Staying consistent

bkmuscledad

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My biggest problem is staying consistent. How do you keep yourself motivated when it comes to getting or staying in shape? I have a long track record of falling off the wagon. I find if I stay consistent I see results, and that's the most important thing, I'd say much more important than debating about which type of workout is best. How does everyone keep their head in the game? Thanks.
 
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I consistently don’t work out. It’s really working for me lol!

I’m losing weight right now through better diet and intermittent fasting. The key for me was small tweaks not major undertakings.

I’m trying to do the same with exercise now. Increasing my walking, being more intentional, trying to develop a yoga practice or working out 1-2 times per week... rather than pay a years membership, commit to working out everyday and then fall off the wagon after a month or so.

Basically I find that if it doesn’t fit into my current life, I can’t maintain it.
 
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twoton

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I stay consistent because it's a part of my regular life. Consistency is the goal, rather than gains being the goal, because my gains are slow. And also, regardless of gains, I actually enjoy exercise for its own sake, like some people enjoy knitting, or painting, or any other hobby.
 

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While I'm not as consistent as I should be by a long shot, my only goal is to not be thinner. Having even a vague goal can be a good motivator. With the way my body just eats itself, I can actually see a difference if I skip the gym for a week so that keeps me going. Set goals and have a way to measure them. That's the best advice I have.
 
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bkmuscledad

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While I'm not as consistent as I should be by a long shot, my only goal is to not be thinner. Having even a vague goal can be a good motivator. With the way my body just eats itself, I can actually see a difference if I skip the gym for a week so that keeps me going. Set goals and have a way to measure them. That's the best advice I have.
Thanks, @verybored I'm on the opposite. I tend to put weight on easily and losing it, as I've been trying to do, is what takes effort. Trying to build muscle and lose fat. I know my issues are 99.9% mental motivation, I always like to hear how other people stay on track. Thanks for your input. I think one of the things that really encourages me are before and after progress pics. They show what someone had the discipline to do over a long period of time, but in an instant.
 
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bkmuscledad

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I consistently don’t work out. It’s really working for me lol!

I’m losing weight right now through better diet and intermittent fasting. The key for me was small tweaks not major undertakings.

I’m trying to do the same with exercise now. Increasing my walking, being more intentional, trying to develop a yoga practice or working out 1-2 times per week... rather than pay a years membership, commit to working out everyday and then fall off the wagon after a month or so.

Basically I find that if it doesn’t fit into my current life, I can’t maintain it.
Baby steps. Thanks @mutualjax :)
 

bkmuscledad

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I stay consistent because it's a part of my regular life. Consistency is the goal, rather than gains being the goal, because my gains are slow. And also, regardless of gains, I actually enjoy exercise for its own sake, like some people enjoy knitting, or painting, or any other hobby.
"Consistency, not results, is the goal." Hmmm. I don't think I've ever heard it put that way. Thanks @twoton :)
 

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My biggest problem is staying consistent. How do you keep yourself motivated when it comes to getting or staying in shape? I have a long track record of falling off the wagon. I find if I stay consistent I see results, and that's the most important thing, I'd say much more important than debating about which type of workout is best. How does everyone keep their head in the game? Thanks.
Personally, I've had the best results when I stop trying to force motivation and just make it routine. I didn't miss a single day for probably 2 years unless I was too hurt to move... Had nothing to do with being motivated many days... It was just what I did... So I just did it.
 

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I would agree with Snarky- it just becomes a way of life ......and you find yourself irritated and frustrated when you don’t go/ skip.
Sometimes- for us guys that are gym rats-
You do have to listen to your body and take a day off occasionally— but not 2 !!! ;)
 

bkmuscledad

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You MUST have goals, whether short or long term. Without something to strive for you will have no motivation to continue. Trust me, this is speaking from experience
You definitely look like you know what you're talking about, Flexxx, so thanks. Have you always worked out? Have you ever lost your motivation?
 
