Discussion
How do people stay dedicated to say, the gym?
Is it purely something you do or do you have to be really motivated to go?
I was watching a clip with Jay Cutler and he said as bodybuilders they have to have something wrong with themselves. I kind of agree with that.
They train religiously. Eat 6-8 meals a day, in contest mode sometimes the exact same food with no additives or treats.
I find it hard sticking to running, going the gym etc.
Is it just pure lazyness on my behalf or do you have to really want something to stick to it?
I'd like to start boxing for fitness and learning self defence but I fear giving it up after 2 weeks.
Maybe enjoyment comes into it too?
Is it purely something you do or do you have to be really motivated to go?
I was watching a clip with Jay Cutler and he said as bodybuilders they have to have something wrong with themselves. I kind of agree with that.
They train religiously. Eat 6-8 meals a day, in contest mode sometimes the exact same food with no additives or treats.
I find it hard sticking to running, going the gym etc.
Is it just pure lazyness on my behalf or do you have to really want something to stick to it?
I'd like to start boxing for fitness and learning self defence but I fear giving it up after 2 weeks.
Maybe enjoyment comes into it too?
I have found that finding something you actually enjoy, so that it is not a chore really helps with motivation. Plodding down the gym and doing some rowing or on a treadmill staring at a wall doesn't help.
I started running, enjoyed that to a degree. Then took up triathlon, love the swimming and cycling and actually wake up thinking great swim day, can't wait to get in to the pool. I also really push myself as I am always trying for the next milestone.
I started running, enjoyed that to a degree. Then took up triathlon, love the swimming and cycling and actually wake up thinking great swim day, can't wait to get in to the pool. I also really push myself as I am always trying for the next milestone.
I find that looking at fit women in little training gear helps with the dedication 
A serious answer (not that the above isn't true) would be seeing the gains in stamina and in fat loss.
I started my gym membership when i was at my fattest, surprisingly just after a holiday in the US.
My routine consists of a lot of high intensity cardio work, at least an hour session twice a week; and i come away dripping in sweat. Every couple of days i weigh myself and i see another few pounds have come off and i look in the mirror and i can see lean muscle instead of lard. That in turn feed my motivation to improve and to keep going to the gym so that i can finally loose that flab around my belly. Once i have done that, then it will be time to start to bulk up, this will then bring on a whole set of goals.
A serious answer (not that the above isn't true) would be seeing the gains in stamina and in fat loss.
I started my gym membership when i was at my fattest, surprisingly just after a holiday in the US.
My routine consists of a lot of high intensity cardio work, at least an hour session twice a week; and i come away dripping in sweat. Every couple of days i weigh myself and i see another few pounds have come off and i look in the mirror and i can see lean muscle instead of lard. That in turn feed my motivation to improve and to keep going to the gym so that i can finally loose that flab around my belly. Once i have done that, then it will be time to start to bulk up, this will then bring on a whole set of goals.
I go to the gym, even when I don't feel like it which has been a lot lately as I've felt quite low, tired, lacking energy and just generally not feeling 100%. The reasons I go are as follows and in no particular order... obviously some reasons feel more important depending on my mindset: friends (it's a social thing for me too), routine (my fail safe), I hate myself more if I don't go when I was meant to, the feeling I know I get afterwards when I've pushed myself is second to none, always aspiring to look better and feel stronger, don't want to waste all the times I've been before by suddenly stopping, saves you going to the pub/out spending money, people respect those who are dedicated and everyone wants some respect, it requires no specialist skill or anything unique - just simple hard work that ANYONE can put in regardless of what you look like or what background you're from... and I pay £40 per month so I sure as hell am gonna get my money's worth!
I'm sure I have more reasons too but when I think about it, there are a s
t ton of reasons why I go to the gym religiously.
I'm sure I have more reasons too but when I think about it, there are a s
t ton of reasons why I go to the gym religiously.I agree with the above. Definitely find a training style that you enjoy as it makes sticking to it a lot easier.
I love training and for the last few months have been doing something every day. I have some free weights, a kettlebell and a punch bag. I've also got a decent running machine and exercise bike but my wife makes better use of them than me.
