Motivation - Or lack of.
Discussion
Hi all,
Not sure why I'm posting this. It's lunchtime at work and I've been thinking and would like to share/receive input.
Essentially, I'm struggling to gain the motivation I need to get back in the gym and it's starting to get me a bit bogged down. I've always struggled with my weight and last year I finally got myself into the Gym and cut off a lot of weight and was looking/feeling good about myself.
However, circumstances changed and I plummeted in terms of Anxiety/Depression - I was at the gym one day and I caught a couple of kids recording me work out and sniggering. I know it shouldn't have bothered me but being a victim of bullying in my childhood, it just sort of shook me up and I couldn't find the confidence to go back. I would get to the door and see the gym was crowded and just turn around and go home again.
I want to get back in there, want to get in shape but I'm struggling to motivate myself or overcome my unreasonable fear of being watched/judged by others. I know once I get up and go I'll be into the routine again, but it's that first initial plunge.
Like I said, not sure why I shared. Hopefully someone can relate and shed some of their own experience.
Not sure why I'm posting this. It's lunchtime at work and I've been thinking and would like to share/receive input.
Essentially, I'm struggling to gain the motivation I need to get back in the gym and it's starting to get me a bit bogged down. I've always struggled with my weight and last year I finally got myself into the Gym and cut off a lot of weight and was looking/feeling good about myself.
However, circumstances changed and I plummeted in terms of Anxiety/Depression - I was at the gym one day and I caught a couple of kids recording me work out and sniggering. I know it shouldn't have bothered me but being a victim of bullying in my childhood, it just sort of shook me up and I couldn't find the confidence to go back. I would get to the door and see the gym was crowded and just turn around and go home again.
I want to get back in there, want to get in shape but I'm struggling to motivate myself or overcome my unreasonable fear of being watched/judged by others. I know once I get up and go I'll be into the routine again, but it's that first initial plunge.
Like I said, not sure why I shared. Hopefully someone can relate and shed some of their own experience.
Sorry to hear that. Some people in this world are f
king horrible.
What sort of stuff do you want to do? There are plenty of options other than a gym. A few dumb-bells or kettle bells will let you do a decent home work out. Go running outside. If you do early or late enough no one will see.
I am not saying do ever go back to the gym. But perhaps start working out in private till you start to feel better about yourself. Once you get used to working out and feeling better then it will give you confidence to go to the gym.
There are plenty of things on Youtube to follow. You could even look at the Body Coach chap. He has a youtube channel and does 15 minute HIIT workouts with little or no equipment.
king horrible. What sort of stuff do you want to do? There are plenty of options other than a gym. A few dumb-bells or kettle bells will let you do a decent home work out. Go running outside. If you do early or late enough no one will see.
I am not saying do ever go back to the gym. But perhaps start working out in private till you start to feel better about yourself. Once you get used to working out and feeling better then it will give you confidence to go to the gym.
There are plenty of things on Youtube to follow. You could even look at the Body Coach chap. He has a youtube channel and does 15 minute HIIT workouts with little or no equipment.
As above, thank you for sharing that
Personally, I run outside. You can set your own goals, needs no preparation, and I have yet to see a squirrel laugh at me
Also great for weight loss and in due course you can meet other like minded people, park runs etc
Whatever you do, you will never control the actions of others. All you can control is your reaction to them. Much better to focus on positive things.
Personally, I run outside. You can set your own goals, needs no preparation, and I have yet to see a squirrel laugh at me
Also great for weight loss and in due course you can meet other like minded people, park runs etc
Whatever you do, you will never control the actions of others. All you can control is your reaction to them. Much better to focus on positive things.
You get fit in a gym.
You lose weight in the kitchen.
If your main problem is your weight, improve your diet or cut back on your calories. It is not a spectator sport.
Exercise can help, but it doesn't need to be in a gym. Walk to work. Run. Cycle. Swim. Even tennis. Exercise doesn't have to include visits to a gym full of aholes.
You lose weight in the kitchen.
If your main problem is your weight, improve your diet or cut back on your calories. It is not a spectator sport.
