Lack of Motivation (need encouragement)

Hey Guys, i was just wondering if you guys can give me some tips on what you guys do when you lose focus and motivation. I want to be fit and toned so bad, but ive been lacking with my workouts...

My excuses consist of:
i get a cold and ill stay away from the gym to recover
i stay up late, so ill skip out on a morning workout.
I had a rough day and tired, all i wanna do is sleep, so ill skip out on working out after work.
I'm on my period, UGh i have cramps, ill wait a day or two till i get back on it..

I would like to beat the week... 5 out of 7 days a week is the goal that i wanna strive for.

I have workout DVDs like insanity, brazil butt lift and turbo jam... also have a gym membership... but lacking the motivation...

I've lost significant amount of weight through the months/years... but im on that long stretch to trying to make a lifestyle and being consistent.

i gotta give it those people who can start insanity and follow through with it till the end, or Turbo Jam or Brazil butt lift... ill do it for a week, get super sore to where i cant move and rest for 2 weeks... that's not good!

Just need some encouragement to wanna be active.

Reasons why I wanna be active:
live a healthy long life
get strong
build some muscles
be able to defend myself from any *kitten* who tries to put their hands on me
self esteem

Suggestions/Comments/before and after stories welcome.... if your trying to put me down or try to make me feel stupid... please dont comment.... i have enough self esteem issues as it is....

Thanks

Replies

  • Shelby1582
    Shelby1582 Posts: 191 Member
    2lueu5i.jpg


    This is me after doing Insanity, random workouts on the daily burn, running, hiking, eating better but not totally clean. I never had a stomach like that and didn't think I ever would. For me it's the small changes that I see in myself that keep me wanting to work out. First it would be a new muscle I would notice and now I have abs! That's so weird to me. I really enjoy working out now but 6 or 7 months ago it was the last thing I wanted to do.
    I think the key is to find something you like and also to mix it up. I did Insanity but did it to my own pace and didn't follow the program. I prefer working out at home because I get home and change and can be done working out in 30-60 minutes and move on with my night as opposed to driving to the gym and sitting in traffic. I think this site keeps people accountable too.
    Friend me, I'll help motivate you. I also like to look at pictures of fitness models or follow Chalene Johnson on Instagram, she's super motivating.
    Hang in there, it will become routine after awhile.
  • gwenr
    gwenr Posts: 139 Member
    Shelby, you look FANTASTIC...thanks for sharing. And I wasn't even looking for encouragement!
  • Be like "nike" and just do it :) that's what I tell myself when I'm not in the mood to work out and so far it's helped sometimes you need to surround yourself with positive people that will light a torch underneath ya LOL I love Insanity P90X too I'm getting ready to order T25 see how that goes.
  • Tony_Brewski
    Tony_Brewski Posts: 1,376 Member
    No excuses. My favorite workout shirt says it clearly

    PT or DIE
  • LovinDaNewLiz14
    LovinDaNewLiz14 Posts: 217 Member
    NO EXCUSES!!! IF YOU WANT TO GET WHERE YOU NEED AND WANT TO BE, BRUSH THOSE EXCUSES OFF AND DO THE DAMN THING!!!

    What keeps me motivated I started off at 280.6 pounds
    Borderline diabetic, and the doctor telling me your 25 you will have a heart attack by 30 and dead by 40 if you keep gaining weight, and to top it off I can not be a police officer at 280 pounds

    I will NEVER go back to being that woman and that is what keeps me fighting, keeps me pushing and never giving up
  • Whipppets
    Whipppets Posts: 267
    What has worked for me is that when I do not show up for classes at the gym people question me.
    I am held accountable in a great way as we all push each other. You sound like you know what to do
    and want to do it.
    Every day wake up and say I will be a fitter and healthier person today/
  • Eabec
    Eabec Posts: 53 Member
    My near-exact excuses have led to my re-gaining the 8lbs i had lost.

    I'm back on the wagon using my 1 year smoke free anniversary as motivation. Also, I have a busy schedule that is very stressful right now so am using a hard work out as a stress reliever.

    Hang in there, sometimes you just need to find your mojo again. Only you can determine what that is and how to overcome the excuses.
  • jonenciawood
    jonenciawood Posts: 2 Member
    So I am with you there. I also make excuses for myself and then just suck it up and go to the gym anyway. One of the things I do is pretend that someone is waiting for me at the gym. If that doesn't work, I literally talk myself into going. Saying things like, you know you'll feel better after the gym. But most importantly, I remember that this isn't about getting to the gym everyday, giving myself a moment to feel any way I want to. Because once I remember that "I don't have to" it makes it easier for me to go. This is a life style so if you have a cold, take the time to mend (just not more than 3 days). And again, JUST TO IT! No thought, no fuss, no muss - just get to the workout! :)
  • fervc6060
    fervc6060 Posts: 18
    My father is in very poor health and as I get older I realize if I don't do something now, I will be very sick or die sooner than I should.
  • fitgirl4x48
    fitgirl4x48 Posts: 30 Member
    When I hear myself doing that, I tell myself to quit whining and go. If that doesn't work, I tell my lazy voice to shut up and replace my thoughts with "REALLY!! It's only 45-60 minutes of your life! Get over yourself, sheesh!" I'm tough on myself though and if something should happen that really warrants me NOT working out ~ serious injury or whatever, THEN....I allow myself to chill out.

