Simply can not self-motivate on resistance training. Help!

[Anonymous]

I've been focusing on my fitness for a few months now. I have one session with a personal trainer per week, go to one spin class, one yoga class, and one day of light jogging or hiking. My trainer gives me "homework" to do one day of resistance training on my own. I never have a problem getting motivated to get to the gym for that session, but I never manage to really push myself to do all the work with the same weight that she assigns. I just give up, or modify, or do two sets instead of three or something. Every. Single Time.

Anybody have any advice on finding that motivation? I've thought about a gym buddy, but I just don't have anyone who wants to do the same things, or at the same time. Do I just suck it up and pay for a second session a week?

[Anonymous]

When you want fitness enough, you'll do the exercises.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you want fitness enough, you'll do the exercises.

Right. I am committed to fitness, hence my consistent routine and getting myself there for the session. What I am having difficulty with is tapping into that motivation in the moment when my muscles are burning, or I feel self conscious, or I just want to be done. Any advice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you want fitness enough, you'll do the exercises.

Right. I am committed to fitness, hence my consistent routine and getting myself there for the session. What I am having difficulty with is tapping into that motivation in the moment when my muscles are burning, or I feel self conscious, or I just want to be done. Any advice?

Same advice. I've worked out all my life and always had a consistent routine. But my actual fitness level had varied based on how much I wanted to be REALLY fit. Strength exercises, more than anything, reshape your body. Cardio is good but doesn't affect your shape like strength training. It really is about wanting the change. There's no magic trick.

[Anonymous]

Get a set of dumbbells and do your weight training in front of a funny Netflix show.

[Anonymous]

Honestly I’d ask your trainer if there is a video you could use. Fitness blender/ beach body/ peloton. I’m with you. I can’t sit there and so reps on my own but give me a trainer (real or on tv) and I love it.

[Anonymous]

You sound like me. I need the accountability. I take a weight training class at a great price point twice a week now as a result. I would add a session with the trainer.

[Anonymous]

I can never work out as much by myself as I can with a trainer or in a class. That’s the major point of both of them: to get you to do things you otherwise wouldn’t do.

I do get closer when I’m listening to music I love or have just read an article about how the body increases muscle mass.

[Anonymous]

Go to a gym you like.
Buy flattering workout gear.
Turn on music that amps you up.
Watch YouTube videos of fitness people that inspire you.
Look at yourself in the mirror while you’re lifting and concentrate on flexing the intended muscle group.

[Anonymous]

I would never resistance train on my own because I find it painfully boring. I go to the gym 6 days a week. At least 5 of those days, I go to a group class. I make sure 1-2 are strength based, 2 are yoga classes, 1 is cardio (usually spinning), and 1 is something else, like barre.

[Anonymous]

Find a distraction. I like fitness videos because I don’t have to think. Listen to a podcast, Get a totally great audiobook you only listen to when resistance training, get some pop music that gets you moving, go with a friend.. anything that keeps your mind off the drudgery you feel. Don’t LET yourself cut corners, or you always will.

[Anonymous]

You just have to decide it’s important to you. And once you see and feel the results, you’ll likely get hooked.

[Anonymous]

Why not do strength training with the personal trainer every other week?

You seem like you’re motivated on all other aspects of fitness, so use your trainer where you need them. Done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not do strength training with the personal trainer every other week?

You seem like you’re motivated on all other aspects of fitness, so use your trainer where you need them. Done.

Thanks! But maybe I wasn't clear. I already strength train once per week with my trainer, but I really should be doing strength training twice a week and that second session on my own is what never works great. I'm thinking of actually upping my trainer to twice per week...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not do strength training with the personal trainer every other week?

You seem like you’re motivated on all other aspects of fitness, so use your trainer where you need them. Done.

Thanks! But maybe I wasn't clear. I already strength train once per week with my trainer, but I really should be doing strength training twice a week and that second session on my own is what never works great. I'm thinking of actually upping my trainer to twice per week...

I think you’re doing enough. Homework isn’t necessary.

If you truly think it is take up a hobby that works these muscles. Gardening—haul and turn mulch. Chop wood. Bread making.