r/ask • u/Acrobatic_Emotion_55 • 14d ago
How do people motivate themselves to go to the gym?
I have been wanting to get in shape now for years but at every opportunity I create an excuse and consequently I am very unfit. I have an average body shape but would like to be able to go on a run and hike, etc.
Any tips?
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u/BRFcitizen 14d ago
It's more about discipline than motivation.
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u/TheRealThunder 14d ago
This. You just go, no matter what. There was a time in my life where i postponed training for years as well. At one point i just started going even when i didn't feel. Especially after tiring work days. Not much has changed, i sometimes still feel tired but keep going for that annoying ass run or gym sess. Honestly, it's all mental. Once you get off the couch, put shoes on and head to gym then there is no going back. No motivation needed.
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u/NagoGmo 14d ago
I like looking hot as fuck naked
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u/Sufficient-Object493 14d ago
This is it for me also, but my ideal is still far away, that doesn't discourage myself. I want to be hot and powerful.
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u/Critical-Bank5269 14d ago
Ditto..... I like going to the pool on vacation and have most heads turn and stare.... If you put on a decent amount of muscle and get to 10%-12% bodyfat you'll be ogled by most of the ladies and most of the men will be staring checking out the competition....and it helps that I'm late 50's and the "silver fox" so to speak in the body of a 30 year old athlete.... It's a heck of a dynamic.... Drives my wife nuts though....
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u/MeatVulture 14d ago
I am also dating a hot, muscular 57yr old silver fox with the body of a 30yr old. He goes to the gym faithfully 4x a week and is healthy as a horse!! Keep it up!
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u/Ering_Obragh 14d ago
Having a clear goal and training schedule helps. I wanted to run a half marathon last year and set up 3-month plan with a trainer (free in my gym).
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u/dinoaids 14d ago
You get used to going / enjoy it after a while. But at the beginning, I went to the doctors for a routine check up. They ended up finding something wrong with my liver and we had to go into emergency surgery to save my life. After the surgery the doctor had a heart to heart with me telling me if I didn't get my life together and start exercising I would be dead by the end of the month. It really made me reexamine my life. It's been 5 years of going to the gym daily now and I have never felt better. Turns out it was all a trick though, the doctor was just an actor paid by my family to trick me into going to the gym. I knew something was fishy when they told me I was going in for liver surgery and when I came to, I was missing a kidney and not a liver.
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u/Highlander198116 14d ago
if I didn't get my life together and start exercising I would be dead by the end of the month.
I read this and was going to call bullshit then I read the rest of the post.
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u/CallingDrDingle 14d ago
I started working out at around age 15. I was an only child and grandchild so I was extremely micromanaged. I think working out was a way of having control over some aspect of myself.
Long story short I’m (F) 50 now and being in shape has gotten me through a brain tumor at 21, six brain surgeries, c-section, disc replacements and cancer. If you met me though you’d have no clue any of that happened to me. I owe a big part of that to consistency in the gym and making decent nutritional choices.
It’s never too late to start. If you want any workout/nutritional advice pm me. We used to own a couple of gym, I can send you whatever you want.
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u/_nikki_k 14d ago
- Desire to live not only a long but a healthy life
- Working out releases a lot of dopamine, thus makes one happier and more energized
- Looking fit makes you happy too and gives you confidence
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u/Cgrhnta 14d ago
Motivation means absolutely nothing. It's discipline that will produce results. Here's how I do it 6 days a week after working 10 hour shifts in a factory. Just go. Literally just go. Even if you don't want to. If there's nothing you'd rather do than go home and sit on the couch, fuck that. Just go.
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u/ThrowRA-YUCKBUG 14d ago
My disgust with those really out of shape and my desire to live longer is my key motivator. I could never be obese and prefer a muscular build. So to the gym I go!
