“Pop!”
Things came to a head for me this last week and a bit.
The "Big Picture" of losing some 40 - 50 lbs hit me all at once. The enormity of the task made me dry heave for a couple of minutes. It was the realization that what years of body abuse has done to me and what I needed to do to clean it up. Quite daunting to say the least.
Second event that occured is that I made a Personal Best in my city’s half marathon. Should be proud…should have experieneced runner’s high…
DIDN"T!
I was able to dig in at km 17 and again at km 20 to do the job, but there was no joy, no fire to be experienced as I crossed the finish line. I accomplished the goal with being seriously undertrained and am finding the same problem with working out.
I have lost my drive.
I need to find it or else the gym membership is just a waste of money and the time spent on the trails is just sluffing off.
What drives the others on Bodybuilding.com to do it, day in and day out? Not the ones who just put in the time, or the ones who are obsessed with fear that if they stop going to the gym, their results will disappear. But the ones who dig deep into themselves to put solid effort in even when it doesn’t show for several weeks.
I am asking for your help and imput.
June 2, 2009 at 5:37 am
We all have days like that,and it is more difficult in the beginning. For me,it is discipline and dedication.This is just as much if not more mental as it is physical,as are the rewards.That’s what makes it so great,knowing you pushed through those mental hurdles.I have and do often get up and think,"I don’t feel like working out today,"but have never left the gym and thought,"I wish I hadn’t come to the gym today." Give yourself a chance to learn to love it,it takes time,but it will happen.Don’t quit 5 mins before the miracle happens.JUST DO IT!!!!!
June 2, 2009 at 5:49 am
If you are competitive and it sounds like you are then use your nature to your advantage. Do you track your workouts? If not start a journal and compete with yourself. Set small bite size objectives that will take you in the direction you ultimately want to go. And at the same time name the ultimate goal. Be specific and I suggest framing this as a SMART goal - see my blog for more info.
You can do this I promise. I lost 110 lb myself and have kept it off nearly 6 years now. It took me a good 2 years to lose the weight and it wasn’t a "Biggest Loser" process. It was a slow and steady grind in which some weeks I saw no weight loss or even a weight gain and then other weeks I lost 1-2 lb. That by the way is a normal rate of weight loss. I joined the President’s Challenge for Physical Fitness and used it was a motivator. You can work from Bronze, to Silver, to Gold and Platinum status.
The other suggestion I have is to use multiple prongs for progress. Track mileage, running speed, calories burned for workouts. Track your body measurements, % bodyfat, and of course your weight. The more measures you use the better. I guarantee one of these will be moving in a positive direction at any one time.
Hang in there! You CAN do this!
Best Wishes
Pam
June 2, 2009 at 5:57 am
Steve
We all exercise for different reasons.
I have to agree that i don’t get that eporiah that a lot of people talk about after a marathon or heavy lifting. But i do understanding wanting and chicing a
I started out wanting to improve my health after turning 45. I find my motivation from setting and reaching small personal goals.
I read your bio:Father had 3 heart attacks, brother was temporarily blind from undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes. You’ve crossed the line into clinically obese.
June 2, 2009 at 6:09 am
Steve
Sorry for the incomplete thought!!
You noted family health issues. These should be enough motivation to want to change your lifestyle.
Make small changes at first, feel the satisfaction from achiving small goals, then set some larger goals.
I just wanted you to know that it’s all about choosing a GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE.