Motivation disappearing

[BenT]

For basically 10 years, I went to the gym consistently. Meaning in 10 years I workout out 3-5 times per week and didn't take more than 2-3 weeks off the gym at time. In the past year however it's really been a struggle - I can't get to the gym consistently for more than 3 weeks in a row. I just don't feel motivated anymore. Maybe things aren't perfect in my personal life right now, but it's not like I don't have the time to go.

Has anyone else been through this? What did you do to get over it? I feel like crap about it because I use to love working out.

[BenT]

Oh, I should add that doing a cycle tends to be great motivation - I'll go 5 times a week for 16 weeks in a row and not miss one workout lol. But, I'm not sure that's going to be an option again - acne is too big of a problem for me.

[Mr Ontario]

Go Ben Go :)

[bigtavi8]

When i notice I am losing motivation its usually for these reasons. 1) Burn out/overtraining 2) Personal life problems 3) Mundane routine/gym setting

Ill explain. Most years after i have a real good season of training religiously and not missing a meal i will feel like i just dont want to do it anymore.I just feel a need to eat like a complete moron for a week or so. Anything i like within reason and no set schedule of time meals or cups eaten. This kills my progress because i feel like why bother training without 6-8 solid meals a day and at least 200g pro. But in all reality i think sometimes the body needs a shake up to keep things from becoming stagnant so a rest or a cheat week every year is not good but for me neccesary to continue.

Also if im having problems in my personal life at work, home, family, money, car etc. i cant train right. Im stressed to the max and not in any mood to train effectively and be focused. Im more aggressive but im not focused on the task at hand. I always try to got to the gym with a clear mind so i can have a positive workout and enjoy my training.

What u can do? I try switching things up like this to keep it interesting. Call up an old workout partner and get him to come train with ya for a week to kick up the intensity. OR even try a new gym in your area. Also as gay as it sounds go for a tan at the booth (increases serotonin levels) or change up your music on your ipod playlist (if u listen to music while u train).

Another way would be to go and buy a new supplement for pre workout just to keep things interesting and get that pump ur after.

Hope this helps in any way.

[Shortdave]

For basically 10 years, I went to the gym consistently. Meaning in 10 years I workout out 3-5 times per week and didn't take more than 2-3 weeks off the gym at time. In the past year however it's really been a struggle - I can't get to the gym consistently for more than 3 weeks in a row. I just don't feel motivated anymore. Maybe things aren't perfect in my personal life right now, but it's not like I don't have the time to go.

Has anyone else been through this? What did you do to get over it? I feel like crap about it because I use to love working out.
Switch to powerlifting for a while. It gives you actual numbered goals to reach for and what will most likely be a completely different way of training.

Just an option.

[ironwill]

Good stuff Tavi, pretty much what i do on all points....funny how a little change can make one stoked eh...:)


When i notice I am losing motivation its usually for these reasons. 1) Burn out/overtraining 2) Personal life problems 3) Mundane routine/gym setting

Ill explain. Most years after i have a real good season of training religiously and not missing a meal i will feel like i just dont want to do it anymore.I just feel a need to eat like a complete moron for a week or so. Anything i like within reason and no set schedule of time meals or cups eaten. This kills my progress because i feel like why bother training without 6-8 solid meals a day and at least 200g pro. But in all reality i think sometimes the body needs a shake up to keep things from becoming stagnant so a rest or a cheat week every year is not good but for me neccesary to continue.

Also if im having problems in my personal life at work, home, family, money, car etc. i cant train right. Im stressed to the max and not in any mood to train effectively and be focused. Im more aggressive but im not focused on the task at hand. I always try to got to the gym with a clear mind so i can have a positive workout and enjoy my training.

What u can do? I try switching things up like this to keep it interesting. Call up an old workout partner and get him to come train with ya for a week to kick up the intensity. OR even try a new gym in your area. Also as gay as it sounds go for a tan at the booth (increases serotonin levels) or change up your music on your ipod playlist (if u listen to music while u train).

Another way would be to go and buy a new supplement for pre workout just to keep things interesting and get that pump ur after.

Hope this helps in any way.

[tiramisu]

I don't know if Powerlifting is the solution but goal setting definitely is. Short, Medium and Long term goals are what keep me motivated. When I go into the gym I'm there to hit my numbers for that workout, for the wave, for the cycle and for the year.

It keeps me focused and having fun. If I was just going into the gym to exercise rather than to train I'd almost certainly lose interest quickly.

[Talo]

watch a big bench

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u81OLYtR-t4&feature=search

[tiramisu]

Ivanko make shiny weights. I needs to get me some fancy bumpers.

[Shortdave]

I don't know if Powerlifting is the solution but goal setting definitely is. Short, Medium and Long term goals are what keep me motivated. When I go into the gym I'm there to hit my numbers for that workout, for the wave, for the cycle and for the year.

It keeps me focused and having fun. If I was just going into the gym to exercise rather than to train I'd almost certainly lose interest quickly.

Don't be ridiculous, powerlifting is always the solution to everything ever.

[fathead]

Don't be ridiculous, powerlifting is always the solution to everything ever.

"can squats cure cancer?"

