Motivation

[OfWolfandMan]

Where do you find your motivation..especially in the times when it seems like there is no thrill to training anymore,but you know you cant let yourself give up?Lately Ive had the worse mental approach to my training.I really cant point out what it is,but something has to change fast.I figured that maybe only going in to do my main max effort lifts,and dynamic effort lifts would help,but then Im almost afraid to do that.

 

[SoSadBtTrue]

You could try a new routine. You need to get excited about training again, and I find that changing things up sometimes does that for you. You gotta keep things interesting for you.

 

[big4life]

Yep, somethimes you have to change it up. I will also write down short term goals to go after to keep me motivated, or to get me going again. When I say "short term" I mean like weekly or even daily goals. There is something about seeing it on paper that makes me go after it with a little more intensity.

 

[forty-six & 2]

big4life is right. i started writing down my training sessions about 3 or 4 months ago and everytime i go into the gym, i know excatly what i must do to best my last attempt at that particular bodypart. seeing what you did last week, or 2 weeks ago, on paper has a different mental effect. i also noticed that if you go to the gym at a different time of the day, there is a different environment, different people there which tends to change up things in my mind. seems to work for me, just some suggestions.

 

[coolcolj]

I watch an Ironmind oly tape

 

[150shot]

I always know there is someone with just like me, same height close weight that is training harder and looks better which keeps me going.

 

[Cuthbert]

You training alone Aaron?

If so.. find a partner. Makes a huge difference.

 

[b fold the truth]

Phil Phister
Odd Haugden
Jared Spybrook
Jon Anderson
Nick Courtad
Chad Smith
Shawn Smith

There are a few good reasons why I should be motivated for Boston.

B True

 

[protobe]

Yep, somethimes you have to change it up. I will also write down short term goals to go after to keep me motivated, or to get me going again. When I say "short term" I mean like weekly or even daily goals. There is something about seeing it on paper that makes me go after it with a little more intensity.

I def have to agree. Short term goal if we all look at our long term goal we'll all give up. Arnold said "if you can live with the small gains, you will have good luck, no one gets big overnight"
its true bro it takes time and patience. Just listen to some heavy metal and get pumped.

 

[Scotsman]

Sit down and focus on your life. Look at all the good and bad things. figure out where working out fits in and which things it helps. Putting everything in perspective usually gives me the motivation I need. Also thinking about all those others who don't have the heart to do what we do and how their lives will end in dissapointment because they never figured out what meant something to them.

Getting down about training is a normal thing just change up a couple of things and get back at it. Quitting should never be an option just re-focus and go.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[OfWolfandMan]

Thanks guys.Cuthbert,yes I train alone.There are a few people that like to try what I do every once in a while,but they end up going back to the showy type lifts(the only squats I ever see anyone doing here are partials on the smith machine.No deadlifts.Lots of bench presisng and curls)I worte up a new routine last night to try to get myself to have a fresh attitude towards training,so that should help.Ive been letting people at the gym get to me too much(negative attitudes and the stupid things some of them do),which is something I need to get a grip on too...need to remember that Im there to become a better competitor.Not to worry about them
Today is a new day.I feel alot better about going in to train today,and hope that I can keep feeling this way.Thanks again guys.

 

[coolcolj]

Variety in training can help as well

 

[OfWolfandMan]

I did light deads with bands and chains tonight,just to try them.Im still feeling pretty worn from un intentionally hitting lower body 3x pretty hard last week.It went pretty well...I felt a little more motivated,and excited about getting to the gym.Towards the ends some of the high school kids were laughing about the chains I was using....it gets old puting up with these types of idiots.I dont say anything because when I do I end up going a little overboard.Oh well...

 

[kingc_79]

i say start posting your workouts on here and chemicalmuscle and let people give you their opinions and critiques. i've been in the same boat lately and you really made me think with this post. that helps me, and watch some vids of ppl that are in your wt class. dont mean to sound too cheesy but watchin vids of ppl like linder and ls(and of course clint although not qute my wt class) motivates me and pushes me harder. gotta have something to shoot for i guess.

