pushing yourself harder?

[pattheflip]

hey guys,

i'm sure i'm not the only one out there who has a hard time pushing myself in cardio workouts when i'm by myself as opposed to doing them with training buddies/a coach yelling at me. anyone have any suggestions for mental 'tricks' or other things that can get them to work at 100% even when no one's watching?

[HllJllN]

i dont think anyone can give you tips to push yourself you just have to do it

[T.J.T]

maybe if your doing a distance always try to beat your last time or distance. if your doing sprints and stuff try to best your time. i think as said though it comes down to how mentaly strong you are. if you have in your mind you cant push yourself your going to give up before your tired.

i have a hard time training alone, but when im in a group i dont give up even if im tired, its just my nature.

[Ziltoid]

Listen to some music. Watch a video of your favorite superstar or fighter. Something that can inspire you basically. I always watch Randy Couture HL's or Bruce Lee videos and listen to some METAL and I am ready to go. Hope these somehow help you??

[Standard]

Check out the competition threads at the top of the forum, you may not be working out against someone directly but this adds some competition to your training

[Technomad]

Try to mix it up a little too. Pushing yourself on the same run everyday is hard for everybody. Change the distance of your sprints, find a new run route, or do suicides or some other sprint varient

[mfugee1234]

when i workout by myself i always break the workouts into small increments and make it into competition. say i'm hitting the heavy bag, i'll see how many times i can punch the bag cleanly in 1 minute, rest for 30, then try and beat my score. i'll repeat the process until i reach an overall goal of 500 punches or whatever. this way i don't get mentally discouraged and think i have 490 hits to go, instead i make myself believe i only have 50 seconds left in the round. it brings the best out of me.

[redjako]

Well, you have to mentally "zone" yourself into your workout. This for cardio, heavy weights whatever.

I used to just "force" my body to run another lap or so (1/3rd mile, 3 laps = mile) just to "burn it" a little...just, do it.

I keep my images / thoughts positive in my mind "you are a machine, you are light on your feet" whatever...speaking to your own self in negative terms is highly unproductive. Same as saying what you are NOT, "I am NOT tired, I am NOT going to die, I am NOT going to throw up, I do NOT Feel like SHITTTTTT" *bam*


I try personally to envision myself as a machine, (specifically for running or sprints / intervel training), pumping arms, pistons, legs etc.

The more occupied you are in your mind, the less your going to notice your body trying to slow itself down.

[erskine777]

"Remember when you are not practicing, somewhere someone is and when you meet him he will win."

I have no idea who said it but it's one of my favorite quotes. I just picture my competition pushing themselves as hard as they can, and I can do no less if i want to beat them.

[Train.Harder]

I think of trying to finish, like if your dead tired imagine that the last bell just rung and you have to do one more whole round. If you quit then your gonna get pummeled.
Also when running I like to imagine sometimes that someone is chasing me, or that I'm running for my life and literally CANNOT stop.