Buzz
A common phrase in fitness circles, especially on subreddits and lifting forums, states: 'The moment you begin lifting is the moment you stay small forever.' What this implies is that you may never feel truly fulfilled after putting in years of effort or even after achieving your goals.
And when you find yourself not making progress—whether that means your lifts have plateaued or you're not quite happy with your reflection in the mirror—it can be tempting to quit altogether. We’ve discussed before how to maintain motivation during a slump; often, it’s about understanding that progress isn’t instant and doesn’t follow a straight line.
It might take several months before you see the results you’re hoping for, and even then, you’ll face phases where everything feels impossible, and those carbs are so inviting, especially when enjoyed at midnight.
I still find myself grappling with my relationship to progress and motivation. Some days, I feel like I could lift a car (though, I definitely can’t, but hey, goals are goals), while on other days, it feels like my first day at the gym all over again. Naturally, my self-image takes a blow, and I end up criticizing my body for no reason at all.
To prevent myself from sinking into a cycle of self-loathing, I turn to my lifting journal. It's one thing to notice my numbers plateau for a few weeks, but seeing the overall progress I’ve made over several months serves as a subtle reminder that I do have bad days—but I also have a lot of good ones as well.
How do you stay motivated when you hit a slump? And how do you track your progress on a daily basis?
