Struggling to go to the gym
umer76
Posts: 1,272 Member
I have been burning more than 3700 cals weekly for past 6 weeks doing walking/jog and cycling, which is not bad. But I have not been consistent in my routines. I have become more of a weekend warrior. I have been struggling to go back to the gym again. It has been 6 weeks of absence from the gym. How do I get the motivation back to start my gym routine? Struggling with exercise:(
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I like what another person in another thread had said about motivating themselves to get to the gym - they only required ten minutes of working out. After ten minutes, they could stop. It worked out because usually, they would keep going after ten minutes because they had already gotten started, but that rule kept them motivated because they weren't dreading a long workout session.0
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I am still in the phase of not wanting to work out. I decided that last week, like it or not, want to or not, I was going to work out (at the gym or at home) and just push through it until the workout was over! I can't say I finished the week motivated to work out or even liking my workouts, but I know that that won't happen until I am feeling some results...and that won't happen unless I fight through the workouts!
I wasted so much time waiting for motivation that I really believe now that motivation is something you make, not something that just hits you.0 -
The easiest way for me to do it is just not to think about it. Alarm goes off at 6:30. Get up, get dressed in 15 minutes. 15 minute drive to gym. Do workout. Home. Shower. Start day.
If I let myself think about it, I might talk myself out of it with any number of "reasons" (read: excuses).0 -
For me, my attitude was 'I don't have to like it, I just have to do it". Unless sick or wounded I have to go to the gym.0
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I'm in a similar predicament, I haven't been to the gym going on 3 weeks. It seems like tomorrow is further and further away. I'll go to the gym when they open on Tuesday if you will! Add me if you want encouragement, heaven knows we could all use a little more of that..0
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You don't HAVE to go to the gym to lose weight, but you SHOULD go to the gym if you want to look good naked. The reality is that you have to really WANT to go and you'll go.I have been burning more than 3700 cals weekly for past 6 weeks doing walking/jog and cycling, which is not bad. But I have not been consistent in my routines. I have become more of a weekend warrior. I have been struggling to go back to the gym again. It has been 6 weeks of absence from the gym. How do I get the motivation back to start my gym routine? Struggling with exercise:(
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I wish if i can have that attitude that would really help!For me, my attitude was 'I don't have to like it, I just have to do it". Unless sick or wounded I have to go to the gym.0 -
Tell yourself you will just go in and do 10 minutes if that is all you can manage.
Usually, once you get going, you will tend to keep going.
Alternatively, forget the gym and find another activity you enjoy that is active. All life does not begin in the gym, there are plenty of other ways to keep fit, from walking to cycling to skating to tennis, the list goes on.0 -
dude, don't you want to be the best you that you can be??0
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why are you waiting around for motivation to magically show up at your door? make a decision to go to the gym, put the time to go into your weekly schedule, and go. set an alarm on your clock or phone if you need to, and when the alarm goes off, you go to the gym.
i wish i had something magical to give you. i wish i had some motivational words that would get you there. but i don't. and nobody else does either. but i can give you a plan instead. step 1, decide to go to the gym. step 2, go to the gym. step 3, repeat the next day or the day after that, depending on your workout routine. follow those 3 steps for a few weeks and you'll realize that motivation was never what was needed.0 -
This frustrates me because I deal with back issues and have for 12 years.
I struggle when I CANNOT GO to the gym because I am forced to rest my back.
I WANT to be there, and it is so hard when I MUST not.
GO.
because you CAN0 -
This frustrates me because I deal with back issues and have for 12 years.
I struggle when I CANNOT GO to the gym because I am forced to rest my back.
I WANT to be there, and it is so hard when I MUST not.
GO.
because you CAN
What she said.
If you can't find the motivation within, there's not much anyone here can do for you.
Work hard to look better.
Work hard to feel better.
Work hard to BE better.
If you don't, honestly, no one will care but you.
You'll be at home sitting on the couch, knowing there's somewhere else you should be, something else you should be doing.
