Haven’t been back to the gym in 6 weeks

[hales13]

I have not gone back after having 4 bad weeks. I keep telling myself to go back but have gone on 1.5 miles walks instead. I have anxiety going back. How can I change my mindset again? Any tips that you use after not going bad for awhile?

 

[lookintochat]

@hales13 Couple suggestions.
1. Motivational videos (sometimes ya just need a little kick in the proverbial ass)

1. Spend a few days looking up new exercises and planning a new routine. Some things you can get excited about trying
2. Write down every reason you want to work out, low self esteem, health, fun, ect. Then write down every reason you don't want to go. Look at this list every day and add to it daily, even if you're just writing the same answers daily.
3. Just do it. (None of us can give you a reason to get fit that suits you, and none of us can hold your hand and force you into a gym. It's on you to overcome that mental challenge to even begin the physical one. 75% of working out is believing you can do it and actually putting yourself in the gym . The other 25% is the repetitions and gains that you achieve when you don't feel like doing it but do it anyway)

Mental toughness is the hardest to achieve and integrity (to yourself) is the hardest to give, resisting and overcoming these blockades will do more for you as a person, especially if youre a man than any amount of bench press will.

Tldr: I believe in you, and I promise that anxiety will only worsen with time if you let it go unchecked. Find the root of why you don't want to go and remind yourself how stupid it is in comparison to a life of discipline and a healthy body. Science has proven over and over again the best medicine for your mind is a strong body, and the best steroid is a strong mind. Once you build the habit you will feel anxiety if you DONT work out

DM me if you'd like, we can talk a bit before your next session about your situation, some motivation tips, and some stuff to help get over that hump

 

[lookintochat]

Edit, this applies to women as well, I apologize for assuming gender, I am purely speaking from my POV in life

 

[dch]

@hales13 Last time I went was in april. Too much pollen lol.

To get my motivation back, I usually watch tons of motivational videos.

stuff like this. Another motivator I sometimes try is to pick a new program instead of going back to the one I was on when I stopped going

 

[tonybeer]

@hales13 Just do it. You gotta just go once. Even if it's to do something simple and easy. Get back Into it

 

[dawn16]

@hales13 How did it feel the last time you were there?

 

[tyforthebirds]

@hales13 Is the gym within walking distance or near a path? Walk to the gym/drive and walk a path to the gym. Walk inside and just do something simple (couple squats, dbells, whatever).

Just get through the doors and don't think about what you're gonna do there until you can go there without anxiety.

 

[dawn16]

@hales13 If your car has no fuel in the tank, you need to go fill it up right? You just go do it.

Going to the gym is no different, make it something you have got to do.

 

[goldenknight]

@hales13 I have ADHD with high anxiety and dealt with this. Once I stopped going to the gym or working out for a few days that quickly became a month. And I felt guilty and ashamed and anxious about going back because it took so much effort to go there in the first place. I felt like I failed myself.

One day I decided to pretend I didn’t miss and gym days. I just kept repeating that I never missed any time and I’m still on the journey. Sounds silly I know. But I just kept saying it to myself all the way to the gym. Once I got inside it instantly felt like I missed zero time. I got right back into it.

 

[dartmanii]

@hales13 When I can’t motivate myself, I say “I’m just going to drive there”. That’s it. I drive, I get in the parking lot. Then I decide to do 1 exercise. That’s it. After that one exercise, if I’m drained and done, I’m done. But generally I find myself in the zone and do my usual workout.

 

[dzylon]

@hales13 Do you usually go in the morning or after work/school? If in the morning, sleep in your workout clothes. Plan on going for just five minutes, only committing to just one set, or one five minute walk on the treadmill. If you do this, nine times out of ten you’ll get motivated to do more and that “only five minute” workout you were going to do turns into a full workout.

Let’s go, take action, you’ve got this!

 

[ilovemyjesus]

@hales13 Just go

 

[mj82]

@hales13 Be proud of getting those walks in. You could be doing nothing and the fact you're doing that is a win.

1. Go to the gym but don't even worry about working out Sit in the parking lot if you want. Try and build the habit of making it part of your day and routine again.
2. Are you able to work out at home at all until?

 

[hales13]

@mj82 I am able to. I’m been doing some stretches at home till I build the courage to go again.

 

[mj82]

@hales13 I love it! Building momentum

 

[hales13]

@mj82 Thank you