Because I train full body circuits for fitness it means I can choose to do whatever I like each day. Much better for me than sticking to a particular routine.
BlackST said:
I'd like to start boxing for fitness and learning self defence but I fear giving it up after 2 weeks.
Maybe enjoyment comes into it too?
Have a couple of lessons before signing up (most clubs will let you have a free lesson or two) and see how you get on. If you like it, you'll continue. If you don't then stop!Maybe enjoyment comes into it too?
I think, for me, that there's a certain amount of exercise that my body likes to do and as long as I do it, I'm relatively happy.
I say "relatively" because since I started playing football again this season (Tue, Thu and Sat), I've not touched a weight and am finding it really hard to get motivated to do something on any of my free days.
Ideally I'd like to be doing a few bits with my BB or KB in the garden a couple of times a week but by the time I've got home from footy I'm either fully cooled down or showered and changed.
I don't think it's necessarily a lack of dedication though, just a change in what I'm doing...doesn't stop it bugging me every time I look in the mirror though...I'm getting 'fotballer's arms'
I say "relatively" because since I started playing football again this season (Tue, Thu and Sat), I've not touched a weight and am finding it really hard to get motivated to do something on any of my free days.
Ideally I'd like to be doing a few bits with my BB or KB in the garden a couple of times a week but by the time I've got home from footy I'm either fully cooled down or showered and changed.
I don't think it's necessarily a lack of dedication though, just a change in what I'm doing...doesn't stop it bugging me every time I look in the mirror though...I'm getting 'fotballer's arms'
You need to stick with it for about 6 months. After that it has become part of your life and you'll have made some nice gains as long as you're not gymming to counteract a poor/excessive diet.
In the short term, look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself to stop being a big soft lazy tt every time you can't be bothered to go to the gym. Eat a good diet as it complements your exercise nicely. If you've eaten well you'll be more inclined to go to the gym and vice-versa.
In the short term, look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself to stop being a big soft lazy t
t every time you can't be bothered to go to the gym. Eat a good diet as it complements your exercise nicely. If you've eaten well you'll be more inclined to go to the gym and vice-versa. It seems everybody has the willpower to exercise or enjoys it.
I think I lack the willpower.
I work shifts 6am-2pm or 2pm-midnight so after work or before work I tend to just want to chill out.
The problem is I work in an office, do no exercise whatsoever even though I have a gym membership and also eat quite alot of take away.
My brother in law is into fitness and so is his friend, but they seem to be in the same mindset as me, they have the same job as me too however they are quite thin (fast metabolisms I guess)
I know willpower and determination can't be bought. I wonder if paying a personal trainer for 10 sessions might spark some life into me and give me that willingness to exercise? If I pay the personal trainer up front it will mean that I have sessions to stick to and will make me get up and go.
I think I lack the willpower.
I work shifts 6am-2pm or 2pm-midnight so after work or before work I tend to just want to chill out.
The problem is I work in an office, do no exercise whatsoever even though I have a gym membership and also eat quite alot of take away.
My brother in law is into fitness and so is his friend, but they seem to be in the same mindset as me, they have the same job as me too however they are quite thin (fast metabolisms I guess)
I know willpower and determination can't be bought. I wonder if paying a personal trainer for 10 sessions might spark some life into me and give me that willingness to exercise? If I pay the personal trainer up front it will mean that I have sessions to stick to and will make me get up and go.
I find that once you 'get into it' you miss going when you have a few days off.
It helps to have a goal so that you start off dedicated and it's easier to keep going.
My wife lost 40lbs in the 15 months before our wedding and was going to the gym 5 - 6 times a week and loved it.
I've been a gym member for years but have always been a bit stop / start. I find if you have a few weeks off for a holiday it's easy to keep putting off going back and it's a slippery slope from there.
My motivation is now a lot more long term as I'm going to be a parent for the first time next march at the age of 40. I want to be very active with my kids and not an 'old' dad who cant play football etc because I'm too old, fat and unfit.
I've also changed the time I train from after work at around 6 to first thing in the morning at 6.30 which has really helped. I have a lot more energy and it sets me up for the day so I now miss going when I have a day off.
