Desperate Measures

[Bobert11284]

I trained with a personal trainer all last year and put on over 30 lbs. I moved to Georgia this year to start grad school and have lost 10-15 lbs. Basically I am thinking I should take out a school loan and get a trainer... I know its cheaper and better to just do it alone, but my personality just isn't suited for it... I don't have the self discipline to show up on a regular basis long term and lift. I also don't have any friends who like to lift. The trainer I talked with charges $325 a month at three times a week... which is still more than I can comfortably afford... but I weighed in at 139 lbs last night and its just too damned depressing for me to take... any comments or suggestions?

[digger]

Make friends in the gym and figure out which ones might be good training partners. I barely knew they guys I became training partners with when we started. Now we're best friends. It's cheaper (and more emotionally rewarding) than hiring a trainer.

[inflated]

If you do get a trainer make sure that he/she is dedicated to your goals and understands what you want to achieve. Better yet, save your money and figure out a way to motivate yourself---and get a training partner who is at your level and wants to achieve the same goals.

[nj.]

All too familiar with that weight... I went to the US for a month and a half and lost 7 pounds (how's that for defying stereotypes). Can't wait to get back into my old habits again.

I also know it can take a lot to motivate yourself to get into things, even if you really want to do them. I'm glad I have the motivation to go to the gym, but without a teacher, I would not play piano, even though I love to do it. I mean, I have barely picked up my guitar since my guitar teacher quit. And it's not like they teach me much more than I could teach myself!

One thing you can do is somehow start telling people you're going to the gym. People you're close to and see often (or somebody you live or study with). Even though they might not actually pressure you to stick to it, you could still kinda feel the pressure because you know, you've already told everyone about it, and you don't want everyone to think you give up on things so easily.

It has worked for me, but that's no guarantee...

[Bobert11284]

Thats a good idea NJ.
Actually I befriended a gym manager and I started lifting with him and a friend 6 days a week! yay!

[Spooky]

Originally Posted by Bobert11284

Thats a good idea NJ.
Actually I befriended a gym manager and I started lifting with him and a friend 6 days a week! yay!

You getting enough rest?

Yeah, the biggest think for me isn't really motivation, because I have a lot driving me to train.

But, what I struggle with is belief. That you can actually change. I've been skinny, I've been fat. But I've never had muscle. So, sometimes, even though I am already seeing minuscule progress and people have commented, it is hard to believe that my body will actually get to where I want it to be.