Post: #1

i no longer feel motivated to go to the gym and idky. im half assing sets, the weight im pushing is becoming less and mentally i know whats wrong but i think im just getting bored.

i have been going to the gym pretty religiously for the last 2 1/2 years. i started cause i was extremely over weight. 205 lbs and im 5'5. i worked myself down to 153. then fell in love with weight lifting and tried to bulk and failed miserably. i went up to 185, but now im currently at 165. im not fat, but im not skinny or have the body i desire. however i dont feel motivated enough to work as i did before. i mean i get enough attention from girls and im not in bad shape, but i dont have the body that i wish. and tbh i can see my body slowly getting flabby and soft.

have any of you every experienced this? is this just a phase? is there anything you would recommend that would might help? im open to anything at this moment. i almost 20, so would it be a testosterone problem?

thanks

Post: #2

You could try changing your routine to mix things up, but it sounds like your problem is one of motivation - as in not having a greater purpose for being there.

What are you trying to accomplish?

One thing that might instill you with some purpose is getting into some kind of sport. So the working out then becomes not just about staying in shape but something you use to get an edge for your sport.

Anyhow, if you don't really have any purpose and it's just general health and you don't care about being bigger anymore, you could always cut back to the bare minimum for staying in half-way decent shape. A couple days a week can do that for you. It becomes a simple part of your life maintenance, like cleaning your house or walking your dog. Not all that inspiring, but it'll keep you from becoming a slob.

Or maybe you've just lost your belief in yourself that getting bigger is possible because you failed. Time to hit the books, figure out what other people are doing, and get hyped about taking another run at it.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #3

Perhaps you need a break for a week or two...maybe a holiday?

This time of year makes people go a bit crazy!

Post: #4

I think Elliot explains it, fuck motivation, it get you started but it won't keep you going:

Post: #5

Switch your gym routine?

Post: #6

(11-19-2014 10:46 AM)Aros Wrote:  I think Elliot explains it, fuck motivation, it get you started but it won't keep you going:

agreed. Motivation is like coffee, u gotta have it daily..

so a better way to word it is lost my "determination".

i still have decent size, but i am noticing clothes not fitting as tight on the arms and having less of a pump..


but thanks ill try maybe switching it up a bit.

Post: #7

BB - "Not all that inspiring, but it'll keep you from becoming a slob."

I think this is why many people seem depressed when older. All of life becomes a form of this. Lol.

Post: #8

When internal motivation is lacking, try an external motivating goal to get you going. Get in there to look good for a summer trip, set up a photoshoot, or some other event down the line to look forward to. Use it as your initial motivation until your internal motivation kicks back in on its own once your start seeing results consistently again.

Whatever you do, eat clean as much as possible, watch your calorie intake and move around a little (even a light 30 minute walk/day will work).

Post: #9

Don't use text speak bro, you're asking for a ban if you carry on that way.

To your actual question, take a break then see how you feel.

Post: #10

This is my humble personal routine:
- Do you hit the weights once you start? I always start with cardio first. The point is to warm-up, but also deplete your glyco load before hitting the weights.

a. (100m Sprint + 1 min. rest + 100m Sprint + 1 min. rest + 10. min uphill bike) x 3 = ~35 min. cardio.
b. 2 mile run + weighted jump rope ( 2 min. max reps) x 5. This is my boxing warm-up ;your wrists might feel a bit tense from the jump rope weight initially.
c. If it's leg day, then do rowing for cardio. 2500-5000m is ideal depending on your endurance level.

-I look at the "What would you consider a 10" thread and it get's my blood pumping every-time.
- Ignore the scale. If you truly lost fat, you can FEEL the difference when doing sprints or any body-weight exercise.
- Find a mentor of any kind, who has a booming for motivating people, say a martial arts instructor, army trainer or even your father. Whenever you are about to give, just imagine their voice screaming "Stop bein' a little bitch!!!" As ridiculous as it sounds, it works for me.

Most importantly, we are all red-pillers here. We all made a fraternal commitment here to perceptually self-improve. Look in the mirror every morning and then pursue the intrinsic Adonis. Be a selfless narcissist, by being chiseled you are balancing out an appalling land-whale would just pursued some McNuggets.

Post: #11

Ahh I have this problem sometimes too.

Normally what I do is take time off like a week tops. Sometimes i'll just stop weight lifting entirely and do some hard cardio. Basically anything to break me down. I notice this occurs when I've over trained from a lack of a proper diet.

