Any tips on forcing my butt to go into the gym?

camzgon

camzgon

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I do this quite often where I have ups and downs. I'll go gym every day and then something happens with work or personal life and I'll start making excuses to not go, like I'll go tomorrow.

Today I had enough, I haven't been gym in about two weeks and forced myself to go. Usually when I am in there, I get motivated and start working out hard and enjoying it. But today, even when I was there, I just wasn't feeling it. I was noticeably weaker on my chest press than before. Need to get that back on track.

Anyone have any similar experiences and what do you do to get back into the groove?
 
I think about how I have haters out there that would LOVE to see me skip the gym today. Then I go, just to spite the haters.

I don't know if that's really helpful, but it has gotten me through some workouts that I didn't feel like doing.
 
camzgon said:


I do this quite often where I have ups and downs. I'll go gym every day and then something happens with work or personal life and I'll start making excuses to not go, like I'll go tomorrow.

Today I had enough, I haven't been gym in about two weeks and forced myself to go. Usually when I am in there, I get motivated and start working out hard and enjoying it. But today, even when I was there, I just wasn't feeling it. I was noticeably weaker on my chest press than before. Need to get that back on track.

Anyone have any similar experiences and what do you do to get back into the groove?

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I totally feel this, have also gone through times when I'm a dedicated workout queen and times when I'm a Sloth. I've tried everything, scheduling it first thing in the morning, no let's do evening, maybe lunch time? Nah, too much else to do besides that, always seems to end up taking a back seat. Sigh.

At least for me, part of my issue is I'm retired and resent ANYTHING on my schedule anymore, even stuff that's good for me. No ones gonna tell me what to do when, ever again! Still...wish I could figure this part out.
 
It’s gotta become something you love. I understand life happens but you gotta find a way to be resilient. It’s for you and no one else. I love the feeling at the end of the day where I know I ate the right things and trained the right way. Guaranteeing the results I want.

You can do it!
 
The most helpful thing for me was just not going to the gym, hope this helps! 😆 jk I did stop going to the gym but I have much more success working out at home. I discovered Caroline Girvain on YouTube. I love that she has programs to follow, they’re hard but they’re truly great. I’m sure there are others as well. I did Grow With Jo also online when I was pregnant and postpartum to get back into the rhythm and her channel is awesome too! Daily walks and YouTube workouts have kept me consistent way more than the going to the physical gym
 
therealtpain said:


I think about how I have haters out there that would LOVE to see me skip the gym today. Then I go, just to spite the haters.

I don't know if that's really helpful, but it has gotten me through some workouts that I didn't feel like doing.

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oh that's a good one 😀
 
I was a competitive runner in middle school and high school. Got into weightlifting as a Junior in high school. Tried to keep going with these things in college but, I started to hate running and weightlifting.

Shortly after graduation from college, my girlfriend at the time took me to a climbing gym. I did not want to go at all, I thought it would be stupid (there's a bit of a backstory here). I ended up loving it. 29 years later I am still rock climbing.

I picked up yoga in 2006 to help my rock climbing, 20 years later still doing that too. I love it almost as much as I love climbing. I also have the privilege of taking a class every week from the best yoga teacher alive (my wife)!

I also recently started weights again. My wife bought a home gym set up and I do a general upper body workout which doubles as shoulder rehab for me because climbing has wrecked them. I'm psyched to do it because I know it will give me more years of climbing.

My point is, find ways to exercise that are fun. I view climbing and yoga as playtime, so it is never a chore.
 
spanky2026 said:


I totally feel this, have also gone through times when I'm a dedicated workout queen and times when I'm a Sloth. I've tried everything, scheduling it first thing in the morning, no let's do evening, maybe lunch time? Nah, too much else to do besides that, always seems to end up taking a back seat. Sigh.

At least for me, part of my issue is I'm retired and resent ANYTHING on my schedule anymore, even stuff that's good for me. No ones gonna tell me what to do when, ever again! Still...wish I could figure this part out.

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I might try that.. add a task to my calendar to go gym.
 
