I (32m) just started going back to the gym after 8 years off. Being out of shape has made it less motivating to get back to it and stay committed. Mental just sucks a lot and the lousy weather doesn’t help at all. Energy levels were so much better in my mid 20s and wasn’t so bad to take time off and get right back into it. Definitely sucks once the dreadful 30s hit. Can see why performance goes down for these professional athletes once they hit 30 and older. Boy is it a struggle to get back to where I was in my 20s
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It’s not about motivation, it’s about dedication/commitment
Consistency is the key… Even if you feel crap.. Just showing up is what matters.
I think the main thing is you gotta find an internal source of motivation to keep you going. I’ve found that when external motivating factors were the core impetus/ drive, I wouldn’t last long. But when I had internal goals, it made all the difference and I could put in the work on days I felt like crap.
After a few months, you might be just as strong, if not stronger. No guarantees, but 32 is super young and some don’t hit their physical peak until later (pro athletes are a different story).
Do less, but more often. Make it a thing you do — you’re the sort of person who does this. Don’t wring yourself out each session (unless you get into that later)
I see dudes in their 40s who can’t make it up a flight of stairs, guys who are basically falling apart because they didn’t take care of themselves. That’s not too far in the future for me and I refuse to go down like that.
Physical fitness is the foundation of good physical health, along with good diet. They may be equally important, but you can get away with a dirtier diet if you workout hard.
For me I just had to recognize that a 30’s body is different from a 20’s body. It’s exceedingly harder to achieve what I once had. But at 35 it’s okay to have a little extra fat and not be pressing as much weight. In other words I keep my goals reasonable and achievable so I stay motivated to keep achieving.
It’s very easy to get by in your 20s exercising inconsistently, having a bad diet and not really looking after yourself.
Now, if I miss the gym for a bit, need a week to build up and pray I don’t injure myself.
Go for the amount of years it takes to become a problem if you don’t go. That’s my conclusion. 3 years for me. Now it comes naturally to get up at 4.30 and go 5 to 6 days a week.
How do you feel after the gym or the next day? Probably sore, but a good sore. You’re probably thinking man I’m sore but I’m glad I went. Keep going and you won’t regret it. Go slow since you’re just getting back into it. Eventually you’ll be able to increase your workload.
Sex mostly.