FEELING A BIT DEMOTIVATED

Lately I have been feeling really blah about the gym.

I go, and I run if anything. I try to at least get between 400 - 500 calories burned. Its the only thing that makes me feel like I am working out with just cardio.

I dont know what the deal is lately though. Its as if I have no motivation to be there, or work out.

Does this happen to everyone? Are there things I can do to get around this?

Marty my friend, we all go through this, some more than others but and all of us go through it in different ways, for some its no motivation to lift some its no motivation to do cardio. I myself at one point had no motivation because my lifting partner was on vacation etc... that was a low point for me and after that I was determined to never miss another workout, also because i felt like crap missing a workout.

Do you take time off from the gym every so often? I usually will try and take a week off every few months just to get away from the sometimes monotony that is the bodybuilding lifestyle.

We aren't normal people, normal people don't wake up at 520am to go lift (as i do) normal people don't eat 7 times a day or go throw heavy weight around for fun, we are a different bread in that aspect but we aren't so different in the aspect that we need to take a break every once in a while.

You have made some outstanding progress in your weight loss that's undeniable! take a look at your before and after pictures, that may even motivate you further, you'll see how far you've come so far and want to push forward.

Here are some quotes that have helped me push past this previously:

"There are three kinds of people in the world - Those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened."

"Goals provide the energy source that powers our lives. One of the best ways we can get the most from the energy we have is to focus it. That is what goals can do for us; concentrate our energy." - Denis Waitley

everybody wants to be a bodybuilder but don't nobody want lift no heavy ass weights - "Ronnie Coleman"

“The Ninety-Nines... That’s what I call ‘em. Ninety-nine out of a hundred people can’t fathom what I do. They scratch their heads, can’t believe my dedication to this great sport. Many don’t even think this a sport or that I have a life. Never let others define your ‘life’ for you. This is what I have chosen. This is the road I’ve taken, with all the potholes, bumps, and turns. The Ninety-Nines, they can’t commit 100% to being their best, to step up one day and stand tall among the giants.”

I take a week off every 2 - 3 months. That has always proven to help me out a lot. I make it a point to take off one day a week as well. I wont even do cardio on that day. I used to take 2, what I call resting work days. Sat and Sun. I would just go light cardio.

No doubt my before and after pictures, are motivating. I cannot beleive I am over 80 lbs lighter then I was almost 9 months ago. It really blows my mind. Thats saying a lot I think. To impress ones self, is impressive in and of itself.

I can say that all the support I have gotten on here, has helped me out of ruts before. I am sure it will.

Thanks!!!

You really have come a long way, another few things that work to motivate me to go to the gym is a-UFC, theres something about it that makes me want to go punish iron, and b- even more than UFC, worlds strongest man!!! watching those guys, i cant help but go lift after i see them!

watch a Rocky movie =D

Rocky movies are pretty motivating.

Get some good music flowing on yor ipod or something...But a break now and then is good for the mind and body...Then you can get right back at it....!

Watch 300. lol

Great call Allan...!!
If 300 dont get you fired up I dont know what will...!!

How about this for motivation?

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300 lol Iceman...yea that should get you motivated...lol...Hey Marty I know you have been eating right because you have lost alot of weight,But I have to ask...how is your diet right now??That could be a huge factor in why you feel less motivated.Are you cutting to many carbs???Are you eating any refined sugars?? Just wondering...

Thanks Joe! Thanks everyone!

A week may be what I need. I guess I just have this mindset that I will get set back.

Has happened to me before Marty.

One thing that has helped me come back stronger is NOT think of it as muscle building or fat burning that's not in my thoughts at all but health is. I workout because I want to sustain my health, nurture my spirit, my soul and my passion.

I go to workout my frustrations, my thoughts and clear my mind to release tension.

I think also what has helped me stick with it more is listening more to what my body is telling me instead of what others recommend etc.

When you do something you enjoy you will do it more often even though your feeling crappy.

I like the two week vacation where I do absolutely no form of strength training or cardio and enjoy my food.

" The only way to truly move forward is to never look back."

" Life is always moving. Stand up and rise above the rest with passion in your arms and fire in your heart. Dare to dream, dream high, dream ahead...It is the game of winning!"

Hey Marty,

Another idea that you could try is going through an evaluation of your current status. Take your measurements, find out your 1RM for some major lifts, then take some time to set new goals. Perhaps you've been sticking to the same goals for a long time now. You've come a long way, but maybe you just need to rev up your imagination and desire.

I like what the other guys are saying about a week or two off, that's a great idea. Take this time to ask yourself why you're changing your life. Why do you lift? Why do you want to lose weight? Where do you want to go with this? There are tons of questions you can ask yourself and only you know the answers. Get a solid idea of where you want to be 6 weeks from now, 6 months from now, and 6 years from now. Mark your calendar, make countdowns, set challenges for yourself. All you need to do is find the right motivation to get you gunning for the gold. :) You've made it this far, there's no stopping you now.

Yes, YES, YES...Everyone goes through this Marty! I don't care how many shows you've done or how much you love and are dedicated to the gym..we all go thru this phase once in a while. It's a lot of work, staying on track all the time not just with diet, but making time to get to the gym with work, school, relationships... I think just listen to your body, if you need to take a break for a week or two to re-coup and actually miss it, then do it! You'll just come back after your brief break with more determination and love for it.

here ya go marty watch this...you can do it bud..

40, that was an awesome video.

I actually decided to take a few days off, and see how I felt.

I stayed home with the kid yesterday, as he was sick. Tried to get some work done, After Effects, and it was like my body was telling me to go lay down. I fought it until around 1pm. I got him to lay down for a nap, and that was all it took. I laid down on the bed next to him, with spongebob playing in the background, and I passed out. I slept from around 1pm to almost 530pm. I woke up and felt like my body had been wanting that for so long.

So a break may be just what I need.