Going To The Gym - I Just Don't Feel Like It

MonkeyMel21

I go before work, otherwise I just won't go. And I don't do a lot of strength training, I do what I love, running and sometimes swimming, with strength training thrown in a bit, usually after I run a fast mile to get pumped up. If you don't like it, you're not going to do it.

unrelentingminx

On days where I'm feeling particularly tired (like today *yawn*), I listen to my gym playlist on the way home to get myself pumped up a little. Normally by the time I've finished my warmup, I've shaken out the cobwebs and am more up for it.

Pandora_and_her_box

This is a battle well known to me! I've never regretted hitting the gym or going for a run but I've certainly regretted not going. As soon as I'm out there, I enjoy it....so why is it such a battle sometimes? I can spend as long (if not longer) finding reasons/excuses not to go, trying to allow myself not to go, then getting tough and trying to talk myself back into going than it takes to do the damn workout! I think (know) I'm inherently lazy as a person.

arabianhorselover

I don't have a trainer, and there is no room in my house for exercise equipment. I am debating whether or not to continue weight training since I don't like it, and certain exercises do aggravate the arthritis in my back and shoulder. Not sure what else to do, though, especially since we have such long, severe Winters here.

Francl27

Can you find something you like? I hate lifting weights. Really never motivated to do it. I'd much rather do something else for exercise.

999tigger

slideaway1 wrote: »

Everybody has days when they just cant be bothered and the easier option is far more appealing. That's fine, it's human nature to want to do things that are instantly more gratifying and comfortable. However, if in general you really are hating the gym and not enjoying lifting then maybe consider another means of exercise that will give you the results and you don't consider it a massive chore. You ultimately need to enjoy it on some level in order to make it sustainable.

This +1. Look for soemthing you enjoy or you wont carry it on. Getting there is 60% of it. You should probably look at ways of making your workout easier or more fun. Once you start to make progress then it becomes more meaningful. By lifting weights you are making sure a greater % of the weight you lose is fat, whats not to like about that?

arabianhorselover

999tigger wrote: »

slideaway1 wrote: »

Everybody has days when they just cant be bothered and the easier option is far more appealing. That's fine, it's human nature to want to do things that are instantly more gratifying and comfortable. However, if in general you really are hating the gym and not enjoying lifting then maybe consider another means of exercise that will give you the results and you don't consider it a massive chore. You ultimately need to enjoy it on some level in order to make it sustainable.

This +1. Look for soemthing you enjoy or you wont carry it on. Getting there is 60% of it. You should probably look at ways of making your workout easier or more fun. Once you start to make progress then it becomes more meaningful. By lifting weights you are making sure a greater % of the weight you lose is fat, whats not to like about that?

Actually, in the two+ years I've been lifting, I have made a lot of progress in my strength. However, I don't see my body ever looking like I would like it to look, and I really don't feel very motivated.

999tigger

Maybe you need to change or get someone to look at your program and assess what you are doing with results. Are you following a progressive lifting program? If you have been diligent and honestly dont feel like going then dont go, its not abouty being a winner or loser. You might just need a break to get your mojo back.

arabianhorselover

999tigger wrote: »

Maybe you need to change or get someone to look at your program and assess what you are doing with results. Are you following a progressive lifting program? If you have been diligent and honestly dont feel like going then dont go, its not abouty being a winner or loser. You might just need a break to get your mojo back.

I do Stronglifts 5x5 plus other stuff for triceps, biceps, quads, glutes, shoulders, and abdomen.

FitPhillygirl

arabianhorselover wrote: »

999tigger wrote: »

Maybe you need to change or get someone to look at your program and assess what you are doing with results. Are you following a progressive lifting program? If you have been diligent and honestly dont feel like going then dont go, its not abouty being a winner or loser. You might just need a break to get your mojo back.

I do Stronglifts 5x5 plus other stuff for triceps, biceps, quads, glutes, shoulders, and abdomen.

I do the same thing 3 days a week at my gym. Sometimes it's mentally hard to get myself into going but once there I'm fine.

RacerX_14

arabianhorselover wrote: »

For various reasons, I just don't feel like doing my weight training. I know I have to, especially since I have managed to gain a few pounds back over the last few months. It is just so hard to get myself to do it. I just don't enjoy it, plus I have to do it after work when all I want to do is go home.

Does anyone else have this problem?

But you would feel so much better if you did go!! And you would be getting in better shape too!! Its a win win! Grab an energy drink and go get it!!

fiddletime

Over the decades jogging has been my main exercise. But, there have been times when I just really couldn't get back into it after a vacation or time off. I bought a rowing machine and used that for 2 years. Later I joined a gym for the weights and aerobics classes. One time I got a stair master and used it for a couple of years. But I always retuned to jogging and home hand weights.

