I’m part of a couple different ladies-only lifting groups on Facebook; I love them both because they are primarily made up of women who understand the importance of strength training and fueling for performance, from strong(wo)men, to powerlifters, to Olympic weightlifters to crossfitters, to those who work out at home or at a traditional gym.
In one of these groups a woman asked this week how you stay motivated, suggesting that there is this “voice” in her head sometimes that prevents her from getting to the gym.
I don’t understand.
Some women commented about making it a priority just the same as picking up your kids from school or going to work. But exercise shouldn’t have to be a chore.
Sure, not everyone can love a sport like Crossfit. And not every woman gets excited about picking up heavy weights, and someone may dread working with a personal trainer who makes her do squats.
I tried running once. Okay, maybe a little more than once, and I hated it. I trained for a half marathon because I wanted it, but I didn’t enjoy the process. It was difficult to plan my runs and while I did it anyway it was often hard. But Crossfit? Olympic weightlifting? I look forward to those things.
I love getting to the gym and seeing my friends and suffering through the workouts with them. I love the feeling of throwing heavy weight overhead and when you perform a snatch and the bar just flies up.
I love working out, though I refer to it as “training”..
But if you aren’t loving the program, you aren’t loving the process, you are getting frustrated and unmotivated; maybe it’s time to move on to something new.
I’ve seen some people start with Crossfit, and switch to more bootcamp type classes, or HIIT classes, or ditch Crossfit altogether and focus on powerlifting, weightlifting, or Strongman. I have a friend that ditched Crossfit in favor of online training programs and daily runs or walks because that is what makes her feel good. And some may never even fully understand the benefit of lifting weights, but have their happy place in running or Zumba or spinning.
Fitness doesn’t have to be a chore and no one is going to make you do anything that you don’t want to do. But how much better will you feel falling in love with the process, and then seeing the results of your hard work?
There’s a saying I’ve heard in the business world, “Love what you do and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” I think finding your fitness is just the same.
Your turn..
Have you ever switched programs because you didn’t enjoy the current one?
What is your current love of fitness?
How often do you switch up your routine to stay interested?
Do you have a problem getting motivated to workout?
Dude. I. Feel. You.
Working out/training/ is just as much a part of my day as going to work or cooking/eating dinner. It isn’t something I think about, I just do it. Not because I have to but because I want to. This was way before CrossFit. I just always liked toiling in the gym and relieving stress and hopefully doing something good for my body and health that will enable me to live more quality years. I don’t need to find motivation to go. I guess I find it hard to understand how some people say they are not motivated or can’t find time.
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I too struggle when people say they can’t find the motivation – if it doesn’t motivatate you then find something that does!
CrossFit excites me and motivates me for life! I train at 6.30am, I don’t think I could do anything at that time of the morning that didn’t!
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Interesting – this recently came up in a conversation with my bodyworker.
I have to “steel myself” every single day to get to anything that involves ‘fitness’ or ‘working out.’ As I said to him, I was the kid that would try to get her (doctor) father to write notes so that she didn’t “have to” do gym; I would be in bed reading a book (or writing one – ha) when other kids were running around outside, etc.
Once I get going, I am philosophical about “working out.” I generally have to have some sort of a goal – when I was training for the year I did 5 marathons, a triathlon, and the Alcatraz swim, or the year I did the Ironman, I had to have “goals” for each run or bike. (Swimming wasn’t so bad once I got a SwimP3, so I could put on tunes or a podcast to just get the mileage in.) I would run to the store with my husband’s dry cleaning in a backpack, etc.
I think you have to look back on who you were as a kid. If getting outside, jumping around, riding your bike, hiking, etc. was something that you loved to do, then that’s who you are. That is the other end of the see-saw from my truth.
I don’t mind “training” or “exercise” once I’m at it. But every single day I have to be “motivated” to get there and do it. It’s the “getting out the door” part that is hard every day – breaking free of ‘bed suck’ LOL.
My bodyworker is a surfer, an “outdoor guy.” I always actually looked up to such people, growing up, and I do now. It’s anathema to me that someone would “like” moving.
