How do people stay motivated to go to the gym

1235

Replies

  • Velum_cado
    Velum_cado Posts: 1,608 Member
    Do a workout you LOVE, so it becomes a treat instead of a chore.
  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    My gym is on my way home from work, so I stop by on my way home. I have my gym bag packed and change at work before I leave.
  • 1Cor1510
    1Cor1510 Posts: 413 Member
    Gym buddy. If it wasn't for damskinny I'd never have been as consistant as I have been.
  • mauld13
    mauld13 Posts: 2 Member
    My biggest advice tips:
    1) Find something you like - Make it fun!
    2) SCHEDULE it in to your routine - wherever you can fit it. Every day/week I look at the days coming up and plan when I will go do my workout, just like any other meeting. Some days it is morning, some days evening.
    3) Find people to be accountable with - whether it is someone at the gym, a friend/spouse that will keep you honest, someone that you can check in with.
  • WaKay
    WaKay Posts: 314
    I go directly to the gym from work - I know if I go home first I will not go back out. Also, I have to "earn" my dinner calories which helps to motivate me.

    I have to force this routine for a couple weeks then it's just second nature and it becomes a bigger issue to not go to the gym than finding the motivation to go.
  • Betty_Rubble
    Betty_Rubble Posts: 117 Member
    BECAUSE CAKE AND BEER!

    This
  • sandikegz
    sandikegz Posts: 66
    I go straight from the office -- no stopping at home! Pack your gym bag in the morning and you'll already be in the right frame of mind.

    Exactly what she says...plus I have the black card so the unlimited tanning works for a bit of extra incentive! Its all about mind frame though and finding the things you like doing at the gym. A sort of routine if you would :)
  • krawhitham
    krawhitham Posts: 831 Member
    I just like the way I feel when I work out. I sleep better, and everything just 'works' better about my body. I agree it's a challenge to work full time AND have the energy to work out, but you actually get more energy BY working out so the simple fact of being more energetic motivates me.
  • FishingGuy75
    FishingGuy75 Posts: 59 Member
    There have been studies that show it only takes 21 days to make something a habit.
  • michelleweadbrock
    michelleweadbrock Posts: 3
    Food is my motivation. I have my calories per day set at 1350 and by the time I leave work I usually have 300 or less left for dinner......which means I HAVE to get a workout in if I want to eat a decent meal and stay on track!! And if I want a glass of wine with dinner.....oh boy do I kick butt at that gym ;)
  • celtbell3
    celtbell3 Posts: 738 Member
    Getting the most out of your body requires putting in the most. Whatever time you put in, that is what you will receive. It is difficult for every working adult. Believe me. You can do it, though. Every day, every attempt is getting you closer to what you want.
  • gregs_gal
    gregs_gal Posts: 18 Member
    Some days I go straight to the gym from work, others I go home first. What I've found works for me was to find classes I enjoyed. A lot of the ones I like are at 6:30 (an hour and half after I get off work), so I can go home, let my dogs out, have a preworkout snack, and change my clothes before heading out. I don't feel rushed and because I like the class and have a fun time in it, I am motivated to get my butt there. On days where I don't attend a class, I try to go right from work because I can (and have) done the whole, "I'll leave in five minutes..." thing and ended up sitting on my couch until it was too late to go.

    I also signed up to work with a trainer once a week. This gets me there since I don't want to lose the session I paid for. Plus, a good trainer will help motivate you and give you ideas or full workouts to do on your own that are tailored to your specific needs and goals.
  • jimethanowen
    jimethanowen Posts: 50
    I go before work, but if have to go after work I go directly there before going home! Logging my exercise, seeing results and feeling healthy are all motivations to me......
  • ekztawas
    ekztawas Posts: 114 Member
    I don't go to the gym anymore, I work out at home. When I did I had a plan of attack.

    First, don't go home after work. IT'S A TRAP. Pack a duffel with everything you need, plus a banana or small pre-workout snack. Go straight to the gym.
    Get a workout buddy. I've had luck even finding a stranger at the gym and we make a point to say hello each time we cross paths.
    Ask your health insurance if they reimburse for your trips to the gym. Mine I think is 12 trips and they deposit $20 back into your account. Getting back money is always motivation for me!
  • ImpishVanity
    ImpishVanity Posts: 224 Member
    It was hard going at first, but once you start going regularly you feel better and you end up having more energy than before you went. I go after work as well.
  • FFrost14
    FFrost14 Posts: 3 Member
    I really like two of the early answers 1) go early before you go to work, or 2) go directly to the gym from work. What I have done is to make my workouts a habit, just part of the daily routine. Just put it on your mental schedule. Make it like taking a shower or eating breakfast. How much motivation do you need for those?

