My motivation is really starting to die.
dave_in_ni
Posts: 533 Member
Hi all I'm after some advice or even inspiration. I started my diet January 2016, today I hit a 420 day streak tracking. But my issue is my motivation is starting to die. I lost 30kg taking me to 77kg now and while it was a great result I guess but I'm not happy, The weight loss was easy to do and I've maintained for almost a year now.
I've ended up skinny fat and what I mean by that is for those who don't know is with clothes on you look skinny, take of the top you look fat, I'm 20% body fat but no matter what I do I can't lower the body fat percentage. I've even pulled in a personal trainer this year and while I'm doing everything right I am getting no results. I've said in other thread I've been working out lifting heavy weights now consistently 4-5 days per week for what 15 months now.
I'm wasting my time basically and hence I've very close to saying *kitten* it and jacking it in, I'm not looking to look like Arnie but hell even something so spur the motivation along would help but there is basically nothing happening.
I've ended up skinny fat and what I mean by that is for those who don't know is with clothes on you look skinny, take of the top you look fat, I'm 20% body fat but no matter what I do I can't lower the body fat percentage. I've even pulled in a personal trainer this year and while I'm doing everything right I am getting no results. I've said in other thread I've been working out lifting heavy weights now consistently 4-5 days per week for what 15 months now.
I'm wasting my time basically and hence I've very close to saying *kitten* it and jacking it in, I'm not looking to look like Arnie but hell even something so spur the motivation along would help but there is basically nothing happening.
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Replies
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Well would you rather be skinny fat or obese? Make that decision. Long term, how you're feeling right now will not last and is temporary. And you might want to step back and evaluate why you feel the way you do because your accomplishment should be celebrated! Something else might be generating this self loathing.8
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And if you weren't putting in all this effort, where do you think you would be?5
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You still need to eat though. Don't track your intake for awhile and find some form of exercise that is fun.0
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Yes, the same exercise all the time will generate the SAME results. Change it up a little, and in the mean time, rejoice that you have maintained your weight at your new body shape. Most people can't do that.0
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You lost weight by cutting your calories far too much and as a result you've lost muscle mass.
It's hard work to gain muscle.
15 months with no results means there's something seriously wrong with your training programme.11 -
Skinny fat is probably better than plain old fat...
Maybe take a break? Not completely and not forever, but give yourself some time (2 weeks? A month?) where you eat and maintenance and take some time away from the heavy lifting. Do things you enjoy doing.
That being said, if you haven't progressed much in 15 months, even while working with a trainer--is there a chance that you have any medical issues going on in the background that you are not aware of (low T, etc.?) Might warrant having a comprehensive physical with your doctor...1 -
You, yes you! If you're searching for the one person that will change your life, take a look in the mirror.10 -
Skinny fat is probably better than plain old fat...
Maybe take a break? Not completely and not forever, but give yourself some time (2 weeks? A month?) where you eat and maintenance and take some time away from the heavy lifting. Do things you enjoy doing.
That being said, if you haven't progressed much in 15 months, even while working with a trainer--is there a chance that you have any medical issues going on in the background that you are not aware of (low T, etc.?) Might warrant having a comprehensive physical with your doctor...
I'm thinking the same myself, there is literally no progression.0 -
TavistockToad wrote: »You lost weight by cutting your calories far too much and as a result you've lost muscle mass.
It's hard work to gain muscle.
15 months with no results means there's something seriously wrong with your training programme.
Nope, I never had any muscle mass to begin with. I think my programme is fine, its provided by a my PT, Last year I tried things like bigger leaner stronger, 5x5, 6 day PPL0 -
JeromeBarry1 wrote: »
You, yes you! If you're searching for the one person that will change your life, take a look in the mirror.
Very true.0 -
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dave_in_ni wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »You lost weight by cutting your calories far too much and as a result you've lost muscle mass.
It's hard work to gain muscle.
15 months with no results means there's something seriously wrong with your training programme.
Nope, I never had any muscle mass to begin with. I think my programme is fine, its provided by a my PT, Last year I tried things like bigger leaner stronger, 5x5, 6 day PPL
You've said you're getting no results in 15 months, how can your programme be fine?5 -
Time to change it up...maybe try something new? I ran and ran and even did a half marathon...yep logged hundreds of miles and never lost a pound. I started doing circuit training and my body responded in a way that it hadn't with running. My mantra is Patience and Consistency. Really look at what you have been eating and maybe you will see a pattern that also needs to be changed? Don't be discouraged. Your health is so much more important than how you look.3
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TavistockToad wrote: »dave_in_ni wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »You lost weight by cutting your calories far too much and as a result you've lost muscle mass.
It's hard work to gain muscle.
15 months with no results means there's something seriously wrong with your training programme.
