Motivation

Tanarif

How do you stay motivated to go the gym regularly?
For a beginner, who has been the gym less than 10 times and also who works 40 hours a week.

parking_question_chap

Motivation is personal to the individual. We cant tell you how to be motivated.

Think about why you are going to the gym, and think about that each time you are considering not turning up.

But to answer the question, for me its

Exercise feels good
Keeps me in better shape than most people
And I guess the attractive female instructor is a nice perk too

UKTigerlily

For me, my PT is my motivation when not well enough to have any myself, and when well it's my drive to get where I want to be!

tamimurphy

I gym with my friends so whenever I give up they motivate me to keep going! I think working out with someone whose as passionate as you are really helps you in achieving your goal!

FBaby

I don't think about whether I want to go or not. I decide which days I'm going to go at the week-end, and then I just go. If I start thinking about how tired I am after a long day in the office, I would never go. I normally go thinking I won't cope but of course I do and of course I come out feeling much better for it.

I now take a very stubborn attitude, the more I start feeling that I don't want to go, the more I challenge myself to do so!

april87

I force myself to go whether I want to or not. The benefits of going far out weigh the negatives of not going.

sweetilemon

I end up chatting if I go with friends. I joined a gym that's a bit more appealing than previous gyms. It's got nice air con, tvs/Internet screens on each machine and a pool with a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. It's more expensive than other gyms I've been too but it's not such a horrible thought to go when I know I can occupy myself with the Internet or TV then relax in the pool after.

Angry_Bear

As someone said above, it's a very personal thing. For me:
1. I schedule it in so it has least disruption to my life (cycle to work, exercise classes at lunch time, that sort of thing)
2. I decide in advance what I'm going to do, and on which days. Importantly, I plan in rest days (otherwise, "it's time I had a rest" becomes an excuse)
3. I try to do something I'll enjoy, different classes, trying out new sports etc.
4. I need something to aim for. Being able to cycle to work all week, running a 10k, doing a half marathon, triathlon, marathon - choose your own challenge!
5. No excuses! A good excuse not to go leads to bad excuses not to go leads to just can't be bothered.

gt568

Tanarif wrote: »

How do you stay motivated to go the gym regularly?

Put a picture of yourself fat and naked on the bathroom mirror. Looking at that every morning keeps one motivated!

indesisiv

Whilst I don't go to the gym, I do run quite a bit.
I second what angry bear says:

Set yourself a goal.
Plan in advance, no excuses.
Once it becomes part of your routine then you will begin to miss it when you skip it.

fitnessguy1

i go to the gym and for a run and/or sprints very early morning. I sometimes get up at 4:30am to go for a run and tbh with you, most mornings I just wanna stay in bed, but I know that if I go for that run I am closer to my fitness and body goals. It is difficult i know, but you just gotta do it and push through that short term pain for the long term gain.