Need motivation to do gym.

[Bull]

I know I would benefit from doing gym sessions, especially when the weather is too bad for a ride. But I have a long standing problem with getting motivated to do gym workouts. I even bought a simple home gym, but having trouble getting into any routine with it. I am lucky to get three goes at it in a year.

How or what gets you motivated to use the gym on a regular basis?

 

[Squire]

I go to the gym because I enjoy it and think it's fun. But I'm not a very active bike rider, so I don't do cycling-specific training, but rather full body workouts. Unless you are a very serious athlete, I'd say that you should have fun doing what you do. If not, forget about it.

The user CheckMyPecs should be brought out of the wilderness for threads like this.

 

[King Boonen]

I know I would benefit from doing gym sessions, especially when the weather is too bad for a ride. But I have a long standing problem with getting motivated to do gym workouts. I even bought a simple home gym, but having trouble getting into any routine with it. I am lucky to get three goes at it in a year.

How or what gets you motivated to use the gym on a regular basis?

No such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong equipment


I'm much the same. I went to the gym when playing rugby to maintain muscle mass but once I stopped I couldn't motivate myself to spend time doing something so boring. If I really can't get out on the bike I'll do some turbo work and possibly some core strengthening stuff at home.

 

[JayKosta]

My motivation is that if I want to be better next year, I HAVE to do the workouts now - and continue doing them day by day.

What are you doing instead of the gym workouts? Can some of those things be eliminated?

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

 

[Bull]

Okay. Thanks for your responses.

You have helped me to realize that my current goals, or lack of them, are not strong motivators.

I am currently overweight. That alone is an anchor in itself, and hard to move towards any goal I wish to access/experience.
So I will just focus on losing the weight, one pound at a time, and let the other goals and motivations take care of themselves.
Funny that! That is what I used to tell myself when racing, but using different words.

 

[CoachFergie]

Performance goals for the win! Whether it is a talentless schmuck like myself looking to get the fitness to compete in the NZ 25km TT Champs in Masters 3, or the Teenage Rio Olympian I Coach who is determined to make Tokyo a better experience than her pear shaped 2016 the focus should be on performance and process goals. Part of my gym process is to select a gym which is handy, has free parking, is cheap (haven't been in, in a while) and fits in with a schedule. For me this going to the gym after coming from working with HP athletes in their gym (which is uber motivating).

 

[JayKosta]

Re:

...
So I will just focus on losing the weight, one pound at a time, and let the other goals and motivations take care of themselves.
...

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That's a good way to start!
And keep reminding yourself that being a little hungry is good - it means that you are burning fat and losing weight. If you can add in a little easy walking for aerobic exercise, all the better.
Start NOW, and you'll be pleased with the results by January.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

 

[Bull]

Re:

Performance goals for the win! Whether it is a talentless schmuck like myself looking to get the fitness to compete in the NZ 25km TT Champs in Masters 3...

Thanks for input.
My last goal was WMC in Austria, but hit the deck alone and a DNF. I lost unconscious for 40 minutes before paramedics rescued me. Had temporary brain damage. Bike broke in four places. Don't recall what happened. Lost big goal motivation after that due to change of financial situation - can't afford to get back there. So any goal below WMC is not as attractive (yet). Though my attitude is progressing forward, at this stage, I'll just wait and see what will develop as I get fitter.

 

[Bull]

Re: Re:

That's a good way to start!
And keep reminding yourself that being a little hungry is good - it means that you are burning fat and losing weight. If you can add in a little easy walking for aerobic exercise, all the better.
Start NOW, and you'll be pleased with the results by January.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

Thanks Jay. I did not know about hunger pangs meant that you are burning fat. I always thought it was associated with the body cannibalizing muscle for protein.

I am losing weight at about 0.5 Kg (1 lb) per week. Trying to get it to at least 0.7 Kg (1.5 lbs) per week, because I done it before. I ride my bike when motivated to do so, instead of regularly. And I don't ride, or do gym, when weather is bad. That is not how I used to be. That is why I started this thread.

I do appreciate the NOW bit. That is what I need now and again.