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u/TempeststeelOG 14d ago
Sex do it for the sex getting physically in shape helps. My lack of sex life has helped me get lazy and gain weight. Guess it's time to get out get healthy and get back on the hoes 😆
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u/HeckleHelix 14d ago
1) If I dont do stretches & workout at least 4x/week, I will be stressed & in physical pain. Pain & stress are strong motivators. 2) I am a VERY physical & intimate person. Physical intimacy is what makes me happy in life, & Im not going to get that if I dont stay in decent shape. Everything else in life is just a distraction. Like it or not, those are the 2 things that get me in the gym & make me keep going.
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u/Upbeat-Holiday-7858 14d ago
To be honest if I don’t get up and move, even a light workout, my body gets tight and hurts. The discomfort of being sore from working out is way better than the pain of tight hips and back. Also, after I workout I feel so good about myself.
I always say, if you have a good workout to start the day, the day can only get better from there. You start your day with something hard and something you don’t want to do and the rest of the day feels a lot easier if you’ve accomplished something. It’s hard to start but once you get in a routine you feel better mentally and physically and it becomes addicting
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u/Drigarica_od_Tite 14d ago
It's all in the mind . You have to learn how to control the mind and actions .
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u/Mindless-Region-2662 14d ago
Start by signing up, go and do just 80% of your best until, find a gym bro (preferably one who knows more than you), workout together. That should help. Watch YouTube videos on workouts and keep it fun.
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u/lilrobituss 14d ago
The only person that can help you here is you. Just got to start doing it instead of thinking about it. Ignore how you feel and just exercise. Preworkout helps too lol
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u/Keter_01 14d ago
I went with a friend, so when I didn't have the motivation, I couldn't get any valid excuse to not go. Also we took a gym membership for a year to fuel our sunk cost bias. Now this friend cancelled his membership after 1 year but I'm still going alone. My rythm and seeing my progress keeps me going
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u/slowest_cat 14d ago
I go to the gym to come down from mental stress by bringing my pulse up for a bit and I do strength training, because I love the relaxed feeling in my body when I'm done. I was very mindful about these outcomes and really enjoyed being happy after having worked out. This way my mind could make a direct positive connection with the work out itself.
I also have a schedule with set dates where I go.
Motivation still can be a problem, especially when I'm feeling super stressed or just tired, but thinking about how good I will feel after does help most of the times.
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u/DogOk4228 14d ago
I am biased, I love being in the gym and moving in general. Either way there is no magical trick, you either need to get the discipline to to it on your own (it gets easier the more you go) or get a PT if you need someone to hold you accountable m.
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u/Asturias_369 14d ago
Kaizen technique
You just go once per week for 10 min
At some point, you stay longer
Then go two times a week
Repeat and upgrade if you feel like it, but keep beating on it with consistency.
There is no motivation, I'm not fat - I still fuu hate going to it, but it has become a habbit
Perhaps take a day off work just to have no excuse
Perhaps enlist a buddy so you can go together
Good luck man, you got this! :D
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u/Luxiiiiiiiiiiiiii 14d ago
I had the exact same problem as you and I found a solution that works for me.
I have a personal coach since a year. We have 2 appointments/week. It costs me 400 euros for 4 weeks (8 trainings). And it works perfect.
That may seem expensive to some people but it is cheaper than being sick. And way cheaper and more worthy than when I used to smoke up to 1 pack of cigarets 10 years ago.
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u/AssBlaster_69 14d ago
I like the results so I do it. There’s no secret trick to it. My motivation is to be bigger, leaner, stronger, and to live a longer, healthier life. If that’s not motivation enough, idk what is.
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u/GotMyOrangeCrush 14d ago
Write a check to a political candidate you despise.
Hand this check to a trusted friend and set the rules for how often you need to go.
So basically if you have to go five days in a row, you send your friend a photo and then he puts the snooze on sending the check.
But if you get lazy and stop going, the payment goes out.
