No motivation to exercise - how do you handle?

Unless it's a rest day, exercise anyway. When I'm lacking motivation and decide to NOT do my workout, I feel worse and even less motivated. When I'm lacking motivation and just do it, I end up feeling better, pleased with myself for doing it anyway, and more motivated because I've proven to myself that I can complete a work out without having to be chomping at the bit to get it done. Plus it reinforces exercise as a habit, which helps maintain the activity even on low motivation days.

So, today is day 73 for me (this time around). From the first day I've been extremely motivated to exercise which has been awesome for changing how I look and also helping to bump up my daily calorie goal. Today is the first day I just have zero motivation to do any type of exercise at all. I'm really nervous about this feeling because this is how I felt everyday for about the last 7 years - and how I gained weight slowly over time. How do you all handle days like this? Do you find they pass and you move on the next day? Do you push yourself to get your butt out and exercise even though you have no motivation?

I'm confused by your post and not sure - Have you worked out 73 days in a row? If so, then YES, take a Rest day!!! I

Yeah... have you been going 73 days straight with no rest days? If so, then this is your problem. You'll lose steam fast that way. Give your body a break and time to repair itself.

I see this quote

Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice.
-Wayne Dyer

Preworkout

No, I take rest days. Wednesday's are not usually rest days for me. Today is just the first non-rest day where I've felt overwhelmingly unmotivated to do any type of exercise.

If this is the first non-rest day in 73 days where you've felt like taking the day off, I'd take the day off. You didn't say how many rest days you take or how many days per week you're exercising, but you could be over training, or possibly coming down with something. I'd take the day off and see how you feel tomorrow. If you're sick tomorrow, take more time. If you're ready to exercise again, exercise. And if you're feeling lazy again for no apparent reason, then force yourself to get back into the routine. But one day in itself isn't going to make much difference one way or the other.

Having an app with scheduled workouts and goals by day helps a lot. Treat it like it's part of your regular calendar. You do it long enough, and it's second nature.

I think that patterns yield intellectual/emotional change, not the other way around.

Do it three times every week for a couple months, even if you don't want too.

When the time has passed, you will want too.

You changed your opinion and emotion through action.

I love the "remove the emotion." You're so right. I never thought of it that way. Thank you for the reply!

I never feel like doing the dishes. Ever.

But dishes have to be done.
And I'm usually glad I did them when they're finally done and put away.

Especially since I have the means with which to eat again.


Working out is often the same for me.
I often don't "feel" like it.

But after I'm done, I'm usually glad.
Sometimes, those are my best workouts!

And then, after it's over...
I GET TO EAT! WOOO!

Working out is often the same for me.
I often don't "feel" like it.

But after I'm done, I'm usually glad.
Sometimes, those are my best workouts!

And then, after it's over...
I GET TO EAT! WOOO!

^^^
That's always my motivation. :blushing:

Motivation is overrated.

It is an emotion, which means that it's bound to change at some point. If you base your actions on an emotion that is bound to change, your actions are also bound to change.

Take "working out" out of the emotional space in your mind and put it into the practical space where "going to work" lives.

Like Nike says: Just do it.

Perfect.

"being motivated" is okay for a month or two of getting started (i love being excited about *kitten* as much as the next guy) but changes predicated on one's emotional state are unlikely to last. just ask anyone that has bought a gym membership on january 2nd or got married after their second date.

at some point, you simply decide that controlling portions, choosing healthy foods or exercising is just what you do, like brushing your teeth in the morning or getting to work on time: you do it because that is what you do. and then you make this decision again and again until it is not a decision anymore. you brush your teeth every morning because you've been brushing your teeth every morning for a zillion days. and it *is* a decision; emotion, feeling, and so on are irrelevant.

if there is any magic to forming long-lasting habits, it is this: do anything two or three hundred times in a row and it is likely you will keep doing it forever, good for you or not.

EDITED for bad grammar.

a.) I generally only do 30 min of exercising (unless its running, then I try to go out as long as I can) but I make it an intense 30 min (I use a lot of Jillian Michaels stuff) - it helps with motivation b/c I tell myself, its JUST 30 minutes! I can do 30 minutes! or if I'm not buying it...

b.) I tell my self if 1 get 15 minutes in and feel like quitting, I can... but I never do bc by then I'm engaged