Motivation. What Does It Mean and How To Motivate Yourself For Training

Motivation. Let me know your thoughts.
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Chris Opie
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[@stevemiell4555]

Super talk Chris, have you thought of lecturing/teaching? You are the most articulate athlete I've encountered. Goals - all mine were wrecked this year....by companies going bust, before my bucket list trip, and illness of people close to me, this was great food for thought, keep it coming 👍 PS the gimbal is great, and your photography skills are coming on! As a result of this video I'm rescheduling my bucket list trip.... for 2023. Motivation.

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you Steve! I like trying to learn to talk well, it's a challenge I've set out for myself. Which is why I try to limit the cut points in videos. It's something I would consider in the future, after more refinement. I'm sorry to hear about your plans for this year, I can only imagine how frustrating that must have been. I hope everyone has recovered from illness now, too. Best wishes for your 2023 plans!! They say lightning never strikes twice...

[@rickychopper]

My current motivation is weight loss, just starting week 12 and will be a stone off by the end of it. Next goal is another stone off before the new year and getting under that 13 stone.

[@chrisopie87]

Congratulations Ricky!! That's a huge achievement. Sustained weight loss takes a huge amount of commitment and drive. Good work!! 💪

[@ranlo.justin]

Yea same here. What Ive been doing is riding to and from work, it felt like a chore at first but its just a norm now to ride after work. So went from doing 20k daily to roughly 60. but wednesdays are rest days for me haha. Really combines everything I need all into one : a hobby, excercise, personal time and just a break/chillax period after work. Motivation to me is combining something fun/you love with something you need to actually do.

[@dave136]

Great indepth video Chris….This has now motivated me to actually motivate myself to set a goal (if that makes sense) to work towards….thanks 👍🏻🚴🏼

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you Dave! Good luck choosing something to build towards!!

[@joelstephens9081]

Your right that a training plan can be simple but it still holds you accountableand give you the sense of achievement. When I'm struggling with motivation my plan is simply just ride twice a week minimum and before I know it I'm enjoying it and I start setting minimum distances and extra days in.

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you for sharing, Joel! Sounds like a good approach!

[@discbrakefan]

Great video Chris. I think motivation is such a difficult thing for people and you’re right that everyone needs to find their own. I struggled with consistency on the bike for many years until I joined a good cycling group. Comparing myself to others and enjoying the social side became a great motivator. Then as the fitness built I achieved things I never thought I would, even more motivating. Then I tried training for events in a more structured way and I actually lost motivation. What worked was to realise the option of a 90 minute or 2 hour easy ride would still build fitness and wouldn’t hurt. That makes it much easier to get out the door and sometimes once out there I’d feel good and find the urge to do some efforts. Also gravel riding and adding in some crit racing has added variety and more motivation again. I have big respect for pro riders who can push their bodies to the limit and train consistently year after year!

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you Dave. It sounds like you've found a healthy and enjoyable approach! Hope you continue to enjoy the riding.

[@christianemeiners9224]

What a great topic! Just had that problem with 12 VO2MAX efforts yesterday. Managed 8 and skipped the rest because all of the sudden I had no motivation no more. Happens and I guess next time I am up to the challenge again and remember your talk. Cheers and thanks 😃

[@chrisopie87]

I'm not surprised after 8/12 efforts! That's a solid sounding training session. Next time will be easier!

[@Kiplargely1]

Thanks Chris. Keep these videos coming when you have time. They e helped a lot over the past couple of years. What motivates- great question. Allowing myself to have fun training, mixing it up, not feeling guilty about it and accepting that it will somehow contribute to overarching long-term goals. Treating myself like I would a good friend, family member or student, I e. encouraging and supporting myself to do what might not seem possible sometimes, thereby instilling and reinforcing a bit of self-belief.

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you for sharing some brilliant advice. I could do with holding on to a lot of that! Hope you continue to enjoy the riding.

[@AlistairLattimore]

Originally my motivation was weight loss, started at about 108-110kg and am now 93kg. That was achieved running, being purposeful with my training and above all else consistency. I’m new to road cycling, bought a second hand 2019 Trek Domane SL5 a little over a year ago. Just like running, consistency was key and I’ve built up my fitness further and this summer have done several 80, 100, 120 and 180 kilometer rides. My motivation these days is long term health and fitness, that gives me purpose and some latitude to do more of one thing and less of another which I find helpful. Consistently good, not periodically great.

