Gym Motivation

[Texas_swimmer]

Hey guys I wanted to ask how do you motivate yourself to go to the gym? Its a dumb question but I'm having a hard time going to the gym.

Right now I weigh 160lbs and I'm only 5'6 tall... I used to weigh 140lbs a year ago. I want to loose some weight and get back into shape.
I haven't been to the gym in a long time at least 6 months. I want to get a routine going and go at least 3-4 times a week.
Should I go before work or after? I have quit drinking beer so I'm hoping that will help. I feel a lot better since I quit.


Thanks for sharing any advice.

[Speedoaddict]

I know how you feel.
You need a gym buddy to motivate you. I have the same problem.
I need a friend to go with me but no one is interested. It is really hard to get motivated to go by yourself. I do find going to a gym close to where you work helps.
I usually go after work to de-stress.
Swimming is also a great way to loose weight. Plus you get to wear your speedos.

[MeSooQuiet]

I started running about two years ago using the 5k pro app which which slowly conditions you to run a 5k. I wanted to run 5ks at a few nudist resorts in the Midwest when I was living there. I joined the Y there also in the attempt to start swimming again. The family atmosphere and conservative vibe of the Midwest along with teenaged life guards crushed my attempt to start swimming again and in a speedo. Now that I’m back in Texas, I am running about 5 miles on my days off at a local park with an expansive trail system. I recently joined LA Fitness to slowly teach myself how to properly swim again. No lifeguards there and actually have seen one or two guys in speedos to motivate me to eventually wear one. I am sticking to a jammer for now. I did buy two new briefs from swim outlet.com. A royal blue speedo solar and a Arena brief in a geometric print.

I guess what motivates me is what I want to accomplish. I want to be able to swim properly again and be able to do it as a workout. I also have always wanted to compete in a triathlon and figured this is the start. I guess just setting small goals. The workout apps not only give workout plans but in a way help motivate and track progress. I think having a set time to workout whether day or night helps also. When I run it is always early morning before the Texas heat makes it unbearable. I fly for a living and so cannot workout everyday. So my work days tend to be my off days for working out. Yeah cutting out beer does wonders, but if it’s something you like don’t deprive yourself of it ...maybe one a few nights a week. I’ve also been meat free or vegetarian for almost two years now. It’s amazing how weight falls off in the beginning.

[swimmy]

Don't know how old you are or what your Body Fat Percentage is but your BMI is over 25 so you are probably technically overweight. Your 140 weight was a 22 BMI. Which is great.
Set a goal, study nutrition, and burn some calories. Perhaps you could build some muscle too, but that adds weight. Yes, swimming is a superb exercise, if you can swim and do it right. If not, get some lessons at your local pool. I don't know a better exercise to keep in shape.
Above all, get off your ass and get going. Don't wait! Put at least a half hour of workout time into your DAILY schedule. And ESPECIALLY analyze the calories, carbs and protein level of EVERYTHING you put in your mouth.
I wish you luck!

[speedobillyuk]

Agree with everything that's already been said here. Ultimately, it's up to you - a workout partner would be great, but if nobody is interested, or they aren't much motivated then you're back where you were. Sedentary lifestyles and the inevitable weight gain as we get older means that we all get out of shape as the years progress - look around you and see what others look like - do you want to end up looking like some of them? The longer you leave it the harder it will be to get back in shape, so try to put at least some of what's already been said here into action - small steps at first, and when you see some results you'll feel better and become more motivated.

I know where your at - I never completely stopped going to the gym or swimming, but for a while last year I started to stop bothering much - and the weight started to creep up. Without increasing my exercise I changed my diet and looked carefully and what I was eating - too much overall, and not as well balanced a diet as I needed. I'm not a fan of supplements, but I tried Inulin after seeing a documentary about weight control. A few months later, and without any additional exercise I'd lost 5kg (10.5 lbs) - just by changing my diet and taking one supplement. I fealt better because I was eating better, and because my diet was really varied I never fealt "hungry all the time".

