2 Post(s)Gender: FemaleGoal: Gain MuscleDate Joined: September 9, 2017
Posted
Hey all,
I have been training somewhat consistently for the past 6 months, but have been working out for years. I loved it at first I LOVED it and it was all I could think about. Now I have no motivation or energy to train.
Sometimes I'll get to the gym, finish my warm-up and walk back out and go home. I have already gained some weight, and I don't like that. Can anyone help me?
Also, I find workouts in the gym to be kind of boring. I hate resting for 60 seconds after a set. The intensity of the workout goes way down and I don't feel like I'm burning very many calories.
I have been training somewhat consistently for the past 6 months, but have been working out for years. I loved it at first I LOVED it and it was all I could think about. Now I have no motivation or energy to train.
Sometimes I'll get to the gym, finish my warm-up and walk back out and go home. I have already gained some weight, and I don't like that. Can anyone help me?
Also, I find workouts in the gym to be kind of boring. I hate resting for 60 seconds after a set. The intensity of the workout goes way down and I don't feel like I'm burning very many calories.
Haylie,
It sounds like you just have reached a saturation point where the workouts don't bring the same level of satisfaction and well-being as they did in the past. The good news is this is more mental than physical. Physical issues must resolve on their own before you can return to training. Mental barriers, however, just need some "manipulation" to get back on track. Sometimes it just takes changing your routine and/or exercises and training/rest days.
What goals have you set for yourself? Sometimes people expect unrealistic transformations and/or goals in a short time period, like 6 months, based on what they see on TV and in magazines. You need to remind yourself that what you see on TV and in magazines is "artificial" 99% of the time. It is best to set realistic goals and give yourself a "pat-on-the-back" more often than not to keep you in a positive mindset and motivated.
60 second rest periods are pretty short and intense. If you are completing your workout in 60 minutes or less with this short of a rest period, you are truly burning calories at an accelerated rate. It is also possible that if you are training with this kind of intensity continually your central nervous system (CNS) is burned-out from over stimulation. Your body is very smart and if the desire and motivation to workout is not there or to the same level as before it is because your brain is protecting itself from the stress of training. It might be good to give yourself a week or two completely off from training and do something you enjoy and that is relaxing to give your CNS time to recover.
Think back to what it was that got you interested in and motivated to train. Has something changed in your priorities or goals? You mentioned that you have been training somewhat on-and-off for a few years. This inconsistency is usually caused by setting unachievable goals or lack of true commitment to the reason(s) why you started lifting in the first place. I have been training consistently for almost 34 years now. For me, it is like eating, breathing, and sleeping - it is something so part of my life it happens without much thought and I couldn't imagine life without training. The gym for me is both an escape from the stresses of life as well as the key cog in my desire to stay healthy as I age (started lifting at age 19 and am now 53).
You need to find what it is deep down that has you interested in training. Only you can answer that and only you can determine if it is something that is a lifestyle choice or more of a hobby. If it is the latter, then these bouts of inconsistency and loss of motivation will be a constant companion.
John
34 years of lifting and nutritional experience and resident "old man" :-)
MS Athlete and past Super Hermanite since 2013.
It sounds like you just have reached a saturation point where the workouts don't bring the same level of satisfaction and well-being as they did in the past. The good news is this is more mental than physical. Physical issues must resolve on their own before you can return to training. Mental barriers, however, just need some "manipulation" to get back on track. Sometimes it just takes changing your routine and/or exercises and training/rest days.
What goals have you set for yourself? Sometimes people expect unrealistic transformations and/or goals in a short time period, like 6 months, based on what they see on TV and in magazines. You need to remind yourself that what you see on TV and in magazines is "artificial" 99% of the time. It is best to set realistic goals and give yourself a "pat-on-the-back" more often than not to keep you in a positive mindset and motivated.
60 second rest periods are pretty short and intense. If you are completing your workout in 60 minutes or less with this short of a rest period, you are truly burning calories at an accelerated rate. It is also possible that if you are training with this kind of intensity continually your central nervous system (CNS) is burned-out from over stimulation. Your body is very smart and if the desire and motivation to workout is not there or to the same level as before it is because your brain is protecting itself from the stress of training. It might be good to give yourself a week or two completely off from training and do something you enjoy and that is relaxing to give your CNS time to recover.
Think back to what it was that got you interested in and motivated to train. Has something changed in your priorities or goals? You mentioned that you have been training somewhat on-and-off for a few years. This inconsistency is usually caused by setting unachievable goals or lack of true commitment to the reason(s) why you started lifting in the first place. I have been training consistently for almost 34 years now. For me, it is like eating, breathing, and sleeping - it is something so part of my life it happens without much thought and I couldn't imagine life without training. The gym for me is both an escape from the stresses of life as well as the key cog in my desire to stay healthy as I age (started lifting at age 19 and am now 53).
You need to find what it is deep down that has you interested in training. Only you can answer that and only you can determine if it is something that is a lifestyle choice or more of a hobby. If it is the latter, then these bouts of inconsistency and loss of motivation will be a constant companion.
John
Great information John. As usual! 💪
Need 1 on 1 coaching? Send me a direct message to learn more!
Come to think of it, I've been pretty stressed about college and my future so that could be a mental barrier.
Needless to say, I enjoy lifting and I feel my best when I do it regularly so I'm not giving up anytime soon!
Thanks again!
Hey,
Little advice from me. Write down what parts of workout do you like, what kind of exercises. Do you like stretching, tabatas, longer/shorter rest periods, particular exercises?
When you lose motivation, instead of sticking to very strict training program - get some fun. Take these thing which you like during workout and create your own routines. Just mix up the things that makes you happy and you will remind yourself why do you work out :)
When motivation is back on track, you can either stick with those routines you like for a little longer and then start focusing on your goals.