    You spend two hours at the gym when you go? It sounds like you like it more than you think you do. Maybe work on spreading out the workout. Maybe you get a sort of mini-burnt out. Try a “quick” hour workout four or five times a week (don’t forget rest days). See if it becomes less of a chore to get to the gym.

    Remember the muscle between your ears is the strongest one. It can make the others do whatever it wants. It just has to want it.
  • lisamarieashley
    lisamarieashley Posts: 4
    Go everyday (1 day off) no excuses. Even if you just do the treadmill for 30 min. you need to get it in your routine Plus Im also a cheapskate so I don't want to waste my money and I know I'm doing something that will benefit me in the long run.
  • yogicarl
    yogicarl Posts: 1,260 Member
    I live and breathe the yoga studio but I wouldn't go to a gym.

    I feel if you have to ask how to stay motivated to go to a gym, you possibly haven't found that thing you can become totally immersed in. When you do, you won't need to find motivation - it will come and find you.
  • denisegunnels
    denisegunnels Posts: 43 Member
    Find something you like and do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It doesn't have to be the gym..........just keep moving. If you aren't using the membership, drop it and save the money.

    As for motivation, I find that the more I go the more I want to go but some people never reach that point. As for the other tips..they are spot on. I started going in the mornings rather than after work. I pack my bag AND put it in the car the night before. I position my gym clothes in one place and am dressed in less than two minutes.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    My problem is after a full days of work I leave the office and then get home and really do not feel like working out. ...............When I finally do get to the gym, I am there for like 2 hours or more. My problem is just trying to get there.

    I see a couple of potential issues here.

    For one, don't go home first...bring your gym clothes to work with you and go straight there...to not pass go and do not collect $200. Even as dedicated as I am to my fitness, once I get home, I'm home and I'm likely not going anywhere...hell, I hate when I get home and realize I'm missing some ingredient I need for dinner and have to go run to the grocery store just a couple blocks away.

    Secondly, any reason for the two hour thing? I ask because maybe that's causing some kind of mental block...you're dreading going in and having to knock out a couple of hours. You don't really need to do that...I can knock out a good full body weight training session in 60 minutes...often 45 if I don't have to wait around too much for equipment. I do my cardio on alternating days with my resistance training and rarely do more than 45 - 60 minutes unless I have a specific training purpose for doing more.

    You could easily just knock out 45 - 60 minutes 5 days per week and give yourself a couple of rest days. As into fitness as I am, I wouldn't be down with the prospect of spending two hours in the gym every time I went.
  • kethry70
    kethry70 Posts: 404 Member
    I work out at a TaeKwonDo studio. I basically found that i like the sense of camaraderie and I like that people will notice and call me on it if I don't show up - esp since my kids go there so I have to show my face for their classes if not mine. I also like feeling stronger and more capable so the sense of accomplishment helps. Finally, my husband goes too so I am motivated to go so that he won't wuss out with me :laugh:
  • ChaseAlder
    ChaseAlder Posts: 804 Member
    On days I work, I gotta get it done early. I run before I go to work, or I go to the gym if running outside is not an option. I could never work out in the evening. I've tried making myself do it and it never happens. Once in a while, I'll get a bug and go for an unplanned run before dinner, but that's only if the outside is beckoning with it's beautiful sunshine and breeze.

    But yeah, get it done early. Get it out of the way. You'll feel good all day.
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    Motivation is overrated. It gets you through your first week, maybe your first month. That's it.

    If your goal is to be fit, going to the gym is your job. Treat it as such. Do you need to be motivated to go work? Of course not. You like getting paid so you go every day. If you like being in shape, going to the gym will be the same way.


    I agree! And that's the advice I give people all the time. Motivation will get you through a workout. DEDICATION is what you need. You're going to have days, no matter what you do, or how much you enjoy it, where everything sucks, i'm tired, i'm sore, i'm sick, i'm bruised, had a long day, or whatever the case is...., those days are going to happen, Guaranteed!!!