Try to get into a routine where exercise is part of your day - I go after work to burn off all that adrenaline that builds up during the day, as well as calories. You'll feel better and sleep well afterwards. And remeber your speedos for the pool after each workout - regardless of how young the lifeguards are...

[DaveSpeedoEvans]

G'day guys,

I have this photo on my desktop and when I'm not feeling too motivated I look at it..... speaking of which, I'm now motivated so I'm off for a swim.

Dave

[Scottiebum]

A slightly different tack, try to do exercise with a purpose rather than as an extra activity. Cycle or run to work, or cycle somewhere instead of taking the car. Walk for the groceries etc

[ExBex]

Good topic. I do 45 min full-body workouts, 3x per week. All weights; no cardio.

1. Workout App... As MeSooQuiet said, it helps a lot. I don't do any exercise that isn't in my pre-planned mission for that day (12 exercises max, covering all muscle groups). It makes it easy to track very small improvements every workout, like doing an extra rep or going up in weight. These small but steady results are highly motivating! (I use the free JEFIT app.)

2. Schedule time and day in advance. Never leave it open-ended or subject to how you might feel on that day.

3. Enjoy the scenery! ... It's nice to be around fit attractive people. I've also found a "gym-crush." I only see him there randomly about every two weeks, but it adds a tiny bit of anticipation, wondering if I'll see him today!

4. When I really don't feel like going, I picture my abs a year from now. Will they be better or worse? Picture your goal, and your priorities should fall into line.

[...:::sam:::...]

I think, get in with a training group where you can all get together and train, its much more fun and you go harder.
Set goals and aim for something that you really want, eg a goal weight, a particular event, a certain time/distance in whatever sport you're doing.

[rozelle]

Yes I agree the app helps. I use Fitness22 I workout 4 days a week. The app will tell me to continue on my workout and that keeps in track. Like when I get lazy I will think about how I'll make my workout schedule screwy.

You have to want it bad enough so you start whipping your ass off to go to the gym. I was always the small and skinny one in class and everyone bullied me calling me ugly and skeleton skinny so I promised myself that I'll be the complete opposite of that. And that has been my very strong goal that keeps me motivated.

But I think a lot of it has to do with self discipline. Fortunately I'm self discipline enough to go every week (my goal to be muscular and beautiful helps a lot with this). My partner only goes every other day so I usually drag him with me so I suppose someone with better self discipline can help.

[gx0100]

I was always the small and skinny one in class and everyone bullied me calling me ugly and skeleton skinny so I promised myself that I'll be the complete opposite of that. And that has been my very strong goal that keeps me motivated.

I was always the small, skinny one. Still am, really.
I tried to do something about it a few years ago – my profile pic was taken during my gym days!
Unfortunately I became ill shortly afterwards and lost a whole lot of weight and I’ve struggled to get back to proper exercising. (Again, due to ill health.)

Your physique is amazing, though, and an inspiration to someone like me.

The last half of this year has been a good one for me and I’ve been feeling a lot better.
I’ve started going on walks in the country, increasing the distance and difficulty little by little, I’ve started going to the pool again (wearing speedos, of course, despite my skeletal appearance) and I’m building up my confidence and fitness to step into a gym and start exercising again.
I need and want to put weight on, gain definition and some muscles...

Thanks for th app idea. I’ll look up the different options!

Good luck to anyone else struggling with getting to the gym for whatever reason.
We can do it

[Texas_swimmer]

Thanks guys I just need to go. I just turned 27 and I know it will get harder as I get older. I'm thinking about signing up for a program to work with a fitness instructor. Its only money but I think if I had an obligation to go I would. I'll post a pic of me currently.

[rmf]

.... I'll post a pic of me currently.

