For the guys who love the thrill of the start and the new – just set short term goals and review your lists more often, with appropriate rewards for yourself when you make them happen. Even trying a new clean eating recipe is an achievement! Acknowledge the goods along with the bads, take it at your pace. Nothing wrong with that!

I’m so loving this post. I liken it to waiting in the surf for the perfect wave…. I would sit and wait for the motivation to arrive, ride the wave, then fall off the back. Then, wait for the next wave of motivation to arrive so that I could build a bit of momentum again. But alas, I would fall off the back again.

Now, I just paddle through continuously. Every now and then a wave arrives and I achieve slightly more than I did the day before, but basically I just keep going at a steady pace, regardless of how the surf looks…

People ask me how I stay motivated… I just tell them that motivation is over rated and they should find another reason to do what ever it is they want to do.

i read Carlys question and your reponse with interest. I am hoping you can add my reponse to your blog so Carly can view it. Here goes from a personal trainer perspective.

Hi Carly,

I am a personal trainer who trains clients in the great outdoors. As years of experience as a trainer i have a fair idea at what makes people ‘tick’ when it comes to exercising consistently. To maintain a ‘regular’ fitness program requires not only motivation and commitment but you must ENJOY what you do. If you don’t enjoy it…. the ‘regular’ will become spasmodic and monotonus! Everyone is different. You may enjoy the gym. You may enjoy playing a sport. You may enjoy exercising outdoors. You may enjoy exercising in a group environment. You may not. Theres so many variables and so much variety out there. Exercising with a friend/colleague/family member is the ideal ‘building block’ to reach your specific fitness goals. Humans need variety to maintain long term interest and the great outdoors is the perfect ‘playground’ to get that. Motivation,commitment,enthusiasm can be found in ‘bucket loads’ with group training. A lot of new clients baulked at the idea of getting to my outdoor workout at 5.45am in the middle of July. Setting the trusty alarm, bouncing out of bed and driving the car in zombie mode to a venue is the hardest part. Once you are there the positive dynamic within a group will get you firing! So reach over your desk, collar a workmate and shake them a little (not a lot!) and learn to inspire, challenge, and motivate each other. If you make this commitment to each other on the training track then i guarantee you will stay committed for more than 2 days! ENJOY what you do and your body will love you for it! All the best. Simon

Thanks Craig for putting up this question and answer…perfect timing for me really. Last night at soccer training we did the beep test. Boy was THAT a wake-up call! Not to mention the fact that I currently weigh 5 kilos more than I did this time two years ago.

Guess it’s time for me to pay attention to my favourite quote from Jillian Michaels: “If you have a flat tire, are you going to get out of your vehicle and slice the other three tires, or are you going to get out change the flat, get back in your car and keep moving?”

*starts changing her flat tyre*

A big hi to our Newbie commentors. Welcome to our humble community