How Do You Keep Yourself Motivated?

[WilliamG]

Went to the cardiologist... Not bad, not good... Flipping my diet a bit... A bit more cardio... Life gives little reminders.

 

[BEERCANDADDY]

There are a lot of good thoughts here but I'd like to share my two cents.

I want to preface this by saying I started lifting 30+ years ago. I still squat in the 600's and bench in the 400's and my profile pics speak for themselves. My point is that I'm very familiar with the gym.

Sure, I love training. But after so many years, what's my goal? Answer: Currently, I don't really have one. Training is just what I do.

If I feel great, I show up. If I feel not-so-great, I show up. If I feel bad enough, I take the day off and start with a blank slate next time. No need to try and make up for lost time.

If I don't feel so good, I do a few warm-up sets and call it a day. Other days, I get a little excited a set a PR.

If I have a contest or something coming up, motivation comes into play. If I don't, then motivation doesn't exist. Only habits. And over time, habits create results.

I don't even like using the word discipline because it implies forcing yourself to do something. But habits? You do those without even realizing it. And if you don't do them, something feels off.

There are a lot of good thoughts here but I'd like to share my two cents.

I want to preface this by saying I started lifting 30+ years ago. I still squat in the 600's and bench in the 400's and my profile pics speak for themselves. My point is that I'm very familiar with the gym.

Sure, I love training. But after so many years, what's my goal? Answer: Currently, I don't really have one. Training is just what I do.

If I feel great, I show up. If I feel not-so-great, I show up. If I feel bad enough, I take the day off and start with a blank slate next time. No need to try and make up for lost time.

If I don't feel so good, I do a few warm-up sets and call it a day. Other days, I get a little excited a set a PR.

If I have a contest or something coming up, motivation comes into play. If I don't, then motivation doesn't exist. Only habits. And over time, habits create results.

I don't even like using the word discipline because it implies forcing yourself to do something. But habits? You do those without even realizing it. And if you don't do them, something feels off.

Thank you for sharing this. It's very helpful. Some of my best workouts have been on days I didn't feel well when I first woke up. After a warm up had a great workout. You have a great build by the way.

 

[deleted10307401]

Same issue here, started again today. Need to find ways to get motivated. Sometimes getting a coach or someone to help you will keep you motivated, at least for me I hope it will help. Just a matter of making a habit of going at the gym and eat better then results will come.

 

[HunterGreen]

Motivation doesn't work. Discipline does. It has to be as much a part of your routine as brushing your teeth and taking a morning piss. Days that I don't workout I feel like shit. The only bad work outs are the ones you miss.

 

[WilliamG]

Motivation doesn't work. Discipline does. It has to be as much a part of your routine as brushing your teeth and taking a morning piss. Days that I don't workout I feel like shit. The only bad work outs are the ones you miss.

"Motivation vs. discipline."

Do a Google search on it and your rabbit hole of the evening awaits... Pretty interesting thoughts on it. You might be surprised at some of the writings about this subject!

 

[ColonelLingus]

I'm a skinny dude who is ashamed to go to the gym but I really want to get a much bigger body and be more happy with myself lol

I've been willing to workout and build a bigger body in YEARS and everytime I actually started hitting the gym I left like a month after because I lost motivation I guess, probably because I didn't see any results (which is completely stupid because you can't really see results after one month).

How do you keep yourself motivated and confident?

you said youre "ashamed" to go to the gym. That right there is a motivator. When you challenge that and force yourself into the gym every single day and use that negative as a source of fuel, not only will you over come it but youll achieve more than you set out for. Your shame will turn to pride. Only tip id give is- watch your form make sure you dont over do it and hurt yourself. If you have the money a trainer can set you up with a workout plan. Personally ive never had a trainer and looking back wish i did. Might have saved me from injuries here and there.