I'm an overweight 52 year old man who has made a somewhat miraculous return to swimming. I've been swimming 4 to 6 times a week for about 12 weeks now. My workouts began with 9 x 50's the first week and have progressed to about 1800 yards in about 50 minutes (typically 2x450's, 200 kick with fins, 5x100's free, pull or paddles, and 4x 50's). I had a swim buddy but he finally decided that he just hated getting in the pool so he quit on me. So I found a small group of Masters swimmers at my club who swim early morning at 5:15 AM and I joined them this week because I find it very difficult to stay motivated swimming solo.
When I showed up this morning no one was there, so I jumped in and started swimming. I had ZERO MOJO, didn't want to be there, the voice in my head was screaming quit, quit already. I felt tired and lazy and barely managed to finish a sloppy 1500 yards. I've felt this way in the pool before and I think it's how my buddy felt and why he quit. Does anyone have suggestions as to how to fight this feeling some days and how to stay motivated and determined everyday you go to swim? I mean it's 5:00 AM and you're already there, why not just bust it out and finish your workout. Thanks for listening to my personal appeal for help.
you wrote: "I'm an overweight 52 year old man who has made a somewhat miraculous return to swimming. I've been swimming 4 to 6 times a week for about 12 weeks now." My workouts have progressed to about 1800 yards in about 50 minutes"
your swim buddy quit, you found a small group of early morning Masters
you find it very difficult to stay motivated swimming solo.
you showed up one morning and no one was there,
you swam alone and said: "I had ZERO MOJO, didn't want to be there, the voice in my head was screaming quit, quit already. I felt tired and lazy and barely managed to finish a sloppy 1500 yards."
Does anyone have suggestions as to how to fight this feeling some days and how to stay motivated and determined everyday you go to swim?
my advice to you is similar to what I wrote in this thread.
It boils down to your mental process,
your goals,
your reasons,
your plans,
your self image and
your self talk.
What are your swimming goals?
Why do you swim?
What will you gain if you keep swimming and what will you LOSE if you QUIT?
What plans have you made to reach your goals?
How determined are you to reach your goals?
All you have is this moment right now.
Do what you need to do
Your self image is who you think you are.
Your self talk is what and how you say thinks to yourself.
If you're doing negative self talk, switch the script, write down the self talk of the you you want to be.
it could be something like this:
"I've been overweight for ___ years & currently am over weight now.
I'm fed up, I am transforming myself. I swim, walk, lift weights, and eat right.
I am totally determined to reach my goal.
Nothing can get in the way of me becoming the ME I am meant to be.
I prefer to train with others, but if I show up and no one's there,
I am going to do what I need to do. I'm that determined."
So if you're thinking negative thoughts in your head,
in your imagination
turn down the volume,
push the source of the sound further away and
make it fuzzy
Replace it with something that makes you feel emotionally charged and determined,
something that makes you focus and take action.
make that closer and clearer and louder
you wrote: "I'm an overweight 52 year old man who has made a somewhat miraculous return to swimming. I've been swimming 4 to 6 times a week for about 12 weeks now." My workouts have progressed to about 1800 yards in about 50 minutes"
your swim buddy quit, you found a small group of early morning Masters
you find it very difficult to stay motivated swimming solo.
you showed up one morning and no one was there,
you swam alone and said: "I had ZERO MOJO, didn't want to be there, the voice in my head was screaming quit, quit already. I felt tired and lazy and barely managed to finish a sloppy 1500 yards."
Does anyone have suggestions as to how to fight this feeling some days and how to stay motivated and determined everyday you go to swim?
my advice to you is similar to what I wrote in this thread.
It boils down to your mental process,
your goals,
your reasons,
your plans,
your self image and
your self talk.
What are your swimming goals?
Why do you swim?
What will you gain if you keep swimming and what will you LOSE if you QUIT?
What plans have you made to reach your goals?
How determined are you to reach your goals?
All you have is this moment right now.
Do what you need to do
Your self image is who you think you are.
Your self talk is what and how you say thinks to yourself.
If you're doing negative self talk, switch the script, write down the self talk of the you you want to be.
it could be something like this:
"I've been overweight for ___ years & currently am over weight now.
I'm fed up, I am transforming myself. I swim, walk, lift weights, and eat right.
I am totally determined to reach my goal.
Nothing can get in the way of me becoming the ME I am meant to be.
I prefer to train with others, but if I show up and no one's there,
I am going to do what I need to do. I'm that determined."
So if you're thinking negative thoughts in your head,
in your imagination
turn down the volume,
push the source of the sound further away and
make it fuzzy
Replace it with something that makes you feel emotionally charged and determined,
something that makes you focus and take action.
make that closer and clearer and louder
