How do I keep up the enthusiasm to go to the gym???
Discussion
Afternoon Everyone
I am thinking about joining the local gym to try and get back into shape. I recently split up with my g/f and over the last 4-5 years have let myself go a bit
I currently weigh 14 stone and am hoping to get down to about 12 stone.
I belonged to a gym about 4 years ago and went solidly for 6 months, then started missing the odd evening here and there, and then didnt ever bother going back. My Brother goes every day before or after work to his local gym and it shows. In my head it seems like an easy thing to do, but I know once I have joined I will look for an excuse not go.
What can I do so that the same wont happen again?
Cheers
Sammo
I am thinking about joining the local gym to try and get back into shape. I recently split up with my g/f and over the last 4-5 years have let myself go a bit
I currently weigh 14 stone and am hoping to get down to about 12 stone. I belonged to a gym about 4 years ago and went solidly for 6 months, then started missing the odd evening here and there, and then didnt ever bother going back. My Brother goes every day before or after work to his local gym and it shows. In my head it seems like an easy thing to do, but I know once I have joined I will look for an excuse not go.
What can I do so that the same wont happen again?
Cheers
Sammo
Possible motivators:
1) Get a gym buddy (or if you're in England, a gym partner)
2) Do a sport rather than join a gym; lose weight, get fit while actually doing something you enjoy
3) Have a goal (which may be a consequence of doing a sport and finding you're not as fit as other participants)
4) Just look at yourself naked; might sound depressing but it worked for me when I noticed a bit of flab. (Actually, it was when I sat down to put on my socks without a t-shirt on and I noticed disgusting folds of flab that I decided I needed to move more and eat less.)
1) Get a gym buddy (or if you're in England, a gym partner)
2) Do a sport rather than join a gym; lose weight, get fit while actually doing something you enjoy
3) Have a goal (which may be a consequence of doing a sport and finding you're not as fit as other participants)
4) Just look at yourself naked; might sound depressing but it worked for me when I noticed a bit of flab. (Actually, it was when I sat down to put on my socks without a t-shirt on and I noticed disgusting folds of flab that I decided I needed to move more and eat less.)
Edited by ShadownINja on Sunday 28th November 14:54
I would say do a sport that will be fun. I currently have a dodgy knee so can only exercise by going to the gym.
I would echo 'the ninja' by saying
1 have a goal that you absolutley have to reach
2 look at your body in disgust until you are satisfied.
I am on a new diet and exercise program, I go to the gym 2 or 3 times a week. It is getting harder to go when its freezing at 6pm.
The ABSOLUTE key for me is that the gym is on the drive home so I always go past it everyday, therefore stopping there for 40 minutes isnt a big deal as getting home and then going out again.
I would echo 'the ninja' by saying
1 have a goal that you absolutley have to reach
2 look at your body in disgust until you are satisfied.
I am on a new diet and exercise program, I go to the gym 2 or 3 times a week. It is getting harder to go when its freezing at 6pm.
The ABSOLUTE key for me is that the gym is on the drive home so I always go past it everyday, therefore stopping there for 40 minutes isnt a big deal as getting home and then going out again.
cheadle hulme said:
Pair of speedos + picture of yourself + picture of Daniel Craig.
Put on fridge door. Feel motivated everytime you look at them.
Remember to remove (both pictures) if you have a date coming round.
HTH.
Put on fridge door. Feel motivated everytime you look at them.
Remember to remove (both pictures) if you have a date coming round.
HTH.
Or anyone comes round! Your friends would make sure you never forgot you had a picture of Daniel Craig nearly naked on your fridge door.
FraserLFA said:
Putting a picture up of how you want to look is a good idea. Putting it on the fridge is even better. Taking it shopping is heroic if anyone else see's, but will aid your decisions on food.
"Mmmm steak and kidney pies!" *glances at A4 laminated picture of Daniel Craig exiting the sea* "I bet he doesn't eat steak and kidney pies... beetroot salad, it is... why is everyone staring at me?"
ShadownINja said:
"Mmmm steak and kidney pies!" *glances at A4 laminated picture of Daniel Craig exiting the sea* "I bet he doesn't eat steak and kidney pies... beetroot salad, it is... why is everyone staring at me?"
Get a second one with Rick Waller, and the decision will be even easier.- For the record, i have never carried 1 picture, let alone 2, i'm just being creative*
k.The gym im thinking of joining is basically on my drive home from work. So I would be stopping there on my way home.
I like the idea of finding an activity i enjoy. I enjoy cycling and used to go out most evenings on 35-40 mile bike rides, however I never lost any weight doing this, although I was much fitter for it. Bit chilly for cycling at the moment though
I like the idea of finding an activity i enjoy. I enjoy cycling and used to go out most evenings on 35-40 mile bike rides, however I never lost any weight doing this, although I was much fitter for it. Bit chilly for cycling at the moment though
You wont really lose weight without a change in diet tbh, plus the fat you do lose you'll replace with muscle. Unless you have a good diet in the first place. When I say do a sport I don't mean in place of the gym but if you do a sport and get competitive at it you'll find you want to hit the gym in order to become better at your sport.
