FabSwingers.com forum: When you lack motivation to go to the gym.

By *hagTonight OP Man
over a year ago

From the land of haribos.

Do you have to force yourself to go to the gym when you dont feel like going? If that is so, that is a challenge in itself. I think that if you feel that, you should definitely find aspects of the gym that you enjoy the most, like maybe you know, doing sets that you are progressively overloading and you are getting stronger over time, maybe that will get you excited.

Focus on the positive sides, that should make going to the gym more exciting and then the initial battle of even going will become a bit smaller, because you wont even think of it like I have to go to the gym today, but you would be more hyper focused and say I am gonna do this set today.

If you can make it such in your mind the idea of going to the gym is not even a question but a guarantee that is the biggest steps to see results.

For example, if someone ever went into the gym and had an awesome workout, but half the time they took rest days, they wont get as good result as the one who does good workouts consistently day after day after day, not everyday, but you know what I mean.

What is your view about it, do you get those day when you dont feel like it and what do you do, do you take a day off? I dont take a day off. I rather still do the workout, but to train with about 70% capacity

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By *onameyet2Man
over a year ago

chorley

I go to the gym 6 mornings a week and work pretty hard so this morning a thought I’d have a lazy day and had a cold jacuzzi and a steam room with no steam

served me right for being lazy

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By *avexxMan
over a year ago

cheshire

take a day off and have rest, feels dam good too

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By *onameyet2Man
over a year ago

chorley

Never again, must try harder must try harder arrrrrfg please call an ambulance

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By *hief_Of_AlwaysMan
over a year ago

1313 Mockingbird Lane…

COFFEE!

I’m one of those people who...If I’m paying for something, you best believe I’m gonna use it.

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By *asycouple1971Couple
over a year ago

midlands

I'm not a gym freak.

I go when I have nothing else to do but also like having a lazy Netflix day.

Will be gym today though.

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By *ravelling_WilburyMan
over a year ago

Beverley

If your body tells you you need a day off then take one. None of us on here are professional athletes

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By *razytimesinloveCouple
over a year ago

SW Scotland

If it’s a case of me being tired I’ll just take more pre workout. If it’s been ongoing for a week then I’ll take a deload week and drop the weights to 50%.

If that doesn’t help then I’ll change my training for a few weeks to mix it up

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"If your body tells you you need a day off then take one. None of us on here are professional athletes "

How do you know that?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I mix things up. Focus on doing things I enjoy. I wouldn't have lasted 3 months if all I ever did was push weights.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Sometimes esp in winter I find the hardest challenge is just getting out of the house!

look outside & it’s raining or freezing cold & you nice and cozy inside lol

But i just get dressed and force myself out, cause life doesn’t reward quitters & I like to look good naked haha

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By *iltsTSgirlTV/TS
over a year ago

Chichester

Gym today

and more humorous conversation in changing room no doubt which is always entertaining

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

At least 5 years now !

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By *ungLewisMan
over a year ago

West of Exeter

"Gym today

and more humorous conversation in changing room no doubt which is always entertaining "

Damn I need to change gyms

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By *an_spMan
over a year ago

Coventry

It’s better to do a suboptimal workout that keeps you going at the gym rather than an optimal one that keeps you away.

Skipping one day when you don’t feel like it is a healthy relationship with the gym. Your body has always a way of telling when you need a day off. One way is feeling shit, another way is performing poorly at the gym because you might have passed your MRV.

Being consistent at the end of the day is what makes your gains, if that’s what you’re after at the gym

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Luckily I love going to the gym, so I rarely struggle for motivation. Quite the opposite, on occasions when I can’t go, injury/illness for example, I become very frustrated and puts me on a downer until I can back in there.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My problem is I really need to go to the gym ! Stumbling block is I have really bad anxiety ! I also need a new hip and I know I need to improve my fitness.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have a gym membership but never go to the gym.

