Bodybuilding.net - Bodybuilding Forum

As time goes on I have became more conditioned to push myself during workouts. Just when I think I'm working it "pretty good" I remind myself I am a pansy and need to ratchet it up a notch. For instance I was playing it timid on my bench with my Max-OT workout since I don't normally use a spotter. Well damn it this time I put on the weight I knew I SHOULD be using and went at it. It worked out well. This carried over to today's workout and I was more intense, more focused, etc.

I think it comes down to training myself to be intense again. I see so many people in the gym working out and they don't really seem to putting any effort into it. Not meaning yelling, screaming, etc. but just no ..... energy.

Do you feel at times you get to a level of intensity and then a few weeks later realize that you could go further? Wash, rinse repeat?

I know my workouts have several layers to go that I can climb. Each week it seems I can take it higher. Soon I am sure I won't have dramatic increases but for now it keeps me motivated.

And I was just thinking.... it's been years since I've actually been physically intense. I'm a dad and husband and though I am passionate about many things, not on the same level as actually getting in the gym and challenging myself day after day.

It's a welcome change.

I hear ya on the intesity issue. what usualy goes through my mind, especially when i'm in a lull for motivation is that I've never been in the shape I want to be. I've been close ... but close only counts in horseshoes, hand gernades, and fat chics.

I think i'm a little hard on myself, but it helps me stay focused, you gotta be your own worst critic, and never be satisified with where you are.

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I don't do this for my family, my friends, women, accolades, pride, or ego. I do it for me and no one else, its just part of who I am.

I find myself from time to time going through the motions. I noticed that I was doing that during Monday's workout. I got pissed at myself, and turned it up to full throttle. I wound up haveing a great workout. The gym that I train at has all the muscle mags there. If I feel I'm not being intense enough, I thumb through those to get motivated.

I think this happens to everyone...you can always push yourself a little harder in anything you do. I find myself going through the motions sometimes also and when I get my intensity back its amazing to see how you can break through lifts.

Sometimes when I get home and just can't find the motivation to go workout I pop in Pumping Iron and crank it. See Louie's dad yell at him just gets me motivated for some reason. NO MOE DAD, NO MOE!

one of the main reasons i started working out was because of stress relief. Now if i am under motivated i usually just have a bit of a thinking time like has been said before and punch something like your fighting as hard as you can and walk away and go straight to do some lifting as you will most pumped up, really helps!

Killian