Not motivated and stuck in a rut? What helped me

dixon5000

Hello all, I want to start off by saying you are not alone when you come to a point were you feel you are losing motivation. Trust me, I have been working out for years and I had many ups and downs. Its hard sometimes with the busy lifestyles a lot of us live. I find myself in situations where I was not mentally prepared and I would, without warning, pig out on something I shouldn't have and feel so bad after words. This is common and comes with the territory. There are demons that lurk around every corner. Here is some suggestions that helped me become mentally strong over the years. Remember no matter how big or small your goal is, this is a lifestyle change. No magic pill, just plan old hard work.

Set up some regular mental cues to help yourself maintain your commitment to exercise, such as packing your gym bag the night before, putting it by the door, schedule exercise on your calendar and handheld device or phone. I use outlook on my computer and every morning it pops up with my daily schedule. This way, when I am dead tired, it reminded me of my daily tasks and when I will fit in my workout.

Find a person you can lean on. Someone who has the same goals or has been there and done it. This site for example, this site is full of outstanding motivated people who you can lean on when you are feeling down. A lot of times, its a matter of getting your frustrations out and talking about whats making you non motivated to make you realize that its not as bad as you think. I have a great friend who has been my workout partner for years. He is a very positive person and let me tell you, he is great to lean on when I need a pick me up. Remember to be realistic and to set goals that are attainable, so that you don't become frustrated and upset with yourself later for failing at a goal you did not achieve.

Don't focus on what you have to give up; time, alcohol, junk foods. Just try to focus on the positive aspects only, no matter how simple this seems. I love going out with friends, but my friends who can eat anything they want and not have to work out as much sometimes dont understand. Make sure they do. True friends will respect the fact that you have set goals for yourself and these are the people you want to surround yourself with. I personally had to cut off the ties with a few of my friends that liked to drink. IT WAS HARD let me tell you, but overtime they understood and respected the fact that I am sticking to my goals.

Write it all down. Jotting down a list of basic, reasons why you are following a program and why it must be completed in your set time-frame is a great way to keep in touch with your goals; post this list on the fridge or mirror, or like me, I have positive words posted on my screensaver. When I go and check my daily activities, its right there to start my day. Remember, your new lifestyle must be a constant presence in your life, which means your home, your car, your desk or space at work.

Taking pictures to help remind you of were you started has helped me. I did a 12 week program for a bodybuilding competition a few years back. I took the pictures in the same outfit each week on the same day of the week, every Sunday. Its amazing when you see yourself from week 1 to week 4 then week 8 and so on. This gives you no BS look at yourself and makes you realize why your working so hard to obtain your goal. You see progress each week and it motivates you to know end.

Keeping a record of the foods you eat will help you determine if you are straying away from the diet plan you set. Myfitnesspal is one I use. It breaks it down for you and following it helped me lose my weight.

One last suggestion, selecting an exercise routine or a certain diet because your mom, friend, or neighbor lost 50+ lbs, is a sure way to failure. Select an activity that you actually enjoy doing; choose healthy foods that you like and you know you will prepare.

The point is, if you love dance, find a dance based fitness class, if you love walking, but have small children, take them with you and work out on the play ground equipment along with them. Just find something, anything that is fun for you to do, and you will never want to avoid doing it. Avoid doing the same thing everyday if you can. Changing your routines up will help spike your body to burn fat and not allow your body to get use to the same old everyday routine.

A few things to consider may be; is the program convenient for you and your family? Think of the time of day, number of sessions per week, flexibility with your schedule and life, your accessibility to the required facilities, all can make or break your success.

References:

SCIENCE of FLEXIBILTY; Second Edition; Michael J. Alter
Designing Resistance Training Programs; Second Edition; S. Fleck. Kraemer
Mental Robotics; www.mentalrobics.com
Jaime Girand

AwMyLoLo

:flowerforyou:

weaklink109

Excellent post.:flowerforyou: Just what I needed to read today to pick me up. I hadn't strayed yet, but earlier today I thought I heard a burger calling my name, and the day before it was sausage,:noway: but neither of them got me.:laugh:

Good luck in your journey.

paulamma1

FanTAStic post man. Thank you SO much.

This especially spoke to me:

Remember no matter how big or small your goal is, this is a lifestyle change. No magic pill, just plan old hard work.

Set up some regular mental cues to help yourself maintain your commitment to exercise, ............ schedule exercise on your calendar and handheld device or phone.

:flowerforyou:

JenniferMann24

Thank you so much...you don't know just how much ive needed that. I have been in a rut for 2 wks and didn't know how i was gonna get myself out. This was a little help.