Motivation

[newbie323]

I haven’t worked out in a while and I have been trying to get back into shape. I was working out with a friend who is well versed in workout routines, nutrition, etc. but he is now out of the country on business for the foreseeable future. I have been trying to do the same routines we use to do together but I am not making the same progress. From what I have been reading, working out with a partner helps you push yourself harder. I figure it it’s either I am not doing the exercises correctly or I am not pushing myself as hard now that I workout alone. Has anyone else run into a similar problem? If so, what did you do about it?

[Nokie173]

I used to be on a Yo-Yo diet, on & off and lost the motivation to continue. Then had a friend who used to workout with me… but we kept talking most of the time then after our workout… we went for pizza (It doesn’t help that she is naturally skinny already!!!)
But realized… I need to be fit and healthy for self and future! It took me a long time to get started because I didn’t know what to do or where to go for support… So here I am!

First off, I wanted to change bad eating habits and wanted to know what’s healthy and improve on diet! So, I posted what I ate (People in the forum advise me on how I can adjust it.) Then, I posted workout and of course… I got feed back. And when I feel down, need motivation or frustrated…. I vent here and I get GREAT GREAT GREAT Support! And… Every time I have a question or I’m confused about something… I post up a question! I’ve been doing for awhile now… and I’m totally reaching goal =)

I know it can be confusing & frustrating when starting off but we can be here to support you if you let us!!!.Welcome to the site

Nokie

[Nokie173]

I would like to point out that Nokie is now an "advisor" as well.

I try to share the knowledge that I’ve gained love.

[Boss Man]

Possibilities.

1. Not pushing yourself, because someone isn't there to give you that emotional edge, during training anymore.

2. Need to eat more to progress.

3. Losing technique.

4. Possible adaption, causing ever tapering gains.

Personally, I would go primarily for 2. Yes you might not be getting that push from someone else, but realistically, that's a psychological thing you can overcome.

I have pretty much always trained alone, that's the thing. Despite some people saying, they need a person to be there pushing them in the Gym, or they can't do it properly, in reality they don't need the person. I don't, so if I don't it proves it's physically, mentally and emotionally possible for people to do it, because I'm no fluke. I've seen plenty of people training alone, so it's not as difficult as you might think, if the circumstances or situation require it.

You might just see me sometimes, muttering a little to myself here and there, as a way of kicking own arse, when I just need to get a set going, and mind partially switches off for some reason between sets / exercises.

You may need to improve diet to see more changes, and that's why I opted for 2 on the above list, because many can plateau, and waste time doing stuff that doesn't work, because diet is not solid enough to progress.

I would suggest either of the following, based on a 300 calorie a day increase.

1. 5g Protein, 5g Carbs, 1g Fat, 49 calories more per meal.

2. 5g Carbs, 3-4g Fat, 47-56 calories more per meal.

The first one might be more suitable, incase Protein consumption is a little low, but if you feel it's adequate, because your intake is around 1.2g per lb of bodyweight, or 1.5g max, then implement number 2.

I would not advise to just whack a load of calories in, like another 1,000-1,500 a day, as that's a common mistake people make. You eat big to get big.

WRONG.

You eat roughly what you need to get bigger, not what you don't. So if a 200lb natural eats 4,000 calories a day, a 170lber might only need around 3,000 - 3,200 approximately, to be that size not 4,000. People who increase calories massively, when their bodies don't need them all, could get a lot of excess calorie conversion to Fat, which will taper off, the more growth sustained and added calories needed to sustain growth, but then why gain another 20lbs of weight, and have say 20% of it being fat, as opposed to 5-10%, which might happen if you step up calories a few times, as and when needed?

[Boss Man]

No, 300 calories a day is what I meant . That would be an increase on top what he is already eating. 3,000 a day increase, would probably make him sick, or give him potential other issues, from forcing his body to adjust to a big caloric spike.

Plus he'd probably be eating like a Mr Olympia finalist, if he increased his daily intake by 3,000. Not good. If he could stomach that many extra calories a day, he'd probablty be fat in next to no time.

Hopefully that clarifies things for you .

[Boss Man]

No worries. I figured you'd done something like that

[newbie323]

Thanks guys for the insight... I am trying to adjust to working out alone. I am on a 1500 calorie a day diet. I workout 3 to 4 times a week 45 mins to an hour of cardio on the elliptical with lights weight. technique needs work, but I am hoping that will get better with time and practice.

I am getting use to working out alone, but workouts are still not as good, but that too I hope will change with time.