Take this as an insult if you must, but it's not meant as one: Be unhealthy and weak, or fight to change that. It's your call.0 -
Pack your clothes, equipment, and program the night before. If it's practical, go to sleep in your gym clothes. Aim for a reasonable minimum, two or three times a week. If you make that, consider increasing the number. If you can't get to the gym, have some equipment so you can get in some kind of workout at home.
I hate going to the gym and have been inconsistent all my life. But if I get into a pattern, I find that it's on the brain and I want to make an effort to get there and also to do exercise outside of the gym. See if you can get there twice a week and put in a good effort. Try to do it for a month and see how you feel.0 -
For me, my attitude was 'I don't have to like it, I just have to do it". Unless sick or wounded I have to go to the gym.
This. Most successful people have learned to do things that will support their goals even when they don't want to. Tell your brain to hush and stop letting it reason you out of your workouts.0 -
Stop finding reasons not to go to the gym and start finding reasons to go.0
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Just GO! Think of it as an appointment, or work. You wouldn't miss work for six weeks straight, would you? You wouldn't schedule a doctors appointment and miss it, it's the same thing. I don't always feel like going to work, but I HAVE to!0
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I don't understand how you can NOT want to go to the gym. Crowd anxiety I can understand or even a feeling of embarrassment. But just not wanting to go? Sorry, I don't get it.
I have far too many reasons TO go to the gym to not "want" to go.
Tired of being fat
Afraid of developing diabetes or any of the myriad of obesity related issues.
Wanting to be stronger and see what my body is capable of
The excitement and feeling of accomplishment when I surpass my previous limits
Talking to people with similar fitness interests0 -
You either commit or you don't. Don't go looking for other people to provide your motivation or you're going to come up short.0
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Strangers on the internet can't will you to go to the gym. We can want it for you, but if you don't want it for you, then it's not going to happen.
Stop seeking the push from external sources and start finding the push from within.
You have to want it for you.
Here's the truth. Statistically speaking, you're likely to live longer and live a better quality of life if you drag yourself to the gym. So why not make "living" be your motivation.0 -
The easiest way for me to do it is just not to think about it. Alarm goes off at 6:30. Get up, get dressed in 15 minutes. 15 minute drive to gym. Do workout. Home. Shower. Start day.
If I let myself think about it, I might talk myself out of it with any number of "reasons" (read: excuses).
Thanks for this. I need to do this. I have been having problems as well. When I start with the gym, it is easier to be consistent.
OP I am there with you. I have been doing 1 day a week. I made a pact to suck it up this week. I didn't hit my goal. But I did do 3 workouts. Here is to success next week.0 -
Is it possible your not a gym person?....more of an outdoors activity kinda person?...The weather is much nicer now at least where I am ...I can totally relate to not wanting to be inside a gym...maybe not the answer your looking for and perhaps it is....save your money...buy a nice bike enjoy the weather...hike and cycle ...go to the gym when the weather is much colder and you don't have the option of being outside....maybe that's the issue....not everyone "loves" being inside the gym environment...when they can find active things outside...0
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A) make an appointment in your calendar
b) buddy up - go with a friend and lean on each other
c) working out does a lot for you = like
gives you more energy (work with a trainer and don't kill yourself day one)
relieves stress- I am much calmer when I use the gym regularly
improves your overall health.
once you are into it - gives you a change to show off
Gives you an excuse to buy spandex pants- no wait- that's cycling.
d) make an appointment with a trainer - best money you can spend just starting up - get a program that works you but doesn't burn you out. Rome was built in a day (or was that Constantinople?) whatever..
e) write your self a promises- every 6 gym workouts - you will schedule a massage ( or whatever turns you on..)
your here! You are already ahead of most people - not just take one more baby step - then another ....
Then- pull up your big boy pants and post a picture and a commitment. Commit to you - you're worth it...0 -
Umer, think of it this way...You don't have to go to the gym, but you GET to go to the gym! Think of all the people that want to go but can't due to physical difficulties, or financial hardship, or unable because of time constraints. Just remind yourself that it is a privilege to have the ability to walk into the gym and you love being able to do it because it makes you feel healthy and strong!
