The Healthy Airsofters Thread

[Rogerborg]

it’s too easy to stay in bed. Anyone got any tips for getting motivated?

Get a girlfriend with a "good personality".

 

[Jacob Wright]

Mine has a personality so fine that she doesn’t live with me ??‍ Maybe if she did I’d be more willing to get up?

 

[Lozart]

Mine has a personality so fine that she doesn’t live with me ??‍ Maybe if she did I’d be more willing to get up?

Unlikely. Probably be worse! ?

View attachment 77619

Ewww, Teachers!

 

[PopRocket123]

I know this isn't exactly what I started this thread taking about but I believe mental health is as important as physical health, of not moreso, especially in this pandemic. I keep seeing people talk about their lack of motivation and some have opened up more and a lot of what people are talking about sounds like the early signs of depression.

So I'm sharing this group started by a good friend of mine. It's great as a place you can go to vent, get a second opinion or just talk things over. It's helped me and many others and I don't think it's hyperbole to say it's more than likely saved a few lives. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2322408757979991/?ref=share

 

[Lozart]

I know this isn't exactly what I started this thread taking about but I believe mental health is as important as physical health, of not moreso, especially in this pandemic. I keep seeing people talk about their lack of motivation and some have opened up more and a lot of what people are talking about sounds like the early signs of depression.

So I'm sharing this group started by a good friend of mine. It's great as a place you can go to vent, get a second opinion or just talk things over. It's helped me and many others and I don't think it's hyperbole to say it's more than likely saved a few lives. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2322408757979991/?ref=share

+1 for the above!

Also, I joined that group a while back and have been lurking on a semi regular basis. Just seeing the shite some people have to deal with helps me get a bit of perspective!

 

[Tackle]

I know this isn't exactly what I started this thread taking about but I believe mental health is as important as physical health, of not moreso, especially in this pandemic. I keep seeing people talk about their lack of motivation and some have opened up more and a lot of what people are talking about sounds like the early signs of depression.

So I'm sharing this group started by a good friend of mine. It's great as a place you can go to vent, get a second opinion or just talk things over. It's helped me and many others and I don't think it's hyperbole to say it's more than likely saved a few lives. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2322408757979991/?ref=share

+1 for the above!

Also, I joined that group a while back and have been lurking on a semi regular basis. Just seeing the shite some people have to deal with helps me get a bit of perspective!

Another +1 for that group, I also joined a while back, I've resisted posting to far, even though I'm going through some dark shit at the moment I can only think the meds are keeping me going, but it's good to know there is somewhere to "talk" or just get it off your chest.

That said, I've always found most of the members here to be very open & accepting when subjects like this come up, supportive with a modicum of banter just to lighten the mood, definitely better than full on doom & gloom?

 

[ImTriggerHappy]

Get a girlfriend with a "good personality".

Or get one with a good body because you will still say in bed but get plenty of exercise.

 

[Tactical Pith Helmet]

I have the time and space to be more active but not the willpower, it’s too easy to stay in bed. Anyone got any tips for getting motivated?

We are simple creatures.  Try and find a way to reward yourself for getting out of bed and achieving an exercise goal.  For example, if I get my arse out of bed and exercise for three mornings a week, I eat a stupid amount of chip shop food on a Wednesday lunchtime (minus the chips) as I have time off.  I mean about two portions of fish, fishcakes, sausages, spring rolls, onion rings, mushrooms, pickled eggs, curry sauce, cod roe, mushy pea fritters etc.  In terms of calories in and out I am well ahead, but having avoided crap all week, my complete stuffing my face with a couple of glasses of red and a snooze is well enjoyed.  Indeed, I am so rammed that I sometimes next eat Thursday evening.

I dare say that you are not as gluttonous a bastard as I, so perhaps something else will tempt you from the fart sack, but essentially find a carrot as it were.

Secondly find a stick.  I think of a relative that died from complications from diabetes.  It helps get my arse out of bed.  

Third set goals.  Small goals each day/every other day, plus perhaps a final goal.  

Fourth, get support.  Having others around you who back you up is priceless.  

Fifth, find an exercise you like.  If you enjoy something, the carrot, stick, goal and possibly support is there all at once.  

 

[Jacob Wright]

Thanks, I’ve done a bit of Googling and that seems like the best way. We’ll see how it goes!

 

[Cannonfodder]

Mine has a personality so fine that she doesn’t live with me ??‍ Maybe if she did I’d be more willing to get up?

There's always pornhub. 

Another +1 for the Man Down group on faceache. I don't post much in it but simply knowing its there can be a big help

 

[Joe142]

So I’ve finally got the motivation to get off my ass, get fit and lose some weight, just started weight lifting again and a little bit of cardio to start me off then hopefully I’ll up my game a little as time goes on, I can run for ages during a game of Airsoft and have heaps of fun but for some reason exercise at home just doesn’t feel the same, what are some things you lot do to keep yourselves motivated? 

 

[Madhouse]

If your chosen activity has organised events then signing up for one works as a motivator/stick to keep at it. It’s also a bit of an extra challenge to push yourself.

I don’t really like running, but had never done a marathon so signed up for one - it’s got me out running when all I wanted to do was stay in. Will be glad to be on the bike more when it’s done though as that’s my main sport.

2.5 weeks till the marathon - eek!! ?

 

[Joe142]

If your chosen activity has organised events then signing up for one works as a motivator/stick to keep at it. It’s also a bit of an extra challenge to push yourself.

I don’t really like running, but had never done a marathon so signed up for one - it’s got me out running when all I wanted to do was stay in. Will be glad to be on the bike more when it’s done though as that’s my main sport.