[@chrisopie87]

Congratulations, Alistair! Thats a huge achievement and the running will help your cycling! I love the sound of your approach, it sounds like a healthy and balanced attitude towards fitness!

[@darrengarvie8832]

What an excellent video Chris just came at the right time of the year with the nights on the turn time to plan for next year I have had no real goals set for this last year and found myself drifting with no purpose for my cycling. Alex had got me thinking when he was doing the Celtic challenge of doing longer cycles I have had a dream to do a 24hour cycle but I fear it to be honest I even have a route set out for it.

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you Darren! I think being fearful of a 24 hour ride is only healthy. It'll be a huge challenge and the fear will help ensure you prepare thoroughly. If you put your mind to it, you can do it!

[@cnjlakes]

Love your videos, Chris. I just decided to commit to riding RAGBRAI next year (500 miles across Iowa, USA) and this talk is going in my favorites to go back to between now and then. Oh… and we need that playlist!

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you Jay! Good luck with your ride, that looks epic! My playlist will remain a poorly hidden secret haha

[@bobfrode]

Great video Chris :) My motivation is my health and not feeling old... Im 50, but my garmin tells me im among the top 5% for my age group so thats a motivation to stay healthy, do my workouts at the gym and riding my bike(s) even though my lifestyle leaves me single i dont care 😄

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you Bob! That is a brilliant achievement already on your Garmin! I hope your healthy lifestyle continues to bring you everything you need! A healthy single life is better than one that would mean no longer being yourself.

[@aidanoc19]

I've not tuned in too much over the summer, there was too much to watch sport wise live for a lot of KZbin! Anyway, really identified with this video, I struggled with my breathing over the summer, couldn't put a finger on it but finally feeling fresh again and building fitness and looking for motivation. As I wasn't well, I missed stuff I wanted to do or I didn't enter anything. Hence I've missed a few cut offs for things, like the Cardiff half marathon. I find these random little goals help get me out the door at the moment. I'll settle on something more concrete when fitter!

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you for commenting, I hope you're continuing to enjoy recovering from the breathing issue. Good luck with finding goals to aim towards!

[@hectorkidds9840]

Perfect timing, I watched this whilst doing a 30min active recovery spin, because I'd faffed too much to fit in the hour in my plan. But I know from experience, 30min is better than nothing, and it'll not happen if I leave it till later. Need to give myself a kick up the bum tomorrow, easy week but doing nothing will leave me grumpy and stale for this weekends adventures.

[@chrisopie87]

30 min is definitely better than nothing. And possibly better than 60, for recovery! Easy weeks are always a challenge, but often exactly what you need to be able to push harder again afterwards.

[@pinnaclewd]

Another great video Chris. I agree not having a goal for me personally is difficult. Motivation is for some very difficult but variation and enjoyment is the key!

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you Phil. I completely agree that variation can help and enjoyment certainly does! Hopefully you enjoy both and a goal presents itself if you need it.

[@mariannedurell246]

I love this so much! Awesome editing and I am in stitches at how inept I am haha😂 Good work Opie! Good times 🙌🏼

[@mariannedurell246]

Proving how inept Ian by commenting on wrong video 😂

[@alancooke6630]

Great tips, I'm sure they work for most. But I find that when I take on the type of challenges you mention either when running or cycling, that I end up putting myself under pressure to the point where I'm more relieved when they are over than a sense of achievement. I am 59, and have exercised all my life. I used it to relax, no structure, make routes and intensity up as I go. I'm always aware of not overdoing things.

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you, Alan! We will all have a way that works for us and it sounds like you have found the right way to enjoy it for you. Wishing you many happy rides ahead!

[@DaxPlusPlus]

A timely and thought provoking video. As I've gotten older (55) I've found my previous, performance orientated motivation to do well at races and set power or segment PBs to be problematic. Basically I can't. They have become unrealistic and I'm having to go back and re-answer the very basic questions of why I ride a bike.

[@chrisopie87]

I can imagine that is indeed a challenge as things change. Hopefully enjoyment is ultimately still a reason to ride?!

[@DaxPlusPlus]

@@chrisopie87 Yup still enjoying it but it's complicated resolving these things in your head sometimes. For me it's not been a single issue or single point in time. Long story but got a gravel bike to replace my commuter last year, discovered I liked the technical off road stuff. This year I've gotten into MTBing for the first time and discovered that whole off road scene. Even been investigating pump tracks. Absolutely loving the totally new set of challenges on two wheels.

