Motivation...what works?

markindia5135

Hey, what do you guys do for motivation with working out and keeping strong with eating better? I lose motivation quick. What are your tricks (of you will)?

AnvilHead

Good read here: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/818701/the-myth-of-motivation-and-what-you-need-instead/p1

88olds

Habits. But a couple of things.

Sometimes good habits have to be defended. I go to gym at gym time. But every now and then I make a deal with myself that if I get there, I'm only doing 2/3 of my workout. Maybe less. Why?

Because gym time can easily be replaced with couch sitting. I have to defend my time slot. Even when I don’t feel like it at all.

Also, it helps to avoid the drive to extremes. Every workout doesn’t need to be heavier than the last. A 2 lb weight loss doesn’t have to be 2.5 next week.

I’m in the motivation is overrated camp. But a sure way to lose what motivation you’ve got is to remain dissatisfied when your program is working. Good enough is good enough.

markindia5135

Thanks! I def agree and see your point! I'm new to this game and want to learn from others. Take care and God bless!

quiksylver296

If I had tried to reach my goals with motivation only, I would have failed years ago. I changed my habits, set non-negotiable "gym appointments", and created some accountability by hiring a trainer.

mom23mangos

quiksylver296 wrote: »

If I had tried to reach my goals with motivation only, I would have failed years ago. I changed my habits, set non-negotiable "gym appointments", and created some accountability by hiring a trainer.

Ditto. Habits get the job done. I used to only go to the gym a few days a week for my lower body sessions and would try to do my upper body at home. Or on my rest day, I'd sleep in. I've realized it's better for me to get up at the same time and go to the gym every morning M-F so that the habit is ingrained. If it's a rest day, I will just work on mobility and sauna/stretch or do some recovery yoga. But by still going to the gym to do it, it has just become part of my regular schedule that I don't have to think about anymore. And consistency will trump infrequent intensity any day.

garystrickland357

I sometimes look at my situation from a third person point of view. Look at me before I began this journey. I was 265 pounds, unfit, and unhappy and unhealthy. I was doing it to myself one fork full at a time. What intelligent person does that? Did I need "motivation" or did I need to simply make choices that would lead to a better outcome? See my point?

Weight loss and fitness are outcomes. What behaviors do you need to adopt to reach your weight and fitness goals? Make choices. Make a plan. Live the plan. It's simple but not easy.
I like running and cycling. I don't like it every time. I do it even on days I'm not "feeling it" because it's an action that leads to the outcome I want. The good news is I enjoy it most of the time. I have never regretted a workout either.
I enjoy my diet (what I eat) most of the time. Does it *kitten* sometimes to pass on what others are eating? Yes. But later I have never really regretted passing on a food that wasn't really something I wanted.

M0n1KCR

My gym classes are in my phone's calendar, and I've got alarms reminding me to go. So I do. I just treat them as I would any other appointment in my calendar.

cwolfman13

Motivation is just an emotion and will always ebb and flow. Discipline leads to consistency and consistency leads to habit.

I'm rarely motivated to do many things that need doing...I'm rarely if ever motivated to clean my bathrooms and vacuum the house, but if I didn't do it, my house would be a wreck. Your body is your house...take care of your house.

It is also highly beneficial to find and do exercise that you actually enjoy. I love cycling, walking my dog, hiking, swimming, rock climbing, weight lifting, etc...I don't really need a whole lot of motivation for those things as they are as much recreation and hobby as anything else.

As nutrition goes, a lot of people have a very myopic view of what constitutes healthy eating...it doesn't have to be bland and boring...you don't have to eat endless chicken breasts and broccoli. Nutritious can also be very delicious and when it is, it's not hard to stick to.

gratiansin

Change your habbits.

markindia5135

Thanks guys! Keep the great advice coming! I'm getting really motivated...Just kidding! I appreciate the challenge to be disciplined and consistent that leads to habit. Thanks!

cariwaldick

MFP has helped me tremendously. I was clueless about a lot of what I was eating, including things I thought were healthy. Avocados and peanut butter might be good for you, but they're also loaded with calories. I thought rice was a nice filler to replace more fattening foods, but rice is full of calories. Discipline has helped me lose over 60 lbs so far. I've got a long way to go, and this time I'm confident I'm going to meet my goal.

On another thread, one person was complaining that she was tired, and didn't feel like working out. Right after her someone else posted, "It's okay if you don't work out, but get dressed and get to the gym! Sit on the bicycle, lean on the treadmill, stare at the weights if you want--just go!" I'm pretty sure if you go to the gym you're going to do something more than sit on the bicycle. Make going your goal.