What keeps you motivated to go work out??

mdoljansky
mdoljansky Posts: 35 Member
edited November 26 in Fitness and Exercise
So I hate exercising, but lately have been trying to get to the gym more. My problem is I get bored. Besides music, what helps you get motivated at the gym?
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Replies

  • mdoljansky
    mdoljansky Posts: 35 Member
    Feel free to add me btw!
  • ohmscheeks
    ohmscheeks Posts: 840 Member
    Yes, the gym sucks, that's why I *awkward silence*
  • MsMaeFlowers
    MsMaeFlowers Posts: 261 Member
    Food! The more you work out, the more you can eat. Which is definitely important (to me at least) on a 1300 calorie diet.
  • snowflake930
    snowflake930 Posts: 2,188 Member
    I don't particularly like it either. I joined a gym on 1/25/15. I have gone every day since then, (except 2/2/15 there was a snow storm). Now it is just to keep my record going, hopefully until the end of the year. Keeping my streak going is what gets me up and going to the gym every morning. One hour faithfully every day and hopefully snow doesn't end my streak in the next 41 days, I am in Minnesota though, so that is not too likely. We are really on borrowed time for snow and it is definitely cold enough now.
  • gdyment
    gdyment Posts: 299 Member
    Do something you don't hate. Pick a goal to accomplish something you don't think is possible. Running race, crossfit event thing, some weight lift goal, a focused dance class, something.

    I run, but I'm never going to say I LOVE it. I'd rather have sex/watch movies/eat cheetos/play video games all day but as an adult I work at a job, pay taxes, go shopping and workout.
  • lucyloutoo
    lucyloutoo Posts: 522 Member
    What motivates me, is how much harder it is next time, the time after to go, if I just don't bother this time.
  • strong_curves
    strong_curves Posts: 2,229 Member
    How I look naked & food. My body is changing and it's looking good so that's a huge motivator.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited November 2015
    what are you doing for your workouts? i would suggest finding an activity that you actually enjoy for the most part and do that...not that you'll be 100% motivated all of the time, but it's a lot easier if you're doing things you enjoy.

    people tend to have a very narrow view of what constitutes exercise or a good workout, so they put themselves in this little box...when all they really need to do is expand their view on exercise activity.

    personally, i'd be bored out of my gored if i was always droning away on some piece of cardio equipment or jumping around my living room to a DVD...i love to cycle and i ride my *kitten* off. i also enjoy weight training, particularly the olympic lifts...so i do that too and it's the only reason i even belong to a gym as i do my cycling outside. sometimes in-climate weather forces me indoors, but it has to be pretty nasty out for me not to hop on my bike.

    also note that motivation is an emotion...and an overrated and fleeting one at that. nobody is motivated to do all the things they need to do all of the time. we all do things every single day that we aren't necessarily "motivated" to do. discipline is ultimately what is necessary...discipline leads to consistency and consistency is what ultimately wins the day.
  • KaiUneeda
    KaiUneeda Posts: 46 Member
    I quite like going to the gym, but on days I can not be arsed I just remember how good I feel on the drive home after I do go. It usually pushes me to go, and I do leave happy I went.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    I will echo the advice to keep trying different things until you find what you like. After that? Keep mixing things up to stay interested if you feel yourself getting bored.

    After that? I agree with cwolfman. Motivation is overrated. Exercise should really be about habit. I feel as uncomfortable not exercising as I do not brushing my teeth. It's just become part of my life. Even on my rest days, I at least take a walk.
  • busyPK
    busyPK Posts: 3,788 Member
    I focus on a fitness goal. Run intervals/incline on the treadmill changing it up every minute or so. People watch. I think about food or sex too, lol.
  • beachhouse758
    beachhouse758 Posts: 371 Member
    I don't go to the gym. It bores me to tears --So can't help you there. But this is what I do, and what keeps me motivated:

    • Running = I love seeing all the wild life when I am outdoors (I am normally *very* indoorsy) and I love the relaxed and mellow feeling I get after a run

    • Kettlebells = I feel powerful and my core is so much stronger! So no more back pain :)

    • Yoga = is like a balancing tool for my body. Gentle yoga is like a massage (and much cheaper) Power yoga is energizing and makes me limber and free

    • Hula hoop / trampoline / Indo Board = just fun!
  • beachhouse758
    beachhouse758 Posts: 371 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    what are you doing for your workouts? i would suggest finding an activity that you actually enjoy for the most part and do that...not that you'll be 100% motivated all of the time, but it's a lot easier if you're doing things you enjoy.

    people tend to have a very narrow view of what constitutes exercise or a good workout, so they put themselves in this little box...when all they really need to do is expand their view on exercise activity.

    personally, i'd be bored out of my gored if i was always droning away on some piece of cardio equipment or jumping around my living room to a DVD...i love to cycle and i ride my *kitten* off. i also enjoy weight training, particularly the olympic lifts...so i do that too and it's the only reason i even belong to a gym as i do my cycling outside. sometimes in-climate weather forces me indoors, but it has to be pretty nasty out for me not to hop on my bike.

    also note that motivation is an emotion...and an overrated and fleeting one at that. nobody is motivated to do all the things they need to do all of the time. we all do things every single day that we aren't necessarily "motivated" to do. discipline is ultimately what is necessary...discipline leads to consistency and consistency is what ultimately wins the day.