Exercise can help, but it doesn't need to be in a gym. Walk to work. Run. Cycle. Swim. Even tennis. Exercise doesn't have to include visits to a gym full of a
holes.Find your nearest British Military Fitness class. https://www.britmilfit.com/
And (your profile says you're in London) check out Project Awesome. http://projectawesomelondon.com/
I guarantee you'll forget about the tiny cocks who have nothing better in their lives than to belittle others in about 10 minutes
And (your profile says you're in London) check out Project Awesome. http://projectawesomelondon.com/
I guarantee you'll forget about the tiny cocks who have nothing better in their lives than to belittle others in about 10 minutes
Darko92 said:
Hi all,
Not sure why I'm posting this. It's lunchtime at work and I've been thinking and would like to share/receive input.
Essentially, I'm struggling to gain the motivation I need to get back in the gym and it's starting to get me a bit bogged down. I've always struggled with my weight and last year I finally got myself into the Gym and cut off a lot of weight and was looking/feeling good about myself.
However, circumstances changed and I plummeted in terms of Anxiety/Depression - I was at the gym one day and I caught a couple of kids recording me work out and sniggering. I know it shouldn't have bothered me but being a victim of bullying in my childhood, it just sort of shook me up and I couldn't find the confidence to go back. I would get to the door and see the gym was crowded and just turn around and go home again.
I want to get back in there, want to get in shape but I'm struggling to motivate myself or overcome my unreasonable fear of being watched/judged by others. I know once I get up and go I'll be into the routine again, but it's that first initial plunge.
Like I said, not sure why I shared. Hopefully someone can relate and shed some of their own experience.
Get a bicycle, brilliant for the mood and for weight loss Not sure why I'm posting this. It's lunchtime at work and I've been thinking and would like to share/receive input.
Essentially, I'm struggling to gain the motivation I need to get back in the gym and it's starting to get me a bit bogged down. I've always struggled with my weight and last year I finally got myself into the Gym and cut off a lot of weight and was looking/feeling good about myself.
However, circumstances changed and I plummeted in terms of Anxiety/Depression - I was at the gym one day and I caught a couple of kids recording me work out and sniggering. I know it shouldn't have bothered me but being a victim of bullying in my childhood, it just sort of shook me up and I couldn't find the confidence to go back. I would get to the door and see the gym was crowded and just turn around and go home again.
I want to get back in there, want to get in shape but I'm struggling to motivate myself or overcome my unreasonable fear of being watched/judged by others. I know once I get up and go I'll be into the routine again, but it's that first initial plunge.
Like I said, not sure why I shared. Hopefully someone can relate and shed some of their own experience.
The gym is no fun when it's busy - early mornings, last hour of opening and Sunday afternoons tend to be when its quietest.
Good advice above. Exercise is the best natural cure for anxiety / depression in my experience. Just a complete bd that now you're feeling anxious about going down there.
Good advice above. Exercise is the best natural cure for anxiety / depression in my experience. Just a complete b
d that now you're feeling anxious about going down there. I do lots of fitness classes at the gym - Insanity, Bodycombat, Pilates. Insanity and Combat are high energy and good fun. It's normally just me and lots of women of all different ages, shapes and sizes - men just don't seem to do them around here but they are definitely not 'girlie' - very hard work actually.
When doing these, no one is looking at you or 'judging you' because everyone's there for the same main reasons and you have to concentrate 100% on what you're doing to keep up with the instructor.
There are moves for people who are new to it all and you only go to the best of your ability.
It might be worth trying a few of these for a start because you burn a lot of calories and feel energised afterwards. I'm hooked.
When doing these, no one is looking at you or 'judging you' because everyone's there for the same main reasons and you have to concentrate 100% on what you're doing to keep up with the instructor.
There are moves for people who are new to it all and you only go to the best of your ability.
It might be worth trying a few of these for a start because you burn a lot of calories and feel energised afterwards. I'm hooked.
I agree with the above.
Gyms are not necessarily good per se, especially using the various machines.
-Walking/running/cycling to the gym is better use of time than using a treadmill, cross-trainer or static bike when you get there.
-Free weights (if body weight is too much/not enough) can be more beneficial than machines with limited planes of motion.
