To ask for gym motivation?

[TheHolyToast]

I have a membership for an expensive gym that I rarely use. I think I've managed three visits since the new year.

I have unlimited access, it's 5 minute drive from my house, has loads of equipment, great air con, a lovely pool and steam room - I really have no excuse whatsoever. Unfortunately I have no motivation whatsoever either!

I've started using St John's Wort to try and brighten my mood and am buying Berrocca tomorrow to boost my energy levels but does anyone have any tips of boosting my motivation?? I had all day to go today and choose to sit playing computer games instead. So annoyed with myself.

What classes do they have that you could try?

Is there Pilates or Aqua or Zumba or Yoga?
Start going to a class - make the timetable part of your routine, make friends with the other people in the class
then it becomes part of your life

also, fitness is more about maintaining long term health than anything else

I'm a gym bunny because I do not want to get alzheimers, diabetes, COPD or any other lifestyle related disease

The classes are great, I've done Pilates, body Pump, body Attack and body Combat and I sign up to them all every week - however I then don't turn up and I don't know why. When I'm there I really enjoy it.

Have you got a friend you can go with?
I go to a class or gym session 5 days a week and often the only thing that makes me go is that fact that I’ve arranged to meet my mate there, and I don’t want her to judge me for cancelling (or I’ve used up all reasonable excuses!)

Once you start going regularly it will become a normal part of your routine and will be easier to stick to

I do have a friend that goes but she doesn't work so prefers to go during the day. I work mon-thurs so have to go on an evening. Coming in from work and then going back out again is a killer for a hermit like me. I'm very unsociable too so won't make any new friends.

Put your gym gear on. That's the least you get to do. Once I have my running gear on, I always think "fuck it, might as well go running". DO one step. Gear on. Then another, get in the car. Then another, get to the gym. Once you do that, you'll work out.

Have a friend who wants to go with you. My friends nag me to go.

Have you got kids? Once I started going and I could run around with DD better, it motivated me.

DON'T go home. Go straight there.

It is a well known fact that sofas have much stronger gravity than other furniture and prevent you leaving them!

Go straight to the gym from work. If I go home I won't go back out.

Can you book a Saturday class with your friend?

Can you take your gym stuff to work/leave it in the car and go straight from work?

My gym charges £2 if you’ve booked on a class and you don’t turn up

I could go straight from work but I often finish at 4.30 and the classes start at 6pm so it would mean sitting about for an hour an a half. I could do treadmill or swimming first but then I'd be too knackered for the class 😂 I've become so bloody attached to my house I'm struggling to leave it lately. I even come home for lunch and struggle to go back to work. I only went out today because I had a hair appointment. I'm becoming such a hermit and I don't know how to turn it around or why I'm doing it.

You have to force yourself the first 100 10 times.

When I had expensive gym membership (and no children!) and felt like that, I would just go, telling myself it’s fine to do just five minutes, then a lovely jacuzzi or swim. It made me get there, which then made me use the gym.

I go to the gym six days a week. I literally only miss for illness or holiday.

I am not a naturally sporty person. I didn't grow up enjoying exercise. I never want to go to the gym when I get up in the morning. I never feel like it. It's not what I want to do.

But, once I'm at the gym, I'm fine. The hardest part of going to the gym is leaving for the gym. I just make myself go, and the rest takes care of itself.

Also, I go in the morning. (On days off, "morning" can be pretty close to noon, but on work days I go early). In my experience, I will find a dozen other things that I have to do other than exercise. Or I just feel too tired to contemplate the mad crush of the after work crowd. So, I get it over with early and then start my day feeling like I've accomplished something.

I like to exercise alone and don't do classes, so I don't know if what I'm suggesting really is that helpful for you.

You’re me OP I’m watching with interest. Does Berroca really work?

I could have written your post. I am literally in the same boat as you. Fabulous gym complete with pool steam room, sauna etc. But I absolutely can't be arsed! The other day I got there, parked up. Sat in the car and then instead of getting out of the car, I found myself driving to the Tescos Extra next door for a mooch around instead!

Sometimes when I get in there, I do 15 minutes and then think of all the things I need to be doing at home and then leave! I'm almost embarrassed to walk past the reception staff who have only just greeted me!

Sadly I don't have a gym buddy anymore which has made a difference.

TalkinPeace has it. I go to class every day except Sunday, PT in addition on a Wednesday. I’ve built it into my routine so that it’s automatic. I bloody hate outdoor bootcamp in winter, but always enjoy it when I get there. Classes are 2min walk from my house, so even if the weather is filthy there’s no excuse really.

I do it because I want to be fit and healthy as possible into old age. I know you say you don’t want new friends, but they’re not really friends, it’s just a bit of small talk and social chit chat before warm up. In our case, that’s how it started and now there’s a dozen of us going on hols together .

It becomes a habit eventually, then it ceases to be about motivation, but you need to push through to that - if you really want to, that is. Maybe it’s just not your thing?

*Theholytoast
*
I started a thread a few days ago about losing my mojo as I too am feeling unmotivated, tired and run down. I've seen the GP today and I have to go for a blood test to check a few things out. And check whether or not I have started the menopause. ( I'm early 40s but early menopause runs through the family)

In the meantime, I have started taking Maca Root. Berocca and St John's Wort. Early days yet.

I lay out my workout gear the night before. I plan the dinner I'm going to have after and do as much prep as I can for it so I know I have something easy and tasty for after. I bought some lovely shower and bath goodies that I only allow myself to use post-gym.

You need a plan. Plan to go twice next week. Pick 2 classes that you fancy and get things ready in advance so you have no excuses! I listen to audio books, or download a film or sometimes have music depending on what mood I'm in.

Good luck.

Forget the classes for now if you can’t motivate yourself to go back out. Go straight from work and use the gym or have a swim.

I've become so bloody attached to my house I'm struggling to leave it lately. I even come home for lunch and struggle to go back to work.
There is a bigger issue going on that you need to address

BUT
I have to admit that I hate people who book onto classes and do not turn up - as they stop other people booking

turn it around
after work , go to the gym and do a 3k treadmill walk
then go to the class, pick a back corner, talk to nobody
after a few weeks you'll be on nodding terms with a could of other people
then it will creep up to "hi"
and by then you will be hooked ....

There's a hypnosis app called "12 weeks to wow" it has a motivational hypnosis program, along with loads of others. I listen to that everyday and it actually works for me. You could try that?