Fitness Motivation: How To Get It Back
Today’s post is in response to a reader’s question on how to get motivated.
“Hi Don,
I’m 34yrs old and did train a couple of yrs ago
and did well. Lost my gut and had people mention
the change they could see. Now haven’t trained for
over two yrs and have put on weight around my
stomach which I want to lose.
I have also lost my
build which I worked so hard to get. The problem
is I can not motivate myself to train again, I
want to but end up having a drink on the night and
then carnt be bothered in the day. Please advise
on best time to train in day and how many times a
week.
I used to train 4-5 times before. And also
the best possible way to motivate myself. Thanks”
–Reader
Dear Reader,
Sounds like you are in a rut. I’ve been there
before too and the good news is that you can get
out of it in no time! Also sounds like you have
the technical skill in place—since you’ve already
built a great body in the past.
Your problem is mainly one of motivation. I have a couple of
thoughts that might be of help to you.
Figure out exactly why you want to get in shape
again. If you have a strong enough why, the how
and what will fall into place rather easily. I
highly recommend that you read Tony Robbin’s
Unlimited Power to fully grasp this. Some may not believe in his fire walks and endless “Say Aye’s” but he sure wrote one good book!
For now here is what I’d like you to do:
Write down at least 3 very strong reasons why
you want to get in shape. These could be: I’m
single and want a hot girlfriend. I want to feel
more confident and powerful. I want to look good
in my clothes from the time I was in great shape.
Write down the 3 most powerful ones and then close
your eyes and visualize yourself in possession of
these things that a great body will get you. Make
the visual as vivid as possible.
Next write down 3 really bad and undesirable
things that will happen to you if you keep
drinking every night and fail to take charge of
your health. They might be: I’ll end up a fat, low
self esteem loser with no girlfriend. I won’t have
the energy to do the things I want to accomplish.
Some other really undesirable thing you come up
with. Also visualize this outcome vividly.
Create mini-movies in your mind that you can
replay at will. This will take a little bit of
effort and concentration to be effective. When the
moment comes when you have to decide to either
have a drink or hit the gym, replay these movies.
First the undesirable outcome—which you must
associate with having a drink—then the desirable
one, which you will associate with going to the
gym. Trust me, when you do this, you will get to
the gym effortlessly!
I suggest you work out in the evening for now.
There is much debate about what time is better but
in my opinion evenings are best. Your testosterone
levels are slightly higher and you have more
energy.
Aim to workout 2-3 times a week for a start for
about 45 minutes. Don’t set too ambitious a goal
in your current state our you will fail and
possibly sink lower.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Don
