Horrible motivation issues

jan092284
jan092284 Posts: 15 Member
edited December 2 in Fitness and Exercise
Any tips for someone who has seriously NO motivation when it comes to working out. It's not that I don't like to, but actually getting going and doing it just never happens. I work and I'm in nursing school so when I'm not doing one or the other I just don't want to do anything.

Replies

  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    If you're overweight. Look in the mirror and picture what you'd like to look like.
    If you're underweight. Look in the mirror and picture what you'd like to look like.

    Everyday I go to the gym I go there with one soul purpose. To improve upon myself, how do I do that? By getting out there and putting the work in. It's a choice you have to make, no one else can make it for you. Sorry if it sounds like tough love but sometimes it is whats needed.
  • littleworm23
    littleworm23 Posts: 341 Member
    I have to agree with the post above. Some times your tired, it sucks, you want to be done, etc. but you do it anyway. No one can do it for you. You can read all the motivational quotes and stories but in the end you are the only one that can make yourself do it. Good luck. :)
  • V_Keto_V
    V_Keto_V Posts: 342 Member
    jessef593 wrote: »
    If you're overweight. Look in the mirror and picture what you'd like to look like.
    If you're underweight. Look in the mirror and picture what you'd like to look like.

    Everyday I go to the gym I go there with one soul purpose. To improve upon myself, how do I do that? By getting out there and putting the work in. It's a choice you have to make, no one else can make it for you. Sorry if it sounds like tough love but sometimes it is whats needed.
    I could not agree more...
    Progress pics & monitoring statistics (wt., BMI, body composition, waist/shoulder/neck/hip/thigh circumference)
  • SeanTilley
    SeanTilley Posts: 1 Member
    I think one of the more frustrating aspects of this is dealing with desires that conflict with your goals. Sometimes your entire mindset will simply not care, and be perfectly okay with the plans you put together the night before.

    My recommendation would be to take baby steps. Try to find an exercise that is not too demanding, and doesn't take much time to do. Put another way, try to find something easy that you know you can come back to without resentment.

    Walking is a really good starting point because there's a high chance that you can easily walk around where you live. Even something as small as walking up and down your street a couple of times can gradually add up.

    Another thing that helped me was joining a gym. I started out with only using an elliptical for a short period of time, and leaving when I was done. Over time, I have expanded my exercises to other equipment, and can now also use the elliptical four times longer than when I began.

    Finally, consider measuring your progress. You can either do things old-school and keep a notebook to record everything when you go, or you could get a fitness tracker, hook it up to Google Fit / Apple Health, and then sync it with MyFitnessPal. Seeing stats everyday is surprisingly a good motivator when you start doing basic routine workouts - I've found they motivate me to keep upping the ante, in a positive way.
  • pomegranatecloud
    pomegranatecloud Posts: 812 Member
    Stop making excuses, and just go. Set a goal of exercising 3 times per week and make it non-negotiable. You don't just skip class or work, right?
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    pomegranatecloud wrote: »
    Stop making excuses, and just go. Set a goal of exercising 3 times per week and make it non-negotiable. You don't just skip class or work, right?

    I agree here--exercising is a commitment that you make to yourself. Once you get into the groove, you can't imagine life without it.
  • cariduttry
    cariduttry Posts: 210 Member
    you will find time for anything you make a priority.

    the gym is non-negotiable for me right now. i have turned down plans that i'd REALLY like to do, but getting healthy is my main focus.

    i can only speak for myself, but pro-activity and focus are the keys to making it work. i try not to let things sneak up on me and i vocalize my plans/goals to those close to me.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    Being able to move is a gift, don't waste the gift.
  • Chargunshow
    Chargunshow Posts: 60 Member
    Don't wait until you feel like it. Make an appointment for some sort of exercise and keep it. It could be anything to get started. Gym, walk, exercise class...there are tons of options. So cliched...but just do it. I am NEVER motivated to go to the dentist. But when I have an appointment I go. There are lots of things I do that I don't rely on motivation. And often exercise is one of those things. But I have made a commitment and I have a schedule that I keep. I don't give myself the opportunity to talk myself out of it.
  • KiyaK
    KiyaK Posts: 519 Member
    Find an activity that gets you moving that you like. You don't have to run for ages on a treadmill. Try different activities & classes. Zumba, yoga, jogging outside, YouTube videos, kayaking, pole fitness, hiking, lifting heavy weights, going for walks or bike rides. Try out lots of different things & see what you enjoy. You're more likely to stick with something if you enjoy it. Despite what many people say, being active doesn't have to be a miserable slog.
  • rakowskidp
    rakowskidp Posts: 231 Member
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    Being able to move is a gift, don't waste the gift.
    I had my annual physical this morning, and my doctor related a story along these same lines. One of his patients saw him jogging at 6:00 AM one morning. The doctor is very fit - a competitive martial artist - so the patient asked, "why are you doing that when you don't HAVE to?" Doc responded, "um, because I CAN?"

