How do you stay Motivated!?!?!?
EdaMeda123
Posts: 6
How is everyone maintaining their motivation and energy to make it to the gym every day and to give it a 100%??!?!
Sometimes it is so difficult to motivate myself to go after work; I feel beat from the day and just want to go home and take a nap!!
I have been overcoming this almost by force, but I feel like I need a better way and an energy boost of some sort.
What do you do to keep going!?!
Sometimes it is so difficult to motivate myself to go after work; I feel beat from the day and just want to go home and take a nap!!
I have been overcoming this almost by force, but I feel like I need a better way and an energy boost of some sort.
What do you do to keep going!?!
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Replies
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Well, for starters, don't go every day. I do 2 days on, one day off. Do you track your food and eat back your exercise calories? For ME, eating back those calories is awesome motivation. I get to eat more if I work out. Gradually, after months of working out, I now miss my workouts if I don't have them. Until this past week or two. I am feeling so tired and lazy lately. Still working out because I want the food though.0
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What a timely post. I was just thinking this morning how unmotivated I was feeling. I have been trying to get 40 minutes of elliptical in a day, and then 1/2 hour of running in every other day, and then doing strength training for different muscles every day. In truth, I am feeling a bit worn down and beat. I take a day off every week (never a set day, just "a day when I just cant do it"). I hit 136 last week, I was so excited, and then was back up today at 139.....So to be honest I am feeling PRETTY unmotivated. I know this feeling will pass, but man is it taking its time.
In terms of how I stay motivated when I am not feeling so down, I usually try really hard not to think about it, just to do it. I think I do it your way, through sheer force of will. I would like a better way though if someone else has one.0 -
for myself, I set goals with dates, i.e. I have a fitness competition on September 15th and a photoshoot sometime before that. In order to be on target make those dates, I know I have to hit it hard.
I also don't go every day. I try for 5-6 days a week. Rest is as important as working out and nutrition.0 -
Music music and MUSIC. I love music but the gym is the only place I really listen to a lot of it. I'm always switching up the playlist on my Ipod. It really helps!0
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There are a lot of ways.
I like to see fitness or bodybuilding videos to up my motivation. I read some nutrition or workout related articles. I envision my body the way I want it to be, so it gives me a real push to go for it. I want to be the best I can be, and I will always keep that in mind, and always focus on the reward a good look and health brings.0 -
I have to motivate myself each and every day. Some days it is easy, some days, not so much. I also hang up clothes on my wall that I am close to fitting into to help.0
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I stay motiviated by always keeping my work out fresh. I take a zumba class twice a week (with 2 different instructors) they both are always changing up the routines / music to keep it fun and original. I do work out tapes on my lunch break with some girls from work and we will fall into a routine for a time, but when we start getting bored with one someone always brings in something new. A couple of the girls own a whole library of fun fitness dvds. I talked to the instructors at the gym (asked for fitness advice etc) I think when I'm aquainted with the instructors and they know me and look forward to seeing me in class it motivates me to go. The biggest thing for me about going to the gym after work is I CANNOT go home first. I keep a bag with clothes and shoes in my trunk while I work because if I need to go home first I simply won't go. Good luck and hang in there! It's a tough journey to lose weight but definitely worth it.0
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Goals-My jeans-mirrors:-) And being fit feels Great!0
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I log my work out here before I actually do it...I log a long walk, 30 day shred OR 20 mins on my mini-trampoline plus ten minutes of a youtube pilates or yoga dvd...
I started doing this because I realised that when I pre-log my meals, I ALWAYS stick to my diary and only eat what I've logged.
Same works for exercise, for me any way
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Keep short term and long term goals.
I'll have goals for the week or even for a given workout, and those lead into my longer term goals for the entire year or even the next 4-5 years.
I think keeping a log or page of your goals is the best motivation. I like to keep track of mine and when I achieved them. That way if I'm feeling down on myself or unmotivated, I can look at goals I've already reached, and remember why I set these other goals0 -
A little is just sheer force. A bit is coming onto the forums and seeing other people's success stories which makes me know it can be done. A bit is my own success thus far. Another part is my friends here on MFP, I motivate them and as I motivate them they motivate me. And then another part of it is the added food I get to eat when I exercise. I LOVE food. I like to have as many calories as I can, which makes me want to exercise for at least 200 calories, shooting for 300+ though.
All of those things roll into me to motivate me... and it works MOST days. Some days I just can't bother and I do something else. Definitely not even once a week does this happen, but I've been here for almost a year so I'm sure its happened at least 10 times!0 -
I log my work out here before I actually do it...I log a long walk, 30 day shred OR 20 mins on my mini-trampoline plus ten minutes of a youtube pilates or yoga dvd...