Actually, keeping a personal video log or pictures of your progress is a great way to stay self-motivated. Sometimes you have to see your own progress which is hard if you don't have anything to compare yourself to the before & after to keep yourself going! Remember to take a lot of photos at lots of different angles. Log when you took the photos so you can repeat the photo process each time (ie: photos, first thing in the morning). It was something I did a couple years ago and I still occasionally document my progress as I get older to make sure I am still physically on a good path.

[Texas_swimmer]

Heres a picture of me currently. I dont look heavy but it says I weigh 158lbs.

IMG_20171018_085731_817.jpg (85.57 KiB) Viewed 7441 times

[MeSooQuiet]

You look good. You still have a v taper and no love handles or that hard to get rid of lower back fat.

[rmf]

What are your goals? Maybe start a new post to document your progress? I remember you posting pics of yourself a few years ago so maybe your are are trying to get back to where you once were or if you have different goals? Either way, we all will cheer your on!

Good luck on the transformation or what ever your goals are! You can do it...

[diveguy]

Heres a picture of me currently. I dont look heavy but it says I weigh 158lbs.


IMG_20171018_085731_817.jpg

The only really bad thing about that picture is the ugly shorts.

But I imagine you'd tone up pretty quickly if you just made it a priority. The muscle still seems to be there, it's just gotten soft. Getting to post an "after" picture where you decide you look good enough to be in a speedo instead of the bloomers ought to be motivation enough.

[swimsharkau]

I have a strange relationship with the gym. Usually people find going to the gym tiresome, exhausting, difficult etc. I feel the complete opposite.

I don't take my phone, or don't talk to anybody when I'm there and I don't know anyone either - I like it that way.

For me, even when I'm huffing/puffing/lifting kgs I feel relaxed because the gym is the only place I don't have to answer a call, talk to people, do work, run errands etc. I treat the gym as an escape from the regular stresses of life - 45mins of me time.

If you look at it this way it becomes easy to go. Sort of like a personal time out, with the added benefit of getting fit. I still have a plan of what I am going to do when I get there, and I do go to exercise/achieve a fitness goal, I just don't look at it as a chore...

[Speedoaddict]

Hi swimsharkau,
Thanks for that, I am going to try going back to the gym this week.
I never thought about it like that. I am going to try that.
By the way the avatar picture is fab, love the speedos.
What brand are they?

[speedobillyuk]

I have a strange relationship with the gym. Usually people find going to the gym tiresome, exhausting, difficult etc. I feel the complete opposite.

I don't take my phone, or don't talk to anybody when I'm there and I don't know anyone either - I like it that way.

For me, even when I'm huffing/puffing/lifting kgs I feel relaxed because the gym is the only place I don't have to answer a call, talk to people, do work, run errands etc. I treat the gym as an escape from the regular stresses of life - 45mins of me time.

If you look at it this way it becomes easy to go. Sort of like a personal time out, with the added benefit of getting fit. I still have a plan of what I am going to do when I get there, and I do go to exercise/achieve a fitness goal, I just don't look at it as a chore...

I feel the same way. I'm amazed at how many people spend their gym time on their mobile/smart phone - often blocking equipment in the process. Can't they put the bloody thing down for more than a minute!!! I don't take the phone in there.

I have a routine of exercises that can take up to two hours to go through - longer if I'm feeling a bit slow, or I get distracted by what's whoing on one of the many TVs. It's quality time to relax, and try to stay in some sort of shape. I always go for a swim afterwards - 50m pool, and often quiet at certain times of the day. I come out feeling a hell of a lot better than when I went in. If it's later on in the day and I'm a bit tired I have a rest (power nap) before I go training - then I feel like I'm ready.

The gym is quality time - if it becomes a chore there's something wrong, so you need to work out what it is and sort it. Perhaps the environment makes a difference - many gyms I've been in are either too small to have much variety, or just cavernous with a cold feel. The place I use now is huge, has loads of equipment, and "mood" lighting, all of which kind of helps.