Fuel Your Strength Why You're Struggling with Motivation to Workout
Are you lacking the motivation or energy to train? I often hear this from women athletes, and it often stems from a lack of fueling or being in a low energy availability state. If you are feeling more tired during your workouts or during daily activities, have to go to sleep hours earlier than normal, or find yourself taking the elevator instead of the stairs because you are just so tired, there is a good chance you are not fueling yourself enough.
If You Want To Increase Your Motivation to Train, You Should:
- Get clear about how, why, and when you are fueling yourself and if it is enough for your training program
- Look out for signs that you may be in a low energy availability state
- Remember that your energy levels impact so much more than just your physical activity
Stop Calling Yourself Lazy
Sometimes we think that low motivation is a character flaw, that we aren't working hard enough, are feeling lazy, and just need to power through. But so often, we forget to look at what could be the underlying causes behind our lack of energy. Not fueling yourself enough, especially if you are an athletic person, is something you need to consider.
I want you to stop blaming yourself and start looking at what, how, and when you are fueling yourself. You may find that your lack of motivation is really just a low energy availability issue by checking in with yourself regarding if you are getting enough daily energy intake.
Getting Real About the Energy Your Body Needs
Your energy levels impact your entire life, not just your intentionally structured physical activity. Low energy intake, or living in a low energy availability state, has psychological, mental, and physical impacts that you might not realize are linked. Not eating enough can play a huge role in determining your relationships, mood, goals, and so much more. This is why ensuring you are fueling enough for your unique body and training schedule is crucial. While the characteristics of low energy availability have a wide range, the impact they have on your body and mind is far-reaching.
Are you ready to stop beating yourself up for being 'lazy' or 'unmotivated' and start fueling yourself the way your body needs? Share your thoughts with me in the comments on the episode page.
In This Episode
- Why competitive athletes who love to train can still struggle with motivation (4:47)
- The reasons athletic women undereat and how it could be affecting your training and recovery (7:51)
- Why eating enough and fueling correctly is crucial even if you didn't work out today (11:28)
- How low energy could be impacting other areas of your life outside of the gym (14:30)
- Signs that you are in a low energy availability state and what to do about it (17:39)
Quotes
"The inspiration for this podcast really comes from many, many years of working with many of you and clients out in the world, other athletic women. Especially athletic women over 40 who come to me with frustrations about low motivation." (2:00)
"You know why you love to train. You have goals, and yet, sometimes it just seems like that motivation has gone 'poof' and is nowhere to be found." (2:13)
"It's not just the energy or the 'motivation' to go train; we are talking about your energy levels impacting your entire life." (13:29)
"When you get dragged down into the busyness of life, you can lose sight of how important your energy levels are and what it takes to stay fueled and recharged." (14:52)
"It is important to note that low energy intake, or low energy availability state, can manifest itself in different ways for different people." (22:16)
Featured on the Show
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Laziness Does Not Exist by Dr. Devon Price
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Related Episodes
LTYB 350: Are You Eating Enough? Low Energy Availability in Sport
LTYB 352: Energy Flux and Fueling for Athletes with Jamie Scott
FYS 382: Making Strength Gains in Your Late 40's with Allison Fitzpatrick