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sault11
08-26-2013, 04:08 PM
Have you ever wondered what drives you to slave in the gym day in and day out? Sometimes I start pondering why I do what I do in the gym and I've come to a few plausible conclusions. It's about challenge and improving myself. In this article, I will talk a bit about motivation. I know that I get into a mental slump every so often in which case I will take a week off. This hasn't happened in awhile because I'm still running on motivation from Nationals. One way to stay motivated is to constantly remind yourself that a worth-while pay-off lies ahead; a new, healthy, stronger you is emerging. Effective, consistent exercise will not only improve your overall health and fitness, but will also improve your appearance, energy level, and social interactions. Also, look forward to the many psychological benefits as well: confidence, self-esteem, and relief from depression, anxiety and stress. If you are serious about your health and well-being, you will take action and begin an exercise program, and you will benefit in all these ways. Once you see the results, you will become even more motivated. Action creates motivation!

Set Goals Goal-setting is another great way of staying motivated. Goals focus your workout program and clarify what you are trying to achieve. As you attain each goal, you gain encouragement and further motivation. Here is how to achieve the goals you set and obtain the results you deserve.

1. Make sure your goals are measurable: A vague goal, such as "I want to be fit," gives you nothing to shoot for. Decide when and what you are going to achieve, such as "I want to lose 2 percent of my body fat by August 1st."

2. Be realistic: Make sure your goals are attainable. If you set your expectations too high, you will get frustrated and will be more likely to quit. Make sure, however, that your goals are not too easy; they should be challenging. When you achieve a challenging goal, your pride and satisfaction will create more motivation.

3. Set short-term goals as stepping stones to your "ultimate" (long-term) goals: If your long-term goal is to bench press 200 pounds in one year, then set short-term weekly or monthly goals of the weight you will need to bench press to achieve your long term goal--develop a plan. It is a lot easier to accomplish a goal one day or week at a time, such as increasing 2.5 or 5 pounds a week, than it is to think that you need to increase your bench press by 50 pounds. Make It Fun Another way of assuring that you stay motivated is to make exercise fun. If you perceive your workout as a chore, you more than likely will not stick with it. Here are some techniques for making your workout something to look forward to.

1. Add Variety: If your weightlifting is getting tedious and boring, change one of these factors:
Vary how often you do an exercise and the number of sets and reps you do.
Find an alternate exercise; for example, if you always do the bench press using a barbell, try doing it with dumbbells or on a machine.
Change the order of the exercises you do for each muscle group and the muscle groups themselves.

2. Include Friends and Family: Training with a workout partner not only makes your training session more fun, safe, and intense, but will also increase the likelihood of your showing up at the gym. Make sure you pick a partner whose goals and interests are similar to yours and who is willing to spot you correctly and motivate you to do your best.

3. Fight Discouragement: If once in a long while you blow off a workout because you choose to go out with friends, just accept and enjoy your choice--do not feel guilty. Otherwise, the sense of failure can make it harder to get yourself back on track. Focus on how much progress you have made so far, not on how far you have to go.

4. Expect and Prepare for Plateaus: If you feel you have reached a plateau and/or are bored, do not give up--this is a natural part of working out. Make sure to vary the exercises, sets, repetitions and order of your workout--continually search for new ways of making your routine fun and exciting.

5. Schedule your Workout: If you always exercise on the same days at the same time, your routine will become a fixture in your life, not a whim. Not going to the gym will feel unnatural.

Including exercise into your busy schedule will be an adjustment, and staying motivated will be equally challenging. Change is difficult for many people. However, if you have the willingness to work through the initial emotional discomfort as you move step by step through a safe and effective program, you will find the confidence, commitment and determination that will ease the way.

When you begin achieving great results, the excitement and fun you experience will make the change well worth the effort. Action creates motivation! Good luck!

Ironguruera
08-26-2013, 05:30 PM
Great post.

I ask myself the what am I doing question often.
Self reflecting is important.

My motivation was I had taken 8+ yrs off. I kept throwing my back out doing stupid simple tasks. I had a reality check. If I'm having issues at 30 wtf will my life quality be at 50+??

I've been working out 3+ yrs again. I look better. I feel better. Old friends give awesome compliments when they see me. compliments in general help to drive me. We see ourselves in the mirror daily so change happens but its harder for us to see it. When other ppl notice it....makes u feel like ok I guess I'm in shape lol.

I like the self challenge. I feel like I'm playing a sport...against myself!

It's like a form a mediation for me. When I lift I think about almost nothing. I just focus on what I'm working. It really clears my head and grounds me.

Beavis303
08-26-2013, 07:44 PM
I lift to clear my mind. I imagine so many shapes and colors. I use the gym as place to clear my mind and reset. After that its for looking better kinda. After years out of the gym for family. Now I'm single back in porn and making glass art. Couldn't be any better. And actually making gains again cause I'm in a good place. No bullshit all fun.

MuscleAddiction
08-26-2013, 08:55 PM
My motivation has and always will be my passion for this lifestyle. My wife and I are training partners, we are both working to step on stage...her for her first time and mine to get back on from a 6 year layoff due to priorities of being a dad and husband. When my little girl came up to me not too long ago and asked "dad, when are you going to go up on stage and flex your muscles again?" She is what motivates me, showing my little girl whatever you put your mind to you can accomplish!!! I live that and mentor that to her daily...my family motivates me, my progress motivates me, my coaches (Zed) motivates me, my desire to get to Nationals in the Masters Division motivates me, to be fit, strong, healthy, and doing this until God calls upon me to do his will elsewhere continues my desire to achieve in this lifestyle and infect as many along the way in doing so also.