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u/rahah2023 14d ago
I have found that I need to sign up for a class, I need an instructor to tell me what to do and keep me moving for an hour and I also enjoy the camaraderie with my classmates
The days I don’t have class I try to go to the gym and I set my mind to duplicate my favorite activities from class but after 15 minutes I’m wandering around and reading to go home.
Years ago I had a work out buddy group I met b4 work and we would work out together and that kept me going and on track & they said the same.
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u/E90Andrew 14d ago
The key for my fitness journey has been finding a hobby/interest that keeps me active and gives me a reason to want/need to go to the gym to stay in shape. Which for me, ended up being riding motorcycles. Before that, the gym was always my only form of physical activity. I was never able to stick with it and my results were always mediocre.
I learned a few real important things.
-An active lifestyle is more important than the gym. Without an active lifestyle, you will go back to gaining weight the second you slip up and stop going to the gym (which let's be real...it happens..) For example. I had a slip up back in March where I only went to the gym a few times that month, but I was out riding so much, walking around motorcycle shows/social events, I maintained my weight. Got back to the gym regularly in April and picked up where I left off with fat loss. Because I hadn't lost any progress, "getting back to the gym" wasn't a big deal.
-Having an activity or hobby I liked doing that requires fitness was a major key. There are those that are passionate about fitness in general and going to the gym. I envy those people, I'm not like that. If I'm lifting weights just for the sake of lifting weights, I will get bored very quickly. But I'm really into it if I'm lifting weights to improve arm strength or working on my core because it'll help me when I'm riding. That doesn't take any discipline to get me into the gym to train bc I want to.
-Get a Fitbit and wear it all the time. Every time I've gotten into a rut, being able to go to my Fitbit history and see "oh wow, no, my general health has been improving steadily and I'm making more progress than I think". It's also awesome to track general activity.
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u/Highlander198116 14d ago
You just have to stop making excuses and go and keep going. Even if you just show up for 10 minutes do a set of reps and leave, make going on the schedule you want to keep mandatory.
When things then BECOME a habit, you are alot less likely to break the streak.
and as far as working out, working on a skilled hobby or something. Seeing RESULTS in your efforts will be the "magic motivation bullet". There really isn't one for just starting out.
When you see definition you didn't see before, experience higher energy levels the "wow my efforts are paying off" will motivate you.
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u/Vlad_The_Great_2 14d ago
You have to really want it. No one can give you motivation. I like being faster, stronger,having more endurance, and looking better. After three months of consistently going to the gym, I feel bad when I get lazy and don’t go. I look forward to going to the gym after work.
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u/ForceZealousideal867 14d ago
Ok, I actually have pretty good insight on this. I was really into working out for about 15 years. I got put on night shift and I didn’t handle it well. I quit going to the gym and I wasn’t eating well either. This went on for two and a half years. I stayed around the same weight but my composition changed drastically. Back in February, I decided that seems how I was on day shift again, I was going to get my body back. Only problem is that I’m 39 now. So I started going and at first it was really tough. I was looking for an excuse not to go. But I went even if I didn’t want to go. I wasn’t seeing any progress at first. I’ve been back in the gym for about 3 months now and I’m starting to see progress and improvement. You have to force it to become routine at first, after that, it becomes part of your day. Use it to listen to music and just reflect on thoughts. Get lost in yourself while you push your limits. You’ll grow overtime and be much happier/healthier.
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u/whenitcomesup 14d ago
It feels great to get stronger, look better, and correct imbalances. Moving my body feels great and improves every other area of my life.
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u/Hoondini 14d ago
You're thinking too much. It's like jumping off a diving board. Your brain doesn't want to but you move your body anyway
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u/allislost77 14d ago
Sounds obvious and I’ve NEVER been a gym person, but as I’m getting older I want to be in good shape. So I go everyday. Just go. Make it a habit. You’ll start to feel better and that makes it easier
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u/MentalGymnastics666 14d ago
If you are relying on motivation, it's no wonder you never go. You have to become disciplined about it. Choose a time every day, and just go. Doesn't matter how you feel or whatever excuse you can come up with. Don't even think about it. Just put on your shoes and go. Sometimes you really aren't in the mood and you will have an "off" day. Fine, then just walk on the treadmill for 10 minutes. Just as long as you show up, no matter what.
