Motivation. How do we KEEP it, and how to get it back once you feel you lost it...?

[motivation]

I have lost it. My motivation.

I had been food logging religiously,

then started slacking... I try every day to keep up, but procrastinate,

and then 2-3 days go by ,

I have have missed a meal  or 2 each day... 

BLAH!!!!

[WendyB]

Im sorry. You really need to find out why. Motivation come from within yourself.

[Odyssey13 · Accepted solution]

Sounds like you need to sit down and have a talk with yourself. No one can motivate you. As Wendy said, motivation comes from within yourself. You have to want to change and until you do, you won't.

Don't lose weight for someone else (spouse, children, friends, job) but do it because it's what you want. When you make a goal for yourself, make it one that's easier to reach. Once you've reached a few goals, you'll be ready to make bigger ones and you'll feel better about yourself.

Be good to yourself and try to have a more positive attitude. You can do it. We're on a journey and we take one step at a time, one meal at a time and we will arrive at our destination.

[Natalie · Accepted solution]

maybe you need to sit down and work out what it is you are wanting to achieve.  It is just weight loss or are you after a lifestyle change with the added bonus of weight loss

Once you have figured that out, write down a plan of action, putting both small/short term goals as well as the long term goal.  Maybe even include a treat once each goal is achieved - NOT FOOD RELATED, maybe new clothes or a massage.

For me doing this has helped me stay on track.  I do have my bad days and days when I really can't be bothered.  On these days, I like to look back on where I have started and what I have achieved.

Nat

[motivation]

I like the 'visualize' aspect of writing down goals, acheivements.
Thanks for your reply.
😉
Jeanette

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone

[delet · Accepted solution]

well, only you are in control of your journey so rather you stay on track is up to you..... once i realized this, i was able to hold myself accountable. either i do it, lose the weight, get healthy, active and have some joy or I will remain fat, overweight, sad, lost, digusted with myself.. its not worth it.  anyways, everyday I have a "driving thought" (a thought that motovates me to stay on track)   sometimes its my daughter, sometimes its clothes, sometimes its confidence and self esteem

[Shelley · Accepted solution]

I have been where you are and have had my motivation come and go.  It does come from within but how to get it to stay there is the question of the day when you are the kind of person who has it sometimes and it doesn't last and you don't have a clue why it doesn't last.  I set goals and get excited and work hard and have success but if I get sick and don't exercise a few days or have something else that gets in the way for a few days, I find myself feelig like I don't want to exercise anymore.  Recently I have discovered that new information, new challenges, new gadgets, and participating in the forums helps keep me motivated or bring back motivation.  Here are 7 of the top things that have worked for me:

1.  Reading:  I read The Hunger Cure and that had good information as well as good exercises to keep you motivated.  I also read Starting Monday which helps identify thinking patterns that get us off track.  Another good book is Changing For Good which identifies 6 stanges of change and what research found about people who are successful at health behavior change.  You not only need goals you need a plan for how to meet those goals, a plan for what to do when barriers get in the way, and a maintenance plan.  Also, short articles from Calorie.com and Dr. Fuhrman.com are easy to read and keep me going.

2.. Decide what you are hungry for besides food.  I am hungry to be able to keep up with my sister on hikes and to be able to wear a swimsuit in public.  I try to keep that in mind when I want to eat something that will undermine my fitness.  I just keep thinking of all the things I hunger for that aren't food.

3.  Have something a size of two smaller that is your "clothes o meter" and try it on every week until you can wear it.  Take pictures of yourself wearing your new outfit when it finally fits.

4.  Listen to Belleruth Naperstek guided visualizations and affirmations.  You can google her name and Health Journeys is the business that has her CDs and MP3's on.  I listened to those everyday until my own thoughts were infused with those affirmations.  If I need to I can start it up again if I find myslef slipping.

5.  Join a challenge.  In September I joined a challenge to lose 30 by Christmas.  When they started the new forum area, most of the people disappeared from that challenge and it was looking like I still had too much to lose to meet my goal.  I started feeling a little unmotivated so I started the Holiday Challenge on the Weight Loss forum site.  Having a new group of people all working to either lose or not gain anything through December 31st helped me over the hump.  I am now 1.5 # away from my 30 # goal and it is really keeping me motivated.  It is so close to Christmas and I have to be VERY careful right now and make sure I really follow my plan if I am going to get there.