[@mattb106]

I just bought myself my first MTB (just an aluminium hardtail) inspired in part by your videos. Doing the West Kernow way (over two days) is firmly on my to do list for summer 2023 when we’re back in the area. I’m kinda disappointed to be going to Mallorca this September instead of the usual Carbis bay!

[@chrisopie87]

Enjoy the new bike Matt! I'm sure the disappointment of Mallorca will quickly be forgotten. Have a great time!

[@peteevans8150]

Thanks for the video today! It is right on point at a time when I am working defining a very specific schedule of training around work and family life. Great timing on the topic.

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you Pete! Good luck with creating a schedule that works for you all, always a challenge!

[@rafaeldegiacomoaraujo8778]

Great video. Thanks Chris.

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you Rafael!

[@geoffwoods3653]

Great video Chris, really enjoyed it 👍

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you, Geoff!

[@emilyemz]

Couldn't agree more! 👏🏼

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you, Emily!

[@Mr229357]

My goal is to feel good. A early morning ride is so nice, it's just you and the road. A nice ride on your favourite trail is awesome. And my fisikel therapist saying it's good for my hip. Have a nice day 😊👍🏻👍🏻

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you Magnus! Completely agree about the early morning ride! Hope the hip is ok.

[@Brainless437]

I mostly ride on my own, especially in the morning communiting to work at 5 am (depending on my mood either 20, 28 or 36 km). I like to chase PBs on those routes or put out more watts and dig deep. I find it easier to have some sort of routine to stick to, thus getting up, jump on the bike and go. No thinking about it, just going as being it a part of a day as usual. I often get comments at work like "jeez, I would not get out of bed this early", but it is so nice and quite and I have a part on my route where I can see a loot of deer, which is always quite stunning when the run with groups of 15-20 through the fields / woods. Something people don't get to see when they sleep long 😁 btw: great and inspirational video chris!

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you!! I completely agree about an early ride. There's just something extra special about being the only one out and about. Hope you continue to enjoy the early rides!

[@pirminborer625]

My goal is improvement, see where i can get and am capable of and reaching maximum fitness which I will try to keep till I die.

[@chrisopie87]

Good luck with this pursuit! I love this.

[@torinstorkey]

Tips for first race. Got one in a couple of weeks and it is nearly as long as my longest ride.

[@chrisopie87]

Think of the duration rather than distance and that will likely sound more comfortable. Don't change anything on race day or in the lead in to the race. Try and approach it as if it were just another day of training, ride a little the day before with 2 * 3 minutes race paced efforts and rest 2 days before that. But above all else enjoy and good luck!

[@SergioCristancho]

Jmmm Motivation, is not a rant I promise it will worth to read. I was didiagnosed depresion clinical wise, not bipolar disorder just mono polar meaning I don't switch moods but when I got in a low curve, is longer and deeper than everyone else, You might say I reach one day the point of not been motivated for eating breathing get up in the morning and just living, how do I motivate, as the same thing for eating disorder you have t o use to live coop with this, Do the thing that makes you happy move away from the ones that not, motivation is a habit, but habit leads to repetition and that sometimes lead the way to spiral into frustration don't the same routine, motivation does not work putting just a event in mind or in the calendar, motivation is put ona mind set ... this month this summer this autumn this year I will achieve or become... or overcome... I do this have 2 or 3 goals for the year... reach an overall amount of KM's then I must keep adding week by week km to not give up and also helps to training loads, I also put me into a challenge I never made, this year I became and Ultra cyclist ending a +1000 km ride nonstop over 28000m climbed in 6 and a half days then I decided compete is not as important as joy, As I ride alone and am a 'loner' type of person I accept and jump into random rides with new people. just to break the routine but enough to keep inspired to flow day by day motivated to ride.

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you for taking the time to share this!! Wishing you lots of luck and happiness with your riding!

[@jameshadfield14]

Nice video Chris! Have they resurfaced that road then? One of motivations is just keep as much on your tail as possible haha. Not the easiest when half the time the tails are virgin to me. I’d be up for the west Kernow way…. I’m sure Alex would want to do it in one though

[@chrisopie87]

They've made a token gesture to the first 100 meters... Haha, I'll have to think of more new routes, then! And that would be cool, maybe a few of us could still do it this year?

