Hi all,
I'm writing my thesis on the gender differences in percieved social support, and was wondering what kind of social support (think family and friends) best helps you get motivated. Ideally I would distribute a questionnaire, but I'm not looking to publish from responses on here so simple anecdotes are fine for some direction. If you feel uneasy about writing on a thread please consider sending me a personal message.

Thanks in advance ;)

I'm not really sure I understand what you're doing. Are you looking for male and female response? Fitness motivation or other aspects as well?

I have zero support towards my fitness goals from friends and family. That's why I'm here so much. ;)

I also don't rely on social support to help me get motivated towards anything in particular, because it's never worked. Once I'm motivated, however, there are several things that can help keep me on track. :)

I agree with guava; I don't really understand your question.

Are you doing research as well as soliciting anecdotes?

I agree with guava; I don't really understand your question.

Are you doing research as well as soliciting anecdotes?

No, no, no. None of this will be used in any way for research except to give me some ideas of directions to look. It wouldn't be ethical for me to use responses in any way for research without IRB approval and asking for your signed consent. I'm merely interested to hear your stories about how family and friends have influenced your physical activity endeavours. Your responses will not and cannot be quoted or summerized in any way by me or through me.

I try not be influenced by the people around me. If you let them affect your training you'll forever be stuck to the lowest common denominator and will never achieve any goals.

I also find my motivation comes from within, but I also find that just learning more about fitness/nutrition everyday is also a big boost :tu:

Brainstorming for your research huh

Running with a partner can have a positive or negative impact on my running depending on the level they are at.

Girls checking me out at the gym = positive effect

Guys checking me out at the gym = make me run faster in the opposite direction

Good luck getting published.

I try not be influenced by the people around me. If you let them affect your training you'll forever be stuck to the lowest common denominator and will never achieve any goals.very well put bro!:tucool:

Hi all,
I'm writing my thesis on the gender differences in percieved social support, and was wondering what kind of social support (think family and friends) best helps you get motivated. Ideally I would distribute a questionnaire, but I'm not looking to publish from responses on here so simple anecdotes are fine for some direction. If you feel uneasy about writing on a thread please consider sending me a personal message.

Thanks in advance ;)The best motivation is life! i lift weights for a better quality of life as the more active one is the better their life is all around,self motivation is all one needs my friend.:flex:

I'm not really sure I understand what you're doing. Are you looking for male and female response? Fitness motivation or other aspects as well?

I have zero support towards my fitness goals from friends and family. That's why I'm here so much. ;)

I also don't rely on social support to help me get motivated towards anything in particular, because it's never worked. Once I'm motivated, however, there are several things that can help keep me on track. :)

I AM looking for male AND female response, yes. I suspect there is a very defferent percieved role of social support for both. If you notice, I belive you are the only female to post here, and also the only one to acknowledge any role of social support. I also liked your response. You brought in motivational readiness which is slightly different than social support. They are grounded in different theories, but are both very interesting to me.

Thanks for the response, and good luck with your fitness goals :)

I get zero support from anybody about anything.

Everything I do is strictly whether I in fact want to do it.

I'm not kidding.....in the last five years for example, family and friends have neither yayed or nayed my bodily goals. In fact they don't even bring the subject up.

My wife, while liking the way I look, neither encourages or discourages my efforts...except to say that when I experience success she will say "See...I told you that's how to do it".:bang: