What keeps you motivated.

• hagerstowncat...
  
  Posts: 122
  
  
  Jul 24, 2008 1:49 PM GMT

  ok guys looking for some advice. I'll be 42 next week and I made the decision it high time to start getting into a healthier lifestyle. I joined the gym a few months ago and was wondering what keeps you motivated especially when you first started and wasn't seeing the immediate results.
  
  Any tips or suggestions that helped you when you started to seriously workout would be appreciated. We all have to start somewhere

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• EricLA
  
  Posts: 3462
  
  
  Jul 24, 2008 4:27 PM GMT

  Well, I started at 28. Approaching 30, I was afraid that my metabolism might start slowing down, and I didn't want that to happen. I wasn't in bad shape, but wasn't doing much regular physical activity, either.
  
  One challenge I found was making too big of a commitment. At one point that first summer I worked out 4 times a week, but quickly found me getting bored. So, I dropped to a 3x a week routine. Thirteen years later, aside from the three years I lived in New York, I've kept that schedule. There are weeks I only get to the gym once or twice a week, but I don't beat myself up for it. I want to have a life, too.
  
  Time of day is another challenge. I wish I could work out in the morning. I think I'd be better prepared for the day. But, I go to bed late as it is and I'm not a morning person. So, I work out in the evening. It was easier before I had a dog. I could go to the gym from work, then go home and eat. So, I come home and walk and feed my dog and make my own dinner. It's the next 1/2 hour to hour that then tempts me to blow off working off and just kick back on the couch watching TV. But, I drag myself to the gym and once I'm working out I'm in the groove and happy to be there.
  
  And nothing motivates more, at least at first, when you start seeing results.

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  Jul 24, 2008 4:51 PM GMT

  Right now I have two things keeping me motivated.
  
  First, is my 20 year high school reunion this fall. I was a fat-ass back then (that's when I weighed the most, about 240lbs), so it will be fun to see peoples reactions if they remember me at all.
  
  Second is these:
  
  
  
  I bought a pair of these hip-briefs, and I want to look good in them.
  
  

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  Jul 24, 2008 5:01 PM GMT

  The thing that keeps me most motivated is the "bigger" guys at the gym. I watch how they move, the way they lift, the angles they use, and try to match that. RJ is also a HUGE motivator. Everyone thus far here has some great information that I'm able to try at the gym to see if it gives me greater gains.

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  Jul 24, 2008 5:02 PM GMT

  Motivation is surely one of the toughest things about working out and keeping in shape. For those of us with other than ectomorph and mesomorph body types (endomorph, myself), keeping weight off can be a real bitch.
  
  My motivation comes from the fact that I feel and look better in my clothes, I don't jiggle as much in my car over bumps/rough road, and that my belt notch keeps going lower (meaning my waist is getting smaller). That and seeing all the hot men in their 40's and even 50's on here, that's MAJOR motivation as well.
  
  But EricLA made a good point about not beating yourself up if you don't make it as often as you'd like. I used to be REALLY strict about my gym routine, would sacrifice time with friends to get a workout in. Now I'm more relaxed about it, have given up the goal of being "huge" in favor of being leaner and more ripped. Still working on that goal, but I'm finding it much more enjoyable to workout now and still be able to have a social life with friends.

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• swlaman82
  
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  Jul 24, 2008 5:07 PM GMT

  Part of my motivation is so that I can see the look on my ex's face when he sees me 50 or so pounds lighter and muscled up (I know that's not so healthy but right now the rage keeps me going in the gym longer).
  
  Another part is just the fact that I have always been the fat guy and I noticed when I starting losing weight that I am not only happier happier and have more energy but people tend to look at you differently.

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  Jul 24, 2008 5:40 PM GMT

  I never EVER want to be fat again. That is the biggest motivation for me. Some excellent side effects are that I have much better self esteem, and over all better mental health. Working out just makes me feel good.

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  Jul 24, 2008 5:40 PM GMT

  Well, I've always done a sport or been active in some way. I don't want to be fat and going to the gym everyday is more constructive (and cheaper) than sitting in a bar and drinking afterwork all the time.
  
  But the real motivation for me is somewhat narcissistic (and I don't care):
  
  When I look in the mirror and I see my muscles more defined it makes me feel good. When I see how good clothes fit I feel good. And, I'm not gonna lie, it turns me on to feel hot and I get off on my boyfriend touching my pecs in delight and appreciating my body.
  
  Not a perfect ten yet, but I like getting there...
  
  

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  Jul 24, 2008 5:55 PM GMT

  Having workouts that are set on a timeline help me. The 12 week courses keep me focused on things other than immediate results. Then there's hearing from folks that took a long time to achieve the goals we are told we can get on the TV if we take this or that magic weight loss pill.
  
  It took time for me to get in the shape that I'd been in, it will take time to get out of it and into the shape I want to be.
  
  Also, this community helps alot. Yes, the forums may go off topic a lot, but I can still find great information on being healthy. It feels good that I don't have to do vacuums to fit in my skinny clothes anymore.

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• Bunjamon
  
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  Jul 24, 2008 6:05 PM GMT

  Tracking my progress keeps me motivated. Actually being able to look at numbers that prove that I'm doing something right really get me pumped and make me want to work harder.

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  Jul 24, 2008 6:09 PM GMT

  My motivation tends to come from different places, but momentum is actually my best motivation -- I've been working out for four years, I go to the gym about every other day -- so why stop when I'm onto something good? My body will keep getting better and better the longer I keep at this.

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  Jul 24, 2008 7:53 PM GMT

  at first i was motivated by was watching my body change... i started working out at around 26 years of age (i'm 38 now). Before then i was a true couch potato who smoked a lot and ate really really bad o but you said you're not seeing results sooo...
  
  ... dunno, maybe you can set goals or something... or reward yourself after reaching some milestone (just make them obtainable)

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  Jul 24, 2008 8:46 PM GMT

  
  BODY IMAGE IN THE GAY COMMUNITY

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  Jul 24, 2008 8:56 PM GMT

  All of the above, plus there seems to be an element of procrastination or avoidance of unpleasant tasks IRL. A difficult project may be slipping, but at least I'm getting buff!

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  Jul 24, 2008 9:13 PM GMT

  One of my very good friends joined my gym and we began working out together. That was huge motivation for me.
  
  I had belonged to the gym for several years, but almost always found an excuse to skip the gym. It just seemed a bother. Very soon I reached my highest weight ever, 180 lbs. Not so bad, except I'm only 5'7". And not a whole lot was muscle. I had a 36 inch waist, 42 inch chest and 13 inch arms. I began feeling very bad about myself.
  
  So, when my friend joined (he was in much better shape than me), we decided to work-out together 3-4 times a week. We had so much fun spending time together, in no time we were going 5, 6, sometimes even 7 days a week. We would laugh and joke with each other the whole time, I actually began REALLY looking forward to the gym. I didn't really pay much attention to my progress at first. Then I started noticing how differently my clothes started to fit. People started complimenting me on how I looked. That became motivation all in itself.
  
  Well, 2 years later, I still weigh 180 lbs. BUT I now have a 32 inch waist, a 46 inch chest and 17 inch arms.
  
  I still work-out at least 4 times a week, but my friend changed jobs and isn't always able to join me, but I still go because I actually enjoy the gym, and I don't ever want to be that fat guy again!
  
  Hello, my name is Quentin.....and I'm a gymaholic.

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  Jul 24, 2008 9:30 PM GMT

  the eye candies ... with perfect bodies ... in my gym ... there's tons of them ...
  
  they keep me motivated ... all the time ...
  
  i love "people watching" ... specially the "eye candy" ... with "perfect body" ...
  
  well, i'm in hollywood ... los angeles ... and there are a lot of dudes who wanna become ... actor ... male model ... dancer ... singer ... or whatever ...
  
  i even see gay pornstars who workout in my gym ...
  
  anyway ... it's kind of amazing that they are able to maintain a perfect body ...
  
  and i want to have one ...
  
  besides, it feels great and wonderful to be fit and healthy ...
  
  i can wear any clothes i want ...
  
  i used to be fat at 180 lbs ... when i was 30-32 years old ...
  
  now, i have maintained my weight at 150 lbs ... and i'm loving it ...
  
  and i always feel happy about my body ... because i always feel sexy ... or sexual ... lol ...
  
  that's why i go to the gym regularly ... 5 times per week ...
  
  it's the only way ... the natural way ...
  
  he he he ...

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• DuggerPDX
  
  Posts: 386
  
  
  Jul 24, 2008 9:38 PM GMT

  44 going on 45 very soon. My motivation comes from seeing the results of hard work, and knowing that if I keep working hard, things will only get better. I've only been at this seriously for about 18 month's, but when I think back to what I could do then versus what I can do now with my muscles and body I am amazed. The sense of pride I get when people notice that I've trimmed down in places and bulked up in places keeps me going to the gym and keeps me on track with diet, nutrition and moderation. I've accomplished a lot of things in my life professionally but nothing stacks up to how I feel about myself right now.

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  Jul 24, 2008 9:38 PM GMT

  G D

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  Jul 24, 2008 9:43 PM GMT

  $
  
  it's all about the benjamins, baby. if i don't work out, i don't pay my bill$.

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  Jul 24, 2008 9:43 PM GMT

  This one is easy.
  
  Working out and looking good:
  
  1. Gets you laid
  2. Allows you more choices in getting laid
  3. Makes you feel good about yourself
  4. Helps you handle the stress of the world
  

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• GQjock
  
  Posts: 11649
  
  
  Jul 24, 2008 10:55 PM GMT

  Yep...
  I agree with BigSet here
  
  Gets you the Gay Get out of Jail Free Card

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• hagerstowncat...
  
  Posts: 122
  
  
  Jul 24, 2008 11:09 PM GMT

  THANKS!!! You all have been great and I appreciate the tips, suggestions and stories!!

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