You've all heard my views on motivation... well now, get ready for my take on demotivation.
Ever been SO demotivated that you just can't find yourself doing anything productive? No mood to work, no mood to get up in the morning, no mood to dress up and look good to face the day... a demotivation so strong that even when youre in the midst of seeing actual results of your hard work, (losing fat fast, muscle definition, strength gains) but yet - you're just not able to motivate yourself to drag yourself to the gym. Sounds pretty bad, doesnt it?
Ever had this feeling before? The feeling that just makes you want to give the gym a pass and to just stop bothering with your healthy meals and the importance of your protein intake and just wanting to get home and crawl under your blanket and hope that everything passes as quickly as possible. Basically.. it's almost 'giving up'. I find demotivation of this extent to be bad.. really really bad. It happens... it's happened to me before, and it could happen to anyone else. Something like this would also only get worse unless you tackle the root of the problem, and the problem most of the times, may not be something as simple as getting enough rest, eating right, or changing your workout routine. What causes this kinda demotivation then, you ask?
I've written before about not being motivated after a long day at work, but that deals with factors that are pretty much in your hand, which you are able to manipulate to affect the end result. To me, demotivation of this extent happens when you're faced a something such as perhaps a loved one has passed away... or you just lost your job... lost your family, your car got stolen... your pet dog died... your partner left you for another person... the list long - but I think you get what I'm trying to say. It's the matters of the heart that could cause such an impact in your life. Who would have thought that it would also interfere with your fitness goals?
Don't get me wrong... I'm not saying this is a good thing, or that you should 'accept' this feeling when it happens. When I am motivated and feel good about everything in life - I'm almost always able to have razor sharp focus and desire and drive in everything I do. Most people would be able to do the same.
But when we're demotivated, we're all only human.. and our heart affects our mind, which in turn will affect our physical behaviour. Can you imagine yourself at the gym just days after a loved one has passed away? Or imagine yourself in the gym after a breakup? Do you think you're going to be able to focus on your workout 100%? What do you think is going to be running through your mind as you rest in between sets?
Unfortunately, this is also a feeling you can't overcome easily just by consuming a pre-workout stimulant either. I don't think that even a full serving of NO-Xplode could help you now. If you're thinking of alcohol.. well that only serves as temporary relief as although it IS an antidepressant (a pretty effective one too), the feelings do come back once you stop consuming it. The only way is to consume it constantly... and that's only going to wreak havoc in your body. Trust me, I've tried it before and don't ever wanna go down that path before.. and neither should you.
Well, what's interesting is that everything mentioned above is totally the opposite of being 100% motivated. You'll find yourself being in a state of absolute bliss, and simply enjoy doing every single thing, every single workout, every single meal. Amazing indeed. I wish I could feel this way 24 hrs/day, 365 days/yr.
So.. is there hope for the demotivated athlete? As ironic as it may sound, one way to actually feel better is to do the one thing you're dreading the most right now - hit the gym and exercise. Why? Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins - which give you a natural 'high', an improved feeling of well being. In fact, there have been many runners who swear by a 'runner's high'.. a feeling of euphoria after having run a certain distance. Go look it up.. my write-up is already long enough so I wont talk about runner's high much.
So now you know why you almost always feel good and have a feeling of 'satisfaction' after a workout. I guess there are many other ways to refresh your senses and get back in track while being demotivated... you could go shopping (retail therapy helps), buy that pair of shoes you've always wanted, get new perfume (smelling different all the time can heavily affect the way you feel), or perhaps get a haircut, colour your hair, cook your favourite meal, and so on.
Just remember that we all get demotivated at times.. but no one has to wallow in this state. It's your choice what you do with your feelings... but it also wouldnt hurt to look at it as a sign that it’s time to sharpen yourself.
We're only human... and so am I.
Josh Stone, also known as DM, is the author behind the site http://www.dailymuscle.com which offers the author's personal views on real-life fitness, bodybuilding, sports nutrition, cardio, fat loss, training information, and on all things that surrounds fitness.
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