Interestingly, the one thing that I do like to do is float around in the SF Bay. Swim a little, float a little. It’s freakin’ FREEZING in there, but I do like it and look forward to it. However, I am pretty sure I know what that’s from. When I had to do a LOT of Open Water training for the Ironman, Lavaman, Alcatraz, etc., I ~never~ lost my fear (Jaws, anyone?) of swimming in open water like that. So I got hypnotized. (WayOfTheWhale.com) She did a CD for me, I listened to it when I went to bed, and quite literally now, still 4 years later it’s ~impossible~ for me to be afraid in open water, and I feel like an otter in there. But it’s a pain in the neck (about 1/2 hour drive) to that water, plus, you can not do open water swimming without a buddy.
So anyway – I guess that’s the other end of the scale from your post. And, my bodyworker didn’t understand it either. But I asked him what he was like as a kid. He always wanted to be outside – daydreamer in class, out biking the hills, etc.
Me? I LOVED school. I would stay inside at recess just to read more.
I think this is also why I have more fitness certificates than most of my friends who ARE fitness enthusiasts. Because that’s “motivation” to me – moving forward to a certificate. Sort of like the marathons, or Ironman, or whatever – it was something to “move toward” that would get me outside, even when I hated the idea.
So there you go 😉
S
Definitely interesting to me..
In school – I was the one on the curb reading while the kids were playing tag.. My sport was school, though I never really had to TRY- I was just naturally good at it.
I did Quiz Bowl, Honor Society.. in high school, I was newspaper editor, in Drama club, and twirled a flag in Marching band. Point being – FAR from athletic, far from choosing to do anything physical.. Graduated right near the top of my class with little effort.
But once I discovered lifting/Crossfit and how it made me FEEL.. It was addicting. Maybe it’s a different personality type? Wanting to always be the best..
I do understand the goal thing, and maybe because I still feel there are so many things I have yet to achieve that it’s my intrinsic motivator.. like I will keep being excited about it until.. what.
My end-all goal right now is a muscle up.. but then someone said once she got her first, the goal was then to do a WOD with one.. and then. well, it spirals from there and that’s why everyone who sticks with Crossfit sticks– because there is no shortfall of goals to work towards!
Twitter: fantabulouslisa
February 12, 2015 at 4:25 pm
YEP about the muscle up–that was me! and it’s true. I can’t wait to see the video of your first!!!
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Twitter: fantabulouslisa
February 12, 2015 at 3:34 pm
OMG I hated it! I did it because i thought i had to do it to look pretty. I forced myself to become a runner and I would run 6-10 miles a day. I eventually learned to enjoy running when i began making it more social and singing up for races with friends. Along the way I was starting to enjoy group fitness. When fitness became more social it because more fun to me! I eventually began teaching group classes. I loved being a leader and having the accountability that I was getting paid based on whether I showed up or not! Ha!
The gym I worked for was horrible though. After dealing with a boss that had way too much on her plate and some skeezy front desk guys that made me feel extremely uncomfortable, I left.
Then I found crossfit and I felt like I was finally HOME!
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So true. Not everyone is going to take to traditional classes, gyms or training programs. I think if you are just going through the motions, then you won’t put forth an effort. If you don’t put forth an effort, you won’t see results and you’ll get discouraged.
I think exercise and movement is essential for health and longevity, but you have to find activities you want to do and will be consistent with. My friend hates weight lifting, but she loves Zumba. When I need a zumba fix, I can always rely on her.
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Twitter: Flash_Fran
February 12, 2015 at 10:15 pm
I love lifting and strength training. I look forward to going to the gym daily. Working out after work takes away the stress from the day. Thanks for encouraging me to lift!
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I absolutely love working out. I am very lucky. However, there are many people that despise every aspect of it. They have tried different types of activities and just don’t enjoy doing physical activity. Everyone is different and I respect that. I think that is why it is important to teach people ways to be successful and set goals by making their health and fitness their priority. If we don’t help them find a way to do that, they aren’t going to work out…
I love strength training! The stair master, teaching spin, and teaching kickboxing are my cardio faves!
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I so hear you! I took a break from running for a while and it was the best thing ever! During that time I discovered I LOVED working out at home and have done P90X3, PiYo, 21 Day Fix and now Max30. For me, having a structured program to follow just rocked my world! I have now since added in running again and am loving it.
For sure to each their own, but I totally agree, if it stops working or isn’t working then explore and switch it up to find what you love!
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Wow great message. You should definitely love the pains and struggles of the things you are passionate about.
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