It helps to have a goal so that you start off dedicated and it's easier to keep going.
My wife lost 40lbs in the 15 months before our wedding and was going to the gym 5 - 6 times a week and loved it.
I've been a gym member for years but have always been a bit stop / start. I find if you have a few weeks off for a holiday it's easy to keep putting off going back and it's a slippery slope from there.
My motivation is now a lot more long term as I'm going to be a parent for the first time next march at the age of 40. I want to be very active with my kids and not an 'old' dad who cant play football etc because I'm too old, fat and unfit.
I've also changed the time I train from after work at around 6 to first thing in the morning at 6.30 which has really helped. I have a lot more energy and it sets me up for the day so I now miss going when I have a day off.
BlackST said:
I eat quite a lot of take away..
I am far from perfect when it comes to diet but I won't eat any take out due to how lousy it makes you feel. Even the supposedly better take out is loaded with salt, MSG etc. If you eat a lot of take out you will probably be used to it but try cutting it out altogether and then have a Chinese. You will be up in the middle of the night for a glass of water.
It is also quite hard to stay motivated on a calorie deficit IMO. Why not try healthy eating combined with the gym but stay on a slight calorie surplus. Build some muscle through the winter.
I'm going to stop takeaways from today, till I can.
Going to go shopping later on for some good foods. With good meats and poultry in the fridge I won't want to waste it.
Now onto something to give me an energy boost after working a 6am-2pm. I've ordered caffeine capsules so having one of them will hopefully give me a boost to stop me having an afternoon sleep and get myself on a run or the gym.
I'm 14 and a half stone, 5'7.
I'm not 'fat' yet but I know in the future I will be if I carry on. I guess that's why I haven't really kicked myself because i'm not conscious of my body.
Just something needs to be done before the food and inactivity do pile pounds on to me
Going to go shopping later on for some good foods. With good meats and poultry in the fridge I won't want to waste it.
Now onto something to give me an energy boost after working a 6am-2pm. I've ordered caffeine capsules so having one of them will hopefully give me a boost to stop me having an afternoon sleep and get myself on a run or the gym.
I'm 14 and a half stone, 5'7.
I'm not 'fat' yet but I know in the future I will be if I carry on. I guess that's why I haven't really kicked myself because i'm not conscious of my body.
Just something needs to be done before the food and inactivity do pile pounds on to me
The biggest incentive for me is seeing progress.
Take some measurements and photos before you begin and then again once you've been at it for a few weeks/months. It may not be obvious in the mirror but it's easy to spot changes with photos side-by-side.
Setting and hitting short, medium and long term goals is very useful too. If it's running then how far you get in a given time/how much faster over a given distance, 500m time rowing or in my case strength training -- always more iron to shift and more reps to lift.
Take some measurements and photos before you begin and then again once you've been at it for a few weeks/months. It may not be obvious in the mirror but it's easy to spot changes with photos side-by-side.
Setting and hitting short, medium and long term goals is very useful too. If it's running then how far you get in a given time/how much faster over a given distance, 500m time rowing or in my case strength training -- always more iron to shift and more reps to lift.
LordGrover said:
The biggest incentive for me is seeing progress.
Take some measurements and photos before you begin and then again once you've been at it for a few weeks/months. It may not be obvious in the mirror but it's easy to spot changes with photos side-by-side.
Setting and hitting short, medium and long term goals is very useful too. If it's running then how far you get in a given time/how much faster over a given distance, 500m time rowing or in my case strength training -- always more iron to shift and more reps to lift.
Exactly the same for me.Take some measurements and photos before you begin and then again once you've been at it for a few weeks/months. It may not be obvious in the mirror but it's easy to spot changes with photos side-by-side.
Setting and hitting short, medium and long term goals is very useful too. If it's running then how far you get in a given time/how much faster over a given distance, 500m time rowing or in my case strength training -- always more iron to shift and more reps to lift.
I got a proper nutrition and work out plan tailored for me and no-one else from BTN (Body Type Nutrition) and i've seen results in under two weeks and it's encouraged me more than anything before.
I also like to set goals. I signed up for a Tough Mudder as far ahead as possible to remain motivated...i've signed up for another late next year too!
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