Now I'm doing work out DVDs and am gradually finding that I'm missing jogging. So, I think it's natural to get bored with an exercise regimen. Sometimes it's just hard, really hard, to get the mojo back. That's when I switch things up to at least be doing some exercising. Some is better than none and I realize all my examples might aggravate your arthritis. There's always swimming, which I've also done when I injured myself, and hated every single lap. But did it anyway till I got healed.

Exercise is for life, not a few years. I'm 60 and am still in "the game". Hang in there. You'll figure it out.

RoadtotheRAN

I'm not one generally for the gym either. I prefer to take a dance class or a yoga class or even just to hike out doors through the mountains. I would say find something you like and do that, that way it won't feel like work

arabianhorselover

Eileen_S wrote: »

arabianhorselover wrote: »

999tigger wrote: »

Maybe you need to change or get someone to look at your program and assess what you are doing with results. Are you following a progressive lifting program? If you have been diligent and honestly dont feel like going then dont go, its not abouty being a winner or loser. You might just need a break to get your mojo back.

I do Stronglifts 5x5 plus other stuff for triceps, biceps, quads, glutes, shoulders, and abdomen.

I do the same thing 3 days a week at my gym. Sometimes it's mentally hard to get myself into going but once there I'm fine.

How long have you been doing Stroglifts?

arabianhorselover

fiddletime wrote: »

Over the decades jogging has been my main exercise. But, there have been times when I just really couldn't get back into it after a vacation or time off. I bought a rowing machine and used that for 2 years. Later I joined a gym for the weights and aerobics classes. One time I got a stair master and used it for a couple of years. But I always retuned to jogging and home hand weights.

Now I'm doing work out DVDs and am gradually finding that I'm missing jogging. So, I think it's natural to get bored with an exercise regimen. Sometimes it's just hard, really hard, to get the mojo back. That's when I switch things up to at least be doing some exercising. Some is better than none and I realize all my examples might aggravate your arthritis. There's always swimming, which I've also done when I injured myself, and hated every single lap. But did it anyway till I got healed.

Exercise is for life, not a few years. I'm 60 and am still in "the game". Hang in there. You'll figure it out.

FitPhillygirl

arabianhorselover wrote: »

Eileen_S wrote: »

arabianhorselover wrote: »

999tigger wrote: »

Maybe you need to change or get someone to look at your program and assess what you are doing with results. Are you following a progressive lifting program? If you have been diligent and honestly dont feel like going then dont go, its not abouty being a winner or loser. You might just need a break to get your mojo back.

I do Stronglifts 5x5 plus other stuff for triceps, biceps, quads, glutes, shoulders, and abdomen.

I do the same thing 3 days a week at my gym. Sometimes it's mentally hard to get myself into going but once there I'm fine.

How long have you been doing Stroglifts?

I forget exactly when I started doing them. I believe it was about six months ago, though. I think it's a great program and I've noticed that I have more definition now than I did when I was just doing basic free weights.

girlinahat

I think most people get that dread. But many people find that when they DO get to the gym or class or whatever, they enjoy it, and also know the feeling that if they don't go, they regret not going.

I have a rarely-used gym membership and every month think about cancelling. At the moment I am challenging myself just to move more and enjoy doing it. So that could be going for a walk, dance classes (swing dance) riding a bike or swimming. Often my choice of activity is restricted by the day (for example there is no pool space on a thursday night).

And most days I am enthused by the idea of doing something, until about 5pm when the reality of actually having to do it hits in. Then I create excuses in my head. I can have entire conversations with myself on my hour drive home as to why I should or shouldn't, which gets more frantic the closer I am to home or the pool.

If you don't like lifting weights, then try something else - preferably resistance training-wise as that's something you've mentioned. Or try a new weight-training based routine. Or throw something else in there - so you could for example only do weight-training to make you better at another activity that you like better, such as rock climbing, roller derby or dancing!!

arabianhorselover

girlinahat wrote: »

I think most people get that dread. But many people find that when they DO get to the gym or class or whatever, they enjoy it, and also know the feeling that if they don't go, they regret not going.

I have a rarely-used gym membership and every month think about cancelling. At the moment I am challenging myself just to move more and enjoy doing it. So that could be going for a walk, dance classes (swing dance) riding a bike or swimming. Often my choice of activity is restricted by the day (for example there is no pool space on a thursday night).

And most days I am enthused by the idea of doing something, until about 5pm when the reality of actually having to do it hits in. Then I create excuses in my head. I can have entire conversations with myself on my hour drive home as to why I should or shouldn't, which gets more frantic the closer I am to home or the pool.

If you don't like lifting weights, then try something else - preferably resistance training-wise as that's something you've mentioned. Or try a new weight-training based routine. Or throw something else in there - so you could for example only do weight-training to make you better at another activity that you like better, such as rock climbing, roller derby or dancing!!

On the weekends I walk for an hour each day. It does help me to do it first thing in the morning rather than having it hanging over my head all day that I still have to do it.