[@fernandomarquez8890]

Just at the right time 👌

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you!

[@zeuszuki6698]

Hey Chris, going good. Motivation is surprisingly good 👍 Rubber side down 🍻

[@chrisopie87]

Nice, best side to keep down! Hope it continues!!

[@pausanias2521]

Cool talk. Me myself, I'm all about process. I really enjoy seing numbers improve. I've always been very good at rehab XD. Tho, I struggle like crazy putting up goals. I make them way out of reach and then I lose interest in them when I realise that I won't be able to make it. If I do put up realisitic goals I also lose interest in them because they are often months away and doesn't seem to imortant right now. Any tips on how to make a goal stick to you and feel important?

[@chrisopie87]

That's a good question! For me I can only set a goal and believe in pursuing it if I really set my mind to it. I spend a lot of time thinking about it, building up it's importance, understanding it's requirements and then I start thinking about the reality of pursuing it. Once I've been through that process I'm probably a few weeks down the line and ready to commit to it. Short term goals on the way to long term goals is very important though.

[@pausanias2521]

@@chrisopie87 Thanks for the reply. I will surely give it a go.

[@chrisopie87]

Good luck!!

[@galenkehler]

I'm not really feeling motivated lately. After a few years off with illness, and getting old in general, it's hard to see a reason. There is one little thing tho, I still want to take the Canadian hour record back for cyclists, it's currently held by a triathlete 😭

[@chrisopie87]

Sorry to hear that, Galen. It has been a tricky couple of years to maintain and re-find motivation! The hour record sounds tempting, though...

[@allardbolt9683]

Awesome video!

[@chrisopie87]

Thank you, Allard!

[@davidburgess741]

In a way, I'm glad I don't know my metrics 45 years ago! The motivation is to control weight and be faster than most people 20 years younger. Mostly met. A training ride will see me in a 78 inch gear and a recovery ride the other side of the wheel has a 64. I don't ride in above 35 degree weather. I don't know my maximum heart rate, but remember it from 15 years ago. Too risky to find out at 63! The geared bike is for hills and group rides. Keep it simple! Hill too steep- might just make use of those 2 bolt shoes, but on rare occasions. No sense of falling onto the butt!

[@chrisopie87]

I love the sound of this, David. Cycling in its purest and most organic form.

[@alexboswell]

Haha!!!! Sounds like I'm winning the fight to get you bikepacking 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@chrisopie87]

The day it happens is looming closer!

[@davidogden9202]

Have you felt better for not drinking? Will you drink again after the 12 months?

[@chrisopie87]

I have noticed some benefits, but don't feel I've noticed them like some people can be referenced saying. I feel the benefits have been subtle but they are certainly benefits no matter how small they may be. I suspect in all honesty the correct way forward for me is to never drink again after this 12 months. I'd hoped I may have reached a different conclusion at this stage in the year, but it is probably time to accept it is a reality that alcohol isn't really something I will ever have a truly healthy relationship with.

[@davidburgess741]

Everyone is doing Emb reviews. Dave Noakes too. I have enough bikes!

[@chrisopie87]

I can't explain why that is, but I'm just sharing something that I love riding.

[@dickieblench5001]

Eye of the tiger

[@chrisopie87]

Haha, now that's a theme tune.

[@harimathur2191]

Is that the guy in GCN?

[@chrisopie87]

I used to be...

[@harimathur2191]

@@chrisopie87 oh wow. Great going. Nice content. U actually remind me of Matt on your current channel.

[@endc0re772]

800 for a minute is unreal!

[@chrisopie87]

My PB is 924... But I want to improve that. A silly goal to have!

[@joffbrown]

It’s just kick starting that motivation, which is the hard thing to do, I really struggle with kick starting my wife she knows it would to her so much going just going to the gym but it’s that first time once’s she starts be great but it’s just that motivation to start which is the hardest thing to do. I encourage but she just thinks I’m nagging lol

[@chrisopie87]

Hey Joff, that is definitely a challenge. They say the hardest step is putting your kit on, but it starts before that I find. It takes a long time to build an exercise habit but some people have other passions in life which can make it harder to focus on training.

[@johnoakleymusic]

I’m sure you can read my mind 🤣😂

[@chrisopie87]

Haha, maybe!