Very little equipment is actually needed to get lean, fit or strong. It is the movement that is important and ideally including it in your overall lifestyle, not just under the heading of "exercise".
If motivation is difficult, then classes can be a really good thing. Simple, old fashioned circuit training is superb.
Personally, I think outdoor training is great. The hardest whole-body workout I have done in a while involved just me, no equipment and the local park, but the local roads would have been fine too.
From MovNat
Gyms are not necessarily good per se, especially using the various machines.
-Walking/running/cycling to the gym is better use of time than using a treadmill, cross-trainer or static bike when you get there.
-Free weights (if body weight is too much/not enough) can be more beneficial than machines with limited planes of motion.
Very little equipment is actually needed to get lean, fit or strong. It is the movement that is important and ideally including it in your overall lifestyle, not just under the heading of "exercise".
If motivation is difficult, then classes can be a really good thing. Simple, old fashioned circuit training is superb.
Personally, I think outdoor training is great. The hardest whole-body workout I have done in a while involved just me, no equipment and the local park, but the local roads would have been fine too.
From MovNat
Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 20th May 14:55
bigandclever said:
Find your nearest British Military Fitness class. https://www.britmilfit.com/
And (your profile says you're in London) check out Project Awesome. http://projectawesomelondon.com/
I guarantee you'll forget about the tiny cocks who have nothing better in their lives than to belittle others in about 10 minutes
This is spot on. In a place like BMF - you meet people who WANT to change, and not judge others. Plus lots of social events and drinking.And (your profile says you're in London) check out Project Awesome. http://projectawesomelondon.com/
I guarantee you'll forget about the tiny cocks who have nothing better in their lives than to belittle others in about 10 minutes
Guarantee you'll never go back to the gym. Working out in the great outdoors is empowering.
Tim16V said:
I do lots of fitness classes at the gym - Insanity, Bodycombat, Pilates. Insanity and Combat are high energy and good fun.
Classes are definitely the way to go.I did see an Insanity class act the gym where I work (but don't use. I use the area outside) To be honest, it looked a very quick route to leg and knee injury to me.
The Bmf Boot camp, mixed circuits classes appear better to me. But the instructor will make a big difference.
Find a decent gym. Seriously. At a good strength and conditioning facility you will be welcomed, encouraged and supported. Find one which is run by people with uni-level sports science quals: coaches as opposed to personal trainers. Ideally UKSCA-registered coaches. These people will be able to assess you and help you to implement a holistic program which fully addresses your goals (including nutritional needs).
From your profile you're in London so places like this will be reasonably nearby. Yes a membership at such a facility will be more expensive, but in quality of coaching and equipment, far above what is available at run of the mill gyms.
From your profile you're in London so places like this will be reasonably nearby. Yes a membership at such a facility will be more expensive, but in quality of coaching and equipment, far above what is available at run of the mill gyms.
Darko92 said:
I want to get back in there, want to get in shape but I'm struggling to motivate myself or overcome my unreasonable fear of being watched/judged by others. I know once I get up and go I'll be into the routine again, but it's that first initial plunge.
Maybe the gym just isn't for you at the moment, try r/bodyweightfitness on reddit, 30 minutes a day inside your home (alternative body weight and yoga perhaps) with the curtains closed, until you build confidence. And once your diet kicks in, you lose weight, you gain strength and confidence then you can hit the gym with pride.Life is about not giving in and adapting and managing the way you feel in order to reach your goal.
Also its not about motivation, its about habit, getting into a routine. I also find that some day I wake up not wanting to go for a run, after a couple of hours I may really be up for it, that's the time I do it.
A couple of years ago I used to be a gym regular; three times a week, one day I had had enough, I was getting bored with it all and not really improving, I lost motivation so just gave it up.
A few months after giving it up I discovered my local BootCamp; similar to British Military Fitness as mentioned above, I absolutely love it and have been doing it for 2 years now.
It is held outside no matter the weather; rain, wind, sunshine, darkness, snow, -2, it's amazing to be working so hard and out doors in all weather. The sessions that I do are 45 minutes of hard and non stop short burst excercises; usually 30-45 seconds of work with a 10-20 second rest, it is high intensity, varied and works every muscle in your body, I have never been fitter and with others there it really motivates you, the sessions vary from week to week too, no two weeks are the same, this does away with the repetitiveness and your body experiences a different workout every time.
