Yesterday, I received this topic request:
"Why doesn't the gym have motivational quotes on the walls? Like "You can do this!" or "Just 10 more minutes!" I think the lack of stimulation in the gym is what keeps me from going more often. I don't feel motivated when I'm there! :( (Sorry for the long ass topic request...)"
I emailed my own gym (Bellingham Fitness) and got this reply:
"Hi Alexa,
I'm not sure if the person writing the question comes to our gym specifically, but I will try and give you an opinion.
I personally like personal growth and motivational sayings, some don't like it. Much like music it's really personal preference.
The most motivated people in the club seem to be:
-Involved in a community: classes, personal training
-On a program/ system: they know what to do when they get to the gym and why they're there.
-Have been working out for a long time, and just don't feel good (like themselves) if they don't work out. It's a big stress reliever and they enjoy feeling in shape.
-Are getting results
Having said that, I think having a place like the entries would be a good place to put up motivational sayings that could be changed out for variety.
Hope this opinion helps."
My Take on It:
Honestly, when I'm at the gym I am in my own little world. I don't take a cell phone with me or an iPod, I just zone out and focus. My motivation comes from within myself and my progress, though there have been many times before this where I have tried and failed- MANY, MANY times. It was usually due to time issues and mostly just laziness. As you can see in my progress page, I also think it's from a lack of self-discipline. I've begun to become more disciplined in all areas of my life and it has really helped me to keep going. (The progress page talks about that in more detail).
When I'm working on improving my mile time and don't think that I can go on, I'm telling myself that I can do it and that I can make it. Todd up above (that's his name, I believe) talked about getting involved; a lot of gyms offer free classes with your membership. If you're not stimulated enough, you can join a class and have people to work out with and an instructor to tell you what to do, motivate you, or answer questions. Gym staff are usually very friendly (mine are) and you can ask them any questions you may have. You could also consider a work out partner or a personal trainer. Gyms also frequently have TVs if you need something else to focus on.
From what I've learned about working out, stimulation and motivation has to come from within and from the exercise that you're doing- you won't be very interested if the work out bores you. I get stimulation from trying to beat my previous weight limits and mile times; I kind of treat it like a contest against myself (I'm hyper-competitive).
Some of my friends also do things like Zumba or other group fitness classes because for them, that's fun. Try to find a fun work out and you won't need posters! :)
Here's a list (you know me and my love of lists) of what I do to get motivated:
"Why doesn't the gym have motivational quotes on the walls? Like "You can do this!" or "Just 10 more minutes!" I think the lack of stimulation in the gym is what keeps me from going more often. I don't feel motivated when I'm there! :( (Sorry for the long ass topic request...)"
I emailed my own gym (Bellingham Fitness) and got this reply:
"Hi Alexa,
I'm not sure if the person writing the question comes to our gym specifically, but I will try and give you an opinion.
I personally like personal growth and motivational sayings, some don't like it. Much like music it's really personal preference.
The most motivated people in the club seem to be:
-Involved in a community: classes, personal training
-On a program/ system: they know what to do when they get to the gym and why they're there.
-Have been working out for a long time, and just don't feel good (like themselves) if they don't work out. It's a big stress reliever and they enjoy feeling in shape.
-Are getting results
Having said that, I think having a place like the entries would be a good place to put up motivational sayings that could be changed out for variety.
Hope this opinion helps."
My Take on It:
Honestly, when I'm at the gym I am in my own little world. I don't take a cell phone with me or an iPod, I just zone out and focus. My motivation comes from within myself and my progress, though there have been many times before this where I have tried and failed- MANY, MANY times. It was usually due to time issues and mostly just laziness. As you can see in my progress page, I also think it's from a lack of self-discipline. I've begun to become more disciplined in all areas of my life and it has really helped me to keep going. (The progress page talks about that in more detail).
When I'm working on improving my mile time and don't think that I can go on, I'm telling myself that I can do it and that I can make it. Todd up above (that's his name, I believe) talked about getting involved; a lot of gyms offer free classes with your membership. If you're not stimulated enough, you can join a class and have people to work out with and an instructor to tell you what to do, motivate you, or answer questions. Gym staff are usually very friendly (mine are) and you can ask them any questions you may have. You could also consider a work out partner or a personal trainer. Gyms also frequently have TVs if you need something else to focus on.
From what I've learned about working out, stimulation and motivation has to come from within and from the exercise that you're doing- you won't be very interested if the work out bores you. I get stimulation from trying to beat my previous weight limits and mile times; I kind of treat it like a contest against myself (I'm hyper-competitive).
Some of my friends also do things like Zumba or other group fitness classes because for them, that's fun. Try to find a fun work out and you won't need posters! :)
Here's a list (you know me and my love of lists) of what I do to get motivated:
- I repeat to myself over and over again why I'm at the gym. "To fit in those dresses for the upcoming weddings!" "To feel good!" "To look good!" "To be healthy!" "FOR NARNIA! (Facebook CFC Page joke)"
- I don't say "ten more minutes" because ten minutes is a LONG time. I say to myself, "Just one more minute of running! Then I can slow down!" Once I reach that one minute, I say it again. I keep going until I really do need a break or until I'm done. Sometimes I even use thirty seconds instead.
- Move to the beat of the music playing! :)
- I keep track of my weight and set small goals. If you check out my progress page, you can see my goals and how I keep track of them. If you set huge, unattainable goals, you'll lose motivation. A series of small goals leading up to a BIG goal is best! Nothing motivates like progress!
- Speaking of progress, I have two jars as shown below to track mine. One for "Pounds Left" (total pounds until I reach my goal) and one for "Pounds Lost." Each month when I weigh in, I get to move a counter from Pounds Left to Pounds Lost (hopefully). I have a star bead I get to move over for each goal weight and the mini disco ball is for my ultimate goal weight when I reach it. I keep it by my clothes to help motivate me. I've also tried sticking signs up in my kitchen to remind me not to snack too much or not to eat too much junk.
Overall, my take on it is that you're going to have to motivate yourself I'm afraid, but here's a lot of ways to do it! You could even get a wrist band that says something motivating for you too look at or maybe even cool work out clothes. Anything that you can do to motivate yourself is good. :)
<3 - CFC
<3 - CFC
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