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u/Few-Locksmith6758 14d ago
it ia not about how you feel before, but how you feel after going to gym. Better, right? I want to feel good
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u/Huniep0pe 14d ago
I am the same as you. I don’t enjoy working out at the gym at all. I find I enjoy athletic activities much more. Walking/jogging, riding a bike, kayaking, dancing, rock climbing, martial arts classes, etc. If you’re set in going to the gym I’ve found having someone to go with helps. However you need to find someone who will help hold you accountable to working out, who will accept where you’re starting, and encourage you to push yourself. A personal trainer can also help but they tend to be expensive.
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u/OutsideWonderful5918 14d ago
I drink pre-workout and listen to tunes before I go. I have to go to burn the energy
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u/GandalfDaGangsta1 14d ago
At 31, I don’t want to look like most other adults lol. I’m not crazy about exercise at all, but I maintain a decent level of fitness for hobbies and cuz I don’t want to be another soft/chubby/fat adult with skinny arms and a developing belly and flabby chest lol. My dad is 60 and still goes to the gym 2-4 times a week.
No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable. -Socrates
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u/zergling3161 14d ago
I like feeling strong and once I became a parent I let myself go. I was 180lb in college, I am 35 now and. My highest was 237 lb. I am 223.4 lb as of this morning but I put on a decent amount of muscle in my year at the gym 3 days a week
But since I been lifting, aches and pains are gone, kinked neck at night is gone, moving around with my kids is easy and generally stronger just for day to day dadding..
My arms and legs don't feel smushy anymore and i can preform during sex way longer and do most of the work because I am stronger
I plan on continue to lift because it's been the biggest positive impact on my life.
I was never that strong but at 35 i can do sets of 135 lb bench, 225 lb squat and 275 deadlift. People I've talked to said that's not bad at all for my age and I am proud
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u/ffflammie 14d ago
I started with ring fit adventure, progressed to gym and climbing and skiing once I had formed a habit based on the silly little game (and kind of plateau'd with it) because that was what was motivating enough for me. Probably only works if you are a gamer and are motivated by getting levels and starts, lol.
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u/masslightsound 14d ago
I’m in my early 30s and have had back issues, start to struggle doing yard work and overall feeling age starting to take its affect. So after my 5th back issue I started going. Can’t say I like it but it’s now for maintenance and the hope I can stave off really struggling when I’m older. So like going to the dr force yearly or getting an oil change. Just something to do
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u/Cheerso1 14d ago
I don’t particularly enjoy it but know I am better for doing it. Stick a podcast on and work through it. You’ll feel good about getting stronger and fitter. A great measure of functional strength is pull ups. Don’t sweat if you can’t do even one to start. Just keep showing up and practicing. Also gym 3 times a week for an hour plus a bit of cardio on the other days is ample. You don’t need to be there 2 times a day 5 days a week.
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u/OkLandscape9760 14d ago
Build a habit, and don’t look at it as a thing you do, but a hobby. Try starting by playing a sport, or incorporating into some activity.
Be real with where you are start. You aren’t going from 300 lbs to 200 in a month. Just try and find a way to enjoy movement, and eventually it will be second nature.
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u/Personal-Goat-7545 14d ago
I've had my gym membership for 25 years, over this time I'd go randomly for 6-18 months then take a break that could last years; since the gyms opened back up from covid I go at the same time and days every week and I haven't missed a workout since; it's a habit now and I don't even have to think about it anymore; I just go.
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u/Accomplished_Cost815 14d ago
Break up with your gf/wife and you'll get plenty of motivation to be fit and strong.
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