2.5 weeks till the marathon - eek!! ?

I don’t think I’m anywhere near marathon level as just running a mile or two absolutely kills me at the minute but I’m sure that’ll change with time ? good luck with your marathon though that’s an awesome achievement ? not long now at all 

 

[shadowfacex]

I have the time and space to be more active but not the willpower, it’s too easy to stay in bed. Anyone got any tips for getting motivated?

From years of getting after it: motivation is overrated. Just show up, every day, even if for 5 minutes. It’s all about building a habit. Five minutes is enough to get you going and you’re more likely to stick around for longer.

I remember an anecdote from a dude, who wanted to take care of his teeth by flossing, but couldn’t find motivation. He decided to tend to a single tooth each evening. By the time he finished with that single tooth, he said to himself that he might as well do them all while he’s here. And that's the trick: fool your brain into showing up.

Motivation comes normally from external factors. Showing up means you don’t give a damn about external factors, you go after it no matter the weather. Even if it means doing 10 pushups each morning.

 

[alxndrhll]

From years of getting after it: motivation is overrated. Just show up, every day, even if for 5 minutes. It’s all about building a habit. Five minutes is enough to get you going and you’re more likely to stick around for longer.

I remember an anecdote from a dude, who wanted to take care of his teeth by flossing, but couldn’t find motivation. He decided to tend to a single tooth each evening. By the time he finished with that single tooth, he said to himself that he might as well do them all while he’s here. And that's the trick: fool your brain into showing up.

Motivation comes normally from external factors. Showing up means you don’t give a damn about external factors, you go after it no matter the weather. Even if it means doing 10 pushups each morning.

Sounds like the sort of shite you'd read in an instagram story. '...but couldn’t find motivation. He decided to tend to a single tooth each evening.' So, what would you call the thing that made him floss the single tooth a day?

It's doesn't matter what phrase, saying or proverb you wrap it in, the drain you're circling around with this post is entirely attached to motivation. It's just highlighting that motivation doesn't have to focused toward a substantial change, which can make it seem like more effort is required to enact a change than you might think. You still need some sort of motivation to 'just show up', as you put it.

I agree that small changes can ultimately lead to larger ones, but you need the motivation to stick to things because the excuses for not doing them come far too easily without it.

In terms of my thoughts on the whole 'I'm struggling to find the motivation' thing, my honest opinion is to not bother wasting your time. If you're having to ask others for inspiration about something to get motivated by then whatever it is won't be enough to see a long term change come into effect. And that's not me trying to leave a broadsweeping 'just don't bother', but I've been there.

My motivation this time round is entirely based around myself and my partner family planning, and I don't want to be a slob of a Dad. My Dad was amazingly active when I was growing up, and I want to be able to do that for my kids. Before I changed my lifestyle I wasn't going to be able to be the parent I wanted to be. And that's some proper motivation, not this 'I want to look good for an upcoming holiday' bullshit. Not that it's particularly worth anything, but this was the first time I've changed my lifestyle for the better and had aesthetics be nothing to do with it. I just wanted to be fitter, though fortunately looking a bit nicer is a welcomed side effect.

 

[shadowfacex]

Sounds like the sort of shite you'd read in an instagram story. '...but couldn’t find motivation. He decided to tend to a single tooth each evening.' So, what would you call the thing that made him floss the single tooth a day?

It’s what worked for the dude, he had to fool himself into flossing, doesn’t mean you do too. I suppose his motivation was to have clean and healthy teeth. Call it whatever you like, motivation, encouragement, willpower, to me they are all meaningless unless you do something about it.

The truth is, we all rely subconsciously on feedback loops; positive as well as negative. If you make a commitment and you show up to do something positive for your body, and you continue to do it, eventually your body starts to reciprocate and you notice positive effects, which enables a positive feedback loop. All you gotta do is start somewhere, but as you said, you can’t rely on fleeting moments of inspiration or “feeling good”.

Go and do something now!

 

[Rogerborg]

From years of getting after it: motivation is overrated. Just show up, every day, even if for 5 minutes

That. It doesn't matter why you did it, it doesn't matter if you enjoyed it, if doesn't even matter if you copped out half way through and now you feel bad, man, because feelings don't alter reality.  All that matters is that you did something, anything at all.

Right, lunchtime cycle time.  

 

[Impulse]

Since my martial arts school reopened at the start of the month, I've also started going to the gym. I've gone from barely any exercise, to 3 gym sessions and 2 martial arts classes every week, with airsoft every two weeks. I feel a lot better for it all, getting stronger, fitter and all around healthier.

Had to take half of this week off though, since I fell off my bicycle when it refused to mount the curb and my knee was hurting from the fall so I didn't want to risk it. Seems better now, so back to the gym on Monday! Working US-friendly hours helps, because the gym is pretty empty around 9pm, which is when I'm down there.

 

[paradoxum]

I'd recommend looking into stoic philosophy, and focusing on mindfulness meditation - meditation sounds like a scary word if you've never done it, but it comes in many forms - it doesn't just mean sitting there, legs crossed, going hmmmmmm to yourself, you can practice mindful meditation at any point anywhere.

 

[PopRocket123]

2 hours ago, paradoxum said:

I'd recommend looking into stoic philosophy, and focusing on mindfulness meditation - meditation sounds like a scary word if you've never done it, but it comes in many forms - it doesn't just mean sitting there, legs crossed, going hmmmmmm to yourself, you can practice mindful meditation at any point anywhere.

A lot of mental health practitioners have taken to calling it mindfulness exercises to separate it from the stereotypes. I've used it to clear my head at night and it really works to help me sleep through the night. I should really start doing it again...