Nope, I never had any muscle mass to begin with. I think my programme is fine, its provided by a my PT, Last year I tried things like bigger leaner stronger, 5x5, 6 day PPL
You've said you're getting no results in 15 months, how can your programme be fine?
I started this programme in January, I do a program maybe 3 months and then re-evaluate things.
I'll actually post it.
Reps are either in the 4-6 rep range or 8 - 12, When I can do either 6 or 12 reps for the 3 sets I add weight.
Its 4 days per week.
Day 1
*Dumbbell Incline BP 6 reps x 3 sets
*Barbell Bench Press 6 x 3
*Dumbell Bench Press 6 x 3
*Close Grip BP 6 x 3
*EZ Bar Curl 8 x 3
*Barbell Standing Calf Raise 8 x 3
Day 2
*Deadlift 6 x 3
*Dumbbell 1 arm row 6 x 3 each arm
*Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl 8 x 3
*Barbell Bent Over Row 6 x 3
* Ab Circuit ( 3 exercise to failure)
Day 3
*Military Press 6 x 3
*Barbell Incline BP 8 X 3
*Bent over delt raise 8 x 3
*Lat Raise 8 x 3
* Dumbbell Standing Calf Raise 8 x 3
* EZ Bar Curl 8 x 3
Day 4
*Back Squat 6 x 3
*Barbell Standing Calf Raise 8 x 3
*Dumbbell Lunges 8 x 3
*EZ Bar Curl 8 x 3
* 3 AB circuit0 -
Time to change it up...maybe try something new? I ran and ran and even did a half marathon...yep logged hundreds of miles and never lost a pound. I started doing circuit training and my body responded in a way that it hadn't with running. My mantra is Patience and Consistency. Really look at what you have been eating and maybe you will see a pattern that also needs to be changed? Don't be discouraged. Your health is so much more important than how you look.
Funny I have heard similar stories with weight training, Guys into body building getting no results, they then switch to powerlifting and things take off.0 -
I'm not trying to argue, just pointing out that you started this thread because you're not getting results, yet now you're saying you're happy with what you're doing.
As the saying goes, If you do what you've always done, you'll get the results you've always got...5 -
TavistockToad wrote: »I'm not trying to argue, just pointing out that you started this thread because you're not getting results, yet now you're saying you're happy with what you're doing.
As the saying goes, If you do what you've always done, you'll get the results you've always got...
No I know you're not, the point is I must have done what 5 programs now, everything from low rep stronglift type workouts to roid based high rep programs and nothing has really done anything worthwhile.
Perhaps my expectations are too high, perhaps I am comparing myself to folks who are using a little extra to get results if you know what I mean.0 -
How much weight are you working at?
So this a calculator to determine your 1 rep max without actually doing a 1 rep max. If you are wanting to build muscle, you should be working at 70-80% of your 1 rep max. For example, if your 1 rep max on the bench is 200 pounds, you should be doing 160 pounds.
It can be dangerous to determine your one rep max without a partner, so this calculator may help you: http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/OneRepMax.html3 -
Congrats on the weigh loss. There have been a bunch of good suggestions and I agree you are in a better place now than if you would not have been doing anything.
Have you had a physical lately? I noticed in your profile you are 35. It would not be unreasonable to question your testosterone levels. Lots of information out there, sample article:
http://www.healthline.com/health/low-testosterone/warning-signs?m=0
You might want to check with a medical professional. Do not just randomly use some T=booster from a supplement store. Get T-levels checked and if clinically low, work with a reputable doctor that can advise you of the risks and benefits.
Best of luck.0 -
dave_in_ni wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »I'm not trying to argue, just pointing out that you started this thread because you're not getting results, yet now you're saying you're happy with what you're doing.
As the saying goes, If you do what you've always done, you'll get the results you've always got...
No I know you're not, the point is I must have done what 5 programs now, everything from low rep stronglift type workouts to roid based high rep programs and nothing has really done anything worthwhile.
Perhaps my expectations are too high, perhaps I am comparing myself to folks who are using a little extra to get results if you know what I mean.
So I'd start with ruling out medical issues, and then have a conversation with your trainer about your goals and realistic results and time frames.0 -
Have you tried Olympic style lifting like snatches and cleans?
Another thing I want to say is that all the body builders, fitness models, etc, spend YEARS trying to get that look. Their entire profession is looking good. They spend their entire day in the gym and are extremely strict about their diet. Don't compare your behind the scenes to someone's highlight reel.2 -
Have you tried Olympic style lifting like snatches and cleans?
Another thing I want to say is that all the body builders, fitness models, etc, spend YEARS trying to get that look. Their entire profession is looking good. They spend their entire day in the gym and are extremely strict about their diet. Don't compare your behind the scenes to someone's highlight reel.