I started doing this because I realised that when I pre-log my meals, I ALWAYS stick to my diary and only eat what I've logged.
Same works for exercise, for me any way
that works for me, too. I feel like if I put it out there, then I have to do it, or else my word is no good. Yea, I'm strange that way, lol.0 -
switch up your work out routines, don't do the same thing all the time. Also, I only go to the gym 3-4 times a week, on the days I dont go, I make sure I do something like take a nice brisk walk, do some jumping jacks at home, get a jump rope, all are good calorie burners and it keeps it simple and different so you don't feel so burned out from doing the same routine day after day...0
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I stay motiviated by always keeping my work out fresh. I take a zumba class twice a week (with 2 different instructors) they both are always changing up the routines / music to keep it fun and original. I do work out tapes on my lunch break with some girls from work and we will fall into a routine for a time, but when we start getting bored with one someone always brings in something new. A couple of the girls own a whole library of fun fitness dvds. I talked to the instructors at the gym (asked for fitness advice etc) I think when I'm aquainted with the instructors and they know me and look forward to seeing me in class it motivates me to go. The biggest thing for me about going to the gym after work is I CANNOT go home first. I keep a bag with clothes and shoes in my trunk while I work because if I need to go home first I simply won't go. Good luck and hang in there! It's a tough journey to lose weight but definitely worth it.0
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For me ... I believe that humans as individuals have the potential to be the best that
they can physically and mentally possibly be.
Because who are we, if we are not the best that we can be?
We would be just another number on this planet
Just another person ...
I want to be able to be recognized
I want to be awed
I want to be looked up to
I want to be the best
I don't want to be mediocre, plain and just average
Because honestly, I would rather die than be just average
So i stay home on the weekends and i train while my friends are out
So i wake up in the morning at 6am and gym before people are even awake
So i come home from classes and train again at 5pm
So i train 4 hours a day, 7 days a week
For what? Because I want to be the best that I can be
And it sucks
My body Aches, I'm hungry and i'm in pain
But it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make
To be known, to be the best, to fulfill a dream
To live a life and be greater than everyone else
And that's what drives me,
the motive of not being like everyone else
the motive of being the best that I can be
Because as humans, we are so capable of many great things
Our bodies are amazing machines, capable of the unthinkable
As humans, we are also capable of the unthinkable
So why settle for second best
Why settle down for being plain and average
What kind of life is that to live
Sometimes I just want to quit and give up
I just want to sleep off the pain and the hunger
I just want to tell myself 'stop it, no more'
But I don't, because one of these days
Everyone shall remember my name
And that is my reason, as selfish as it may be.
So you have to as yourself "WHY DO I DO THIS?"
Dig deep down inside of you and figure out why you do
And honestly, that's the only motivation that you need
- Akira0 -
ok I tried to respond to this incorrectly but, anyway, I agree, I can never go home first, I also keep a gym bag in my car so I go right from work to gym before home...I love the idea of the workouts during lunch break, sounds like a great idea!!!I stay motiviated by always keeping my work out fresh. I take a zumba class twice a week (with 2 different instructors) they both are always changing up the routines / music to keep it fun and original. I do work out tapes on my lunch break with some girls from work and we will fall into a routine for a time, but when we start getting bored with one someone always brings in something new. A couple of the girls own a whole library of fun fitness dvds. I talked to the instructors at the gym (asked for fitness advice etc) I think when I'm aquainted with the instructors and they know me and look forward to seeing me in class it motivates me to go. The biggest thing for me about going to the gym after work is I CANNOT go home first. I keep a bag with clothes and shoes in my trunk while I work because if I need to go home first I simply won't go. Good luck and hang in there! It's a tough journey to lose weight but definitely worth it.0 -
Some days are harder than others, depending on my mood. I workout before going to work so that I know it's done for they day, if I ever have to do my workout after work it always feels like much more of a struggle. If ever I don't feel like working out I always think about how I will feel having missed the workout and know that I would feel really let down by myself and then I think about how good I will feel once I've done it and what an achievement i would of made! Sometimes it's just the thought that I don't want to give up, don't want to let myself down that keeps me going and I guarantee that everytime I've done some exercise when I've not been feeling like it I feel great afterwards and I try and hold onto that thought.