    I say it's all about determination. I come home after work, cook supper, help the kid with his homework, listen to the fiance talk about his day...but then as soon as supper is over my gym strip comes on, ask my fiance if he has a toonie so I can buy him a coffee on the way home, and I'm out the door. My gym shoes and earbuds stay in my vehicle unless they need to be washed. There's no excuses, there's no "i'm tired", I am determined to lose this spare tire! Yeah I'm dead @ss tired when I get home from work, but honestly, I HAVE to go to the gym.
  • florkie
    florkie Posts: 4 Member
    I struggle with this myself...all the time! Sometimes I find myself so mentally drained from work I can't even think about trying to do something strenuous. BUT... sometimes I'll make a deal with myself and say I'll only go for 10 minutes, if I'm still not feeling it by then I give myself permission to leave. But usually I by then I'm into my workout and stay. If it's a bad day I'll try to do something light and do a harder workout another night.

    I like the way I feel after a workout too and it makes me sleep better. Hope all these comments help you get to the gym. :-)
  • NataBost
    NataBost Posts: 418 Member
    I have a few motivators.

    1) I found a fitness class that I like for cardio. I really hate using machines unless I have to do so. Exercise + socializing = time flies by
    2) When I exercise, everything else feels better physically (less aches/pains, less digestive issues)
    3) I use FourSquare. I *JUST* became the mayor of my gym. Ain't nobody gonna take that away! HAH!
    4) I pre-pack my clothes and load them into the car most days.
    5) I have my first major overseas trip in a little over three weeks, and I'm close to my fitness goal. Then I'll make a new goal after this vacation.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member

    I say it's all about determination. I come home after work, cook supper, help the kid with his homework, listen to the fiance talk about his day...but then as soon as supper is over my gym strip comes on, ask my fiance if he has a toonie so I can buy him a coffee on the way home, and I'm out the door. My gym shoes and earbuds stay in my vehicle unless they need to be washed. There's no excuses, there's no "i'm tired", I am determined to lose this spare tire! Yeah I'm dead @ss tired when I get home from work, but honestly, I HAVE to go to the gym.

    I'm the same- I really dislike going RIGHT after work- it's so busy and crowded- I much prefer going later- but it takes some will power to do it- but once you start doing it- that's it- you just do it because it's what it is.
  • KayBallin
    KayBallin Posts: 111 Member
    A few things keep me motivated.
    1) the fact that my gym membership is $40/month.
    2) Packing a bag in the morning and going straight after work
    3) Knowing that I can eat a little more if I work out hard. :)
  • Bry_Fitness70
    Bry_Fitness70 Posts: 2,480 Member
    I really look forward to my time at the gym / running, I'm addicted to the routine and the results! I think when you get a better appreciation of how much better your quality of life is as a fit person, your attitude towards it will transform into a more positive one...
  • powellJulie1
    powellJulie1 Posts: 21 Member
    Motivation is overrated. It gets you through your first week, maybe your first month. That's it.

    If your goal is to be fit, going to the gym is your job. Treat it as such. Do you need to be motivated to go work? Of course not. You like getting paid so you go every day. If you like being in shape, going to the gym will be the same way.


    I agree! And that's the advice I give people all the time. Motivation will get you through a workout. DEDICATION is what you need. You're going to have days, no matter what you do, or how much you enjoy it, where everything sucks, i'm tired, i'm sore, i'm sick, i'm bruised, had a long day, or whatever the case is...., those days are going to happen, Guaranteed!!!


    I agree with this and I also agree with having fun as much as possible, yet it is not always fun , so therefore sometimes it is a task. But like the quote said you do it for a reward. Nothing is easy in life. If you really want something, even something you like or enjoy , it could be hard at times to get there. I started a business before and went from scratch to also having to sell it. But I worked hard at it to achieve a goal in the end. Since I did this business experience, my workouts have been easier to do , because I see it the same way , same struggle to hustle!!! I see everything that way now.

    That said, when you first start , it is hard to put yourself in that state of mind because it is new and you might be unfamiliar with some of the exercise. I suggest you find readings about workout and health and eat healthy and instruct yourself more, so you feel educated and comfortable about the subject. Then you try what you read about, might be hard at first, might be sore after, but all this sort of fades away slowly until you decide to workout harder... but then you will get addicted to that pain!!!

    Be organised, plan ahead everything, from clothes, to food , to schedule to social life... that way you just follow what you have planned .

    Then in the middle of doing great you will have harder days, down days, we all do, but we get back up the next day!

    take care
  • powellJulie1
    powellJulie1 Posts: 21 Member
    I really look forward to my time at the gym / running, I'm addicted to the routine and the results! I think when you get a better appreciation of how much better your quality of life is as a fit person, your attitude towards it will transform into a more positive one...

    deffenitly

Categories