How do you stay motivated?

[CMeyer2001]

I am one of those individuals that will do really well for a month or two and then fall off the wagon when life gets too busy.  While the Fitbit is a great device to help with motivation, what else do you do to help maintain your focus, drive, and motivation?

[Cande]

C--

I set specific and achievable goals,

I write them down and keep them with me, make them a part of my daily life even as my work is.

I have written affirmations and repeat them daily, modifying them as needed from time to time.

Cande

[Cande]

Those are two fabulous motivators-- the clothes too big and the picture in the mirror!

[Cande]

Colin,

Thank you for the Healthy Calculators link! Much appreciated,

Cande

[LilBudyWizer]

I try to focus mainly on not driving and then the rest takes care of itself. I can either set here and starve or I can go get some food. It even works through depression. You only think you don't care until you run out of something you want. Walking to the store for groceries might not make you happy or seem rewarding when you're depressed, but eating does make you stop feeling hungry.

[JamesAndrew]

before i started working out i always wanted to, but had a mental block, knew it would be a great thing for me to do. until one day i refused to let my mind have control over me and never looked back, now each time i go i enjoy trying to push past what i think im capable of

[yogini-gayle]

I read an article in the latest Bicyling Magazine called "Tempt Yourself Skinny".  It focused on how mentally humans are more motivated by tangibles than by ideal ideas.  It is clearly ideal to be healthy, a good weight, not to need meds, etc.  However many of us fall off the wagon because we are tempted by something more tangible like food that we really love, no matter how bad it is for us.  In this article 6 people were featured who were very overweight but who took up cycling and used things like a new bicycle or a biking vacation to tempt themselves into losing weight and getting healthy. 

I have now committed to tempting myself with a new bicycle in the spring if I lose 20 lbs. That's all I need to lose.  But I have been unable to do it for a couple of years now.  So far so good.  I've lost about 6 lbs.

[Jamesl]

I'm like you - I've worked out hard for a few months and then stop for another few months. I've been consistent for almost 2 years. There are a number of things I do:

1) Feed the snake. Stand up comedians say that to be successful, they need to work on writing one joke per day. If this is done over a year, the person has enough material for a set. Jerry Seinfeld applied this concept. He posted a calendar and for everyday he wrote, he would color in the day. After a few days, you start seeing these days marked off and it grows longer, like a snake. After a while, when you see this chain grow, like a snake, you want to keep the chain going. It's a good visual feedback loop.

2) Remove obstacles. I try to make getting a workout in as easy as possible. I have a set of power blocks and kettlebells in my office. For days that I can't get into the gym, I have exercise equipment I can use to finish a 30 min circuit. Even without equipment, I have a body weight routine ready to go.

3) Engrain the feeling of a good workout. After a workout that was especially good, especially on days when I felt like skipping a workout, I soak in the feeling of accomplishment and physical joy. I remind myself that that is a feeling I want to experience again. So leading up to the time of my workout, I try to experience that feeling again, so it serves as motivation for me to want to workout so I can have that endorphin rush again.

Good luck and keep at it.

James

[SunsetRunner]

Jamesl, I really like the idea of feeding the snake!! Never heard that before. But I sure plan on using it. What a great visual!

[Natalie]

Love number point 2, James. 

My biggest obstacle is keeping all my good habits.  I have a habit of allowing life to get in the way of my healthy lifestyle or deciding that I am so close to my weight goal that I let things slip.  NOT THIS YEAR

Until my outdoor fitness group goes back from Christmas break, - 10 days and counting down, I have got in the habit of going out for a nightly walk.  Not as intense as my usual workout but still something. Also trying to include a bit of boxing and swimming to mix it up.

[Nis0403]

I have taken a private 'selfie' that reminds me everyday of why I'm getting fit. It's my motivation.

[missb726]

Same here and I also made smaller goals for myself. I've also posted different fitness quotes at my desk at work and also in my home.

[MissPapercut]

I really like your elephant bites image! It also reminds me I didn't get to where I am overnight...

[badminton]

When my motivation slips, I tell a friend who is really into fitness. She keeps me honest, and nags me. Find an accountability partner - someone who likes you, and whom you feel comfortable sharing your goals with, even if the goals change over time.

We have started to meet most Saturdays for a bike ride. The first question she asks me is "how did you do this week?" and I know she is not talking about work, or the kids, or anything except my fitness goals. She is a couple years older then me, and in better shape -- she can run 8 miles, and bike many more miles than me, I think. Since there is no way I will show up for our bike ride and say "no goals met", I have to meet at least one goal!

Goal one: 8-10,000 steps per day

Goal two: calories burned must be higher than calories eaten 

Goal three: at least one pound off every week

Goal four: be able to bike a little bit longer/farther every weekend, even if it is only by 1-2 miles.

[AimeeS]

I find getting involved in the community groups and adding friends helps. Setting challenges with friends who also have a Fitbit Flex helps as you can see their daily progress which motivates me to beat them.

[gerrymcd]

6 or 7 years ago I got back into exercising after a long period of being a couch potato.  During "the couch years" I had a number of attempts at getting fit, but they never lasted more than one or two months.  Success came by putting my workout schedule into my calendar first......before ANYTHING else, and trying as far as possible to keep the same Sunday, Monday, Wed, Thurs, Fri time for workouts scheduled every week. During the first 2 or even 3 to 4 months there were times I REALLY didn't feel like going to the gym after work.  But, I decided if it was scheduled I would always go to the gym.  Even if I was dog tired and not feeling up to it I would go and just walk on the treadmill for 5 mins.  Anything.  As long as I went to throught the gym door as scheduled.  In reality, some of the nights I went 'just out of obligation' turned out to be some of my hardest workouts -- even though I was thinking as I drove into the car park 'I'm just staying 5 mins and then going home for dinner'. 

It took a while, but after 3 or maybe even 6 months it became automatic to go to the gym.  I still filled in my workout schedule, but I stopped thinking about it.  It became completely automatic.   I'm scheduled to workout first thing on a Sunday morning.  Sat its the only day of the week I set an alarm at night.  Its been years, but I can't remember ever missing a Sunday workout.  Its now as automatic as brushing my teeth, or telling my dog she is the smartest dog in the world (which is a big lie).

[Colinm39]

Well done, we are beasts of habit and regular timings. I don't go to a gym, but if I don't do my intial 45 minutes of steps in the morning, daily issues get in the way later. Also gives you a good feeling.

If I go to the local mall all of a sudden I have about 3,700+ steps in the mall plus 6000 steps from the morning and I'm part way to my initial goal of 10,000 steps, then the fill in day to day steps have me at 15000 steps before I know it..

[Jabrat]

I walk 20,000 steps or so in the morning (when my back is not bothering me) - I have a buddy system and group that I belong to and it helps immensely - I have lost 40 pounds with my Fitbit One (which I love) and the friendship of those on my leaderboard and groups.

[Jabrat]

Buddy system absolutely works - today it is mall walking with my friend!!

[Hats26]

Yeah Fitbit has been a great motivator so far. I hope it continues that way. I'm so  excited about reaching 30k and my 500 Mile badge, its a bit ridiculous. I think my main motativation is knowing that exercise really helps my stress levels. My stress comes with my personality, so I have to learn to manage it other than listening to calm music or whatever. My breathing is appalling too. My boyfriend who never does exercise has better cardio than me and has always been a brilliant swimmer. I have a rather ocd obsession with my weight because of an operation I had when I was 18. I ended up being 6 & 1/2 St over night and looked very very thin. Since the operation I was probably fairly paranoid for a good couple of years and it took a few years to build up that weight. Now I'm over my initial weight and am aware to maintain it but would like to get fit. I've done a 10k, and I do 5ks but I cannot wait to get my arches in my feet stronger, better breathing and generally more confidence and know that I did a decent run without any walking! 

Yeah keeping small goals are important. I should take a look at mine! I love this Fitbit community 🙂 

[Jabrat]

Great bunch of people👏👏👏