    Yep. Don't waste it!
  • NaturalNancy
    NaturalNancy Posts: 1,093 Member
    I think planning is key.
    Pack your gym bag the night before, get your workout clothes ready, get your music ready.
    Put your water bottle in the freezer and just talk yourself into it.
    99.9% of the time you will feel GREAT when your workout is done.
    Set small short term goals.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Chargunshow wrote: »
    Don't wait until you feel like it. Make an appointment for some sort of exercise and keep it. It could be anything to get started. Gym, walk, exercise class...there are tons of options. So cliched...but just do it. I am NEVER motivated to go to the dentist. But when I have an appointment I go. There are lots of things I do that I don't rely on motivation. And often exercise is one of those things. But I have made a commitment and I have a schedule that I keep. I don't give myself the opportunity to talk myself out of it.

    This is what I do. I schedule gym time and treat it like a meeting with my boss - no way I'm allowed to cancel. Once I actually get to the gym and get started on my workout, I'm always glad I've gone.
  • BillMcKay1
    BillMcKay1 Posts: 315 Member
    I always think you need to be accountable to yourself, that said finding a workout buddy can help. Sometimes it's mentally harder to let someone else down by not showing, up than letting yourself down.

    Having my wife working out with me every day is a huge boost. #noexcuses is our motto. We certainly don't feel like getting out of bed at 5:30 every morning, but we do it.
  • shinyshell55
    shinyshell55 Posts: 128 Member
    Have everything ready to go. Once I make my bed in the morning I lay out my workout gear and my running shoes.
    Also I have a strong cup of black coffee and I make sure I workout within the caffene effect window which lasts about 2-3 hours. I also look at it like it is my job. You can talk yourself into anything as well as talk yourself out of anything. Your mindset determines your level of motivation. You got this!
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    Schedule it. My routine is set and structured and 99% of the time I don't waiver from it. It creates the habit and I now get antsy if I have more than one rest day!
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    You do have to feel comfortable, even comfortably challenged, in this lifestyle. My advice in your case is that you do perfectly well to focus on getting the nursing school done as that is an awesome lifetime of opportunity. You can do that and stay in a modest calorie deficit. When you get the real world nursing job you can focus on exercising and getting ripped in the 4 days each week of free time you'll have.

    My daughter started her professional career in nursing school and started her nursing career substantially overweight as a cardiac ER nurse. Early in that career she was aware that the physically demanding work of maneuvering 400 lb heart patients was something she could not make long term plans for, so she focused on getting first a BSN and then an MSN in order to get out of that job and into something where she only has to wrestle with the big bucks.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
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  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    rakowskidp wrote: »
    Packerjohn wrote: »
    Being able to move is a gift, don't waste the gift.
    I had my annual physical this morning, and my doctor related a story along these same lines. One of his patients saw him jogging at 6:00 AM one morning. The doctor is very fit - a competitive martial artist - so the patient asked, "why are you doing that when you don't HAVE to?" Doc responded, "um, because I CAN?"

    Yep. Don't waste it!

    Friend of my son's is in the gym training hard. Mid 20s former small college football player. Lost the use of both legs in a motorcycle accident a couple years ago. Dude is lifting and doing wheelchair tris half marththons, etc.

    Talking to him and seeing him work can't visualize not moving.
  • lizzieloo934
    lizzieloo934 Posts: 57 Member
    Motivation comes and goes. You need to make the choice that exercise is a priority. It doesn't have to be a lot, especially in the beginning. Even once a week will make a difference!
  • Mike_take2
    Mike_take2 Posts: 2,150 Member
    What has always helped me is variety. Finding new workouts to try and challenges to complete. That way it keeps it interesting and look forward to it. I do also agree that you need to focus on the goal you wanting to achieve.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
    Take away the boredom by using earbuds to listen to book readings or TED talks or something else either entertaining or educational during your workouts.
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