I've just arrived back from a heavy chest and biceps workout and I have
realized my motivation has gone straight down which has gave me the idea for
this article.
This article is about keeping yourself motivated. In my opinion if you have
lost your motivation you will nearly always give a half hearted effort.
The reason I thought of an article like this was because I have noticed a
slip in motivation and it has gone further past my training in the gym.
I like to pride myself by thinking if I put my mind to something I can
accomplish anything but this time my motivation has got the best of me.
I'm training for my first competition May 4th and am keeping a diary of
every thing that is happening in terms of how I am coping with my training
and life in general in terms of preparing for my competition. I have not
mentioned I am lacking motivation in my diary but the symptoms are there but
I now have the utmost respect to competitive bodybuilders for sticking to
their diet and training.
I have noticed my diet has started to slip which has never happened before.
I am not cheating but I am starting to miss a couple of meals hear and
there. I have just started a part time job as a porter in a hotel which
first started of good and I was happy with it but now it bores me out of my
skull and homework seems good compared to it (At least it pays for the
supplements which keeps me going).
I don't know if the new job could be the reason but for example I always
started the day with a bowl of shredded wheat, a banana and three hard
boiled eggs. I have noticed all I have been having lately is a bowl of
shredded wheat. Again with the amount I used to drink has also plummeted. I
used to drink a lot of milk and water. I have suddenly stopped drinking
water and only having one or two glasses a day instead of six-seven bottles
a day. Again I have gone down from having seven-eight glasses of milk a day
to having just two if that.
I have got back on track in the last couple of days but training like eating
now has become a bit of a chore now, I still like working out but not as
much as I used to. I found this is common with a lot of people and happens
for many reasons. The one reason I think this happened to me is Ive noticed
my traps or any part of my shoulder has been developing like the rest of my
body no matter how hard I push it.
I think this is the main reason why people become discouraged and in turn
lacks motivation even if all the body is developing nicely apart from one
part which is lagging no matter what principal they do to push it to the
max.
For people who have become a bit disheartened and lost motivation for any
reason there are ways to get back on track.
The way I have tried to get and have become more motivated is the thought of
how far I have come in preparing for my competition and at the end if I do
walk away with a placing I will have a great feeling of pride. For people
who have kept a diary of their measurements and weights you are using you
will see how far you have come from when you first started. This is actually
something I recommend keeping a diary of your measurements and weights so
you can see your progress every month or so.
Another way is to visualize other bodybuilders and bodies you would like to
accomplish. I've always idolized Van Damms physic and Stallone in Rocky
which I am looking at pictures of both of them now and they help to motivate
me and put me back on track and remind me why I lift and what I will achieve
at the end if I stay motivated. You wouldn't think a few pictures could have
such an impact on you.
Rocky IV is on today (my favorite film ever closely followed by Van Damm's
Bloodsport) so again I will again be watching that to motivate me.
Others should look up to their idols. My guess for most of you it is Ronnie
Coleman but after this years Mr. Olympia I reckon Jay Cutler is this years Mr
Olympia and the guy to look up to.
Another way to get your motivation back if all your blood, sweat and tears
in the gym are not enough is to have a week of. This seems very likely to me
to give my self a break so when I return I will be more hungrier than ever
and which would also give my body time to recuperate.
A lot has been written about having a week of every two months or so on this
site and other people in my gym have said the same thing. If all else fails
give yourself a week of or even if you have been sticking to a strict diet
for several months and you are not cutting up have two or three days where
you can eat junk food as this would also be a good way to get rid of the
stress from keeping to a strict diet. Just don't go over the top with your
pigging out phase. I would not recommend this if you were cutting up though.
The bottom line is if you have lost motivation especially after months of
intensive training don't be disheartened it happens to everyone. Just have a
week or all have a few snacks and remember the reason why you train in the
first place whether it be just to feel better about yourself or for a
certain sport etc.
I don't normally write quotes at the end but this one really made me think. I
got it from one of the other writers articles and is so true I typed it out
and stuck it on the inside of my cupboard so every time I look at it I
remember why I stick to my diet and train.
"Don't ever stop trying to get to where you always wanted to be
The moment you stop trying, is the moment your dreams stops coming true."
John Lemare
johnlemare@hotmail.com
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