Staying Motivated

canuck_chick · 10-12-2007, 12:08 PM

Hello everyone,

I am having a pretty hard time lately staying motivated to get to the gym and to eat a clean diet. Diet and fitness have always been really important to me, but for some reason, the last little while I have lost motivation.

I wanted to ask, what keeps you motivated? When you don't want to go to the gym, or you're considering eating something you know you shouldn't, what makes you stay on track?

1972girl · 10-12-2007, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck_chick

Hello everyone,

I am having a pretty hard time lately staying motivated to get to the gym and to eat a clean diet. Diet and fitness have always been really important to me, but for some reason, the last little while I have lost motivation.

I wanted to ask, what keeps you motivated? When you don't want to go to the gym, or you're considering eating something you know you shouldn't, what makes you stay on track?

When I dont feel like going to the gym I still go, 95% of the time I have a good workout.Sometimes I switch it up and go for a bike ride stop off at the playground and some pull ups or some kind of workout at home push ups,jump rope that kind of thing.Sometimes I have trouble eating clean,when I do I try to fill up on clean food(More apples and bananas mostly)and get things like surger free ice cream.Its not as good as the real stuff but it does the trick.

milfnation · 10-12-2007, 02:07 PM

CC, I totally know how you feel. I am not sure how long your unmotivation has been plaguing you...but sometimes it helps to set your own goal dates for things on your calender.Then you know you have a deadline to meet.And let your goal and goal date be known by others and then you will feel accountable for it.I know that may sound crazy, but that was the first thing I did when I wanted to make noticable changes in my body.I spoke openly about what my goals were and and when they were to be achieved.And I will even go so far as giving myself a reward when my goal is achieved.And that can be whatever floats your boat! Like a fabulous facial, a new outfit, massage...you get the picture.Something that you don't do on a daily basis..only as a special treat.I don't know if that helps you at all, but I sure hope it does.Good luck to you CC and stay motivated hun...the results are worht it and you are worth it hun!!

littleblkninja · 10-12-2007, 04:49 PM

Knowing that some other chick doesn't feel like it either but she is training as I speak does it for me. Even pros don't always feel like it, but they still get up and get it over with.

vanillabn · 10-13-2007, 03:09 PM

As milfnation mentioned, setting a concrete goal can really help. For me, I started a journal in the forums, and it was a great way to put my goals in writing, and made me "accountable" for what I did to achieve those goals. It can also help to get support and feedback from others.

I don't think ANYONE likes going to the gym ALL the time... sometimes you just have to focus on your end goal, and just make a commitment to what you want to achieve...and that's not always easy

I take one meal a week where I can eat 'whatever', (within reason)... but that's what I focus on when I'm thinking of eating something I didn't plan for during the week. I just think, "I don't need this now, if I still want it in a few days, I can have it then." That works for me because I know I'm not 'depriving' myself, just 'delaying' my gratification. Also, the I remind myself that the way I feel from eating clean and making sure I fit in all my workouts is SO much better than how I feel after eating crap or staying home from the gym.

Good luck, it's not an easy thing, but it's totally worth it.

do1more · 10-13-2007, 03:35 PM

I sympathize. Not every day is a winner, whether its working out , going to work, or just doing your home chores.
On days like that i try to veiw my gym time as part of my "job". The attitude sucks , but the pay off is better than $$$ , even my skin is happier now.

freebirdmac · 10-13-2007, 08:13 PM

This is something that worries me. I've always preferred something like running or tennis over gyms because I got bored in gyms. Of course back then gyms did not have TVs and iPods did not exist. I hope a year from now I'm not struggling. This is too good a workout to give up or significantly slack off from.

c0ldhart · 10-14-2007, 01:10 AM

I look at time in the gym as some of the only time that I get to be 100% focused on myself, even to the point of almost feeling selfish about it sometimes. Alot of us get focused on work, family, etc, and rarely do we give ourselves 'me time', but if I'm at the gym, i can focus totally on my needs... to feel stronger, healthier, alone with my music, whatever it might be... so sometimes i just tell myself to show up when I'm not 'feeling it', once I'm there I normally find that I really needed the time to myself. Often those turn out to be my best workouts.

That is what helps me stay motivated.

twinnett · 10-14-2007, 04:19 AM

I'm usually not very psyched to do cardio...lol...but I jump out of bed at 4:15 AM to go lift! I just love the feeling of pushing myself and I imagine all of the beautiful muscle I'm creating w/ each rep. It gives me such a high and such great energy to start the day! I usually notice when I start to not feel so excited to get to the gym, it's usually time to take a few days off!

Outdoor Girl · 10-14-2007, 02:15 PM

I stay motivated when I get results. So, naturally, when I don't seem to be getting any, like on plateaus, it makes it really hard to stay motivated. I am experiencing a pretty frustrating one now.

I try to mix things up as much as I can - change exercises, change the order, do drop sets, etc.

canuck_chick · 10-15-2007, 04:27 AM

Thanks a lot for the advice everyone, there was some stuff mentioned that will be very helpful in keeping my motivation. I have made up my mind to start back with my old workout routine and eating habits. Today is my first day at it and I am determined to stay with it this time around.

Like vanillabn mentioned, the journal idea might just work for me. There is no room for excuses if I take that route!

vanillabn · 10-15-2007, 07:49 PM

Hey, did you end up starting a journal? It would be cool to track your progress

canuck_chick · 10-16-2007, 04:21 AM

I am going to start one, hopefully I will find time tonight. I agree with what you said about it making me accountable, I need that or else I will slack off!

Now dumb newbie question, what is the difference between the journals and Body Space? Where should I track my progress?

Thanks!

vanillabn · 10-16-2007, 11:32 PM

Well, the journals are basically just threads in the forums, and you post your workouts (or anything else) in your own thread. People can read your journal & give you feedback, so that part is great. Personally, I track my "progress" on Bodyspace (which is your 'profile' basically), in regards to measurements, weight, etc. but I put details of my food, workouts, etc. in my journal. One of the benefits to having a journal in the forums rather than using your bodyspace blog is that you get more people visiting (in my case), and therefore more feedback, and also there's a more social aspect to it than with your bodyspace.

Wow long explanation, sorry

Amelia · 10-21-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outdoor Girl

I stay motivated when I get results.

Same. Heart disease runs in my family so the risk of a possible heart attack is motivation to keep me working out and eating healthy.

urbanmommy · 10-23-2007, 06:27 PM

Yes!! Picking a goal date on the calendar has really helped keep me motivated. It's working towards something...a reunion, a concert w/the girls, a special date w/your hubbie...whatever!

Also, I am motivated by the people at my gym. They've watched my transformation over the last year, and they are constantly asking me questions. I feel very responsible now...I need to live up to their expectations of me. I don't feel pressure, mind you. It's a wonderful, exhilarating feeling that lots of people are watching me and following what I do.

Jesusfollower72 · 10-26-2007, 09:15 AM

I'm a runner so I stay motivated by signing up for races. (1/2 and full marathons). I don't miss a run/workout when I know I'm training for something.
There are ALL KINDS of competitions/contests you can do. www.active.com has a lot of different kinds of sports.

livingloca · 11-03-2007, 07:05 PM

It's always a great motivator if you have a friend that makes it to the gym at the same time... I don't necessarily closely workout with my friend(s) but just knowing they made it too helps me keep my butt in there!