Troposphere said:


I was a competitive runner in middle school and high school. Got into weightlifting as a Junior in high school. Tried to keep going with these things in college but, I started to hate running and weightlifting.

Shortly after graduation from college, my girlfriend at the time took me to a climbing gym. I did not want to go at all, I thought it would be stupid (there's a bit of a backstory here). I ended up loving it. 29 years later I am still rock climbing.

I picked up yoga in 2006 to help my rock climbing, 20 years later still doing that too. I love it almost as much as I love climbing. I also have the privilege of taking a class every week from the best yoga teacher alive (my wife)!

I also recently started weights again. My wife bought a home gym set up and I do a general upper body workout which doubles as shoulder rehab for me because climbing has wrecked them. I'm psyched to do it because I know it will give me more years of climbing.

My point is, find ways to exercise that are fun. I view climbing and yoga as playtime, so it is never a chore.

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My friend offered to go badminton with me but then she ended up going to the states. could be a way to change things up when she's back. I've never really been a sporty person, but good to get out of my comfort zone
 
The gym needs to accommodate your daily routine not the other way around. You have to realize the gym will always take a back seat to more important things like family, work and sleep. And that's ok. If your daily schedule only allows you to comfortably go to the gym 3x a week than I guarantee you you'll see very similar results as if you were to go everyday due to the reduce stress of not being overwhelmed with it.

I found having a fluid training plan rather than a set plan has been extremely beneficial. For example, don't think of going to the gym M, W & F but rather every other day with an extra rest day in-between. That way if you miss Monday session than it's ok you can just do it Tuesday and push the other days back. The same theory can apply to 4-6 day weekly sessions as well. Create a plan around the amount of times you want to go and not the weekdays you want to go. That way it won't feel so constraint and less painful if you miss a day or two.
 
camzgon said:


My friend offered to go badminton with me but I never got round to it, might be worth a shout, try something different

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Try stuff out, you never know what will be the thing. They don't all end up winners. Pickle ball, road biking, soccer, basketball all wound up ones I'm not into. I'm sure there are more, but I can't think of them right now.

edit: tennis, golf, swimming...yuck
 
salt'n papa said:


First thing in the morning. Nothing in the way and gym is usually empty. It's YOUR time for yourself.

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I actually second this. The best way to do it is to make a plan, just go as soon as you wake up, before you can talk yourself outta it lol
 
Honestly your over thinking it, that is the problem. Instead of thinking of how to get to the gym, just put the phone down, and go. Don't give yourself an out. There's no reason you can't go and you should not even think about it. You would already be there, if you didn't post this.
 
You're an adult. You know going to the gym and training is fantastic for your physical and mental health. Stop trading temporary comfortable for your long term goals. Put your sneakers on, get off you butt and do it.

Discipline > Motivation

You only rent being in shape and rents due every day!

All meant in a tough love way.
 
My suggestion is to make yourself do it consistently, but make it really easy so you have zero excuses not to do it, I am not really a gym person, but maybe a short very easy workout or some exercises at home. If the process feels bad/painful/exhausting , it is aversive , and regardless of what you think it will make you less likely to do it the next time.

This worked for me when still very overweight and extremely unfit, I had to walk every day , but it only had to be for 5 minutes, and it worked surprisingly well, and once I got it to be a habit it was easy to increase the time.
 
My favorite thing about the gym is improving, and tracking those improvements. For me that’s lifting weights, and lifting heavier weights than I did before. It’s coming up with a plan for how to get better at lifting weights and then executing that plan. If I fuck up at that plan, then I don’t make progress. And I like making progress. So it’s in my best interest not to fuck up.

For you, maybe it’s not lifting, maybe it’s something else, but you can apply the same concept. It’s a reward to go to the gym because you are executing your plan and you are achieving your goals.

That’s what works for me.
 
salt'n papa said:


First thing in the morning. Nothing in the way and gym is usually empty. It's YOUR time for yourself.

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Different angle rather than just gym. Depending on your location, early morning rowing, kayaking or surf ski at an ocean surf life saving club. All are early morning, many have basic gym equipment, to supplement water activity. Great social club connections and the early morning aspect helps regulate sleep, which promotes muscle growth.
 
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