This, plus for the contests, photo shoots, etc they are prepping to look like that for a couple of days. Don't look like that typically. Not to mention Photoshop, chemical "help", etc.0 -
I am assuming you are currently eating at maintenance and gaining strength (lifts are progressing) but it's not increasing muscle mass/reducing body fat?
If recomping isn't working well enough, have you considered cutting to a lower bf then slowly bulking?0 -
morecrunch wrote: »I am assuming you are currently eating at maintenance and gaining strength (lifts are progressing) but it's not increasing muscle mass/reducing body fat?
If recomping isn't working well enough, have you considered cutting to a lower bf then slowly bulking?
Yes thats exactly what I am doing, lifts are going up yes but no noticeable muscle built.0 -
OP, the only thing you've been consistent about is creating thread after thread moaning about no progress while program hopping time and time again. When you do pick a program, you don't actually follow it to the letter. Sloppy effort gives sloppy results.9
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Have you tried Olympic style lifting like snatches and cleans?
Another thing I want to say is that all the body builders, fitness models, etc, spend YEARS trying to get that look. Their entire profession is looking good. They spend their entire day in the gym and are extremely strict about their diet. Don't compare your behind the scenes to someone's highlight reel.
Yeah I know that and probably quite a few drugs as well. I'm comparing myself to guys at the gym, friends etc who don't go through the counting and tracking everything I do, who maybe don't even know what macros are. I've seen friends make more progress pissing around at home with 30kg worth of vinyl dumbbells than I have.0 -
dave_in_ni wrote: »Have you tried Olympic style lifting like snatches and cleans?
Another thing I want to say is that all the body builders, fitness models, etc, spend YEARS trying to get that look. Their entire profession is looking good. They spend their entire day in the gym and are extremely strict about their diet. Don't compare your behind the scenes to someone's highlight reel.
Yeah I know that and probably quite a few drugs as well. I'm comparing myself to guys at the gym, friends etc who don't go through the counting and tracking everything I do, who maybe don't even know what macros are. I've seen friends make more progress pissing around at home with 30kg worth of vinyl dumbbells than I have.
Comparison is the thief of joy
You're not them, how do you know what they do? You're not with them 24/7...4 -
TavistockToad wrote: »dave_in_ni wrote: »Have you tried Olympic style lifting like snatches and cleans?
Another thing I want to say is that all the body builders, fitness models, etc, spend YEARS trying to get that look. Their entire profession is looking good. They spend their entire day in the gym and are extremely strict about their diet. Don't compare your behind the scenes to someone's highlight reel.
Yeah I know that and probably quite a few drugs as well. I'm comparing myself to guys at the gym, friends etc who don't go through the counting and tracking everything I do, who maybe don't even know what macros are. I've seen friends make more progress pissing around at home with 30kg worth of vinyl dumbbells than I have.
Comparison is the thief of joy
You're not them, how do you know what they do? You're not with them 24/7...
True. But there is a high probability0 -
dave_in_ni wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »dave_in_ni wrote: »Have you tried Olympic style lifting like snatches and cleans?
Another thing I want to say is that all the body builders, fitness models, etc, spend YEARS trying to get that look. Their entire profession is looking good. They spend their entire day in the gym and are extremely strict about their diet. Don't compare your behind the scenes to someone's highlight reel.
Yeah I know that and probably quite a few drugs as well. I'm comparing myself to guys at the gym, friends etc who don't go through the counting and tracking everything I do, who maybe don't even know what macros are. I've seen friends make more progress pissing around at home with 30kg worth of vinyl dumbbells than I have.
Comparison is the thief of joy
You're not them, how do you know what they do? You're not with them 24/7...
True. But there is a high probability
High probability of what?
I'll repost my suggestions:TavistockToad wrote: »dave_in_ni wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »I'm not trying to argue, just pointing out that you started this thread because you're not getting results, yet now you're saying you're happy with what you're doing.
As the saying goes, If you do what you've always done, you'll get the results you've always got...
No I know you're not, the point is I must have done what 5 programs now, everything from low rep stronglift type workouts to roid based high rep programs and nothing has really done anything worthwhile.
Perhaps my expectations are too high, perhaps I am comparing myself to folks who are using a little extra to get results if you know what I mean.
So I'd start with ruling out medical issues, and then have a conversation with your trainer about your goals and realistic results and time frames.
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1. You did have lean mass to lose but because you weren't well muscled in the first place, your fast losses made the situation even worse, it's going to take a long time to first rectify those losses and then start to build on them.
2. You have now tried, what, 4 or 5 different programs in just a 15 months period? And you're not bulking and cutting but recomping which naturally takes longer. Giving each thing 3 months and then moaning about not seeing results is your problem. You're expecting miracles from very little consistency.8
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