT to look and that is usually enough motivation.

Amanda76 · 03-06-2009, 09:49 AM

I visualize/try to control the muscles that are doing the work. Between sets, I'm normally walking around/pacing staring at my feet/off into space thinking about my next set. In my mind, my sets are always strong so it makes me mad when my body doesn't quite get with the program, but...LOL

Sometimes I think about a time when I thought that muscle group was at it's best on me...or will imagine me with that muscle looking the way I want it to or will even think about someone who's body I admire but normally I just think about what I'm doing and being strong and what's coming up next.

Fitness-Chic · 03-06-2009, 04:13 PM

You know when Im training for the most part in my mind I'm singing along with my music....gettin into it. LOL
Except when I am watching my form and concentrating on what exercise I am doing at the time.

Really not much goin on up there @ 4:30am. LOL

norinicole · 03-06-2009, 04:16 PM

There's a lot of swearing.

And trying to make sure my form is perfect and that the muscles are burning.

hmotb555 · 03-06-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitness-Chic

You know when Im training for the most part in my mind I'm singing along with my music....gettin into it. LOL
Except when I am watching my form and concentrating on what exercise I am doing at the time.

Really not much goin on up there @ 4:30am. LOL

Yeah I'm with you....I am very much into my music and visualizing the way I want to look...I also do a lot of self-talk to keep my form perfect and to keep myself going through a workout

txlftngrl · 03-06-2009, 05:48 PM

When Im focused and having a good day, Ill be thinking about my workout-what Im doing what's next etc. Most of the time though, I get really distracted and am paying attention to other people or thinking about homework/work future blah blah blah. Or Ill just zone out sometimes and not much is going on up there

tex

Mustrainhard · 03-06-2009, 07:59 PM

I work out really hard and it is impossible for me to think of anything else except how many reps can I manage to crank out for the next set, or why does the clock hand go so fast between sets. One of the main reasons I workout is because the intensity I need forces me to take my mind away from work and other stuff in life. I find that completely relaxing. But then, I am a powerlifter. Visualizing body parts probably work better for some of you BBers.

tina1920 · 03-07-2009, 09:58 AM

Working out is a personal escape for me. I think about my career, family and anything else that is important. I check my form often. I think about stepping in college and how much better I would be at it now. Working out is my hobby. It is my meditation. I use it to relieve stress and to create a new me. So my mind races also just on productive thing.

Beefcupcake · 03-07-2009, 02:19 PM

While I'm lifting I don't think much other than focus on my breathing and lifting the weights.

In between sets I like to look at the shoes that people are wearing

Deborah_Lyn · 03-07-2009, 02:55 PM

Usually I zone out or watch my form

Today, I was pushing it hard to get 1 set of 15# on my lat raises. It sucked so bad. I've been doing 10# forever and breaking through to 15# is a bit rough now.

It's really funny. I guess because it's work gym ( and imo, usually less serious about lifting). But, the guys all stand around and chit chat. Me, I lift and gtfo. lol.

banda · 03-07-2009, 02:56 PM

During sets I try and concentrate on proper form and really 'engage' the muscles. When the last reps get heavy, I imagine that those last few are what will make the difference between the way I look now and the way I want to look - great for squeezing in a few more. Plus I curse the muscle floridly in my mind, lol.
In between sets I don't really think of much, I just try and relax. Sometimes I check out hot guys/girls and surreptitiously see if I am lifting more than they are...

etali · 03-08-2009, 10:33 AM

I'm usually too busy counting reps and concentrating on my form to think about much else. If I find my mind wandering, I up the weight to make myself concentrate again.

When I'm doing cardio my mind wanders all over the place. I haven't found a cure for that yet!

steave89 · 03-08-2009, 10:37 AM

Why don't you listen to music when doing cardio? It may help.

Gracehbd · 03-08-2009, 03:24 PM

I workout in my room, and watch online TV. Really, really helps.