"yes"

[#8]

I agree with dave. "Bodybuilding" strictly for the sake of hypertrophy and physique "enhancement" can get really boring. Switch up the kind of training you are doing and try some olympic lifts. You will get stronger faster than you ever have before and probably lean out at the same time if your diet is even decent.

I will never strictly train for hypertrophy or a pump ever because I get too bored. I did it for a short while to see what it was like and its not for me.

[faller]

This isn't going help one bit, but it's what i like to call life... My belief is that 99% of lifter's on these boards will not be training at all 20 years from now, thats assumeing you are in your early to mid 20's now and pumped to give her.

I've been lifting since i was 16, thats 36 years of lifting. In the early 80's when i lived in Calagary and worked at Golds there were a couple dozen of us that hung out and trained balls to the wall. All of us had aspirations, goals, this was our life. Some competed, some had trainer's from Cali., some just loved the sport for the sake of the sport.

Fast forward 29 years, how many still train?.... Two..

Point being, which one are you? The 99% or 1%...

[Aaron_37]

I agree with dave. "Bodybuilding" strictly for the sake of hypertrophy and physique "enhancement" can get really boring. Switch up the kind of training you are doing and try some olympic lifts. You will get stronger faster than you ever have before and probably lean out at the same time if your diet is even decent.

I will never strictly train for hypertrophy or a pump ever because I get too bored. I did it for a short while to see what it was like and its not for me.

http://blogs.lasvegascitylife.com/wp-content/media/2009/11/most_interesting_man.jpg
I don't always lift weights, but when I do, I prefer powerlifting... Stay strong my friends.

[gettinbigger]

If you're leaning towards thinking that you've burned out give yourself a good rest. Make a plan to not step into the gym for x weeks or days. Then make it part of your weekly routine e.g. "I will always train on M,T,Th,F mornings before work". I think that all the stop/start/stop/start is probably zapping your motivation. Who wants to go to the gym if every time it hurts and you are struggling with weights you used to throw around? They say it takes 21 days for a new habit to be established...push yourself to get past day 21 and you'll be back to your usual gym rat self.

[natenator]

This isn't going help one bit, but it's what i like to call life... My belief is that 99% of lifter's on these boards will not be training at all 20 years from now, thats assumeing you are in your early to mid 20's now and pumped to give her.

I've been lifting since i was 16, thats 36 years of lifting. In the early 80's when i lived in Calagary and worked at Golds there were a couple dozen of us that hung out and trained balls to the wall. All of us had aspirations, goals, this was our life. Some competed, some had trainer's from Cali., some just loved the sport for the sake of the sport.

Fast forward 29 years, how many still train?.... Two..

Point being, which one are you? The 99% or 1%...
I agree with you. I can count 5 younger people that I know for certain won't be training 10, 15, 20 years from now. I tend to believe the only reason they do it now is because of girls (some of you know who you are lol).

I started training when I was 14 for athletics. When I couldn't play sports at a high level any longer (broken neck) I transitioned to a bodybuilding style training. It was different than power training and challenged me differently both from a physical, mental and nutritional stand point.

I've had some time off of course due to injuries but as soon as I was fixed up I went back. Training is a lifestyle to me. Just like getting up and going to work is part of my life. Do I have days when I don't want to go? Sure I do and sometimes on those days I actually stay home or hang with friends but usually I end up going one way or another.

Working out has to be a lifestyle you live and not something you do JUST to try and stay in shape, bag girls or bit more healthy.

[Forever]

I agree with the fat men, switch it up and do some powerlifting. Nothing like setting a goal that can be measured by numbers stamped in iron.

[BenT]

Thanks for all the inspiring comments.

When I was in high school I remember a teacher (who'd been at the school for eternity) saying that all the athletes who came back 20 years later for nostalgic reasons or whatever were fat and bald. I thought to myself that day, that I will never be one of those.

I've seen what happens to guys who give up working out when they hit their 30s, get married, kids etc., it's not pretty - 30 is around the corner (2 months) and I want to be the 1% not the 99%. And, after 10 years I'm not going to give up now.

I have to face some issues in my personal life and at my job that I've just been hoping would go away and then get back at it. There's nothing worse than having your mind racing about that shit between sets.

Wanting to look good for a vacation, etc. has never been enough motivation for me. I like this powerlifting idea. I record a log book and try to beat it every time, but to have some set goals for bench, deadlifts and squat would be challenging and motivating.

Now I'm going to run to the store and buy some MegaMammoth 1000+ to get me on track LOL.

[cog]

Frank Zane took time off every single year.

[andrewT]

I agree with you. I can count 5 younger people that I know for certain won't be training 10, 15, 20 years from now. I tend to believe the only reason they do it now is because of girls (some of you know who you are lol).

I started training when I was 14 for athletics. When I couldn't play sports at a high level any longer (broken neck) I transitioned to a bodybuilding style training. It was different than power training and challenged me differently both from a physical, mental and nutritional stand point.

I've had some time off of course due to injuries but as soon as I was fixed up I went back. Training is a lifestyle to me. Just like getting up and going to work is part of my life. Do I have days when I don't want to go? Sure I do and sometimes on those days I actually stay home or hang with friends but usually I end up going one way or another.

Working out has to be a lifestyle you live and not something you do JUST to try and stay in shape, bag girls or bit more healthy.

This I agree with wholeheartedly. The best way you can keep at it imo is to make it a lifestyle!