Same thing happened to me so I quit my job and pursued a different one that has a need for fitness.
I think competing in something provides a guiding light well too. Maybe that's a martial art, powerlifting, the TSC, triathlons, etc but the competitive spirit is much more powerful than just a hobby.
Competition seems often to bee a motivation here. But first I think I am not the competitive typ and also I dont know at what competition I am interessed in. Maybe I should search a little bit.
Well, which is it? Also, you could lose your health, girlfriend, or the livelihood that allows you to not expend any strenuous effort at a moment's notice. What will you do if that happens?
Sorry I think I misspoke, english is not my first native language.
I am feeling healthy YET, but in the future there will be problems, if I am going on without changing.
If your scenario would happen, I would probably change, because I have to.
I say, steady on old boy. I don't think fear is an amazing motivator. Physical exercise is a stressor on its own without worrying about your life falling to pieces because you weren't 'strong enough'.
@erwin Did you used to enjoy working out or was it something you always did because you felt you 'needed' to? Finding a pursuit that you enjoy or, at least, one that challenges you in a stimulating way is a good step towards getting your motivation back. If you can find a way to enjoy the process, you won't find yourself chasing 'outcomes' and strength and health will sneak up on you.
Do you engage in any competitive sports? Maybe it's time to give that a try if you haven't already.
There were times I enjoyed it and there were times I just did it because I had to (to achive something).
I think my problem is, that I have always been thinking, that I have to achive something (get more weights on, run faster than the last time...). But if I dont think so, most of the time I didnt improved. So how do change this?
I dont do competitive sports.
I've been in shape and I've been out of shape and being in shape is about a million times better.
When I'm in shape I just have more sense of adventure and I don't worry as much about whether I'll hurt myself or if I can handle something. Add that to concerns about maintaining my health and, for me, that's motivation enough.
Hm I know that, but it doesnt motivate me.
I think that you should find a way to exercise that you actually enjoy. So that you do it as an end in itself, without any extrinsic goals. Getting healthier and fitter etc. is just a bonus, though a welcome one.
I tried this, but every time I did this, I didnt realy improve and then I felt bad, because I didnt achieve anything.
I've had many periods of low motivation, when I've responded by making participation rather than achievement the goal. I just say I am going to the gym, say, once or twice weekly, and provided I turn up I can then do whatever, including leaving immediately for home. Of course once I'm there I almost always then decide to do something. Eventually, in its own time, the motivation to achieve kicks back in and I end up with a program. Just go with it!
Tried this also, but for me, I did less and less workout. Till I quited.
Erwin, Will you please state what your previous goal or reason was to workout in the past? You said you lost them. It might help SF members to know what that was. It might also help you to state in writing what they were. Seems like we(and you) are missing some information. Thx.
My first goal to workout was to get better in sports in school, then I did it to pass the entrance examination of a school. When I was 18 or so, I wanted to be muscular to impress girls (man I was silly^^). After this I wanted to join military and I trained for it, got accepted but I didnt joined it, because my mind changed and I had an other view on the world. And since that happend, I didnt find a goal or a reason to workout. Till I decided last autumn to workout agian and get stronger and leaner. But the motivation didnt last long.
