As discussed in the earlier Right State Of Mind section, you must be motivated enough to take on a training schedule. A full training cycle could take between 2 to 5 years to get you up to the physical size you were looking for. Dropping out before this time will not only give you less physical rewards (bigger muscles, more strength etc), but you will also 'kick' yourself psychologically. You must see your goal as a long term investment, the more you participate, the more you will gain in the long term. You must also give yourself smaller goals each month to keep you motivated e.g. aim to add more weight to your equipment or reach a rep level by a certain time.
Pushing yourself to train can be very hard, especially after the first 4 or 6 months of training. After this time, the results from each workout will be less noticeable and gains will become much slower. It is therefore essential to motivate yourself throughout the development period. This involves considering the real benefits training will offer you, and also to consider your overall goal - which should be the driving force behind your efforts.
The benefits are many, the first and most priceless one of them all is health. In the modern society of fast food and modern conveniences it becomes all too easy to sit back and let life work around you. This leads to ill health. Exercise gives you better health and general fitness as well as decreasing the chance of illness, increasing enjoyment of life and increasing lifespan. Remember, you grow old and weak because you stop being active, not the other way around.
Other benefits include higher physical strength, making jobs much easier to perform. A better bodily shape - which may make you more attractive to your partner and other people. A slim figure for women or the weight conscious. You will feel much better and be able to face lifes problems with more confidence. Feelings of tension and frustration are generally alleviated by a general workout and the increased blood flow around the body makes sure everything functions at its best.
Once you are ready and motivated enough to begin your workout, you must keep your motivation before you. The best thing to do is to consider what your overall aim is and stick to it. This goal must be your driving force and must be powerful enough to make you get up and exercise, and to train to the best of your ability. Possible goals could be: 'I want to look my best on the beach next summer', 'I want to compete in my sport better', 'I want to look my best to attract a lover', 'I want to be healthy and enjoy an active lifestyle'. Then think how much happier you will make yourself, your coach, your boy/girlfriend etc.
Other tricks you can try to maintain motivation can also be employed. Do you feel happier at home or in a gym? Do you need stimulation from other people? If you go to a leisure centre would saunas, jacuzzis help? If you use an exercise bike, why not read a book at the same time? Is training to music better for you? If training for figure or body building, why not take 'before' and 'after' photos to show how you are improving and weight yourself regularly. If you think you do not have time for training, plan out your day on paper and organise your activities. If you want to maintain a log book, plot charts every few months to show your gains - the results may surprise you. Sometimes training with someone of like mind can be just the tonic you need for poor motivation and can help bond friendships and relationships. Make your diet and training sessions as varied as possible, and always have faith in yourself, what have you got to loose?