Try doing some cardio and take a break from the weights. Also switch up your routine. What part of your body isn't looking good?

Post: #12

Stop going to the gym! It's obviously not working for you anymore!

Why be bored? Why be uninspired? Why give a "half assed" effort?

That will only lead to boring, uninspired, and "half assed" results..

Change your routine! Change your fitness lifestyle! Change your habits!

Change your location! Change your scenery! Change your workout partner!

===

I go through this every few months. I get bored with my diet and exercise routine.

When this happens.. I make wholesale changes..

I join a new gym. I start working out at the beach. I do completely new workouts.

I find new people to workout with. I change up my music. I get new headphones. I get new workout clothes.

I find new recipes to cook. New foods to eat. New ways to cook.

===

Change everything!

Try yoga.
Try Olympic style lifts.
Try pull up bar workouts.
Try power stretching.
Try running at the beach.
Try gymnastic type workouts
etc.

If you need a break from working out, focus on evolving your diet and cooking skills!

Learn to make fish.
Learn to make soup/stew/chili.
Learn to make a proper vegetable dish.
Learn to make eggs.
Etc.

Reinvent yourself and the way you maintain our body

(Or, just take a week off and see how you feel next week)

Post: #13

(11-19-2014 12:20 PM)Travesty444 Wrote:  BB - "Not all that inspiring, but it'll keep you from becoming a slob."

I think this is why many people seem depressed when older. All of life becomes a form of this. Lol.

I agree. That does sound fucking depressing. ha

The above suggestion is preferable to doing nothing, but most certainly not ideal. I'd rather see the OP solve his motivation problem and generate some thirst for physical activity again.

I think Gio has offered a great perspective.

In fact:

I also find that when I think I've lost an interest in something, picking up books written by people who are passionate about it reinvigorates my own passion, putting it back into perspective. Reading about fitness can seem counter-productive, especially with the surplus of info and the danger of overload, but in situations like this, forcing yourself to dig into a book you're not all that interested in might surprise you.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #14

(11-19-2014 08:42 AM)SunnyToyz Wrote:  i no longer feel motivated to go to the gym and idky. im half assing sets, the weight im pushing is becoming less and mentally i know whats wrong but i think im just getting bored.

i have been going to the gym pretty religiously for the last 2 1/2 years. i started cause i was extremely over weight. 205 lbs and im 5'5. i worked myself down to 153. then fell in love with weight lifting and tried to bulk and failed miserably. i went up to 185, but now im currently at 165. im not fat, but im not skinny or have the body i desire. however i dont feel motivated enough to work as i did before. i mean i get enough attention from girls and im not in bad shape, but i dont have the body that i wish. and tbh i can see my body slowly getting flabby and soft.

have any of you every experienced this? is this just a phase? is there anything you would recommend that would might help? im open to anything at this moment. i almost 20, so would it be a testosterone problem?

thanks

Drop in Motivation?
It can happen to anyone, from elite athlete to regular gym goer.
I think you just happen to be in a comfort zone. Happens to me over time as well.

I'd suggest you research more about 'periodization'.
You need good rest & recovery cycles allied with bomb proof nutrition to hit your targets. Your own genetic potential of course also plays a part in that. Since we can't change that, the variables you can work on are as follows:

3 MAIN AREAS:
1) workout programs-the physical work involved.
-lifting weights, doing bodyweight movements, kettlebells & freeweights, running, swimming etc.

2)nutrition
-balanced according to the different food groups.
-not gonna get into the merits of Paleo vs Vegan & all that but worth researching if you wanna switch your results.
-i personally do Intermittent Fasting, the 16/8 (16 hours fast/ 8 hours feeding period) because i find that works very well for me. That's done about 3 to 4 times a week for me. Other days it's 3 squares a day. I'm not into the 6 small meals practice. Research & test out if it will work for you.
-i don't take commercial protein shakes. Most i'll go for is chocolate milk for post workouts IF i've done a gym based session.

3) rest & recovery
-consistently get between 6 to 8 hours quality sleep. Unplug your electronics from sockets in your room. Turn out the lights.
-invest in a simple foam roller for massaging muscles post workout.
-Giovonny's advice is spot on here.
-switch up your workout programs after they get too damn easy. The ol' 3 sets of ten reps can get boring. You want to be stretched in your workouts but not stressed. So, somewhere in between easy & boring to causing muscle trauma should be the sweet spot.