I didn't even want it but it comes with the pool membership. I do yoga, Karate, walk, cycle and hike though but I just can't face the gym. It's so boring. I need the scenery to be changing

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have a gym membership but never go to the gym.

I didn't even want it but it comes with the pool membership. I do yoga, Karate, walk, cycle and hike though but I just can't face the gym. It's so boring. I need the scenery to be changing "

The scenery changes all the time. But you're not allowed to look at it

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By *obilebottomMan
over a year ago

All over

Some people just don't like the gym. I am.not that fond of it myself. So much else to do if you arr not into it, especially if you are an outdoorsey person. Lots of activities and ofyen lots of nice stops on the way for a bit of cake and energy replenishment

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Looking in the mirror at the mad pump is all the motivation I need

But seriously, I found that once I got into the habit of going regularly, I'd feel guilty and actually feel worse physically having not gone. Considering I go after work as well, it's a good way to release all the stress from work to me concentrating on that day. And it especially works if I've had a bad day and I feel amazing having gone

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By *ilthycoupleabzCouple
over a year ago

Aberdeen

I don't go to the gym at all.

Have weights at home and go running outside.

I force myself to workout but if I could magically eat and not put on weight, I would never workout again.

MrsAbz

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By *p4funCouple
over a year ago

Plymouth

I lack motivation to get out of bed to be honest

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By *hagTonight OP Man
over a year ago

From the land of haribos.

"I go to the gym 6 mornings a week and work pretty hard so this morning a thought I’d have a lazy day and had a cold jacuzzi and a steam room with no steam

served me right for being lazy

"
Yes, that is good to have a rest too.

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By *hagTonight OP Man
over a year ago

From the land of haribos.

"COFFEE!

I’m one of those people who...If I’m paying for something, you best believe I’m gonna use it."
Yes, same here. I also have coffee, especially before my workout, it helps a lot too.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have those session's where I can't be bothered going but when I drag myself there I end up having a great workout.

I split my training between my garage gym and a proper gym.

I use the proper gym for cardio and heavy sessions where I know I need a spotter.

I'm currently using a 531 strength app for bench, squat and deadlift.

I've uses it in the passed and had some impressive lifts for a non pedal user

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By *cott14Man
over a year ago

Essex

My motivation is not dying in a horrible mid life mess. I’ve always been very active so never had to gym train. Now I predominantly work from home or drive to the office my initial focus is simply to get into the habit of going

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By *ink vixenCouple
over a year ago

Medway

What is life without the odd indulgence?

Have a day off. Eat some cake.

The gym will be there tomorrow.

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

I'd go, if I had lower motivation, as once there, there's plenty to do. It's easy to modify things and I feel that keeping the schedule, as if it's as natural as daily essentials, like getting up, eating etc, means it becomes something that you will do regardless. Changing programmes is easy, if you're in one that's not giving you the returns you want.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"What is life without the odd indulgence?

Have a day off. Eat some cake.

The gym will be there tomorrow. "

So will the cake.

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By *quirrel!Man
over a year ago

Make it essential

Put it in your daily routine

have a plan and stick to it

Don’t get hung up on gains - it’s a slow process but it’s giving you a longer life

It’s ok to listen to your body and take a break

Remember to fuel and eat right

Take your motivation from multiple sources (but make sure if they’re spouting science that they’re qualified to do so!)

Etc etc

Now get down to the gym

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By *hagTonight OP Man
over a year ago

From the land of haribos.

"I'm not a gym freak.

I go when I have nothing else to do but also like having a lazy Netflix day.

Will be gym today though."
That is good to go when you have nothing to do, have a good workout today too

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have a gym membership but never go to the gym.

I didn't even want it but it comes with the pool membership. I do yoga, Karate, walk, cycle and hike though but I just can't face the gym. It's so boring. I need the scenery to be changing

The scenery changes all the time. But you're not allowed to look at it

Ha ha

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I struggle with chronic insomnia so some days like today I feel drained.

It’s only been two months since I’ve been attending the gym I go mainly 2x a week.

