How to get Drive/Intensity back?

[Oconns28]

Hey everyone. I wasn’t sure on the best section to post this but I guess it’s health related.

Just for a bit of history been weight training very regularly now for about 10 years. I’m going to be 36 soon and in those 10 years I’ve transformed from a very soft up to 215 lbs at 5’11 to a much more muscular 185 and back up to 210 but with a lot more muscle. My FitTrack scale says I’m about 20-21% bf. Like most men with extra fat I carry it right in the lower belly and “love handles”.

Anyways I love working out and have a basic home gym now. I’ve lost the ability/desire to go super hard in the gym. I want it back but I feel like I drag my ass around a lot and go through the motions. I work as a firefighter full time and want to be one of the “toughest” hardest workers in my department. Trying to eat better and sleep better but still struggling to get that fire back. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

 

[Smont]

It's in your head, you gotta do because you want to do it. I often find myself just going through the motions and sometimes you need a end goal to get your motivation back. Come up with a gameplan, you said your about 20% bf and carry it in the midsection. Maybe we set a goal to get down to a healthier and more pleasing 14-15% and have some visible abs for the beach. Over the next 8-12 you could start logging your workouts and meals here and use this log to hold yourself accountable to get **** done and reach your goal.

No I'm not saying that's what your goal is, I just hypothetically spit all that out. But my point is, you gotta do it for you. No1 here is gonna motivate you more then you can motivate yourself and if you spend a bunch of time looking for motivation then your wasting time on reaching the end goal.

 

[Oconns28]

It's in your head, you gotta do because you want to do it. I often find myself just going through the motions and sometimes you need a end goal to get your motivation back. Come up with a gameplan, you said your about 20% bf and carry it in the midsection. Maybe we set a goal to get down to a healthier and more pleasing 14-15% and have some visible abs for the beach. Over the next 8-12 you could start logging your workouts and meals here and use this log to hold yourself accountable to get **** done and reach your goal.

No I'm not saying that's what your goal is, I just hypothetically spit all that out. But my point is, you gotta do it for you. No1 here is gonna motivate you more then you can motivate yourself and if you spend a bunch of time looking for motivation then your wasting time on reaching the end goal.

Oh ya I know most of it is in my head. Actually trying to eliminate the other variables so it is 100% in my head. Focusing on nutrition and hydration. Sleep the best that I can but some nights we run calls most of the night.

I was about 211 around 4 weeks ago. Now around 203-205.


I did enjoy logging on here when I had some new supps to track. Gives that extra kick in the butt.

Thanks for the input

 

[Hyde]

Agreed that it has to be internal. Ultimately, nobody cares about you but you, so to speak. I mean, whether you get better or quit doesn’t really effect anyone the way it will you.

Setting realistic but desirable goals, with timelines, is the best way. I want to do this lift by X date, or lose this much fat, or partake in some activity with ease, or have a contest with a buddy at work, be creative. Sometimes part of going through the motions means you aren’t really doing something that interesting for yourself. Maybe you’d be happier with more arm work, or some other specialization/focus like squatting twice a week, or you want to start doing some CrossFit WODs and chasing certain times to completion. Maybe you’ve always wanted a X lb benchpress 1RM but never quite pushed yourself to attain it.

“Or maybe, maybe it could just be the tunes, baby!” - Eric Bugenhagen