Posted: 10/26/2010 5:59:44 PM EDT
| I am having a hard time getting motivated to get back into a regular routine again. I had dropped down to 220lbs last year at 5'11" tall and now I am back to a fat ass 300lbs again. I still have definition in my arms and legs and have gained most of my weight in my gut area. I am pushing myself to get back to a 40 minute cardio routine again and lift moderately heavy weights but at the 10-12 rep range. Last year I used clothes as my motivation and a before and after pic of Joe "Diesel" Riggs when he went from 300 down to 170 in just over a year. This year I cannot seem to keep the motivation I want to get to the gym 5 days a week again. What keeps you guys motivated? TIA |
| I need some kind of event to train for. Meaning something where I'm competing against other people. Being able to max my APFT with 80+ pushups in 2 minutes is a goal, but that alone doesn't provide much motivation. At first that meant getting in shape for a soccer, then it was a sprint triathlon. I plan on enlisting in the Army after I graduate in May (Basic, OCS, Air Assault, RIP,..............SF), so preparing for RIP is my goal right now. |
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The results from working out is the biggest motavator of them all.
Cardio on a machine BLOWS. Find something that you enjoy, and keep track of your progress. I find it great to see how much I can cut off my times,go further distance, lift heavier,etc. also, QUIT DRINKING SODA |
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What keeps me motivated is the next personal best, whether be in lifting/cardio/weight, and the results I get.
Getting off a treadmill and outside was the best thing to ever happen to my cardio, shoes with the Nike+ chip, and a Nike+ Sportband to track my progress. All you gotta do is walk outside and get lost somewhere. |
| I want to get back into mountain biking again and I am not sure if anyone makes a bike that is built to hold my current weight. When I was in the Army in the early 1990's I used to ride all of the time and kept me in great shape and I loved it. I don't get much support at home either so I feel like I am completely fighting an uphill battle on a slippery slope. I do have help from my sister and brother in law who are former competitive bodybuilders when it comes to cleaning up my diet but as far as gym motivation I am struggling with it right now. I don't know many people at my gym that are in there when I am as they work sporadic schedules at the local hospital. I think once I can find that groove again the pounds will drop off. I appreciate everyone who responds or has responded. I think at times we all tend to need the encouragement to keep motivated. |
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Quoted:
I want to get back into mountain biking again and I am not sure if anyone makes a bike that is built to hold my current weight. When I was in the Army in the early 1990's I used to ride all of the time and kept me in great shape and I loved it. I don't get much support at home either so I feel like I am completely fighting an uphill battle on a slippery slope. I do have help from my sister and brother in law who are former competitive bodybuilders when it comes to cleaning up my diet but as far as gym motivation I am struggling with it right now. I don't know many people at my gym that are in there when I am as they work sporadic schedules at the local hospital. I think once I can find that groove again the pounds will drop off. I appreciate everyone who responds or has responded. I think at times we all tend to need the encouragement to keep motivated. yep |
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Sometimes I just don't want to work out anymore. But its the results that keep me going. After a long break, it takes a few weeks to see any positive changes in your physique. When they do come though, it's exciting and that keeps you going.
I also set goals. I will set goals for lifts for the next workout. I will also set weight goals for a few months down the road. The key is to just get in there and do it. Good luck. |
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I work cycling into my daily routine via commuting. I get an hour a day, guaranteed.
Depending on where your job is located, this may be quite difficult to do. I have a riding partner, which helps greatly. I think truly enjoying whatever it is you do is the key. If it's just you against your body, if your heart isn't in the game, you can't win. good luck. |
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For me its a few things:
1. I found something I like- for me it's crossfit, for you maybe it's biking, swimming or P90x or hiking...find something you like 2. I have a great workout partner that helps me stay motivated- my wife. It could be anyone though. 3. I like to look good for my wife, I don't want her to see me as a disgusting slob 4. I like to be in better shape than most other people. I won't lie, when I SMOKE all but 2-3 of the Marines (that are 5-10 years younger than me) in my company at almost everything we do it gives me a certain amount of pride. |
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Quoted:
For me its a few things: 1. I found something I like- for me it's crossfit, for you maybe it's biking, swimming or P90x or hiking...find something you like 2. I have a great workout partner that helps me stay motivated- my wife. It could be anyone though. 3. I like to look good for my wife, I don't want her to see me as a disgusting slob 4. I like to be in better shape than most other people. I won't lie, when I SMOKE all but 2-3 of the Marines (that are 5-10 years younger than me) in my company at almost everything we do it gives me a certain amount of pride. Exactly, except for the last part of #4 ; no military. I'm 39 and honestly feel and definately look better than a lot much younger than I. For me mostly it's a sense of physically feeling in charge of most situations that I could encounter, If that means I needed to sprint like mad to get safe or needed to throw elbows and/or stab someone in the nuts to slapping leather, physical fitness is paramount. It's nice having options. OTOH...for the OP, I saved these awhile ago from another gunboards fitness section I think. I don't know why but it seriously motivated me. Take a look at our enemy and his simple tactics for maximum results: shit bag KISS workout Honestly. Could your average American take on the older dude with the beard just hand to hand even? |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
