Lack of Motivation

phoenix8633

So my main problem is a serious lack of motivation to exercise, I used to exercise as soon as I get home from exercise so I didn't sit down as soon as I got home because I knew i wouldn't do it then.
But then because I'm tired from work I was lacking the motivation so started skipping exercise days, so I thought since I'm up early in the morning I've got time to do my exercise then, so I tried this out for a bit and it seemed to work, but then the tiredness of getting up in the morning started playing me up so slowly stopped doing exercise in the morning.
It really bugs me because I know I need and want to do it, it's just I sometimes hold myself back from doing it sometimes and hen the days over I feel awful that I didn't exercise!
I need some sort of motivational quotes or something to really push me over that tired boundary in the morning or even after work!!!

nic_ci

Go buy a new outfit in your goal size...hang it where you can see it when you hit your snooze button... Then get up, workout, and fit in it!

BrianSharpe

At the risk of sounding harsh, motivation comes from within. If you really want to do it (as your post says) you'll just do it (sorry Nike). Being tired from work is an excuse

It's tax season I got home last night @ 9:00PM and did an hour of weights and then was up at 5:00 this morning for my run - my point being if you want to do it you'll do it.

phoenix8633

Thanks, thats the thing I really want to do it, my profile picture is what size I want to be again, I use this picture for all my profiles with FB etc, so when I look at it I think yes thats what I want to achieve again.

therealangd

Do you skip work because you don't feel like going or are too tired? No because you'd get fired. You have to figure out what the consequence of not working out is going to be.

If I don't workout then ......

And it has to be something that is going to either get you out of bed early every day, or it's going to force you to workout after you get home.

carolemack

I have a quote posted on my computer that has helped me many times, it says:

"If it is important to you, you will find a way; If not you will find an excuse!"

It keeps me moving when I would rather not. I hope it can do the same for you.

myfitnessnmhoy

You haven't opened up access to your diary, so I can't comment on your food intake, but here's my advice if you're tired a lot.

1. Make sure you are eating all or most of your calories, including exercise calories. Depriving the body of too many calories cuts deeply into your ability to (and enthusiasm for) exercise. Also try to make sure your carbs, fat, and proteins are in balance.

2. Make sure you're getting your water in. Dehydration can also tire you out.

3. Is that profile picture you? You look very healthy and if you're trying to lose weight I'd talk to a doctor about it first. If you're trying to build muscle and tone then make sure you are NOT on a weight loss calorie regimen - you need those calories to build muscle.

lauleipop

Find an exercise that you love doing. I hate the gym. I hate cardio classes. I hate every exercise DVD I've subjected myself to. But I love to run. I'll get up early to run, stay up late to run, run over my lunch break at work, run alone, run with friends... Finding an exercise you're passionate about can help with motivation.

phoenix8633

You haven't opened up access to your diary, so I can't comment on your food intake, but here's my advice if you're tired a lot.

1. Make sure you are eating all or most of your calories, including exercise calories. Depriving the body of too many calories cuts deeply into your ability to (and enthusiasm for) exercise. Also try to make sure your carbs, fat, and proteins are in balance.

2. Make sure you're getting your water in. Dehydration can also tire you out.

3. Is that profile picture you? You look very healthy and if you're trying to lose weight I'd talk to a doctor about it first. If you're trying to build muscle and tone then make sure you are NOT on a weight loss calorie regimen - you need those calories to build muscle.

The profile picture is what I used to be like I'm like 3 stone heavier now nearly, I use that picture so I have an aim of what i want to be like again.

Ttopeka

What I did was made up a calendar for this month with a large piece of paper, and for each date, I put a small folded piece of paper (like: http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/projects/ss/EasyEnvelope_4.htm) on each date. On the inside of the paper envelope I wrote an inspirational/motivational quote (Google it or search here -- you can find TONS). I pull off each date right before I exercise, read the inspirational quote, and it tends to help me get through it!

If I don't work out that day, I don't pull the envelope off - and it really gets to me that I have "filled" dates left. So that in itself is slightly motivational as well.

ggmay49

As I read this I was thinking that it was actually my post. I know where you are coming from, I have felt the same way a long time. I want to walk and I know that I need to but i fall way short when it comes to doing it. I actually went to the doctor yesterday and they did labs on me and called this morning. My iron was very low but not critical, however my B12 was extremely low and gave me a script for B12 injections once a week for 3 weeks. Hoping that this will make me have a little more energy and help me to get my butt moving. You may want to check your levels and just see if they are possibly low also. Believe me if you looked at me you would never know that I am anemic and have low anything. Just wanted to pass this on. Here's to us MOVING!!

BMcC9

"If you fail to plan, you are PLANNING to FAIL"

"When the going gets tough, the tough keep going anyway!"

Google "Pinterest" and you will get both phrases AND captioned photos.

Here's a random thought - what were you doing before you "got too tired to exercise after work"? And where were you doing it? (In a gym? Indoors at home? Outdoors in home neighborhood?) What with Spring coming on and all, are you just plain bored with either the location or the routine? That is often what I bump up against from time to time.

Maybe what you were doing was getting too easy - no more feeling of challenge or accomplishment.

Switching to a different location / activity gives me new energy. If you are sick of being indoors, grab a cheap skipping rope and head to the back porch. If you are sick of the view in your back yard, do you have a bike? The scenery changes much faster on a bike than on foot.

Or change direction - everything looks different when the route is not unwinding the way your brain is expecting it to.

Having a specific "fun goal" helps too - eg if you use a stationary bike, eliptical or treadmill, log "virtual miles" (or km) to a friend or relative in another city. Mark your progress on a wall map, and check out "what's on" in each city along the way as you pass it. You can also google and download views of first person perspective "hiking through Grand Canyon" or "biking though vineyards of Europe" to watch instead of the static bookcase your cardio equipment happens to be facing. Several companies make theses for hiking speed, running/jogging speed, or biking speed (can't recall the company name off-hand, but one is a bike trip around Hawaii)

Do you own a Wii or XBox Kenect by any chance? There are active games that don't SEEM like exercise if you need to up your fun factor. I have a Wii Fit Plus and balance board. For a fun cardio, I "go biking around Wiishoo Island" or do some Rhythm Kung Fu; for a harder one, I put the balance board on top of my 6" step, start up 30 mins of Free Step ... then change channels and watch TV while keeping pace with the metronome click coming from the controller.

I get to feel virtuous, work up a sweat AND not miss a fav show all at the same time!

BMcC9

Do you skip work because you don't feel like going or are too tired? No because you'd get fired. You have to figure out what the consequence of not working out is going to be.

If I don't workout then ......

And it has to be something that is going to either get you out of bed early every day, or it's going to force you to workout after you get home.

How about this - writ large where you will see it as you walk in the door -

"Earning this by the sweat of my brow!" Have a picture of whatever you are earning money towards and a money-jar beside your fitness equipment, and every time you fulfill your "part-time job as athelete-in-training" obligation, pay yourself a set amount per minute or quarter-hour or distance (depends what you are doing). Track your "earnings" .... AND YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BUY X UNTIL YOU HAVE EARNED THE ENTIRE AMOUNT! If motivation starts to lag, change the picture to something else you currently want very baddly.

"If I don't work out, then I can't have X"