    Self-talk is the short answer lol....
  • marybell82
    marybell82 Posts: 122 Member
    That is awesome! yes i follow chalene and her sister Janelle on instagram and fitness model sites too... i follow all the beach body coaches too for motivation. Just wish i would have been at my goal by now and its already summer. Thanks for that add! :)
    2lueu5i.jpg


    This is me after doing Insanity, random workouts on the daily burn, running, hiking, eating better but not totally clean. I never had a stomach like that and didn't think I ever would. For me it's the small changes that I see in myself that keep me wanting to work out. First it would be a new muscle I would notice and now I have abs! That's so weird to me. I really enjoy working out now but 6 or 7 months ago it was the last thing I wanted to do.
    I think the key is to find something you like and also to mix it up. I did Insanity but did it to my own pace and didn't follow the program. I prefer working out at home because I get home and change and can be done working out in 30-60 minutes and move on with my night as opposed to driving to the gym and sitting in traffic. I think this site keeps people accountable too.
    Friend me, I'll help motivate you. I also like to look at pictures of fitness models or follow Chalene Johnson on Instagram, she's super motivating.
    Hang in there, it will become routine after awhile.
  • marybell82
    marybell82 Posts: 122 Member
    Wow thats scary stuff... im glad to hear your on here and your positive about wanting to lose weight. Thanks for sharing..
    NO EXCUSES!!! IF YOU WANT TO GET WHERE YOU NEED AND WANT TO BE, BRUSH THOSE EXCUSES OFF AND DO THE DAMN THING!!!

    What keeps me motivated I started off at 280.6 pounds
    Borderline diabetic, and the doctor telling me your 25 you will have a heart attack by 30 and dead by 40 if you keep gaining weight, and to top it off I can not be a police officer at 280 pounds

    I will NEVER go back to being that woman and that is what keeps me fighting, keeps me pushing and never giving up
  • marybell82
    marybell82 Posts: 122 Member
    Yeah its the voices in my head that tell me i can put it off for tomorrow.. time to drown them out and be more positive. Thank you for sharing.... your comments help me re evaluate my self and my way of thinking... im glad i posted on the message boards :)
    When I hear myself doing that, I tell myself to quit whining and go. If that doesn't work, I tell my lazy voice to shut up and replace my thoughts with "REALLY!! It's only 45-60 minutes of your life! Get over yourself, sheesh!" I'm tough on myself though and if something should happen that really warrants me NOT working out ~ serious injury or whatever, THEN....I allow myself to chill out.

    Self-talk is the short answer lol....
  • Quit making excuses, putting it off, complaining about it, dreaming about it, crying about it, believing you can't, worrying if you can, waiting until you're older, skinnier, richer, braver, or all around better, suck it up, hold on tight, say a prayer, make a plan, and JUST DO IT!!!
  • marybell82
    marybell82 Posts: 122 Member
    I regained 10 pounds i guess thats why im beating myself up so much... i felt that before summer i was more motivated and now that its hear im slacking. even though im still not where i wanna be at.
    I also understand that its not about weight,its about muscle definition and toning... but when i know im not working out and there's an extra 10 pounds on the scale ...its not muscle.
    My near-exact excuses have led to my re-gaining the 8lbs i had lost.

    I'm back on the wagon using my 1 year smoke free anniversary as motivation. Also, I have a busy schedule that is very stressful right now so am using a hard work out as a stress reliever.

    Hang in there, sometimes you just need to find your mojo again. Only you can determine what that is and how to overcome the excuses.
  • marybell82
    marybell82 Posts: 122 Member
    Do you live with your father? if so, maybe you can consider cooking paleo for him. Its a bit expensive to eat healthy, but if his life is at risk, its definitely something to consider. I also heard that juicing helps with medical conditions...
    My father is in very poor health and as I get older I realize if I don't do something now, I will be very sick or die sooner than I should.
  • seniorbug2003
    seniorbug2003 Posts: 67 Member
    I work 10 hour days so going to a gym after work never intrested me. Then I just decided to get a membership and I go becuase I hate paying for something I dont use. I am in a contract so I have to go so I am not wasting money. For the days I still dont fell like going I tell myself that I will only do the weight machines in the circuit I do at the gym. Then when I get there I end up doing all of it. I can me a little OCD and want to make sure I do all stations.
  • 77tes
    77tes Posts: 8,489 Member
    Last year I was doing an ab workout 6 days a week. But one morning I just didn't want to. When I went to work that morning after blowing off the workout, the first student through the door was wearing a T-shirt. "Every damn day - Just do it.." That day, I went home and did it, and that slogan continues to inspire me.
  • loout
    loout Posts: 13
    Motivation is one thing that I clearly lack!! I started loosing weight in January of this year with the help of good friends. They would give me encouragement, as I would them. It helps having someone to give you pointers and compliments. It helps if you wake up in the morning and TELL yourself that you will workout today :). So far I have lost 27 pounds and only need to loose a few more, then tone tone tone!! But I have lost my motivation in the last month, you can add me and we can help eachother!