Thread: What keeps you motivated?

Yes, I think going to a public "gym" helps.

I am constantly doing bulking & cutting cycles, that is what keeps me motivated; to be focused on either gaining size & strength, or cutting up and getting lean.

also, taking time off every few months helps to rekindle the drive.

and going to local bodybuilding shows.

and this board.

Women keep me motivated.

Followed closely by old-age. It's one thing to be old, it's another to feel old. At 31 years I've decided start the war with old age now.

As for what helps, I find that having the equipment at home helps quite a bit. I don't have worry about being presentable in public, getting up early enough to get to the gym and back so that I'm not late for work. I get up at 05:30 as it is.

After you've been at for a while, the feel of muscle instead of flab is a great motivator for staying on course.

To me, the only motivation I need is seeing my muscles get bigger and stronger. However, I will say that going to the gym helps. When I see one of the regulars put up big weight, it definitely jacks me up. But I guess you could get that from a training partner at the crib.

You have to want it!!!!

Originally Posted by cfs3

Women keep me motivated.

Followed closely by old-age. It's one thing to be old, it's another to feel old. At 31 years I've decided start the war with old age now.

Good point! I didnt start training until I was 30 years old, looked in the mirror and realized that I was a fat bastard! Now I realized I wasted all those years and I feel like crap. Who knows, maybe I could have been on the O stage (probably not - I love cookies too much)

besides knowing the long term benefits of the fitness life style, constantly progressing in the gym and with my knowledge base drives me...

I've been in and out of working out for a long time, message boards really helped me keep that motivation since I was not "alone" in my training any longer. Friends have flaked on me through the years so this was my ticket.

Change. I get bored with the same old, same old. So I change routines ("what's this going to do for me?") or change focus altogether (right now, I'm planning another whatthehell BB competition entry. But before that, I trained for road races -- I was working up to a distance trail race, but hurt myself -- and wilderness races.)

If it stops being at least minimally fun (in the longer view), or if I find myself thinking of the walk downstairs to the gym with dread and apprehension -- well, time for a break.

I also found, incidentally, that "day in, day out" was a major recipe for burnout and workout loathing. Back when I was into that, I was doing it solely out of desperation and self-punishment anyway. Rest days are as important to my motivation as the workout days. Nothing sucks the life out of me faster than dragging ass with exhaustion and more or less twingy muscles 24-7. After a day of rest, it's the good feeling of needing to work out.

MY husband keeps me motoviated. I always seem to want to please him, and I know how he prefers I look. Also competing really helps. Having a goal in mind keeps me focused.

Good luck

I think motivation comes in many forms. How you look in the mirror, how you feel, how you act and the self confidence fitness brings. I have always exercised, but have taken it more seriously the last 5 years as I am getting older. This past weekend I had the honor of walking my daughter across the stage at a local beauty pageant. Someone commented to me afterwards, they couldn't believe I was her father. For me, those are the small things that keep me motivated ........ oh and the fact that my son is now 15, 2 inches taller then me, and I'll be damned if I'll let him take me any time soon !!!

what keeps me motivated?

my own insecurities..

I like lifting cause I can put on muscle very easily, it's very rewarding. It's very easy for me to get a pump, I've always been into pushing my body to its limits. It usually was with sports. Once I started seeing changes in my body when I began lifting...I was hooked.

Staying motivated while cutting's the problem. I've basically made it my #1 goal to see my damn abs without flexing. I came very close to giving up after I messed up my diet badly. Refeeding now's messing with my head a little bit. But I'm just looking forward to getting back into a grove and start burning fat again.

I've rewritten my goals and I keep reading them over and over every time I feel like I'm going insane.

Originally Posted by eskimo515

Good point! I didnt start training until I was 30 years old, looked in the mirror and realized that I was a fat bastard! Now I realized I wasted all those years and I feel like crap. Who knows, maybe I could have been on the O stage (probably not - I love cookies too much)

That's pretty much how I got into it. I haven't felt this fit, and good, since I was 20. Bodybuilding is the only true, non-medically invasive, Fountain Of Youth.

Women. Almost entirly the women.

And slightly b/c it would piss off some people close to me (by proximity, not choice) if I were to bulk up.

Definitely the LADIESSS!!!

All the things mentioned help motivate me, plus the fact that I am reminded every time I hang out with my friends that I am bigger, stronger, and more cut either by situations or by themselves.

Self-love!

For a long time I treated my body like crap (and it returned the favor ). Finally I got fed up with it and decided to change my whole lifestyle. Now, I can't even imagine going back to that sort of existence. I love my new self way too much. That's all the motivation I need.

BEUTIFUL WOMEN !!

Having Attainable Goals Helps Me. Weather Cutting Or Bulking, I Couldn't Go To The Gym Day In And Day Out If I Wasn't Changing Things Up Occasionally.

My kids.
Those Bastards are gaining way to fast

Originally Posted by gr81

my own insecurities..

i have to agree right there! Now that i'm starting to see body fat drop off, i'm more motivated than ever to continue eating rite and since i can see more muscle now it's not a problem getting in the gym! my goal is to go back to school in the next month and a half feeling 10x better about myself than i did last year!

Originally Posted by RoeCyris

And slightly b/c it would piss off some people close to me (by proximity, not choice) if I were to bulk up.

Gas?

I think it is the way I look and feel, and seeing people younger than me that have let themselves go to hell and not wanting to be like that!

First - my own insecurities, 2nd - seeing all my friends and family gradually getting fatter and fatter, especially my friends I grew up with. It's like all of them have huge beer bellies now.

I do it all for self-esteem and self-confidence.