I felt drained today so I skipped going but tomorrow I’ll definitely be going.

I love how exercise makes me feel.

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By *hagTonight OP Man
over a year ago

From the land of haribos.

"I mix things up. Focus on doing things I enjoy. I wouldn't have lasted 3 months if all I ever did was push weights."
That is good you mix things up and yes, it is more fun then. I also do the same as well

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By *hagTonight OP Man
over a year ago

From the land of haribos.

"If your body tells you you need a day off then take one. None of us on here are professional athletes "
Yes, it is good with a rest day too.

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By *ilthycoupleabzCouple
over a year ago

Aberdeen

"If your body tells you you need a day off then take one. None of us on here are professional athletes Yes, it is good with a rest day too."

My body tells me everyday should be a rest day

I made myself do 40 mins chest and back plus a 5k walk though. Go me!

MrsAbz

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By *rHotNottsMan
over a year ago

Dubai & Nottingham

I tend to accept that I go through highs and lows of energy.

I’ve learnt over the years that consistency of training is the most important thing, staying injury free and having the physical and mental energy to train regularly.

My Life doesn’t allow me to have set training days, but I have a set routine that I repeat so whenever I go to the gym next I always know exactly what I’m doing.

I tried to try and 3 to 4 times a week. If I find I’ve not been for three or four days, I get real with myself and understand why maybe take another 24 hours and really relax, eat some super foods, drink lots of water I’m promise myself to get in and do even a basic 20-min session. This usually puts me back in the zone.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Reading or Watching a summary of Atomic Habits may help get you moving.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

As someone who swims and runs every day I know full well the hardest part isn't actually the last mile, but the first step through the door.

I've found that breaking it down into small steps helps.

Get your kit on.

Have a glass of water.

Use the toilet.

Put your shoes on.

Most of all be gentle with yourself.

You know that later on once you've done it you will feel better.

Right now I'm off for my run in the rain and cold. Good luck.

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By *ust RachelTV/TS
over a year ago

Horsham

Never been one for going the gym, but used to get out on the bike. I went cycling pretty much 7 days a week all year round, with training rides, time trials, club rides.

Now, I struggle to get back out on the bike. Typically though, I need to exercise, just can't get motivated.

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By *onameyet2Man
over a year ago

chorley

"I have those session's where I can't be bothered going but when I drag myself there I end up having a great workout.

I split my training between my garage gym and a proper gym.

I use the proper gym for cardio and heavy sessions where I know I need a spotter.

I'm currently using a 531 strength app for bench, squat and deadlift.

I've uses it in the passed and had some impressive lifts for a non pedal user"

Pedal ?

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By *onameyet2Man
over a year ago

chorley

I go 6 times a week at 6am, different thing every day, leg routine, upper body routine ( not big weights), swim, cycle, run with a Pilates class one night, stops it getting boring anc keeps everything in trim, I go for the bike if I’m not motivated and always end up doing far more than intended

Keep it up guys you will reap the benefits later in life when your peers are at the docs every other day

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By *inister_SpinsterWoman
over a year ago

Manchester(ish).

I'd suggest that having a plan, is better than relying on motivation.

Lots of good ideas on this thread.

I'd add, if you're thinking about going to do some exercise.

Stop thinking and just go.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Will power beats motivation.

If your will power isn’t great, try easier goals to start with and build yourself up.

A strong mind helps build a strong body and vice versa.

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By *hagTonight OP Man
over a year ago

From the land of haribos.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Reading Atomic Habits by James Clear also helps

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

When I feel like that I know it’s something wrong with my programming and cns fatigue starting to kick in as usually training it’s the highlight of my day I look forward to it and think about it all day at work if it’s a gym night. In those cases a few days off does you good lets cns recover enthusiasm returns and you avoid burning out.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Find something you enjoy instead. I have zero interest in the gym so I walk a lot and go swimming instead.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I have to push myself to get moving and get out of the house but I very much enjoy it once I'm there, and know that I do. It is that knowledge that motivates me to get going

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