Blueta · 03-09-2009, 06:05 AM

I just listening music and very concentrating on my workout, can't think anything really

jbohobo · 03-10-2009, 12:04 PM

I have funny thoughts, like "You wanna be strong?? Then PROVE it!" My little internal bootcamp.

SearMeCarefully · 03-10-2009, 03:56 PM

There's some definite swearing going on under my breath on that last rep lol
I focus on my form (or glare at the muscle that's having a hard time lol)
I also like to envision how I want to be or women I've seen with physiques I admire. And I imagine I'm really stong lol

dunkonu9 · 03-10-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norinicole

There's a lot of swearing.

And trying to make sure my form is perfect and that the muscles are burning.

haha I thought I was the only one that cussed the weights. I am always yelling "come on bitch get your ass up here come on bitch you ain't ****."

norinicole · 03-11-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunkonu9

haha I thought I was the only one that cussed the weights. I am always yelling "come on bitch get your ass up here come on bitch you ain't ****."

Nope, you're definitely not the only one.

There's also the occasional 'PHUCK!' and '****' that gets blurted out too, lol.

push_it · 03-11-2009, 09:44 AM

I think about how if I slack it won't get me any closer to my goals.... Go Hard or Go Home!
I think about how I'm gonna show all of those who ever doubted me what's what.
I think about how the DOMS are gonna feel afterwards lol.
I think about how I'm going to: 1) make it out of the gym if it's a leg day, or 2) how I'm going to brush my hair if it's an upper body day lol

Amanda76 · 03-11-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearMeCarefully

There's some definite swearing going on under my breath on that last rep lol
I focus on my form (or glare at the muscle that's having a hard time lol)
I also like to envision how I want to be or women I've seen with physiques I admire. And I imagine I'm really stong lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunkonu9

haha I thought I was the only one that cussed the weights. I am always yelling "come on bitch get your ass up here come on bitch you ain't ****."

Quote:

Originally Posted by norinicole

Nope, you're definitely not the only one.

There's also the occasional 'PHUCK!' and '****' that gets blurted out too, lol.

I normally swear more than I should, but when I finally got a new pb for bench (155 x 1! Was so excited!) as I was working my way through my sticking point on the way up I said, "AH! GEEEEEZE!"

Not very hardcore. LOL

tinytim323 · 03-11-2009, 09:59 AM

i think about how much my exgirlfriends are going to be jealous when im ripped. or just how much they piss me off and that works great

wantfirmcurves · 03-12-2009, 11:00 AM

Steady effort cardio workouts are meditation and reflection time for me. While doing HIIT, I'm focused on making sure I'm hitting the different exertion levels. During weight training, I'm thinking about form. Basically it's all about ME during my workouts! lol

soleuvanathlete · 03-12-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by push_it

I think about how if I slack it won't get me any closer to my goals.... Go Hard or Go Home!
I think about how I'm gonna show all of those who ever doubted me what's what.
I think about how the DOMS are gonna feel afterwards lol.
I think about how I'm going to: 1) make it out of the gym if it's a leg day, or 2) how I'm going to brush my hair if it's an upper body day lol

x2, push_it!!!!!!
I also picture, in my mind's eye, myself being strong and eeking out just one more rep, having perfect form, feeling the burn, but loving every minute of it. TONS OF VISUALIZATION - I believe in it!

I also look at myself in the mirror a lot BETWEEN sets and critique my physique. USUALLY, I'm positive, but not always...

During my sets, it's funny, 'cause I don't swear (and I'm a fan of the "eff bomb"!), but I do say to myself, "c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, just one more rep, you're stronger than last week, you got this...."

racheldyoung · 03-12-2009, 01:42 PM

I second all these thoughts! I swear at the weights, I watch my form, I really try to clear my mind of everything else going on in my life except what I'm doing at that exact moment and live in the "right this very second"

...except if I'm running. Then I've got my headphones on to keep the beat and I leave it all on the pavement.