Having trouble with motivation.

[Ozzy]

So I am having trouble with my motivation level. I am never really motivated to do cardio everyday. I am now doing it every other day, but I want to do it everyday. The problem is I am not even motivated to do it every other day so I am basically forcing myself to do cardio. I liked doing it everyday over the summer but now I don't know what my problem is. So what is everyone's motivation for doing cardio and staying with your diet? I seriously need some help.

I've posted this motivator at least 4 times. Works for me. Here it is again modified just for you:

Look in the mirror, butt naked. If you aren't satisfied with what you see, then chances are you'll be energized to do some cardio.

For better energy, do the same as above, except get a small hand mirror and stand with your back to the larger mirror, and get a rear shot using the hand mirror.

And, if you like what you see, that will be energizing too. And you can skip your cardio for the day.

[angelus]

You need something to motivate you! What got you onto your diet / routine in the first place? And what has changed about it?

The thing that motivates me is the fact that if i keep up my routine, i should see some great results (In which case, i already am! )

Why do you go to work? To get money!

Why do you workout? To be healthy and get fit!

There is no easy way to do it, so you just have to stick to it and get on with it! And after time, you will see great results!

[rufiedog]

Originally Posted by Ozzy

So I am having trouble with my motivation level. I am never really motivated to do cardio everyday. I am now doing it every other day, but I want to do it everyday. The problem is I am not even motivated to do it every other day so I am basically forcing myself to do cardio. I liked doing it everyday over the summer but now I don't know what my problem is. So what is everyone's motivation for doing cardio and staying with your diet? I seriously need some help.

Congratulations for making cardio an important part of your training. Few people argue its importance; however most don’t take it as seriously as weight training. Simply put, in order to stay with a sound cardio program, it takes having a goal. If one enjoys running than perhaps a faster 5K by the end of the year will do. If your interest is rowing, a faster 2k may be the ticket.
While plenty of people perform cardio without any specific short or long-term objective, most without a goal do not last.



Dan

[LiftGirl]

I listen to books on tape when I do cardio. It makes it less boring, and it motivates me because I want to know what's going to happen next in the story.

[Octagon]

Originally Posted by rufiedog

Simply put, in order to stay with a sound cardio program, it takes having a goal. If one enjoys running than perhaps a faster 5K by the end of the year will do. If your interest is rowing, a faster 2k may be the ticket.
While plenty of people perform cardio without any specific short or long-term objective, most without a goal do not last.

That's an *excellent* suggestion.

And I'd take it beyond simply tracking (and striving to beat) personal times.

There are tons of small (and many not-so-small) races of all stripes in pretty much every nook and cranny of the country.

Hooking up with a local running club (even if hooking up means nothing more than trolling their website) is a great way to keep track of different local events.

In my case, I decided to use triathlons as my cardio hook and so far it's working pretty well. I did (by 'did' I don't mean finished, I splashed and burned the swim but be that as it may ) my first olympic tri a couple weeks ago and it was a great way to stay focused over the months leading up to it.

And now?

Now I'm planning on riding an organized half century organized by a local bike club and running in a small 10k in a local suburb and I'm already registered for one of what will be at least three tris I do next season.

I'm not exactly burning up the track in any of the three disciplines but these local events are a *great* way to stay focused when I'd much rather be doing pretty much anything but running, biking or swimming.

[threenorns]

okay, looking at it from another angle: it is a "ooooh, it's such a lovely day and i have to cardio" kinda mopey thing?

or is it more a "i do NOT want to do this any more." kind of thing?

one requires you boot your butt out the door, the other requires you reevaluate what you've been doing: roughly 50% of athletes are overtrained. you might have just reached the end of your metabolic rope and need some time off.

[Gearloose]

Originally Posted by Ozzy

So I am having trouble with my motivation level. I am never really motivated to do cardio everyday. I am now doing it every other day, but I want to do it everyday. The problem is I am not even motivated to do it every other day so I am basically forcing myself to do cardio. I liked doing it everyday over the summer but now I don't know what my problem is. So what is everyone's motivation for doing cardio and staying with your diet? I seriously need some help.

Do you take progress photos of yourself every few weeks? If not, you should try it. My wife and I have done so every month since we started training 14 months ago. Looking at our most recent photos and comparing them to photos from earlier months makes the week to week gradual changes and progress much more obvious and helps keep us on track and motivated.

[Ozzy]

Okay. What I think my problem is is that I have no supporters behind me. My parents say I'm too skinny and my girfirend gets sad when I say I'm going for a run. My girlfriend doesn't want me to lift or do cardio because she thinks i'm too skinny, and she thinks I'm just doing i to lose weight. I'm doing it for myself and to be physically fit. I tell people this but then they just keep telling me that I need to gain some weight by eating more. I tell my g/f that she can come running with me if she wants, but she never does.

I hope you all know what I am talking about. Does anybody have anything else to say about this?

[threenorns]

well, ARE you too thin? define "thin"?

eat more (if you're not eating enough, then yes: you will lose motivation) and/or tell them all what's what and if they continue to make things difficult for you, then Steps Will Have to be Taken.

as for the girlfriend, she needs to be put in her place - it's not up to her to tell you how you should look,any more than it's yours to complain about the size of her boobs or butt.

[CF-OC_gal]

Originally Posted by Ozzy

Okay. What I think my problem is is that I have no supporters behind me. ...

I hope you all know what I am talking about. Does anybody have anything else to say about this?

I know exactly what you are talking about and it is difficult to live with because you can't expect to get recognition from them once you've accomplished something. It helps to join in with a group that does recognise the benefits of these things.

Here at DF it's good. You can post your milestones. Also join a running group or a competitive team. People sure will appreciate you there.

I've learned that your parents will love you no matter what even though some things they will never appreciate. Girlfriends and spouses well, that's another story. Some will join you and others will not. If they are meant to be with you for life they will let you go do "your thing" and not be bothered by it. It just might take some getting used to on their part.

Only risk what you are willing to lose. For me, my health is not worth putting on the table.

[Ozzy]

Well things are getting a lot better now. My girlfriend has now started to run with me since she knows its a big part of my life. She is starting to like running now too. And it's nice running with someone because the time flies by. Thanks for everybody's posts. They helped out a lot!

[ih8guitars]

i know exactly what ozzy is saying. because i struggle with motivation. ill start routines and never stick to them. main problem for me though is i have no money to go to a gym or join a club. therefore i have to do it alone and i dont seem to know anyone around my fitness who would help me out.

[CF-OC_gal]

Originally Posted by Ozzy

Well things are getting a lot better now. My girlfriend has now started to run with me since she knows its a big part of my life. She is starting to like running now too. And it's nice running with someone because the time flies by. Thanks for everybody's posts. They helped out a lot!

That is excellent news ! She is going to be so thankful to you for this someday.:

[bluefin]

explore the positive energy in you and have confidence in yourself
always remeber that you are important ot the owrld and the world is important to you
god bless