We use kettle bells, ropes, tyres, slam balls, skipping rope etc and just your own body, you get a fantastic and hard workout in such a short space of time. I do twice a week and in the past have tried to get a couple of runs in during the week too; the runs tailed off since Feb but I'm getting back into them now.
People are people of all ages and fitness attend, you just work as hard as you need or want to, it doesn't matter that there are fitter ones than there than you, you will see improvements though and relatively quickly.
Give a local BootCamp a go, the first session is usually free too.
A few months after giving it up I discovered my local BootCamp; similar to British Military Fitness as mentioned above, I absolutely love it and have been doing it for 2 years now.
It is held outside no matter the weather; rain, wind, sunshine, darkness, snow, -2, it's amazing to be working so hard and out doors in all weather. The sessions that I do are 45 minutes of hard and non stop short burst excercises; usually 30-45 seconds of work with a 10-20 second rest, it is high intensity, varied and works every muscle in your body, I have never been fitter and with others there it really motivates you, the sessions vary from week to week too, no two weeks are the same, this does away with the repetitiveness and your body experiences a different workout every time.
We use kettle bells, ropes, tyres, slam balls, skipping rope etc and just your own body, you get a fantastic and hard workout in such a short space of time. I do twice a week and in the past have tried to get a couple of runs in during the week too; the runs tailed off since Feb but I'm getting back into them now.
People are people of all ages and fitness attend, you just work as hard as you need or want to, it doesn't matter that there are fitter ones than there than you, you will see improvements though and relatively quickly.
Give a local BootCamp a go, the first session is usually free too.
Edited by HTP99 on Thursday 26th May 08:03
I think most people have given you sound advice go outside do your own thing etc that will get you started and get your confidence up. If your suffering with depresion an anxiety even mild speak to your GP also (always get help its what you pay tax for after all). Finally I am surprised a gym would want to loose customer because some kids (who odds are pay less to go there) were filiming an taking the P. My gym has notices on the wall about not looking down on others unless your giving them a hand up etc. I am possibly the weakest person at my gym surrounded by a sea of muscle etc but I just focus on my work out and anyone I have spoken to is always friendly. Maybe go back when your feeling better do classes get to know people and in the end you will have the confidence to accidently drop a weight plate on the tw@ts phone.
HTP99 said:
A couple of years ago I used to be a gym regular; three times a week, one day I had had enough, I was getting bored with it all and not really improving, I lost motivation so just gave it up.
The gym industry seems quite similar to the slimming industry in some ways.Varied, (preferably outdoor) circuit training doing functional movements is great. It deserves to be popular and can work people in a large variety of ways, certainly in comparison with going through a limited, repetitive (and not necessarily very intensive) routine on machines in a gym.
Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 27th May 14:10
Cybertronian said:
Get down to your nearest Parkrun. Very inviting and inclusive. People of all shapes, sizes and speeds. A free t-shirt when you get to 50, 100, 250 and 500 runs to keep you coming back for more!
This. I find gyms to be hateful places. I decided this year to try and do a Parkrun every Saturday. It's requires very little mental effort to get there and guarantees that even if I do nothing else of a week I've done 5km of running. It's a true broad range of paces too, you'll never be last.Have you got a local running club ?
The one i go to the slower groups seem to be like a mob of women on a hen night crossed with a womans rugby club and they seem to have a better laugh than the quicker groups.
When you know people are expecting you it's harder to not go, also when it's too hot/cold sometimes what you need is to just get swept along with a group without having to think.
Also my brother teaches crossfit and they have people all different shapes and sizes who seem to enjoy it, wasn't for me though.
The one i go to the slower groups seem to be like a mob of women on a hen night crossed with a womans rugby club and they seem to have a better laugh than the quicker groups.
When you know people are expecting you it's harder to not go, also when it's too hot/cold sometimes what you need is to just get swept along with a group without having to think.
Also my brother teaches crossfit and they have people all different shapes and sizes who seem to enjoy it, wasn't for me though.
Edited by egor110 on Friday 27th May 14:29
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