Stop Motivating Yourself to Workout — Because You Know It is Not Working!
There you go again.
The clock hits eight and you start an inner battle with yourself to get to the gym.
You want that beach body for the summers but maybe… the next summer would be just as fine.
You need to shred that extra fat off your belly, but the bag of chips in your hand thinks otherwise.
Your trainer is probably going to call you in ten minutes but you have got a solid excuse all ready…and man, it was such a hard day today, don't you really deserve to chill for the rest of the evening?
A couple more of such guilt trips and — all of a sudden — one day you realize you actually have zero motivation to workout. And that’s when the thing pops up…why should you ever need motivation to work out?
You don’t require motivation to dance, or play your favorite sport. Why does it have to be different for working out? You, most likely, already have a bunch of ‘chores’ that you don't want to do but have to, anyway. Would you really want to add another one to the list?
WHY DO YOU WORK OUT?
Before you ever lift a dumbbell next, ask yourself this one silly question: What is the most compelling reason for you to workout?
Maybe you are fed up with the way you look and feel, and don't want to be called a couch slob anymore.
Or you may have seen those recent Calvin Klein ads (much ridiculed by the Fight Club, of course) and finally decided to get that sought-after physique that will make your Tinder explode.
Or maybe, you’re one of those transformation freaks who needs a new challenge, loaded with work ethic and all, to find some masochistic meaning in an otherwise mundane existence.
In a nutshell, you are highly unsatisfied with the way you are right now and want to thrill yourself — at least in imagination — to much ‘higher standards’.
EXTRINSIC VS INTRINSIC MOTIVES
When you work out with an ulterior motive in order to achieve an image and not just for the fun of it, sooner or later, you will need motivation. And very soon, buckets of it.
Now contrast that to guys who seem to be addicted to the gym. Ask one such guy, and chances are you will find out that they are in love with the process. They don’t want to get somewhere perfect… other than the gym tonight to discover the body and train the mind.
CONSISTENCY VS INTENSITY
The average weekend warrior is super motivated, excited for ‘massive gains’, all ready with his dozen bottle of pills, shakes, hard metal playlists, and the most advanced fitness trackers. They work out like a rabid dog for the first month or so, and then gradually drop off never to be seen again until the next new year’s resolution comes around.
Any kind of external motivation can only provide fuel for so long. Whereas, long-term consistency comes from the love of the game.
That is why guys who set off for an ‘incredible’ body transformation either don't get beyond the first hurdle or they get to where they want to be only to transform back to their old self just as quickly. Watch this excellent post from AthleanX comparing Zac Efron’s and Taylor Lautner’s transformation stories and you will see the limitations of short-term mental intensity.
DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO
“So what the heck do I do?”, you may be asking. And, rightly so. Do you simply give up working out, stay like a slob all life, and carry on forever with your bag of chips?
Well, not at all. Just work out the way you want to, whatever it is and for as long as you want to. Your body demands movement. You just need to find a movement pattern that YOU like.
Long-term consistency will trump short-term flaws and you will get results. Just don't set yourself crazy goals and images that won’t give you any positive desire to workout but make you feel guilty as hell if you don't. Do it for the love of it and you would never require any extra motivation.
FITNESS IS SUBJECTIVE
Fitness is not some ultimate destination or some stereotyped popular image. It is an essential skill and there are various means to practice it. You just need to find something that doesn’t feel like a chore to you.
In fact, workout of any kind should be addictive. If you like break-dancing, do it. If you like lifting, do it. But if you really are interested in something for which workout is only a means, then chances are you won't be able to do it for long. Willpower wears out, love doesn’t.
And in all fairness, you don't have to be a six-pack beach body to feel healthy, look vibrant and be called fit. Remember Patrick Bateman saying after his insane workouts, “ I feel like shit, but look great.” Well, you would rather feel great, however it makes you look.
Tell me if you agree, and if not, why not?