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It's not hard for me to stay consistent. I want strength, I want the be and stay physically strong. I couldn't care less for body building, plus training for strength gives you great hypertrophy gains anyway. Strength matters.

Before I got into meditation, to me there was nothing else more cathartic than deadlifting 3x+ my body weight
 
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Flexxx

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You definitely look like you know what you're talking about, Flexxx, so thanks. Have you always worked out? Have you ever lost your motivation?
I used to compete and because of that I always had a goal to be better than the last time I stepped on stage. That pushed me to improve and not go backwards or remain the same. Now that I no longer compete I tend to be a lot more lax in my training and diet... and look like it too...
 
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I used to compete and because of that I always had a goal to be better than the last time I stepped on stage. That pushed me to improve and not go backwards or remain the same. Now that I no longer compete I tend to be a lot more lax in my training and diet... and look like it too...
Thanks for the honesty, @Flexxx . I've never been competition caliber, but I have been in good shape. When I was young, my friend and workout partner won 2nd place in the NYS naturals, missing first place one a split vote, so you know we worked out hard. As I got older, other things took priority, work, family, mortgage, sometimes working more than one job at a time.
I saw a picture of myself about a year ago, and was amazed. I didn't realize until out of shape I had gotten until I saw that picture. That really motivated me. Since then, I made some good progress losing weight and gaining muscle. I keep slipping though, and am just trying to keep my head on straight. That's what made me post my first comment. For me, I know it's mental. Just wondering if anyone has any experience or tips for that.
 

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@bkmuscledad: Consistency is built into my daily schedule. I find, for me, that to be key. I have set appointments to lift 4 days per week. I show up. Regardless of how I feel, unless I have the flu. Otherwise, I'm there. And I always feel better after lifting--both physically and mentally.

I keep a daily food log. It helps keep me honest, especially when I'm eating clean. I make the time to fix my food, rather than do it on the fly. If I've got already cooked chicken breasts in the fridge, I'll go to that. Otherwise, an empty stomach can get me in trouble.

Setting goals, as @Flexxx stated, is also important to my fitness. I'll usually set a long-term goal, and then break it down to setting short-term milestone goals on my way to achieving my long-term goal. That's what works for me.

Perhaps you would again benefit from a training partner/buddy. And not just for gym times. But those times when you need a little push to stay on course with your food. Or your cardio. Like I said above, having set times to be where I need to be helps. Showing up is half the battle! Best wishes to your pursuit of your fitness goals!
 
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Flexxx

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@MisterB also conformed my statement and added about short term goals. I think too many people just think about the end result and get discouraged when they don't get there and quit trying after a while. Instead focus on short term goals that when compiled may help you achieve your long term goal. However you must also make these short and long term goals realistically attainable otherwise you also may become discouraged and quit.
 

bkmuscledad

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@bkmuscledad: Consistency is built into my daily schedule. I find, for me, that to be key. I have set appointments to lift 4 days per week. I show up. Regardless of how I feel, unless I have the flu. Otherwise, I'm there. And I always feel better after lifting--both physically and mentally.

I keep a daily food log. It helps keep me honest, especially when I'm eating clean. I make the time to fix my food, rather than do it on the fly. If I've got already cooked chicken breasts in the fridge, I'll go to that. Otherwise, an empty stomach can get me in trouble.

Setting goals, as @Flexxx stated, is also important to my fitness. I'll usually set a long-term goal, and then break it down to setting short-term milestone goals on my way to achieving my long-term goal. That's what works for me.

Perhaps you would again benefit from a training partner/buddy. And not just for gym times. But those times when you need a little push to stay on course with your food. Or your cardio. Like I said above, having set times to be where I need to be helps. Showing up is half the battle! Best wishes to your pursuit of your fitness goals!
Thanks for these comments, @MisterB . I've started doing things like putting up pics of me at both ends of the fitness scale. I keep a workout log, and have given away all the crappy food in my house. I like the workout partner idea, but scheduling is always an issue.
 
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