If I wasn't doing my Judo I reckon I'd find it hard to just go to the gym to lose weight etc.
That said looking at fit girls arses in lycra is a strong motivator!
If I wasn't doing my Judo I reckon I'd find it hard to just go to the gym to lose weight etc.
That said looking at fit girls arses in lycra is a strong motivator!
FraserLFA said:
ShadownINja said:
"Mmmm steak and kidney pies!" *glances at A4 laminated picture of Daniel Craig exiting the sea* "I bet he doesn't eat steak and kidney pies... beetroot salad, it is... why is everyone staring at me?"
Get a second one with Rick Waller, and the decision will be even easier.- For the record, i have never carried 1 picture, let alone 2, i'm just being creative*
Sammo123 said:
Afternoon Everyone
I am thinking about joining the local gym to try and get back into shape. I recently split up with my g/f and over the last 4-5 years have let myself go a bit I currently weigh 14 stone and am hoping to get down to about 12 stone.
I belonged to a gym about 4 years ago and went solidly for 6 months, then started missing the odd evening here and there, and then didnt ever bother going back. My Brother goes every day before or after work to his local gym and it shows. In my head it seems like an easy thing to do, but I know once I have joined I will look for an excuse not go.
What can I do so that the same wont happen again?
Cheers
Sammo
Have a serious think about why you stop going last time. Missing a session here and there is not a reason for giving up. What was the real driving factor?I am thinking about joining the local gym to try and get back into shape. I recently split up with my g/f and over the last 4-5 years have let myself go a bit
I currently weigh 14 stone and am hoping to get down to about 12 stone. I belonged to a gym about 4 years ago and went solidly for 6 months, then started missing the odd evening here and there, and then didnt ever bother going back. My Brother goes every day before or after work to his local gym and it shows. In my head it seems like an easy thing to do, but I know once I have joined I will look for an excuse not go.
What can I do so that the same wont happen again?
Cheers
Sammo
Weren't seeing results?
Bored?
Didn't enjoy it?
Lazy?
I believe that's your best starting point if you don't want it to happen again. Figure out why it happened last time.
I can only speak from experience
1) Routine is key. I go twice a week, Monday and Thursday. Unless something really important comes up, those are the days I go. Whether it's cold or I feel a little sniffly or there's something good on telly; I go to the gym.
I treat it like going to work - I enjoy it but it's something I have to do. Would I go if I didn't have to? Probably not.
2) Set targets. I started doing cardio just doing as much to get me out of breath for a bit. Then I started on the rowing machine to beat a target time. Then running for distance on the treadmill, etc
3) Gym buddies are good whilst you're getting into it. Someone to talk to, compete against, etc
4) Go to a gym with enough equipment. You don't want to be standing around waiting to get on a machine
5) Do a workout you enjoy. If rowing's your thing, get on a rower. Weights, then do weights, etc.
6) Change every now and again. Change your workout or even your gym totally. It keeps things fresh
EDIT - I would also suggest not going too often. Couple of times a week gives you time to do other things. To go everyday requires a lot of commitment and the novelty can quickly wear off....
1) Routine is key. I go twice a week, Monday and Thursday. Unless something really important comes up, those are the days I go. Whether it's cold or I feel a little sniffly or there's something good on telly; I go to the gym.
I treat it like going to work - I enjoy it but it's something I have to do. Would I go if I didn't have to? Probably not.
2) Set targets. I started doing cardio just doing as much to get me out of breath for a bit. Then I started on the rowing machine to beat a target time. Then running for distance on the treadmill, etc
3) Gym buddies are good whilst you're getting into it. Someone to talk to, compete against, etc
4) Go to a gym with enough equipment. You don't want to be standing around waiting to get on a machine
5) Do a workout you enjoy. If rowing's your thing, get on a rower. Weights, then do weights, etc.
6) Change every now and again. Change your workout or even your gym totally. It keeps things fresh
EDIT - I would also suggest not going too often. Couple of times a week gives you time to do other things. To go everyday requires a lot of commitment and the novelty can quickly wear off....
Edited by Muzzer on Monday 29th November 12:05
Watch Rocky. Rocky IV is the best for motivation. But seriously find a routine that you enjoy. Change it often this is also good for progress, your body gets used to the same workout. Set yourself targets. I've been going almost every day for the past 4-5 years using these principles.
Biggest motivator for me was a gym buddy, he knew what he was doing with regard to weightlifting so was good to have someone show you how to do stuff and ensure you don't hurt yourself. Then it was seeing results and other people noticing too. Now I just want to go all the time but have to force myself to have the rest days =p
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