I'm being really general here. I'm sure some of the stuff i've listed is already familiar to you. The key thing is making sure you're keeping it real in all 3 main areas first. If you're not getting enough sleep or you're having nutritional deficiencies, then whatever physical work you're putting in is being wasted.
Hence, motivation can drop if one isn't getting the intended results.
Not saying that's what you're doing but i figure it's worth reflecting on. Getting the basics right first.

There are some very solid threads in the forum on getting any specific info you're looking for.
Giovonny gave some great advice about changing things up here.
I'm seeing a number of other posters with pretty solid insights in this thread as well.
To summarize, from me..it's this. Get your basics right first.
Good luck & well done for taking the first step by asking.

-

Post: #15

No one is fully motivated to go to the gym all the time.

If there's one thing that bothers me sometimes is knowing that muscle gain comes very, very slow, and takes time. This is true in general, although I'm sure many guys can put on muscle mass a lot faster than me.

I consider this thought, it demotivates me a bit, but I make the trip to the gym regardless.

Maybe you just literally have to

Post: #16

Personally I am primarily motivated by two things, the progress I make over time and the feeling I get from lifting heavy weights. By writing down and tracking the weights and number of sets each workout, I get a huge sense of satisfaction from the improvement I make - even if I only lift an extra 2.5 kg, or manage an extra repetition, that is enough for me. As for the euphoric feeling I get after a session of heavy squats/deadlifts/presses - that feeling seems to develop and strengthen over time.

Another thing that motivates me to work hard at the gym is food, particularly steak. Here's what I will do if I'm sitting at home and can't be bothered heading out to work out.

• Write a list of what I will acheive in the gym.
• Take an enormous ribeye steak out of the fridge.
• Salt and pepper steak, cover and leave on bench to come to room temperature.
• Head to gym, work hard and don't leave until I've completed what's on my list.
• Come home, grill and devour steak.
  

Nothing beats the feeling of a belly full of beef after a heavy workout. Combine the euphoria of lifting heavy weights with a post work out steak, and let this become your addiction.

Post: #17

Jamie Lewis has blogged about this extensively. Google "staleness chaos and pain" and you'll find it.

I would just 'deload' to two days per week and drop all lifts except for pullups, dips, back squat, and light dumbbell work. You've been lifting 2.5 years. Why get out of the habit now?

You could also do something completely different to increase interest. Go to a different gym, blow 170 bucks on a sandbag with handles, train with nothing but bodyweight/calisthenics at a local park for six weeks, take up sprinting.

If the reason you don't want to lift is because you're fatter than you'd like, then set two to six weeks aside and do a PSMF.

If you notice other areas of your life suffering (not just weights), you might also have a mild depression, possibly brought on by SAD. In that case I recommend supplementing vitamin D, NAC, and ZMA. I take these among a few other supplements especially during the winter. Your max daily doses of vitamin D are about 20,000 IU (I take the max if I'm feeling blue, do not exceed 20k), NAC need not exceed 2400 mg/daily (there no is no upper limit), ZMA is three caps.

Post: #18

What were you doing in the gym before?

I would say, general rule of thumb, if you were strength training before, do a bodybuilding bro split for a while.

If you were bodybuilding, do some strength training. One tends to prime the other for fast growth. If you're anything like me, results give you some motivation.

Or change shit up entirely. Do one lift a day and hammer on it. Try doing odd stuff like bodyweight workouts outdoors, sandbag work, flipping tires and shit. Maybe join a rockclimbing club. Go outside for a bike ride.

Post: #19

I went through the same stage about 3 years ago. The thing is that you're not happy with going to the gym every week and doing the same shit over and over again. You got to move things up a bit and maybe you will get motivated.

Try a new sport, run, swim or do whatever the fuck suits you. I'm not saying you should completely stop going but perhaps you could change that old ass routine.

I go to hit the weights about 2 times a week now, and do cross fit 5 times a week. I ruin eh en i hit the weights as well. That's what I like, find what you enjoy and do that.

Post: #20

Emperor God Trump motivated me to get into the gym today. Laying in bed being lazy, I heard a voice...

"Jeb Bush, low energy"

It reverberated through my brain..."low energy, low energy, low energy"

Fuck this. Out of bed and to the gym!

I lifted for Trump today!

Post: #21

When i do my workout in the morning, im pumped for the whole day. If i don't work out, i feel flat for the whole day. This is why i go to the gym!

How do you want to feel tomorrow?