Gym Motivation

the results you feel and see in the mirror to me is what propels me forward..going to the gym or working out in general gets addicting

Honestly....it is habit for me. I go at lunch so I use it as a break from work. I don't really need a push anymore. I look forward to getting out from behind the computer for a bit.

I usually tell my spouse that I'm going that day. If I come home and he sees me not in gym clothes, he says, I thought you were going to the gym? Then I have to come up with a lame excuse and I feel really stupid speaking the stupid excuse I came up with out loud. Holds me accountable most times

Habit.

And I like to eat, so it's nice to have earned some extra calories for the day. Not a huge amount but it covers my ice-cream needs.

For me personally, its my time to be with just me and be focused on me....no kids, no hubs, no cell, no stress. I have always enjoyed working out at the gym from my late teens (40 now) . Just the sound of it, smell of it and the intense look on everyone's face, I enjoy. Not only do I know that by going I will achieve the goals for my body and live a healthier life but its a time for me to be in my own head and thoughts. There are days that I take off unplanned just to rest or change things up bit but ultimately its a self-determination to achieve a goal. I get my butt to work everyday even though I don't "feel" like it...I benefit just as much by doing the same for the gym or a work out!

When I first started I said I was going to commit to at least 4 days each week for as much as I felt was a reasonable, sustainable amount of time. I think I started out around 30-45 minutes. Right now I'm not working and do have enough free time to spend hours at the gym every day if I wanted, but to me that's just not sustainable once I get a job and it's back to real-life.

I also said I wasn't going to pressure myself. I was just going to do whatever I felt like I could do that day. So if I felt like half-@ssing it, I wasn't going to beat myself up about it, because 30 minutes phoning it in is still better then 30 minutes on the couch. I didn't want to burn myself out or set unrealistic goals that I in no way could achieve (like I've done in the past).

I think because of this kind of laxed, no-pressure approach I took, I've generally exceeded my goals. I rarely phone it in. I've done 2 5Ks, lost a ton of inches, I'm in such better physical shape that I surprise myself daily. My husband and I went on a short hike and he was huffing and puffing and was sore the next day. I never broke a sweat and was shocked that he was sore from that little bit of hiking. He's always been the in shape one! LOL

I go to the classes with instructors everyday, except Fridays and Sundays. I just really enjoy it so much that it doesn't feel like a task to go. It almost feels like I am just handing myself over, and I kind of check out for that hour because I know my body will do what is being asked (mostly!).

I get like that too.....like tonight I was gonna go, then came home, sat down and chilled out....some days you do just need to relax from it

If you have some snaps of how you want to look, cut out some picture or motivational words and make a collage on your fridge for inspiration

You can do it!!!

I've got my hols in sept, so going to kick *kitten* beg of july

I read books while doing cardio, so I go to know whats happening next! its also a habit for me

Sometimes I have to force myself to go. Like you, I love the feeling during and after though. My bootcamp instructor says: "just get yourself here and we'll do the rest for you." It's so true - convincing myself to go is the toughest part.
What sometimes works for me is to tell my fitness pals that I'm going. It makes me feel accountable to someone because I know they will know whether or not I went based on my exercise log.
Feel free to add me and we can motivate one another to workout!

I just posted this on another thread!! I go at 5am, and I am not a morning person, and now that it's winter and cold, it's even harder.. But my alarm goes off at 4:40am, I don't pause, I don't do anything except GET UP, get dressed and go. I put my workout gear out the nit before, everything is ready. If I do this, then there is no reason not to go... Just do it.

Also, working out in the morning means it's done by 6:30am and no matter what happens during the day, I've already done my workout. Too easy!

It was a struggle at first, but now it's a habit. A good habit. Sure, the temptation is still there to sleep in some days, I do have 2 rest days a week, getting up early on my gym days makes those little sleep ins seem so much better.

If you can't go first thing in the morning, set yourself a time, put it in your diary and just do it. Schedule it in, like it's a dr appointment that you can't change. It's important. Make the time and commit.