Motivation

[Anonymous]

I have gained a lot of weight. I really need to get to the gym and lose weight but I have no motivation. I decide to go to the gym the night before but in the morning I have zero motivation and do not go, What can I do??

[Anonymous]

An object in motion stays in motion.

You just have to do it. There is no secret. Commit to 3 days a week. Whether that's 3 days in a row, or 3 random days, you have to do it.

Think of it as an appointment with yourself. Do you show up to doctor's appointments, work meetings, or lunch with friends? Why would you be a no-show to yourself, if you wouldn't do others? Don't miss your appointment. Go.

[Anonymous]

OP - When you go to the gym, is it about working out with the equipment? If so, may be try classes. They become social to the extent you're interested.

[Anonymous]

Do you have space for any equipment in your house? It's hard to make excuses if you can simply go to your basement/office etc. I get home from work at 4:45 and my butt is on the Peloton bike or on the mat by 5 most days.

[Anonymous]

It is not motivation. It is just discipline. You have to make a contract with yourself you will exercise.

Google Arnold Schwarzenegger - he has videos from the 70’s and 80’s talking about how the gym sucks and it is just all about discipline and anyone can do it. Granted he was an extremely disciplined person to build that body but something in the middle is all you need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An object in motion stays in motion.

You just have to do it. There is no secret. Commit to 3 days a week. Whether that's 3 days in a row, or 3 random days, you have to do it.

Think of it as an appointment with yourself. Do you show up to doctor's appointments, work meetings, or lunch with friends? Why would you be a no-show to yourself, if you wouldn't do others? Don't miss your appointment. Go.

This! It has to be made a habit and unnegotiable part of the day until you can really “want” to go. I’m in a similar situation. What’s motivating for me is seeing my step goal met each day — or lately, seeing my “below average” V02 max level start trending toward the healthier level (even if the scale remains stagnant). I also need to keep reviewing videos of myself. Many of us don’t even realize how different we look than our ideal. Our brains protect us from the reality, so when we see ourselves it can be jarring enough to stay on track. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

You just have to make yourself do it. We do a lot of thing because we know we have to not because we feel motivated. I am not motivated to cook dinner or go to work most days, but hey I get it done.

Discipline is more important than motivation. Fit people are not always motivated to go to the gym or exercise, but they are disciplined enough to go even when they don't want to.

[Anonymous]

Morning might not be your time. I have never been able to motivate to exercise in the morning, so I do late afternoon/early evening and let the momentum of the day carry me through. Try different times and see what works for you.

[Anonymous]

I am stubborn. My spouse told me he didn't think I'd stick with an exercise program. I showed him, I've been exercising for 15.5 years.

Find a reason to do it that works for you

[Anonymous]

What are you doing at the gym? If it something you don't enjoy, that could be a contributing factor. My gym charges if you don't show up for a reserved class -- that's motivation.

[Anonymous]

Maybe this is helpful:

https://jamesclear.com/habits

Getting started is usually the hardest part. Once you begin to see the benefits it gets easier.

Good luck! I went from zero strength training last April to 2x/week now.

Your future self will thank you.

[Anonymous]

Start small. Set your clothes out. No matter what and put them on. If you only walk around your kitchen, cool. Just do it 3x a week.

The following week, make it to the gym. Don’t work out if you don’t feel like it. Just keep that appointment with yourself.

The following week, commit to 5 minutes walking the treadmill, lifting weights or a class. Just 5 minutes and you are done.

Keep “keeping” your date with yourself and your esteem will improve over time and you will have developed a discipline you once thought was impossible. Don’t judge yourself or let anyone else. This is your journey and yours alone. Good luck! I have been there. Find a way to reward yourself each time you take a step forward.

This is a method described in a book called Tiny Habits.

[Anonymous]

You don't need Motivation, you need Discipline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't need Motivation, you need Discipline.

Discipline is hard too. Doesn't work for me and possibly OP, but what the person above you suggested does.

[Anonymous]

Find something you like and a schedule that works. I prefer group fitness settings. When my kids were little and I was a SAHM I got up and went to a kickboxing class in my neighborhood at 6 am so I could get home before DH left for work because that was what worked. Now my kids are teens and can drive so I can go to a class when I'm done working at 4 (I am in the Midwest working on east coast time). Get a dog to walk.