For me its a few things: 1. I found something I like- for me it's crossfit, for you maybe it's biking, swimming or P90x or hiking...find something you like 2. I have a great workout partner that helps me stay motivated- my wife. It could be anyone though. 3. I like to look good for my wife, I don't want her to see me as a disgusting slob 4. I like to be in better shape than most other people. I won't lie, when I SMOKE all but 2-3 of the Marines (that are 5-10 years younger than me) in my company at almost everything we do it gives me a certain amount of pride. Exactly, except for the last part of #4 ; no military. I'm 39 and honestly feel and definately look better than a lot much younger than I. For me mostly it's a sense of physically feeling in charge of most situations that I could encounter, If that means I needed to sprint like mad to get safe or needed to throw elbows and/or stab someone in the nuts to slapping leather, physical fitness is paramount. It's nice having options. OTOH...for the OP, I saved these awhile ago from another gunboards fitness section I think. I don't know why but it seriously motivated me. Take a look at our enemy and his simple tactics for maximum results: shit bag KISS workout Honestly. Could your average American take on the older dude with the beard just hand to hand even? RIght on- military or not, I think a feeling of pride in being in better shape than most people or knowing that you could physiclly handle rough situations goes a long way in motivation. I've seen guys so out of shape that they couldn't handle mundane day to day things. I know I can. Hell, my two oldest sons and I moved my entire house (of 6 people) in TWO days earlier this year. If I wasn't in good shape I would have burned out. Should I for some reason get in a fight, chances are that the other guy is going to run out of steam before me. We on arfcom take pride in being prepared for many situations. We have food stocked away, weapons at the ready. I believe our bodies should be ready as well and way too many people neglect that. There's plenty of motivation in that for me. |
| I have my 2 year old daughter as my motivation and wanting to be able to go to the pool/beach and play with her without feeling bad.... also my wife signed us both up for half marathons at the beginning of the upcoming year... so I have money riding on it as well. Cut out fast food, soda and just get outside. I'd much rather run in my Nike w/ chip outside no matter the weather compared to stuck inside a gym. |
| Schwinn 230 recumbent exercise bike + Gears of War 2 + xbox live + 2 hours 3 nights a week + buddy in Florida doing same thing = 6 hours of bike time per week without leaving the house or losing my nerd friends. Video games online with the guys is all the motivation I need. |
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Seeing myself in the mirror in high school wasnt even enough motivation.
Then, well, I met a certain girl, and well, i dropped 32 pounds in about 3 months. As much as that ripped me apart (not the working out part) Im damn thankful it happened because it motivated me to eat right, and workout 5+ days a week. In 11th grade I weighed about 220. I'm now 165 (I'm 20 now) 
Now I'm losing motivation to keep it going. Which is sucking. |
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I was stationed in Korea (USAF) a couple of years ago, sitting on my ass after work for weeks. AFRTS was my motivator after a while. They would play segments of wounded warriors missing limb(s) doing a helluva lot more then I was at the time. And I have all my limbs still. So I got to thinking..."WTF am I doing sitting on my ass, having all my limbs and these guys are proving anyone, missing limbs or not, are still capable of doing stuff."
+1 on not looking like a slob for my wife. Plus, it's a great stress reliever. |
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My motivation has changed over time, and admittedly gotten stronger. I no longer see it as a chore––It's become very much a part of who I am; It's where I go and what I do to think, to blow off steam, to challenge myself and discover my limits, to sculpt my body into something that I've never experienced before, to make sure I am physically fit, mentally sharp and ready for anything, any time.
1) As a single guy, I started out lifting seriously to achieve better aesthetics. I had two pretty blondes on my mind. I worked with a guy (Who is now one of my best friends) who had his eye on the same girl as I did––Being the sneaky bastard I was, I asked for his help lifting. With his and another friends' help, I finally had the experienced direction I needed. 2) About 2 months in, I started lifting to see progression. The definition coming in on my once-flat chest motivated me, and I started filling out my shirts. That was nice!
3) I met my fiancee, one of the pretty blondes mentioned. While she thought I was hot to begin with (I mean, come on––I'm gorgeous  ), I wanted to look my best for her.
4) I began lifting for myself––My health and my strength, in addition to working out to keep myself attractive for my fiancee. My mind is clear, my body is strong and healthy and I've never felt better––And the best part, it's only going to get better from here. 
Whatever your motivation will be, push yourself to do it. Fitness is undoubtedly one of the best things you can do for yourself, and it reflects in every day life. You'll have a more even temperament, sharper mind and the torque to do whatever you need to do... And if it's your game, the body to drop the panties on any girl that catches your eye.
Good luck, and never give up. It's the endless pursuit of perfection. You CAN do it. I never thought that I'd go from a 155lbs string bean, benching 115lbs ONCE at the beginning of the year, to weighing 165lbs @ <5% body fat, doing sets of 235lbs on the bench press. |
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Read a members thread about atkins, I thought it was a good idea, but never made any moves. (about a year ago, a month ago) . (I purchased said member a team membership for getting me motivated)
I have always been into lifitng/sports, but since HS is over, and I never went to college, I never really had desire to workout. (not much pussy in the workplace) Anyway, I was not going to college, I found out I would not be covered (health insurance) anymore. So I tried to get myself insurance, but I was turned down, they said I needed to be put in a "high risk" pool. I said okay, how much? They told me 1k a month, I was 21 at the time! So I got on amazon and next day aired myslef a copy of atkins, 2 months later I was down 50 lbs. To this day I am down from 350 to 220 on a 6' frame. (people always ask me if I am on steroids now  )
I was in size 52 pants tight!!! I am down to size 36 with a belt now. I was in XXL shirts (Tight), now I am in large loose. That Is my motivation. HEALTH insurance. I was covred about 6 months ago at 275LBS they told me if I dropped to 250 that they would put me on a normal price(I am paying 75$ a month), but I have been too lazy to go into the docs and get weighed by a nurse aid or doc again. Pretty much lift EVERY day. Cardio every other day. |