 

[WalkingBeast]

Now this is what the training board should be about! Great suggestions! I know the feeling of losing motivation, thinking "why the fuck am I still doing this?" Its hard sometimes. Then I see myself so close to those 20 inch arms and poundages I once dreamed of, I can taste it. Its like showing a wolf blood. Then on the other side, I see myself small as fuck and in terrible condition.
These internal battles fuel my training along with a shitload of rage and anger, though kept in a somewhat controlled environment. Unfortunately, now Ive been out of the gym 3 weeks due to an injury and am becoming a dangerously depressed and hostile individual. My motivation is higher then ever now, I cant wait to lift heavy again!!!!!!!!

 

[OfWolfandMan]

Thanks again guys.Seeing everyones replies has motivated me more than anything.Kingc,I may start posting them.I have a "weblog"on xanga.com,but dont get any feed back from that so it would probably be better posting it on one of the boards.Ive been watching more of the videos and reading more posts lately.It really does help.I have to live up to my screen name,and get the same drive back that used to be there.
I know it will come back.I know that if I dont at least try to give 100% that Im letting down everyone that has ever taken the time out to help me.Taking a day off for Christmas is going to be a good thing,and I will go in with a new attitude on friday

 

[kingc_79]

just watch the tape of the nashville contest...that should motivate the crap out of ya. those were some fast stones

 

[ckritcoad]

My biggest problem in the past was that I would workout hard for 6 months, then find stupid reasons not to workout for a couple weeks. This went on for a few years. I would lose most of my progress and gains and have to start over. I finally matured as a lifter and decided to make a change. Even if I'm not motivated to workout, I still go through the motions. Even if it is a week workout, it keeps me in the gym, and I know I will eventually get motivated again. Just my experience.
C

 

[Cuthbert]

i say start posting your workouts on here and chemicalmuscle and let people give you their opinions and critiques. i've been in the same boat lately and you really made me think with this post. that helps me, and watch some vids of ppl that are in your wt class. dont mean to sound too cheesy but watchin vids of ppl like linder and ls(and of course clint although not qute my wt class) motivates me and pushes me harder. gotta have something to shoot for i guess.

Thanks Chad... seriously.

Do you think you'll be making it up to Boston? It would be good to see you.

 

[Cuthbert]

Thanks again guys.Seeing everyones replies has motivated me more than anything.Kingc,I may start posting them.I have a "weblog"on xanga.com,but dont get any feed back from that so it would probably be better posting it on one of the boards.Ive been watching more of the videos and reading more posts lately.It really does help.I have to live up to my screen name,and get the same drive back that used to be there.
I know it will come back.I know that if I dont at least try to give 100% that Im letting down everyone that has ever taken the time out to help me.Taking a day off for Christmas is going to be a good thing,and I will go in with a new attitude on friday

Stick with it Aaron. I have faith you'll pull through.. we all go through this crap.

Start posting your workouts.. I need to start putting them up again here.

 

[b fold the truth]

Come down and train with me again...

B True

 

[kingc_79]

Thanks Chad... seriously.

Do you think you'll be making it up to Boston? It would be good to see you.

not sure but i think so...just started my job but i dont think it will a prob. ill find out for sure in a couple weeks. i'm real anxious. it'll be fun contest im sure.

 

[Dave949]

Cycle your workouts. Cycle your intensity. Break out of the mental/muscle rut and Do exercises/sets/reps you never done before. We are creatures of habit and it is challenging and it takes discipline to actually do things different than what we have been doing for so long.

And yeah....as previously mentioned....nothing like watching a good muscle video to zap the ol muscle/mental blues.

 

[OfWolfandMan]

Ive really been wanting to come down to Murray again,but dont have a job right now.Hopefully that will change next week.You guys really helped out alot!!Thanks