Really, really been struggling with this lately. Started working out a few years back during the summer when basically the only things I could do was work and work out. I was super into it and probably the happiest I had ever been due to this. Then college started again and while I didn't have as much time to be working out 5 days a week like I wanted to, I still did a decent job of getting in 2-4 workouts a week to stay on top of it with what little time I had. Summer came again and I was a lot more into it. I was definitely in the best shape of my life and seemed to be progressing well almost every workout. Then college started again and I have barely worked out at all. A lot of that due to being even more busy, but also a lot of that due to having no motivation to work out anymore. It's like all the excitement and energy I used to have just thinking about working out is gone now and I really have to force myself to work out, and often that satisfying feeling I used to get doesn't come because I feel so weak compared to where I used to be.
What does everyone here do for motivation? Now I know after like 20 days of working out, it'll be a habit again for me. I'm just really struggling to find the motivation to work out for three weeks again though. Maybe just typing this out will help me, but I'm wondering what some of you do when you just can't seem to find any motivation anymore?
I apologize in advance if this comes across as too... "deep":
Not trying to make you feel worse, but it will only get more difficult as you get older. Coming from someone who's now 30, married, with children, etc.; it's going to get harder. Primarily due to time constraints. I thought I was busy when I was 20, but honestly I just didn't know what "busy" meant.
Unfortunately as everyone who's my age or older already knows, your body only gets more difficult with age. I never ate good, period, in my life. Yet, I was always a pretty ripped kid. I'm short (5'6), and I've always had a "stocky" build. I can bulk very quickly, but my height and build made it hard for my abs to show consistently. In my peak physique stage (17ish), I could see my 6 pack when I flexed, but I always had a bit too much fat because my diet was ****. I didn't change my diet, and I stopped lifting in my early 20's and boom, I'm 27 and 210 lbs. Looked and felt like ****. Decided to get back into it a few years ago for a few reasons:
1. I felt like ****. It killed my confidence. I was overweight and I felt and acted like it.
2. My mother had breast cancer and my father had quadruple bypass heart surgery. So basically, with the history in my family, I wanted to get healthy for my son to show a good example.
3. My wife. My wife has always told me she'll love me no matter how I look, and I do believe her. She's one of the fortunate ones who doesn't work out, but she just has a ridiculously good natural physique. No **** on this: I literally heard several people say "he must be wealthy" when we were out alone (and no, not wealthy at all, especially then). So despite me not fearing my wife would leave me or love me any less, I wanted to be more attractive for her. Let's not kid ourselves either, married, girlfriend, whatever; every guy wants other women to look at him and desire him. It's not wrong, it's just natural. I wanted that back.
I think the key isn't finding motivation specifically. It's finding a balance of what makes you happy. Eating perfectly clean and spending hours in a gym is not happiness for me (I do wish it was). even if it makes me look awesome. I now work out about 4 days a week for 30 minutes. I don't eat awful, but I definitely don't eat clean. I now hover in the 172-177 lb range. I'm not "ripped", as in my abs don't show consistently, but not to sound arrogant; it's obvious I workout. I have to do presentations at work sometimes or speak to a group, and I catch people looking at my arms, shoulders, etc., and yes it's very empowering. My wife will deny it non stop, but I'm not stupid; it's not a coincidence that her sex drive has increased since my change, so there's that benefit too.
I think if someone continually has issues with motivation, they're probably doing too much. It will only get more difficult as you get older. Find a balance/life style that is healthy but enjoyable. Something that's helped me a lot is intermittent fasting. Helps with some of my bad eating habits.
So to answer your question: If I had to answer; what's my motivation? I'd say it's my health, confidence, and children's view of me. I don't want them to see Daddy being okay with being a fat slot, but I also want them to see Daddy enjoying himself too. It's not motivation though; it's happiness. Find that balance that makes you happy. Be sure to remember that the balance you will find will change as you get older (marriage, children, job, etc... as reasons why).
hope this helps, and sorry again if it's preachy or too deep.