How to motivate yourself?

Let me start by letting you know that I have only been with Masters Swimming for a very short time so my view point may not really apply but... For me, Masters Swimming with a club is providing the motivation that was starting to drift from my fitness program. I get challenged by the coach to do things that I never would have done on my own. That guy in the next lane over that always beats my by 1/2 body length.... Im even going to a meet in July - even though I had decided that I didnt need to be competitive. I think the people in the club are key. Part of my motivation to get out of bed and hit the pool is the people that I swim with. My ultimate motivation is that without regular exercise I'll die before I should. Swimming is the only "sport" that I enjoy. I tried it some time ago, and a friend really pushed me into a fitness program, but once there, I drifted quite soon!

You must be your best motivator. I do, personally, not encourage you to rely on others to motivate you. I have been informed by certain swimming associates that "If you didn't have such a crappy stroke", or "That was not good enough" etc., etc., etc. Don't tell me they are trying to coach me, or some other nonsense, they are not. Trust me on this. If I listened to them I would not be swimming today. I met a very respectable swim coach by accident last year. He told me "you have a backstroke, you need to cultivate it a little, keep working on it you'll improve". I know a few UnAttached Master Swimmers, who are phenomenal. They are motivated, dedicated, and put in as much work as if they were on a team. Plus they set records. You can do it. But Bill :afraid: I fail to motivate myself Once I am off the track, I just cant put myself together again and dont try anymore!