"Desire creates the power to achieve and to be great...because we are all meant to be great!!!"

ineedtogrow
08-27-2013, 01:07 AM
I can't beat what MA said, but I was sick of being a 6'2" 150lb scrawney guy. I seem everybody else around me growing, but I couldn't. Even though I've put a lot bigger guys than me on their asses, I still looked at myself as a skinny little punk you could say. I was sick and tired of looking at skin and bones in the mirror and even though my wife said she did care how I looked I seen how she reacted to guys like Channing Tatum and other guys more built than me while out. I work my ass off in the gym try to make my wife happy I think and also to make myself happy and not see that scrwney ass body in the mirror anymore.

Ironguruera
08-27-2013, 09:03 PM
1637

bionic redneck
08-27-2013, 09:05 PM
my motivation is simple... to look and feel better... plus lifting is my hobby and something i enjoy doing...

ineedtogrow
08-28-2013, 02:31 AM
1637
Exactly '"

Encino_Mang
08-28-2013, 10:58 AM
I like to eat to much.......I'm already a fat fuck but without hitting the weights I would be a blob

drkmn1
08-28-2013, 04:03 PM
I lift to clear my mind. I imagine so many shapes and colors. I use the gym as place to clear my mind and reset. After that its for looking better kinda. After years out of the gym for family. Now I'm single back in porn and making glass art. Couldn't be any better. And actually making gains again cause I'm in a good place. No bullshit all fun.

Glass art? Traditional glass blowing in front of a furnace? No shit... :cool: I took a year of glassblowing and it was one of the coolest experiences of my life. Of course I shattered my share of bowls and mugs trying to get them off the punte rod and into the kiln, but awesome nonetheless.;)


I've always been into equally developing both physically and mentally. I didn't want to be the stereotypical musclehead with no brains or skinny nerd weighing 120lbs soaking wet. Why can't we have the best of both worlds? I guess thats my main motivation.... fear of being average...

iwrkout
08-28-2013, 05:35 PM
What's my motivation? I hope this doesnt sound stupid but its the truth.My first husband and father of my kids cheated on me ALOT. I lost a son and had let myself go physically and had bad depression, no motivation. Then one day I decided I was going to get off my ass, leave him, and better myself. Now he is married to some out of shape lady that is 15 years older than him..and im sure he cheats on her too. I'm sure it kills him to have to see me all pretty and in shape lol. Ahhhh revenge :)

Beavis303
08-28-2013, 06:26 PM
What's my motivation? I hope this doesnt sound stupid but its the truth.My first husband and father of my kids cheated on me ALOT. I lost a son and had let myself go physically and had bad depression, no motivation. Then one day I decided I was going to get off my ass, leave him, and better myself. Now he is married to some out of shape lady that is 15 years older than him..and im sure he cheats on her too. I'm sure it kills him to have to see me all pretty and in shape lol. Ahhhh revenge :)

Fucking great. Rub his face in it. Make sure you wear your gym outfit over for drinks. Nothing kills a bro worse than, when X is now fucking hot. Then he has to glance over and see the moose he lays with. Stellar

SisterSteel
08-28-2013, 08:08 PM
I do what I do because everyone says I can't. Women can't be as strong as men.... wtf? Of course we can. Women can't be strong and sexy... wtf? Of course we can. Nothing makes me feel better than bending iron and tossing steel. Most people don't have what it takes to train for strength or size.

Exerciseordie
08-28-2013, 08:32 PM
To be short and simple, I want to be bigger and stronger. To be more in depth I want to push my body to its limits. Also plan on competing when I get bigger and can afford it.

Orange24
08-28-2013, 11:27 PM
Because I love it. Its pure fun!

smoovy
08-29-2013, 02:13 AM
Because I love it. Its pure fun!


Orange tell everyone the truth bro, I'm your original motivation! I got you back in the gym... Your wife still thanks me for that.

neoclassical
08-29-2013, 03:58 PM
Control is a big part of it. This lifestyle is a constant for me. The iron never lies...mirror doesn't as well. It's a pleasure to challenge social norms and appreciate strong women as well as my bros. What we do is rare...those that don't train, eat, rest and use hormones can't understand.

zedhed
08-29-2013, 06:12 PM
I hate the way males look for the most part in this day and age. Especially my age group. This is my protest against the norm and accepted of our lazy piss poor attitude of our society. And I just like doing it. And my wife loves the way I look. And it brings organization into my life.

SFDan
09-04-2013, 01:59 AM
I hate the way males look for the most part in this day and age. Especially my age group. This is my protest against the norm and accepted of our lazy piss poor attitude of our society. And I just like doing it. And my wife loves the way I look. And it brings organization into my life.

I agree Zeddy- I walk down the street and think most young guys look like they're not quite "finished" somehow and the ones that are our age are tubs. I do this because I feel satisfied, healthy and successful every time I leave the gym. Took a long time to get there, but where else could I find that? It's a matter of self esteem- A work in progress to be sure, but the operative word is progress.