Last week, I was checking in with an online training client with some of my usual queries: How is your nutrition, training, etc.? At the end of their response, they asked me how my training was going.
I appreciated the thought, but more than anything, I was happy to be ale to share something with them– I’ve had clients, family, and friends comment on my dedication to working out as if I never have issues with motivation. I’ve also been told that I don’t understand motivation issues.
But, I do; and lately, I know them very well.
For the last few weeks, I have had some serious motivation issues with my training. I find myself toying with the idea of skipping workouts; I’ve found myself putting off my workouts; I’ve considered scaling back the intensity; During a few workouts I’ve cut out a set; In one particular case, I had to basically force myself to start my warm up and train.
Life is stressful– Between work, school, studying for a nutrition certification, contest prep for my show, acting in a web series, and everything else I have going on, it has definitely worn me down. Somehow, though, I manage to keep myself in the gym and compliant on my nutrition.
The point of this post?
I’m writing this to tell you that motivation issues are normal, and that I know exactly how difficult this journey can be. I’m right there alongside everyone else in struggling to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It’s not limited to me either– You’ll find that even professional athletes, professional physique competitors, amateur physique competitors, etc. have regular struggles with staying on their nutrition, or staying motivated in the gym.
Staying as consistent as possible, and trying to find motivation every day can be difficult, but they’re necessary; and hopefully, you have someone in your life that can help you maintain that!
What can you do about motivation issues?
There’s no real solution for motivation issues. Usually I try and tell people to find the root of the issue– Often it can be something like sitting down after a long day when you should have gone directly the gym. Other times it’s a sort of response that occurs after deviating from your nutrition plan. Getting the root of the problem can often do the trick. For me, personally, I just remind myself of how I’ll feel if I don’t train vs. if I do. If I skip a workout, I’ll feel bad about it, and I’ll feel like I wasn’t working toward my goal. . . But I know that, if I can get started, I will feel better once I’m training, and I’ll feel great when I’m finished!