keep up the good work - you're doing great!0 -
I don't go to the gym. I work 12 hour shifts and it isn't possible for me. I did no exercise of any kind when I started. I now walk 20-30 minutes 3-4 times a week and find I enjoy it. Every little bit is an improvement and a step closer to a healthy lifestyle and it is all about changing for the better.0
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Motivation is tricky...I suggest doing some soul searching figure out where you are and where your headed. Revaluate your goals. Scale back on the gym a bit, you may be overdoing it and need a break.0
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I have a group of girl friends that made a group on Facebook and most of us are on here. We are all trying to lose weight with different reasons behind it, but we are all encouraging each other. We make each other "feel guilty" if we don't work out- nothing bad, just sort of that disappointment that you let your friends down. Like today I feel super guilty that I did not run (it was pouring down rain and lightening like a mo-fo) so I will have my butt out tomorrow morning doing my run (weather permitting).0
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For me I am motivated by the progress I have made so far. Plus this is a lifestyle change for me and I want to be healthier overall. Plus MFP certainly helps! :happy:0
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In years past I focused on teh total number of pounds I needed to lose, but this time ( and it is different) I am focused on 1 pound at a time. I celebrate each pound, and even when facing a personal hurdle I just visualize the next lost 1-5 pounds. When I work out I try to chart other changes too, like mood, and stress level. Every day it is just a little bit more crystal clear than it was before, that I am changing.
My chiidren (all girls) are a huge factor as well, I am focused on setting an example for them, and working really hard to work really hard. I think it is good for them to see this.0 -
Wearing smaller clothes
My MFP pals
Noticing changes to my body (recent ones include losing back fat and growing arm muscles)
To be honest I don't need to be motivated to work out, I love it. Hate it when the gym is shut, love working out with my PT, and look forward to my Wednesday step class. I also like to work against myself and previous performances and also trying out new sports / exercises. Kind of strange when 9 months ago the only exercise I got was the occassional walk.0 -
I was going to the gym almost everyday for about 2 months, and it takes a toll on you. Once it warmed up I started to replace some days with a long walk with my kids, and I started working out at home using the 30 day shred by Jillian Michaels. It helped me a lot to switch it up and do something different, instead of just going and doing the same ol thing at the gym. Also, it can help your weightloss because eventually your body becomes so used to doing the same thing it can slow your progress down. Good luck! 0
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I read something health related on a daily basis. Educating myself on nutrition and exercise really help me to WANT to do this for myself. I have been overweight my whole life so this is really a whole new journey for me. My body cannot catch up with my mind fast enough though!! I am 3 months into this journey and I miss my walk/jog when i don't get to go. Keep at it and the rewards will be motivation in itself!0
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There's no real answer. You just keep doing it. When it feels good it's awesome and you have no trouble going, but there're going to be weeks at a time (give or take) that you don't want to do anything and you have to keep going. That's not motivation - it's perseverance. You're the only one that can get you up and moving, you're the only one that makes choices about what goes in your mouth and you're the only one that can find what works for you.0
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I write my goals for the week/month/year and have them on my phone as my screen saver! I wake up for the gym at 4;50am and am st the gym at 5:15am,I have to tell myself that I have a goal and if I stay in bed I will never get to the goal!I am training to compete in a Bodybuilding Bikini division and I HAVE to make it to the Gym and I have to have NO EXCUSES!!!!!!!!!Set a goal and do what it takes to move twords that goal everyday! I also have 3 kids that need to seee that when I put my mind to something I get it done! I want to be the role model they look up to!0
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What a timely post. I was just thinking this morning how unmotivated I was feeling. I have been trying to get 40 minutes of elliptical in a day, and then 1/2 hour of running in every other day, and then doing strength training for different muscles every day. In truth, I am feeling a bit worn down and beat. I take a day off every week (never a set day, just "a day when I just cant do it"). I hit 136 last week, I was so excited, and then was back up today at 139.....So to be honest I am feeling PRETTY unmotivated. I know this feeling will pass, but man is it taking its time.
In terms of how I stay motivated when I am not feeling so down, I usually try really hard not to think about it, just to do it. I think I do it your way, through sheer force of will. I would like a better way though if someone else has one.
When I have days that the scale starts to creep back up, I go back & look at my nutritional & exercise logs to try & pinpoint where I slacked. Usually I can find it easily & adjust. I don't get frustrated, I get motivated.
I agree with the music as a motivational tool. On days that I can't make it to the gym, I try to find other ways to burn some calories, like yardwork, flying kites with the kids or using the xbox kinect.
I will never have a problem with motivation as long as I can lift my shirt & see a jelly roll.0 -
coffee before working out!!!! keeps me energized!!0
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Have you tried working out before going to work? That way you can do whatever you want to do after work, since you're done with exercising for the day.0
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