Where Do You Get Your Willpower From??

[SunsetRunner]

Hi Guys and Gals 🙂

I have over 5 stone to lose - lost 10 pounds in a month and then put it all back on in a couple of weeks as my willpower disappeared and all I wanted to do was sit on the sofa and eat! So I did!

Sooo I need your help! Any tips on willpower and how to keep going? What do you do to continue, rather than giving up at the first hurdle? I need a kick up the bum!

Thanks 🙂

Kat x

[NineToTheSky]

I am on a journey to lose 5 stone in five and a half months. I am now four and a half months into that journey, and I have lost four and a half stone. A few weeks ago I had a week where I didn't lose anything. I normally lose 3-4 lbs a week. I couldn't understand why I got stuck, because I thought I was working as hard as normal at the gym. Eventually I discovered that the clue is in the words 'working as hard as normal'. It wasn't my body not being strong enough - it was my mind. I needed to use willpower to convince myself that I could work harder.And I have - so I am back on track. Willpower is essential, and, for me, it comes from determination, having a goal to reach and acknowledging to myself that it will be very hard - but when I do it, so worth it.

It's worth it because I have put my diabetes and depression into remission, my eyesight becoming so much better that I need new glasses, and knowing that I can fit into clothes - and look good in them. All that is so motivating and another source of willpower.

[Mrthekla]

I set my goal on losing a few pounds and increasing my activity levels. I work a desk job, so I have to be mindful in order to get much activity during a normal day. 

My willpower comes from a few places. To be honest, it's partially motivated by fear. I'm packing an extra 40lbs, and heart attacks and diabetes run in my family. I'm getting to that age where if not addressed it could become a health problem for me. I'd rather it not get to that.

My positive motivation comes from wanting to remain active. To be able to travel and do things without having to worry about an extremely strict diet and having the physical capabilities to travel off the beaten path. I love to explore, and I'd hate to miss out on that. I want my kids to have to struggle to keep up with me. 😉

To help from feeling defeated I'm setting small interim goals. Such as steps in a day, just logging what I eat without worrying about calorie counting and getting to the gym 3 times per week. By achieving those things each day, and each week I'm already making progress toward the larger goal. And that feels good, and helps me repeat it again the following week. 

[savanahrae2269]

I was working out for an hour on the treadmill but I was eating like crap and I didn't lose any weight. I fell into a depression.  I decided that it's time that I needed to make some changes in my life. I haven't had any soda in a month, no junk food at all and if I do go out to eat (monthly date) I'll make sure to get a healthier meal. I eat smaller portions.  I am just sick of owning clothes that don't fit me.. I want to be able to go to a store and buy smaller clothes.  My willpower is that I don't EVER want to go back to where I was before.  It's discouraging sometimes to go on the scale but I notice a jacket I couldn't even zip up, I now can zip up and wear two shirts underneath it.. so I am losing weight!

Best of luck to you!!!! You'll do great if you don't make any excuses.

[Mrthekla]

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@savanahrae2269 wrote:

 It's discouraging sometimes to go on the scale but I notice a jacket I couldn't even zip up, I now can zip up and wear two shirts underneath it.. so I am losing weight!

Best of luck to you!!!! You'll do great if you don't make any excuses.

---

That's a really good point to remember. Sometimes the scale isn't our friend. You can eat right and increase your activity and not see the changes in the number on the scale. A little too much salt can translate into a couple pounds of water weight. The increase in activity builds muscle which offsets the fat loss. 

How you feel and how your clothes fit are more important than the number on the scale. You can drop a couple sizes and not see it on the scale. But you'll feel better and look better. Which in the end is much more important than the number on the scale. 

Great reminder! Thanks Savanah!

[Neckty]

I absolutely must try sleeping in my gym clothes!!

[MonicaJ]

I've found a fair bit of success in removing decision points. I know what I'm eating every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. When I eat out, I look at the menu online so I am not making stupid food choices. It doesn't take much willpower when the decisions are already made. 

[Basilia]

@MonicaJ - Removing decision points makes alot of sense. Planning ahead ensures you are eating the right way to REACH your weight loss objective. Fail to plan or plan to fail...you make the choice that's right for what you REALLY want. Thanks for reminding us of this truly important point.

