need motivation advice

byoung · 09-Feb-05, 07:38 PM

Hi there! I was really doing well for about a year. I was working out like crazy, jogging twice a day (still doing that) and eating really well. We went on a vacation in July and after that I couldn't get back on the wagon. I need some advice on how to get my motivation up. My definition is leaving (not that it was great to start with) and I've gained about 10 pounds. I'm really upset about it, but I can't seem to get back onto it. Any ideas????????

NateDogg · 09-Feb-05, 08:13 PM

Honestly, just start. You may have to force yourself to stay with it for a few days, but for me anyway, it just becomes habit once again.

m@xpower · 10-Feb-05, 12:52 AM

"Honestly, just start. You may have to force yourself to stay with it for a few days, but for me anyway, it just becomes habit once again."

So true...I took weight training in high school in my senior year, then when i graduated, i didnt work out for about a year. Then i started again. Just forced myself to go. Slowly, i got my self to a point where i actually wanna go. now if i dont go, i feel naked

hou059 · 10-Feb-05, 05:40 PM

best motivation is the mirror, look at yourself. That pushed me so hard, everytime I looked in the mirror, hell anytime I saw my reflection would just make me want to find a gym and get to work. Before ad after pics are great man! I still have mine and it makes me laugh how fat I used to be. There is no speech or movie that can motivate you more than you can! Just gotta get to it and do it!

byoung · 10-Feb-05, 07:46 PM

I get back into it for about a week and then I get exhausted and I can't make myself get out of bed that extra 30-40 minutes early. I change what I eat and within a day I get REALLY grumpy and I HATE being grumpy, so I give up. I've always been on the larger side, so I tend to make excuses. No more!!!! I have to kick my own butt. What I really need is someone to kick my butt for me...too bad the hubby won't do it. I don't know how I did it last time, but I was really happy for awhile. Why can't that be enough motivation in itself??

mrzool · 11-Feb-05, 02:13 AM

I too have not been working out ...its been 2 weeks now....its the cold

i have my workout equipment in the garage so by night time its freezing in there

sooner_ed · 11-Feb-05, 06:29 AM

I heard this back when I was in high school:

You can not feel your way into a new way of acting.
You have to act your way into a new way of feeling.

As far as motivation for working out is concerned, I attach goals and a purpose to working out. I don't work out just because I know it is the right thing to do.
My purpose for working out is to be healthy.
My motivation for working out is a medical one--type 2 diabetes.
My goals are:
Weightlifting--I have some pics of bodybuilders and I want to have the kind of body in the pics.
Running--I run local races. I am able to support a worthy cause. I meet new friends. I run competitevly (man, I think I screwed up that spelling) so my goal is to finish a race first in my age group, 40-44.
I have found that working out with a purpose and a goal makes working out a "mission" and I just go out and get the job done. The key to it is making the "job" fun.

Klinger · 11-Feb-05, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byoung

I get back into it for about a week and then I get exhausted and I can't make myself get out of bed that extra 30-40 minutes early. I change what I eat and within a day I get REALLY grumpy and I HATE being grumpy, so I give up. I've always been on the larger side, so I tend to make excuses. No more!!!! I have to kick my own butt. What I really need is someone to kick my butt for me...too bad the hubby won't do it. I don't know how I did it last time, but I was really happy for awhile. Why can't that be enough motivation in itself??

Start making your workouts 'appointments' that you can't miss. Write it down in a schedule or calendar if it helps. Put it on a to-do list so you can check it off at the end of the day.

Everyone has time to get fit. They ususally choose not to make the time.

lara34 · 14-Feb-05, 05:02 PM

byoung,
Don't think about it, just do it! Just take each day, one at a time, and get 'er done! If you're not a morning person, then don't fight yourself. Work out another time of the day. (I hate mornings too!!!! I work out after dinner or after the kids go to bed.)
You mention that you used to jog twice a day -- perhaps then you may have overtrained and gotten burned out??!! This sounds a bit like me (recovering overtrainer

..............) and a tad bit like a perfectionist. I mean that in a non-judgmental way. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to start. You can make improvements as you go. Just keep moving. You know this already, and you've seen results in the past.
Try not to rely on others for your motivation, and then you won't have anyone to blame but yourself. Make a list of every excuse you can think of using, and then overcome them as if they were someone else's excuses. You can do it, and you have all of your friends here to kick your butt whenever you need it. I need butt kicking myself! Keep us posted. Maybe create a workout journal and post some photos? I'll post mine if you do!

Best wishes!
Lara

ACEHOLE · 14-Feb-05, 05:24 PM

GO out and purchase Jay Cutlers newest DVD

bodybuilding DVD's are uber motivating