Staying motivated and making it to the gym.

EchoPapa91
EchoPapa91 Posts: 1
edited January 15 in Motivation and Support
I can't stay motivated and make it to the gym more than twice a week, at best. For some reason, I'll just have a burst of go-get-'em energy and go to the gym and work out like crazy and I feel great. I'll say to myself, "I'm going to feel like this the rest of my life. I'm going to stay motivated and go to the gym consistently! Man, I feel good!" Next two weeks I'll be dragging *kitten*, I won't feel like doing a damn thing and I'll have no energy to spare even though I haven't done anything physical. Why do I have these bi polar fluctuations of motivation and energy. For me, I find the two go hand in hand. Is there something chemically wrong with my body or is it a mental state of mind? It drives me crazy. Maybe I just lack the willpower to make myself go to the gym, even when I'm not feeling it. Thoughts/Opinions?

Replies

  • LiftAllThePizzas
    LiftAllThePizzas Posts: 17,857 Member
    Not exercising makes me feel like crap, and makes me feel like not exercising because I don't have any energy. It's counterintuitive that the cure for having no energy is to go expend a bunch of energy. But it works for me every time.

    Every once in a while you hit a point where you don't feel like doing anything. You just have to remember that after fighting through that "get up and do it" part you will have tons of energy and feel a lot better. Even if I just stand up and then jump up and down (like a boxer before a fight) to get my heart going it helps to break through that inertia.
  • Pamko57
    Pamko57 Posts: 182
    There are a few people who claim to love exercising. I'm not one of them, although I love having exercised. I read something Cindy Crawford said in Shape. It was that she never wants to exercise, but she reminds herself of how great she'll feel afterward. So I try to tell myself the same thing and get on the bike and work out. (My bum knee makes it difficult to walk long distances, so I'm working out on the stationary bike for now. And lifting weights. My little routine is about 15 minutes. I do it while watching tv, and I am always glad I did it.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,096 Member
    Being committed to something will give you motivation. So it has to come from within.

    I will say how much rest your getting will dictate how tired you feel.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • aalpass
    aalpass Posts: 124 Member
    I find you need to work it into your routine. For me I drop my daughter at school then go straight there. Don't even have to think about not going then. On the days she's not at school I struggle because the routine is different and its not 'habit'. If it's a REALLY can't be assed day then I tell myself I'll go for 10minutes. Usually once you're there you do a kick *kitten* job. Or you do a class so you don't bail half way through.

    Otherwise maybe the gym isn't for you. I get motivated by others at the gym, but others find exercise more enjoyable doing team sports, or running/cycling outside. Find what works for you.

    My best advice though is try and go consistently to make it a habit.
  • jamiek917
    jamiek917 Posts: 610 Member
    im one of the weirdos who love working out (i hate eating right, but i almost always force myself to do it).

    when do you work out? i know a lot of people who come home from work, and then sit on the couch to relax...and then they are done- no motivation to get to the gym.

    what i do is get home from work and immediately go upstairs to put change into my gym clothes. whether i immediately hit the gym or work out a few hours later is up to me- but even putting on the clothes makies me feel that bc im already ready to go- might as well get my *kitten* there!
  • Therealobi1
    Therealobi1 Posts: 3,262 Member
    There are a few people who claim to love exercising. I'm not one of them, although I love having exercised. I read something Cindy Crawford said in Shape. It was that she never wants to exercise, but she reminds herself of how great she'll feel afterward. So I try to tell myself the same thing and get on the bike and work out. (My bum knee makes it difficult to walk long distances, so I'm working out on the stationary bike for now. And lifting weights. My little routine is about 15 minutes. I do it while watching tv, and I am always glad I did it.

    i am so happy u said this as i am the same. i dislike exercising but i feel good after and slowly seeing the changes to my body . so if i keep at it i will achieve my goal and that keeps me motivated.

    i am not too keen on the gym so one day a week its spinning and then the other days i use fitness blender.com and choose a workout
  • aalpass
    aalpass Posts: 124 Member
    what i do is get home from work and immediately go upstairs to put change into my gym clothes. whether i immediately hit the gym or work out a few hours later is up to me- but even putting on the clothes makies me feel that bc im already ready to go- might as well get my *kitten* there!

    This is me on weekends. I roll out of gym and put my gym clothes on. Then before I know it i'm at the gym. It just kinda happens. It's like the decision was made when I put the clothes on.
  • JJordon
    JJordon Posts: 857 Member
    Home workout rooms and gyms are the best for this reason. No excuses, no fees, no retreat, no surrender. Can't escape your flat, anyways.
  • YAYJules
    YAYJules Posts: 282 Member
    Don't know if anyone else has said it, but you don't need the gym to exercise. Do stuff at home too. No excuses.
  • Therealobi1
    Therealobi1 Posts: 3,262 Member
    Home workout rooms and gyms are the best for this reason. No excuses, no fees, no retreat, no surrender. Can't escape your flat, anyways.

    yep i am with u on that. My excuse was i cant get to the gym, i dont want to pay the monthly fees. I dont want to run, jog or walk. The workouts on you tube or a dvd just suit me fine. I cant say i cant find at least 20 mins each day to do the 30 day shred.
  • mimiyo1980
    mimiyo1980 Posts: 37 Member
    I read someone else on here saying that she makes it just part of what she does, like you never say i just cant be bothered to brush my teeth. It doesn't matter how late i am for work or how rough I look when rushing out the door i always brush my teeth (and wear mascara but that's just me!), so now I try and think of working out like that - it's just something I do and I make sure it gets put in to my weekly routine.
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