Gym motivation

[Desmo]

There are two ways to look at this Wossi, you can either look at those guys, feel intimidated and leave the gym. Or you can look at those guys, feel inspired and work harder.

I've been in both frames of mind before, but I can tell you which on works best and I can tell you where I'm at right now

To take a saying from a pro BB'er I've met..."It's not impossible, it just takes longer than you think".

[Belmit]

Originally Posted by Wossi

but I don't like going as I'm pretty damn unfit and always feel weird when training next to people who are like Will. Which is stupid but it's how my brain works.

Any seasoned gym-goer worth their salt will not look down on you no matter what size or shape you are. The fact that you're in the gym is enough to earn respect that you're doing something about your health. My gym is a bit of an OAP zone - about 50%-60% are over 50 and many are overweight, but the gym hasn't even been open a year yet so a lot of these people are the kind that never exercised at all before and joined up when it opened because it was local and convenient. Kudos to them for sticking at it and not thinking 'I'm too old/fat to start losing weight now'.

The only people that irk me in the gym are those that grab a magazine and sit on the recumbent bikes pedalling at 1km/h. Waste of time and space.

My main motivations are, in no particular order:

- Seeing results. The more overweight you are, the quicker you'll see results from training. As you progress, it gets harder to shift the fat but by then you can see the difference so you know it's working.

- Setting a plan. At the moment I'm doing resistance training three days a week, and cardio three days a week with one rest day. If I miss a day it means I've used up my rest day and will have to do something on the Sunday when I'd usually be resting, which sucks!

- Music. I simply wouldn't have half the motivation if I wasn't listening to something. Half the time I get lost in the music and forget I'm running like a madman.

[Piggymon]

I'm at the gym 6 days a week and working my nuts off without fail ( unless I absolutely cannot go for whatever reason )

My motivation ? I'm making real changes to my body and feel so much better about myself, I NEVER want my body to go back the way it was.

It's habit to me now and I'd be lost without the gym.

[Gnat]

I want to start going to the gym, but I always say i am going to go, and go and join, then for a while, I really do stick at it, but then get bored and stop going eventually. I dont cancel because I think "no, I WILL go back" and by the time i realise I actually wont, I have been paying for nothing every month.

I havent been since 2002.

Ooops

[Will]

Originally Posted by Wossi

I understand where you are coming from but it's almost a catch 22 situation. I want to go to get fitter/healthier, lose some weight and bulk up a bit, but I don't like going as I'm pretty damn unfit and always feel weird when training next to people who are like Will. Which is stupid but it's how my brain works.

The sooner I get it into my head that unless I do something about it I'll never change.

don't compare yourself to me - I've been doing it for 18 months seriously - I'm an addict it's not a fair comparison.

I'm always offering advice to new members and help them with their work out - obviously I'm not an expert and tell them so, but I'd never snub my nose at someone who's deciding to show some commitment and dedication.

[Wossi]

Sorry for using you as an example, no offence was intended. It's just that there were some at the gym who used to look down on people who were a lot smaller than them especially at the first gym I went to, but then it was run by an ex-professional body builder so catered more to body builders than people like me.

I'm going to look into re-joining and force myself to go on the way home (luckily I have to pass it to get home from work) and keep at it. The main thing I want to do is lose weight and get a bit fitter.

[BBx]

Originally Posted by Wossi

I understand where you are coming from but it's almost a catch 22 situation. I want to go to get fitter/healthier, lose some weight and bulk up a bit, but I don't like going as I'm pretty damn unfit and always feel weird when training next to people who are like Will. Which is stupid but it's how my brain works.

I totally understand what you mean.

Last year I put on a lot of weight, because of my body shape I put more fat on my thigh area and look a bit odd :/ anyway I was busting out of my 'fat jeans' and got to the point where enough was enough.

Plus the fact that we were doing Race For Life and I wanted to be fit for that - I had something to work towards, even though its only 5km its a great sense of achievement.

I guess what I am saying is that you possibly need some sort of incentive to kick start you off... mine at the moment is my holiday in a couple of weeks, but unfortunately I seem to have plateaued... anyway I think that's the starting point.

Why don't you book in a programme session with one of the trainers so you get a pattern to follow and like others have said block out tues and thurs evenings to go straight to the gym after work?

If you miss one, do something else - go walking or jogging - remember 'something' is better than nothing and we all have to start somewhere once you get over that first hurdle you will be fine!

BB x

[Will]

Originally Posted by Wossi

Sorry for using you as an example, no offence was intended. It's just that there were some at the gym who used to look down on people who were a lot smaller than them especially at the first gym I went to, but then it was run by an ex-professional body builder so catered more to body builders than people like me.

I'm going to look into re-joining and force myself to go on the way home (luckily I have to pass it to get home from work) and keep at it. The main thing I want to do is lose weight and get a bit fitter.

Don't be silly, not offence was taken, if anything I was rather flattered - in fact very flattered that you should choose me!

However what I meant was that it's silly to compare yourself to a serious gym addict - go there and do what you need to do, be inspired, don't feel like you have to be better or worse than them, do what you have to. It's hard when you beat yourself up over it, and doesn't do you any good!

[Admiral Huddy]

Originally Posted by Will

... It's hard when you beat yourself up over it, and doesn't do you any good!

We have all been here and I still do at times.

[Will]

Originally Posted by Admiral Huddy

We have all been here and I still do at times.

Ditto I have as you all know a very low regard and esteem about myself form a physical appearance point of view - that's my motivation for the gym, at least the body building will held detract from my insecurities - at least that's the theory.