Getting past training roadblocks is something everybody who lifts weights is going to need to know at some point. We all encounter roadblocks on the way to our goals. Knowing the best way to overcome these roadblocks is essential to reaching our goals. It doesn't matter if the roadblock involves lack of motivation, failure to plan ahead or an injury, there are responses that will help you overcome and get past those training roadblocks.
Lack of Motivation
If you lack motivation you need to determine why. Are you over training and so your body is tired all the time, which saps you of your desire to train? Are you sick and so you have no desire to train? You have to pinpoint the issue and then fix it. My favorite way to get motivated is to read the success stories of others. There is something about seeing how others have achieved their goals that gets me up and ready to do it myself. Reading about their ups and downs and how they managed to overcome those things is very motivational.
Lack of Planning
I believe in thinking strategically about my training and nutrition. By thinking strategically I naturally wind up with a plan of attack. Having a plan of attack keeps me organized and on task. Knowing what I am doing from week to week helps me to get through the difficulties I might face.
As an example of how planning helps, I rarely ever crave different foods because I have a planned reward meal every Sunday. Having that planned reward meal gives me the mental strength to get past anything. Interestingly, there are many weeks where I'd rather forego the reward meal, but I don't because it is part of the plan I have put in place (along with my advisor).
Sustained an Injury
If your motivation is down after an injury, consider the reasons why that might be. Alot of people are afraid to lift again after an injury, especially if the injury happened in the gym. Like the old saying goes, you have to get back up on that horse. Stop being scared of the weights. As long as you execute your lifts with proper form you have very little to worry about.
Just Do It
The bottom line is that you need to get past the roadblocks you face. Most of the time it is just a matter of doing it. You shouldn't over think it, you sould go back to the basics and make sure you are doing all the things you are supposed to do. Check the ego at the door and realize that we all need to recalibrate from time to time.
