Major Slump

anb1683 · 10-23-2007, 03:07 PM

Get me out....

Don't know what my problem is, flaking on the gym, eating crappy foods...does this happen to anyone else, where the old person that you are trying to get rid of (habits) come back for no reason? I have every reason to be motivated and I want to be, its just not there...Everything else in my life is actually really great except for this part. Ughh, I'm trying to find excuses to NOT go to the gym tonight but I have to force myself, I have to get there tonight, but its giving me anxiety, is that weird?

Some wisdom, advice, personal stories, anything would be great at this point.

thanks

paulpfiction · 10-23-2007, 03:24 PM

like nike says:

JUST DO IT!

if im going, you should go!

anb1683 · 10-23-2007, 04:17 PM

I understand that I need to just do it, its just easier said then done.

bull.dogz · 10-23-2007, 04:42 PM

We all go through this. I have days I don't want to go but after my workout I'm always glad I went.

Determined2lose · 10-23-2007, 04:44 PM

I am sorry that has happened to you. Just stay focused and keep your head up. I have had my days where I just don't want to go. I suggest going out and getting yourself a cut workout outfit and see if that helps. Knowing you have come this far and don't give up.

bbbom · 10-23-2007, 05:11 PM

That happens quit often to me for various reasons, feeling stressed out because I have other things I should be doing, tired, depressed, etc.

I find that if I just force myself to get to the gym, I actually feel like working out once I get started. Put the shoes & workout clothes on and just start moving towards the door!

MacGyverDel · 10-23-2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anb1683

I understand that I need to just do it, its just easier said then done.

Reading some "Articles" may give you the drive you feel is miscing.

Also for me visiting journals has helped much in the past.

anb1683 · 10-24-2007, 03:50 PM

Thanks guys, I'm starting to feel better today...

I'll get over it soon enough....

Jaysmum · 10-24-2007, 06:23 PM

Hey don't worry I have been stuck in this rut for a while too, I start eating crap again and just fall off the badwagon then find every excuse i can think of to "not" train. Look I think it's just human nature, this is one of life's activities that you definately have to push yourself to do and I think even if your just starting out or are an elite athlete we all have days where we think "can't be bothered" just set yourself some goals and aim for that, thats' what I try to do.

Also get on here for some motivation. I read the stories and see the hard work people put in. It doesnt come easy for anyone even though it looks it. There's an old saying my mother told me years ago, "nothing worthwhile is ever easy" and that's so true. You just have to know what you want and strive towards it. We all have our days trust me, your not alone there. I can do the diet, even do the physical side, my problem like alot of peoples is being consistent...that I am working on!

BrianBear · 10-24-2007, 09:23 PM

It comes down to the simple question of are you happy with where your body is at. If you are not happy do something to become better and if you are happy with your outer layer then just enjoy it and be happy.

Below 30 · 10-25-2007, 02:09 AM

Things of high quality/value/results, require more work and/or money and/or time invested. Everything else is easier (resulting in mediocrity), which is why we have days where we just want to rationalize that it isn't important to continue with the investment.

Here's a good way to stay motivated............Time. You want to skip the gym and eat unbalanced meals, fine. But 10 years from now, you'll be 10 years older and you'll look at your body and wish that you could go back 10 years to today, to start over. In the present, we are communicating now, but the present will never be again. So ask yourself if you really want to waste your youth treating your body like a dump -30-

KeepItSmoothBro · 10-25-2007, 06:32 AM

I hate to post on this section (me being a dude and all) but having been there many times, I can't explain it either. One thing that helps is that I look back at my old progress pictures when I was obese. Sometimes that is just the motivation I need to go to the gym. Other times, I'd call up my friends who also lifted (just at different times) and asked to workout with him/them. I'd then feel obligated to go since I made plans with someone to go to the gym.

Do you have a lifting partner? If not, do you know of others who lift that you could go with that you don't go with normally? If so, give them a call. The feeling of not wanting to go to the gym will be overpowered by the feeling of failure by skipping out on your friends lifting.