Or, just suck it up man and get your butt back it the gym!!! 0 -
This frustrates me because I deal with back issues and have for 12 years.
I struggle when I CANNOT GO to the gym because I am forced to rest my back.
I WANT to be there, and it is so hard when I MUST not.
GO.
because you CAN
Wow. Puts it into perspective. OP, just do it.0 -
Is it possible your not a gym person?....more of an outdoors activity kinda person?...The weather is much nicer now at least where I am ...I can totally relate to not wanting to be inside a gym...maybe not the answer your looking for and perhaps it is....save your money...buy a nice bike enjoy the weather...hike and cycle ...go to the gym when the weather is much colder and you don't have the option of being outside....maybe that's the issue....not everyone "loves" being inside the gym environment...when they can find active things outside...
Exactly this. I use the gym for bad weather or when I want a weights session, but if I can, I am out there working out in the park or going on a long cycle ride or hike, or running. Grab some rackets and balls, and create your own workouts... running backwards trying to balance a ball on a bat is one good workout, as it challenges stability, concentration, control, and works the legs very nicely. Jump on and off a park bench. There is no end of what you can create by yourself that can be just as efficient as the gym, and more natural to boot.0 -
I get it, I really do. The one thing I have learned from all my times spent "falling off the exercise wagon" is no matter how many supportive family/friends you surround yourself with to be your cheerleader (although fantastically helpful) if you don't pull the motivation to go from within it won't happen. You need to spark the desire within yourself. For me I juggle our home with 4 kids, a husband,a live in father-in-law, and volunteer work and countless calendar commitments for all yet each week I look at my calendar and I schedule my gym time in like a would a dental appt. I made a decision to commit and I make it a priority and I don't think, I just do when that calendar reminder pops up. I hated it in the beginning but I made myself go (dragged my *kitten* there a few times) and now, guess what? I like it! I look forward to going. So dig deep, decide, and do! Good luck.0
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Does your routine need changing? Are you going to the gym to do the same old workout you've been doing for ages? If the answer is 'yes', then change it up! If your gym offers program reviews, get one! If not, perhaps see if there's somewhere you can get ideas for new routines. Make it exciting and it might help a bit!0
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Just GO! Think of it as an appointment, or work. You wouldn't miss work for six weeks straight, would you? You wouldn't schedule a doctors appointment and miss it, it's the same thing. I don't always feel like going to work, but I HAVE to!
This. ^^
Also, I find that going to classes help me get to the point where I want to go to the gym from where I have to go to the gym (having fun, making friends and all that).0 -
Find something you like. If I had to run on a treadmill or spend time on an elliptical, I'd never work out. On the other hand, I'll run in a downpour because I love to run outside. This past week, I ran a 10k with a hangover because I didn't want to miss my race. I didn't have to force myself to go, I wanted to because I enjoy it. I sometimes have to give myself a pep talk before I start an Insanity session, but the reason I'm able to press play every day is because I love the way I feel immediately after a workout. I head home dripping and exhausted, but feeling like a sexy god. Experiment and find something you like. If you hate the cardio machines, try running outdoors or doing bodyweight circuits. If you hate weight machines, try free weights. If you get bored during weights, find a workout buddy to talk to during your session. Try some cardio classes or yoga classes. Try hiking or sports. Find what you like so that it's something you want to do, not something you have to. If all else fails, focus on progress goals. The pictures I take every week are a huge motivational boost to stick with Insanity. Try progress pictures, or setting a run time goal, or a maximum weight lifting goal. Give yourself something to work towards rather than just trudging along on the hamster wheel forever. It's always easier with a goal in mind.0
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Thanks guys for some *kitten* kicking and I appreciate your valuable comments. I guess the way forward is to commit myself to go to the gym atleast 2 days in a week minimum no matter what. It is not that i am shy of the gym or dont enjoy the exercise, once I am in I am there for atleast 90 min or more.
I also think that bcoz of the better weather I want to burn cals outside the gym and thats what I have been doing. May be during summer i can stay outdoors and do the gym twice a week. This is the plan I am going to follow.0
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