Motivation

lemondrop33

So, how do you pick yourself up out of a slump?  Things have been going so great and I have been so focused, BUT the last few days have been so difficult. I have been feeling bad, I have my period and I just want to eat and sleep. ha! To top it off, yesterday was a beast at work! 

 So, what do you do? 

spunkypenguin

I've been in a bit of a rut myself.  I haven't been able to run b/c my knee is rebelling.  I really have not felt like walking or using the elliptical, but I know I need to in order to stay healthy and losing weight.  I just get up and do it - even if I don't feel like it.  Usually once I get started, I make myself finish and I usually feel better afterward (sometimes I don't, but at least I don't feel like I didn't do anything).  You just gotta push yourself to do whatever exercise - even if it's just a short walk or a mile run, etc.

taratru

If I feel it coming on, I just give myself a couple of days to laze around.  But I put a limit on it.  Then when that time is up, I just get up and go.

lemondrop33

Yep, that's what I need to do!!  Bummer- I love being lazy and eating junk food. I guess that's how I got big in the first place.   

BQBride

Motivation is over-rated. Sometimes you just have to get off your ash and go, regardless of how much your brain is screaming that you don't want to.  Some of my best workouts happen when I was thisclose to skipping it altogether.  Plus, once I get going I nearly always have fun.

 Usually, when I find myself dreading it, I know it's time to change things up.  There's an almost unlimited variety of activities that I want to try, so it's never a problem to add something else in or try something new.  Just find a bunch of things you enjoy doing and get busy!

heatherleigh9669

if i start to get in a slump i try something new. for example i was beginning to dislike being inside for yoga when its gorgeous until late outside. so i did some research and found "yoga on a paddleboard" locally.

try something new - it will give a "freshness" to your routine

foundmylazybum

BQBride:

Motivation is over-rated. Sometimes you just have to get off your ash and go, regardless of how much your brain is screaming that you don't want to.  Some of my best workouts happen when I was thisclose to skipping it altogether.  Plus, once I get going I nearly always have fun.

 Usually, when I find myself dreading it, I know it's time to change things up.  There's an almost unlimited variety of activities that I want to try, so it's never a problem to add something else in or try something new.  Just find a bunch of things you enjoy doing and get busy!

Enjoyment  of the activity = intrinsic motivation. Your statement is contradictory

 

Beyond this we know that motivation links back to the  how people achieve their goals. The statement "motivation is  Overrated" has always been off the mark in terms of what drives really great performance. 

annabear07

I agree with the pp to change it up a bit and try something new!  Tired of the treadmill? Try a spin class. Or kick boxing, etc.  I also try to remember the mantra you only regret the workouts you skip!  I've never, ever regretted getting my butt out there for a run or to the gym.  Good luck you can do it!!

ETA: Oh and I do add mini goals for myself.  If I get down to x weight I get to buy a new outfit.  If I go to the gym x days this month I get to buy those shoes I've been lusting after.  That helps too!

robinsokj

If I'm in a funk I know that a good workout will snap me out of it so I just suck it up and do it

BQBride

foundmylazybum:

BQBride:

Motivation is over-rated. Sometimes you just have to get off your ash and go, regardless of how much your brain is screaming that you don't want to.  Some of my best workouts happen when I was thisclose to skipping it altogether.  Plus, once I get going I nearly always have fun.

 Usually, when I find myself dreading it, I know it's time to change things up.  There's an almost unlimited variety of activities that I want to try, so it's never a problem to add something else in or try something new.  Just find a bunch of things you enjoy doing and get busy!

Enjoyment  of the activity = intrinsic motivation. Your statement is contradictory

 

Beyond this we know that motivation links back to the  how people achieve their goals. The statement "motivation is  Overrated" has always been off the mark in terms of what drives really great performance. 

I disagree.  Although I enjoy a great number of activities, I'm not always motivated to do them.  It's often just sheer will power or just choosing to do what I know is best for me that gets me out there, and then the motivation kicks in to continue once I start.  Sometimes you have to lead with action (the body) before the motivation (the brain) follows. 

For example, I spent a decade lying around on the couch and never exercising.  I knew I enjoyed a number of activities, but was never once motivated to get off my ash and do them until I just STARTED doing them.  

That philosophy may be off the mark in terms of generating *great* performances, but some of us are just trying to get through the day and take care of our bodies the best we can, not compete for Olympic gold or win races, ya know?

BQBride

robinsokj:

If I'm in a funk I know that a good workout will snap me out of it so I just (suck it up and) do it

LOL--this should be Nike's new slogan!