How do you stay motivated to go to the gym?
 

(For some reason I can't get the search engine to work for me to look up past threads so I do apologize angry GC'ers if this topic has already been posted.)


Now that I am finally done with school, I want to join a gym again. I used to go to Bally's and was okay going for awhile but then I always came up with excuses not to go. Well, a new gym is opening up around the corner from my house in mid-July. I think it is high time I get back into shape but I know me and I often stop going. How do you all stay motivated to go? This is also a private gym too so it's going to be hard to find a "workout partner" that goes there. Any suggestions on how to stick to this would be appreciated. I know I felt really good when I was going regularly years and years ago.

I dont go to a gym. I work out in the comfort and privacy of my home with Tae-Bo, The Firm, and Yoga videos/dvd's. I hope to add that belly dancing tape to the mix soon too.

Workout out at home is cheaper and more convient. If it's raining or snowing or cold or whatever then I'm less likely to be motivated to get out, whereas if everything I need is at home to get a workout, I dont have the "well i dont think i want to get out in this bad weather" excuse.

I also like to walk/run sometimes in the arboretum here. It's a 2 mile track/trail so 3 laps as I did today is 6 miles. I like to listen to the headphones, take the dog for a walk, and enjoy the outdoors and nature's beauty while I'm there. So i enjoy it. I only go on nice days though, not when the weather is bad.

I actually work out better without someone; I've found that when you have a workout partner, it can be easy to skip a week when your partner does.

Other than that, I generally use my own improvement as motivation; when I see that I've dropped weight, or kept weight but gained muscle, it makes it easier for me to suck it up and work out on a day I'd rather not.

If you set reasonable goals and achieve those, that can be all the motivation you need.

However...I've always enjoyed working out, so maybe I'm not the person to speak on the subject of motivation.


ETA: When running, I find it best to run to areas you don't normally go to; keeps me going if I know I can run to new areas.

Re: How do you stay motivated to go to the gym?
 

The hot trainers? ;)

Knowing I can look at the fine women of SDSU....

Though the site of a black-clad chubby guy on the elliptical machine might not seem appealing to them.....

I go everyday...just finished freshman year and definitly need to work off more than the freshman 15...ahh! It's easier if it's somewhere close to where you live because then its not a hassel for you to get there/out of your way to go. There's some days that I feel completely too tired to go, but know that I must if I want to lose weight/keep in shape. I always feel really good after working out (my stomach feels sooo much flatter, haha) and seem to have more energy. I also belong to a gym that has TV's on the equiptment, so that you can go and work out with out missing a tv show that you like and hey..its better than just sitting on the couch and watching TV. At school, I always brought cd's to listen to music, which made the time pass by quicker. I also tend to go in the morning/afternoon because I'm more motivated. I also get motivated when I look around and everyone else is working out/getting in shape...if they can do it, you can too! You just have to say to yourself that you are gonna make it part of your daily routine, and not give up! Good Luck :)

Re: How do you stay motivated to go to the gym?
 

The thought of getting fatter if I don't go keeps me there at least 3 days a week.

Re: Re: How do you stay motivated to go to the gym?
 

I worked out with a trainer once for 5 sessions but it is SOOOOOOOOOOOO expensive. They are good for teaching you a routine to be involved in.

What she said! Except I do the FIRM, Step, Pilates and soon to be getting into Yoga

But even then it is sometimes (in my case, often) difficult to keep yourself motivated

I have a friend who I go to class with. It is much easier to go when there is someone to go with. I do aerobics twice a week and I've started a new "lower body blast" class once a week.

Although when she doesn't go, I go by myself because I feel the difference when I don't! I feel much better when I do go to exercise.

Re: Re: Re: How do you stay motivated to go to the gym?
 

True... but I didn't mean you had to actually get one... they wander around enough. :)

For me, it's having a workout partner. If I workout by myself, it's too easy to blow off a session. When I know that someone else is depending on me, it forces me to get my @$$ to the gym.

How about posting the ugliest, fattest, most depressing picture of yourself by your bed, and tape a paper by it, saying "Get up, ugly, and haul your a$$ to the gym!"

queequek, looking at that might make me feel down. :( I'd have to cheer myself up with a bacon sandwich, and some fruit and ice-cream straightaway! :(

I like to go when there's hot guys there, then I can drool over them while I row myself to France. :D