How do you stay motivated with "repetitive" workout programs

[djhaycock]

I recently completed the first 4 weeks of the beginner program of phase 1 of HGM and decided to can the program. Not because it was too difficult, I actually enjoyed the pain and difficulty of the program, I canned it because I found it too damn boring doing the same workout 2x a week (I tried to do it 3x a week) as prescribed.

Now, I had originally planned on doing the advanced version for the next 4 weeks as a way of "shaking" things up, but the thought of doing the exact same workout 3x a week just drives me crazy. It bores the hell out of me and makes me not want to go back to the gym.

So as stated before I am starting Turbulence Training on Monday.

But, I really want to know what I can do to stay motivated to someday complete the advanced version of HGM phase 1? Does anyone else feel this way about full body programs??

I'm concerned about this also because in a few months I'd like to start the workout programs in the "Book of Muscle" but for the first 6 weeks I believe the program stays the same every workout. (I need to revisit this, but I believe I am correct.)

Anyone have any advice or suggestions as to what I can do to stay motivated?

Thanks.

[Cynic]

You might consider changing up half the exercises each month, like I do in my workout. Divide it into upper/lower or push/pull and changing half of each one month, then the other half the next month.

[mystery_bowler]

The whole story is currently in my sig.

It's actually an approach I learned from a friend of mine who managed a tremendous physical change. He went from 265 pounds to 165 pounds in 2 years time. He's now around 185 pounds and is in great shape. He was one of those self-motivated types who responded well to negative reinforcement that he created himself.

So I tried it. Apparently, that's what works for me, too. It keeps me going. It's like my inner drill sergeant.

[John Izzo]

Here are a copule of ways that have worked for me over teh last 14 years...

1.) Changing songs in my MP3 player
2.) Buy new sneakers
3.) Joining a new gym
4,) Changing my progrma every 2 weeks---sometimes I just go in the gym and do whatever it is I feel like doing

[ryan122185]

I only like some of phases... I think I liked the 5x5 phase and the waveloading phase.

[I. Kay]

I change things up every week or two.

[Eric Cressey]

Find a good training crew; things will never be boring again.

[djhaycock]

Originally Posted by Eric Cressey

Find a good training crew; things will never be boring again.

I completely agree with this. The problem is that I make time to go at different times every day due to my job. I'm in outside sales and can have an appt., pop up at any time of the day.

Some days I workout at 11a, others at 1 or 3p and sometimes I grab it at night. So it's very hard to have a regular training partner or crew.

I appreciate the responses and I understand that I have to change my program regularly.

Maybe I didn't get my point across clearly.

I'm motivated to go to the gym and get fit. What I have a problem with is when a program calls for the EXACT SAME WORKOUT 3x a week for 4 weeks.

When I did TAP, Ian King's Get Buffed Program, or Meltdown; at least one day was switched up.

I guess it's the lack of variety that I have trouble with.

[Alcoholiday]

i guess the obvious answer is to not do stuff that is repetitive. There are plenty of programs that are fun and hard to do.

but you have to have some longterm goal that you are striving to achieve. Even short term ones. If you don't have them, then you're really lifting without a purpose.

Training partners make traning fun. Although, good ones are hard to find.

[bipennate]

Try challenging your weights often in some/all of your exercises, too. You can use the little 1.25 or 2.5 plates...they aren't much, but an extra few pounds helps in the motivation department when you know that you're lifting more than the last time.

[Cynic]

Originally Posted by djhaycock

I'm motivated to go to the gym and get fit. What I have a problem with is when a program calls for the EXACT SAME WORKOUT 3x a week for 4 weeks.

Does workout you do have different set/rep/load schemes for each day?

[Eric Cressey]

Originally Posted by djhaycock

I'm motivated to go to the gym and get fit. What I have a problem with is when a program calls for the EXACT SAME WORKOUT 3x a week for 4 weeks.

Then that's not a good program. When I write a month of programming for a client, no two sessions are exactly alike. Training stress is always fluctuated in one way or another on a daily and weekly basis.

Do the same thing, and you'll always get the same results. Your body is smarter than you might think; the boredom is your brain telling you something.

[BFG]

I agree a plan like that would bore the pants off me Id find one with a little more interest that will continue to challenge me and inspire me to push harder

[djhaycock]

Originally Posted by Cynic

Does workout you do have different set/rep/load schemes for each day?

Yes, it did for the first four weeks, then the load went up and the reps go down in the next four weeks but the exercises stay the same.

[jj]

Pick a new workout program. I try and change it up like the rest of these guys at least once a month if not sooner. And I rarely do the same exercises in the same order the same week. I at least change up the type, such as sumo's instead of romanian and so on.

[I. Kay]

Dj, if I were you, I'd either get a new routine, or adjust it to avoid boredom. If the routine calls for barbell bench press three times a week, I'd do barbell on Monday, incline dumbbells on Wednesday and dive bombers on Friday. Neutral grip seated rows on Monday, single-arm dumbbell rows on Wednesday and neck pulls on Friday. See what I'm saying?

* By the way, what're your goals? Why did you pick your current routine?

[Kojack]

Having a specific goal in mind when training is something that has helped me in the past. SMART goals (you can google what they are if you aren't already familiar) are the way to go in business and in life. A goal for me is like a carrot dangling in front of me that I have to get hold of. Maybe it's time you revisited your goal(s) and possibly go in a new direction.

Just a thought.....

[I. Kay]

Originally Po