6.  A lot of people say only weigh once a week.  I weigh everyday and look at the trend line going down and at the tile on the Dashboard that shows you how much you have to go.  The meter started at 30 and has made it all the way around to that last little bit.  I have been watching it for three months and cannot wait till this last 1.5 is gone.  So, I find it very motivating to watch all the graphs, numbers etc.

7.  Go public with your goals.  Nothing like accountability to keep you motivated.  If you say you are going to do something, then it kind of makes you want to stick to it if everyone is going to see you didn't stick to it.  When I am the only one who knows, then it is a lot easier to blow stuff off.

[motivation · Accepted solution]

Wow, i appreciate your reply. Have read it twice. , plan on re reading. Thoughts right from your heart. Please keep in touch . . . .. 🙂

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Device

[Lauran · Accepted solution]

First of all, don't beat yourself up - no one stays at the top of their motivation all the time... it's human for your emotional state to be inconsistent.

I don't have any "bulletproof" answers but I recently realized that what made the most difference is finding my true motivation. The thing that really is important to me and that I know is something I really need. For years I thought that losing weight was my motivation, but the fact is being 15lbs overweight isn't really such a big deal and it wasn't enough to keep me going through the low-motivation points.

When I realized that exercise was the only way for me to keep my stress level under control and not be completely miserable and snappy most of the time, suddenly sticking to my exercise routine became a LOT easier.

Good luck!!

[LakeLady]

I have just received my Fitbit zip as a Christmas gift. I am excited to begin. I don't need to lose much weight but I do need to tone and develop a strong core as I have a miserable back. Being here I know will be of help. I look forward to "talking" with you. Thanks. 

[Natalie · Accepted solution]

I couldn't agree more with you Lauran, weightloss isn't a bit motivator for me as I am really close to my goal, but when I exercise regularly I feel so much better.  I can cope with what life throws at me, it gives me so me time, where I'm not Mum, or a wife or someone in customer service at work.  I can be me.

At first I thought that made me selfish but have come to realise that exercise as well as the other lifestyle changes I have made this year has made me a better mum and wife.  I have more patience at work and my stress levels are more balanced, especially at that time of the month

[midget70]

my motivation is that I want to be able to fly to my next destination without having to ask for a seat belt extender.  This is embarrasing and it makes me mad at myself.

[Lauran]

That is so well put - I forgot about the "me time" aspect of it - but it's so true!! 

[Brandyb]

I feel guilty trying to get the me time in.  I want the time to go and exercise but by the time I walk through the door at night I am hearing "whats for dinner?"  ugh; I have asked them to start helping me with the meal preparations but it is slow going...I am trying to stay focused and take one day at a time.  🙂

[Odyssey13]

BrandyB, that's a good attitude to have. One day at a time and often, it's one hour at a time.

Maybe it would help to make menu plans for each day and do some prep for it on the weekends or whenever you have some helpers. It's not easy when you hit the door with all the needs of others.

Have you told them that when you exercise, it benefits them? It is important to take care of yourself. Keep going and things will work out.

[SunsetRunner]

Been there, felt like that! 

What are you doing for meal plans? Do you like a challenge? I'd be happy to do a friendly competetion with you if you think that might help get you back on track. I know that usually helps me.

[LakeLady]

No competition is necessary, only great ideas for staying on track. I actually need ideas for eating well and simply. I don't eat much but still don't lose weight. It's the exercise I also need to add in. Thoughts?

[motivation]

It the exercise part of the equation, my calories are set for 1625 each day, but my trainer wants me to exercise 3 or 4 days each week. Thats where I cannot get in that part. I do my H.I.I.T.  2 days, but do not do my extra one day - let alone 2nd.  😞

I realize my easiest exercise is getting out and walking.

She has given me home work-outs, so for bad weather (Michigan=winter) try to get in a workout at home...

[Brandyb]

The family is supportive of becoming healthier so I don't get any push back from them if I ask for help....What is hard is me being patient with my help 🙂  I do create a menu of what our meals will be for 2 weeks out (huge savings at the grocery store) so if I am running late the kiddo will start supper for me.

[Brandyb]

I have a problem with exercise too.  I need to do more and have no energy when I get home from work.