Let's just be honest about it: last week sucked. Reflecting on Boston marathon and the plant explosion in Texas, I decided to write this article about motivation.
Sometimes, especially times like last week, it can be difficult to keep moving. Life can be very distracting in general, especially when people around you are hurting. Framed right: These events are a great reminder of how short life can be and how we need to make the most of what we have.
People get inspired all the time to do great things, but they forget how fleeting motivation can be. Here are some of my favorite ways to stay motivated in the gym, and, way more importantly, in life:
1. Muscle Prodigy TV
Muscle Prodigy TV has a few different videos just like this one below. What I like about these videos is that you can listen to them on your phone and they have the same effect as watching them. He talks not only about fitness success, but living a successful life. This video is more toward the fitness crowd, but you should check out his channel HERE
Follow these steps and you in for an unbelievable workout:
a. Drink your pre-workout of choice.
b. Time it so you're walking up to the gym and start playing this audio (Do not talk to anyone).
c. Get you first set of whatever you're doing ready while it is playing, sit and listen to the end of the audio.
d. As soon as it's done click your favorite pump up song.
e. Enjoy the most focused and intense workout of your life.
Side effects may include
Gainz
Thinking dumbbell mirror punches are an actual workout technique.
Random High Fives
2. Music
Obviously, music is a staple for any good workout. For god's sake, I would put cement in my ears just to drown out the Kesha my rec gym would play.
Now, I am not going to even pretend to know all the different songs you guys like. I sure you bros have tons of songs I could use as well.
However, here are my top ten favorites. I have listened to them for awhile now and still love them:
– Eminem, Till I collapse
– A Day to Remember, Over My Head(Cable Car) (It's epic, just trust me)
– Underoath, It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door (screamo fans)
– The Game, Dope Boys
– 50 Cent, Hate it or love it
– Oh Sleeper, The New Breed (screamo)
– Blue Foundation, Eyes on fire (Zeds Dead Remix)
– Finch, What it is to burn
– Young Jeezy, Lose My Mind (Remix)
– Brand New, Sowing Season
3. Quotes
“Quotes are badass” – Einstein
Here are my top 5:
“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies within you.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Limits, just like fears, are often illusions.” – Michael Jordan
“Champions don't become champions in the ring, they are merely recognized there.”
“Men are anxious to change their circumstances, but are unwilling to change themselves; they therefore, remain bound.” – James Patterson
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt
4. Know your “Why?”
I heard a great speaker challenge an audience to find out, “why do you do, what you do?” He suggested that the particular question has certain depths to it. Why are you about to say to her what you're about to say?” And even: “Why are you working out?”
For the longest time I worked out to dominate the gridiron- that was my why. Once my illustrious white-boy football career ended, I started working out on my own. I liked it, but it was not nearly as fulfilling to me. Then, one day, it clicked. I worked out because I loved the competition and camaraderie I got from football. I joined a gym that catered to this, and now I love to workout again.
Understand your why. People are motivated by different things, if your motivation is that you just want to pull all the bitches on the east side of town, there's nothing wrong with that. Go figure out what kind of body they want and map out what it takes to get there.
If you just want massive biceps so you can show your bros “the gun show”, 7 times a day, do that. Being honest about your why will make your how incredibly easy and get you results much faster.
5. Some Videos
This is also a good one to listen to, you've probably heard it:
CT Fletcher
Thought this would be a good post to get you guys involved. Leave your favorite songs and quotes below, you know, help the brommunity out. Also, if you have topic suggestions for next week, let me know.
See you next week, bros,
Alex Nerney – Certified Personal Trainer, ISSA Sports Nutrition Certified, Lord of Broscience.
Follow Alex on twitter HERE and check out his ebook: Fitness in College – A Guy's Guide To Getting RIpped
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