    2nd. So true.

  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    The entire wardrobe I don't fit in.
  • Merrysix
    Merrysix Posts: 336 Member
    I feel better physically and mentally and emotionally if I work out which is a huge motivation -- that being said, I also pick activities I like with people I like. I found out that I am not someone who enjoys exercising by myself, so I do boot camp and cross fit although I sometimes like to jog or bicycle by myself. Good music is hugely motivating for me.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    Simple. I love to train. It's more a question of keeping me reigned in than forcing myself to go.
  • 1098mn
    1098mn Posts: 44 Member
    I stay motivated by mixing things up
    I run up hills or anywhere there and incline
    I work out outside whenever possible
    When I do go to they gym, I have my time planned out
    I go to yoga too
    Helps keep me balanced

    I keep my workouts short and aim for 3 days week and the least


    Have you thought of getting a work out partner?

  • janjunie
    janjunie Posts: 1,200 Member
    I don't particularly love the gym I go to, but I go because working out makes me feel great and I don't look half bad either. Now if only we could get new equipment, replace broken machines in a timely manner, have the gym open earlier on the weekends, be cleaner and have someone else...anyone else manage the gym....then yea I'd like it a little more
  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    Knowing that every single workout makes a difference...and that every skipped workout also makes a difference....It all depends on how bad I happen to want it that day, and usually, I REALLY want it..lol!
  • FrankWhite27330
    FrankWhite27330 Posts: 316 Member
    When people say wow you look good.. how often do you go to thegym??
    Or when I hear hey can u help me move next weekend. Only got 4 couches and 3 dressers upstairs hahahaha
  • shadowfax_c11
    shadowfax_c11 Posts: 1,942 Member
    edited November 2015
    My workouts are:

    Martial arts. (cardio)Every class I go to I learn some new thing or just have a lot of fun with other members of the dojo. Habit. I go to every class no matter how tired and/or sore I am.

    Hoof trimming.(strength) I do this on most of my days off from my "real job". I get to work with horses(and other animals), experience the satisfaction of seeing them progress in behavior and health, plus it pays well.

    My job... 12k steps a day. Pays the bills. Monkeys!!

    Motivations? Fun, learning new skills, having a positive impact, daily habit, financial gain, satisfaction, purpose and doing things I truly enjoy.

    Going to a gym just seems so... boring. I can see why people have trouble maintaining the habit.
  • amillenium
    amillenium Posts: 281 Member
    I love running!! It makes me feel great--and is a positive start to my day. When I skip it, I feel like "ugh" all day.
  • Working2BLean
    Working2BLean Posts: 386 Member
    How good being fit feels

    I can see some veins in my side and abs

    It took 2 years to get there

    Not going back

    And basically a fitness lifestyle with new hobbies and activities make it unlikely

  • CipherZero
    CipherZero Posts: 1,418 Member
    About half of my workouts I "don't feel like it". I go anyway because I love the results. I like putting more weight on the bar every week and crossing out the previous PR on the board. I enjoy being more functional and able.
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    To beat my last platform attempts.
  • vjjohnson3
    vjjohnson3 Posts: 21 Member
    To be brutally honest the top two reasons I go to the gym are:
    1. Because there usually are women there
    2. Bigger, better climaxes post workout

    And...I really like working out.
  • summerdaze120
    summerdaze120 Posts: 425 Member
    • My Personal Trainer - I weigh-in every two weeks
    • Spin class - love the instructor!
    • The feeling of accomplishment
    • Thinking about my mom and husband

    I also plan on starting swimming!
  • ltworide
    ltworide Posts: 342 Member
    Reasons for working out:
    - I want to be the best possible me I can be.
    - I want to stay healthy & active.
    - I love beating my PRs
    - I love new challenges & learning new exercises/movements/activities.
    - I feel great after working out.
    - My stress levels are reduced after hitting the pads or lifting some heavy weights.
    - I have gained confidence in myself & love being strong.
    - I enjoy my Krav Maga classes, love sprinting outside, love handling kettlebells, Dumbbells, barbell, doing Olympic lifts. I like skipping, ladder/bosu/cone drills...
  • Jruzer
    Jruzer Posts: 3,501 Member
    Working out hard and long, besides making me feel great and look good, lets me eat more and drink the great beer I love.

    Tonight I had the pleasure of having trying Cafe Ambre from O'So Brewing, a malt bomb of an amber with a custom roasted Guatamelan coffee.
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    Love all my Les Mills group fitness classes. I hate annoying weeks when I can only make it out on the weekends, but those are usually so busy doing something else worthwhile that I don't mind too too much.
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