[TJFIT]

Where do you buy the magnisum powder from?

Thanks in advance.

[Ilona46]

I got alot of willpower looking at this video on you-tube!! This girl was overweight (babyweight) and decided to become a fitnessmodel in 10 months!! No personal trainer, no Chef's....just exercising at home with weights and walks....It's a documentary following her over the 10 months! Really inspiring and what an amazing result she had!! Even a guilt free friday eating whatever she felt like! (Hamburgers, fries, cookies etc.) Her name is Elle and she lives in Sidney Australia!! Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkMJdytTSXU

[wgmsarkis]

For me, I started to incorporate running into my walks everyday, no I run every day at least 3 miles. It has boosted my will power, I feel amazing when I'm done. I sleep better.

[gerriperri]

Very good reply! It has helped me.  I need motivation too.  I just cannot loose weight in past five years and your words are super encouraging.  I always try but end up giving up.  Just have the fitbit but needed those nice words.

[BethBeere]

My Motivation...

Easy...I lost my mom this September to a massive heart attack because she ate whatever she wanted and the unhealthier the better as far as she was concerned...made a deal with myself that I was not leaving my two daughters and husband like that....

[BethBeere]

"Be Stronger Than Your Excuses"

And My Favourites...

Dont Listen To Your Inner Fatty

Shes An Evil **ahem**

She Misses Bread And Chocolate

Stomach You Are BORED

NOT Hungry

So SHUT UP

[hhurley2135]

Biggest thing is dont neglect foods you love.

Moderation is KEY.

Im doing a diet called "Fit Girls Guide" I would recommend it for ANYONE. The biggest goal is that its a lifestyle change, not a fad diet. It shows you the correct proportions and how much of each food group you have in a meal.

i think my favorite thing about it, is that it has meal plans for you. With that they're counting the calories for you. And it is DELICIOUS food. And they encourage daily bites of chocolate.

When it comes to motivation, it always needs to be for YOU.

Dont think things like "I need to look better for this" or "I need to look better for them"

I also set short goals in addition to my long term goal.

Like right now Id like to lose at least 10 pounds in the next month,

25 more after that by summer. In the long run from my starting I want to have lost 75+ pounds.

 Another good thing is to base progress off of visuals versus the number on the scale.

Ive only lost 15 pounds since the beginning of the year, but I have never felt better physically.

[SunsetRunner]

Believe it or not, The Biggest Loser mainly

Granted, some people say it is not real etc, but the reality is that watching it gives me that push and motivation to exercise and lose weight, not eat fatty foods, eat properly and not snack

When I do eat fatty food, I.e. Fish and chips or a curry 🙂 then I push myself that little bit more and exercise more to burn those extra calories

[hhurley2135]

I feel that way about watching my 600-lb life.

I see people weighing upwards of 500+ pounds and theyre going to the gym, why cant i?

[hjrutledge]

I am working on significant weight loss, but i'm trying to do it long term vs my usual dropping 60lbs in 3 months.  I also put more weight on after and then start back over.  I decided to start a blog and make myself accountable for my weight loss journey.  Feel free to take a look at www.findingmyinnerskinny.weebly.com  Also i have recipes, the workouts i frequent, as well as the app i use to track my food.  By the way i'm not a professional writer, I just wanted a place to write about my journey.  Sharing this does nothing for me except put myself out there more.

[dancefoxtrot]

llona

thanks for the video. It was inspiring to watch the pregnant young woman go through the many external and internal changes. 

I'm going to drink some water and go to sleep now so the last 7 lbs actually disappear. I'm turning 75 yrs old in just 1 month and if I'm wise about my diet I can be 137 not 142 lbs at 5'7".  In 8 days I get into my ball gown and do a smooth ballroom competition down in San Jose, CA. Nerve racking but a short term goal to be 139 not 142 and to dance well. It is only my mind that gets in the way. 

Best to all in moving toward their dreams,

Barbara 

[SunsetRunner]

good luck, and I'll say Happy 75th! now coz knowing me I will forget 😉

[CStar3636]

Logging the food.  That has been the biggest game changer for me.  
I used to mindlessly eat unhealthy food.  Seeing it logged everyday, I am more mindful of what I am eating. 
I also want to have a waist again.