A couple of years ago I was in fanastic shape. Within 10 pounds of my ideal weight and I'd built up my cardio and muscle tone to very high levels. I'd done this after losing a large amount of weight that I'd gained in my mid to late 40's during a very stressfull time in my life. Although I haven't reverted to the state I was in before, right now I'm between chunky town and fat city, (Actually I may have just passed the first exit). I'm still keeping in at least two strength workouts a week but I just can't get back on the stick with cardio.

My dilemma is motivation. I keep getting in to these cycles of depression where I'm wondering what the point is. When I'm in top shape women notice me more. I don't look like a movie star but the combination of my physique and leaner face gets me attention. Even a social illiterate like me can tell. Of course that makes me stressed and nervous that some woman will try to be friendly and strike up a conversation with me, (it's happened in the past). If I don't have the social skills to take advantage of the benefits of a fit healthy body then why put in the effort?

I'm aware of the benefits of high levels of fitness and the endorphin rush I get after a hard workout is something I still look forward to. But sometimes I still think that I'll go into the box without having lived and that for all my effort I'm just ensuring I'll have a fit looking corpse.

END OF RANT

I know what you mean in reference to cardio

Cardio is hard to motivate yourself IF you stop . . . actually that might just be the discipline that defines cardio, keeping your heart-rate up for extended periods of time and using muscles over your whole body. . . walking, jogging, running, swimming, rowing, etc, after an 1/2 hr or 1 hr you're pretty tired (of course rejuvenated, but still tired)

the key is don't stop.

I don't really need motivation to train hard. It's a habit now. A daily ritual.

Ethnocide wrote:I don't really need motivation to train hard. It's a habit now. A daily ritual.

How long did it take to become routine?

esotericbrain wrote:

Ethnocide wrote:I don't really need motivation to train hard. It's a habit now. A daily ritual.

How long did it take to become routine?

Probably about two years. Maybe 3 before it became totally routine to the point where I don't even think about it.