Karsk · 10-27-2007, 07:23 PM

I've found the best cure is often the simplest...

buy some really gaudy workout gear... you know, the kind you'd feel stupid doing anything but going to the gym in, put your weight belt on, the whole deal...

Sooner or later you just feel stupid enough that you have to go to the gym.

limniade · 10-28-2007, 01:50 AM

I think everyone goes through these slumps. It's normal. We all need a vacation from our jobs now and then, right? Well, working out is work, too, and sometimes we need a vacation. Do whatever you can to push through it. If you can't convince yourself to go to the gym, how about doing a routine of push-ups, crunches, chair dips and so on at home? Or trying a workout DVD? Hell, go for a walk or a bike ride, that's still cardio. Maybe put on some gym shoes and take a few brisk laps around the mall for an hour. For what activities you do do, make a point of parking at the far end of the parking lot, taking the stairs, and so on.

Also, SOME time in the gym is better than no time in the gym. See if you can convince yourself that you'll go to the gym and do 15 minutes of cardio. That's it. 15 minutes and you're done. Chances are that once you get there, you'll feel like doing more. If not, you do your 15 minutes, which was still better than nothing, and you broke through your "I didn't go to the gym" block.

Another thing I do is to try to make a deal with myself: Eat a healthy thing (even a few bites) before the crappy thing. I want some Doritos? Fine, but I have to have a protein shake first. Or an apple and some cottage cheese. By the time I finish eating the healthy thing, sometimes I don't want the crappy thing anymore, or at least less of it.

Whatever you do, try to put a finite end date where you promise yourself that vacation is over, and that you'll at least eat healthy(er) starting on that day, and go to the gym (at least step foot inside and do some laps around the track) that day. I personally find the first day back after an absence to be the hardest, mentally--so I do whatever mental mind games it takes to get me in the door. Once I go, it's always easier to go AGAIN, but sometimes I can dive right in and sometimes I gotta start with the toe-dip.

Npeart · 10-29-2007, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anb1683

Get me out....

Don't know what my problem is, flaking on the gym, eating crappy foods...does this happen to anyone else, where the old person that you are trying to get rid of (habits) come back for no reason? I have every reason to be motivated and I want to be, its just not there...Everything else in my life is actually really great except for this part. Ughh, I'm trying to find excuses to NOT go to the gym tonight but I have to force myself, I have to get there tonight, but its giving me anxiety, is that weird?

Some wisdom, advice, personal stories, anything would be great at this point.

thanks

I think we all go through this from time to time. I mean, it does get monotonous and boring eating the same foods, working out at the same time every day, etc. Sometimes, just for mental health reasons, I get away from all of it and just "live". No diet, no gym, no nothing. Now it does make it harder to get back into the swing of things again, but I always feel rejuventated after a rest from the bodybuilding lifestyle. Just don't let it go on for too long 2-3 weeks max.

user9689066 · 11-29-2007, 04:05 PM

I've been going through this a bit lately myself....i'm a teacher and I find myself waking up at 5, driving an hour to work, working with teenagers all day, driving home in traffic at night, and then working on lessons once I get home...by the time I get everything finished (If I even finish), the last thing I have any ENERGY to do is go out to the gym. I try to still work out at home, which at least has me maintain where I am, but sometimes it's just hard.

wannaBmoy · 11-29-2007, 07:59 PM

I think part of the easiest way of doing it is just getting there and doing it. Besides the occasional injury, I've never ever heard a person regret going to the gym or living a healthy lifestyle.

Don't give yourself excuses, just do it. Start developing a routine, once you start the habit, it'll become the opposite and more difficult to NOT go to the gym and do the things you need to do.

freebirdmac · 11-29-2007, 08:09 PM

Put everything you need for the gym in your car. Don't think I'll go home first and change. Don't run errands first. Just drive there. Listen to the music that reminds you of working out on the way. Walk in. It's just that first step in that's the hardest.