How do you find your WHY?
39in39
Posts: 32 Member
You've heard many variations of the saying, "When you find your WHY you'll find your HOW," but how do you find your WHY?
I have the usual things, wanting to look good, feel good, keep active with my kids, but I still haven't found the WHY that keeps me from shoving food in my pie hole. I love to work out but it's the food that hold me back. Been working with a therapist but this layer of the onion is too deep.
How did you find your WHY?
I have the usual things, wanting to look good, feel good, keep active with my kids, but I still haven't found the WHY that keeps me from shoving food in my pie hole. I love to work out but it's the food that hold me back. Been working with a therapist but this layer of the onion is too deep.
How did you find your WHY?
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Sometimes it's as simple as "because you deserve it". We all deserve to be happy and we all need to be healthy! If not for yourself think about this, kids often mirror what they see us do not what we tell them to do. So every time we make a poor nutritional choice we are showing them it's the thing to do. Good luck0
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My "why" was in April 2011. I went to a school event with my daughter, and had trouble just walking to the door of the school. I had to stop a few times along the way, and once inside the door, I had to sit on the floor because I was so out of breath, and out of shape. The teachers kept asking me if I needed help, and I had the gall to tell them it was their fault for making me walk so far. I was totally embarrassed and humiliated. I've been searching once again for my "why" because I've become complacent.
Sometimes your "why" is that you're just fed up with things how they are, you know *something* has to change, and it might as well be you. It comes when you actually would rather go through the "uncomfortable" that comes with making changes rather than just being uncomfortable with how you are now.
My current "why" is that I have to fly to Washington DC in June, and I'd like to be more comfortable in the plane seats.0 -
I want to have children. Then, after I have children I want to be healthy for them. I have tried loosing weight in the past for more short term "why;s" and I would loose some weight only to become content with it, and then stop trying. I always eventually gained it back. This is the first time I have a solid, long term why, and it is the first time that I have worked at it for a long time. I have no reason to stop now, but one really great reason to keep moving forward.0
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It was easy to find for me. Got diagnosed with pre-diabetes and my "why" has been to do all I can to make my chances better not to get it. Seems to be working so far (glucose in the normal range now), but if I do get it eventually, at least I wouldn't blame it on my non-action.0
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I have a standard for the way I want to look, and I tie it to my weight goal. But mainly, it's when I got a couple of people in a two week period tell me "Congrats" on being pregnant (family members no less) that I got my why. One day I wish to be pregnant again, but for now, I just want to look non-pregnant sexy.0
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Just to add~ I recently cut down on drinking a few glasses of wine a day to one and someday none...and yeah it helps with removing those calories to help me lose weight, but it's also because I want to be able to have another kid in the near future, and want to stop drinking altogether when I get pregnant. That for me is a strong desire that's helping me stop drinking. Not weight, but similar to having a Why.
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My WHY is my daughter. I was 40 when I had her and would like to be around for as much of her life as possible. I have other whys too. I actually would really like to have another child but know that it's not likely with my age. So I figure, the closer I am to a healthy weight, the better the chance. Why #3 my sister-in-law got engaged about a year ago and I really wanted to be in her wedding but didn't want to be the "chubby bridesmaid". Well, she gets married next month and I'm in it! I'm pretty sure I bought the biggest size bridesmaid dress but I don't feel chubby anymore so it's all good.0
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You've heard many variations of the saying, "When you find your WHY you'll find your HOW," but how do you find your WHY?
I have the usual things, wanting to look good, feel good, keep active with my kids, but I still haven't found the WHY that keeps me from shoving food in my pie hole. I love to work out but it's the food that hold me back. Been working with a therapist but this layer of the onion is too deep.
How did you find your WHY?
I don't like to think about it.
My mom died a couple of years ago. She struggled with her weight as long as I can remember. Over time she found it difficult to walk places. Sleeping in her bed was uncomfortable. She developed cancer twice and other health problems. She spent her last years mostly in a chair.
My weight was creeping up. I started having trouble keeping up with others when walking even when walking my fastest. I had pain in my hip and other places. I was getting out of breath climbing stairs. Clothes weren't fitting. F that! I'm only 40 years old. I deserve to live a long healthy life doing things. I don't want to be stuck in a chair. I loved my mom but I don't want to end up like her.0 -
My "why" was in April 2011. I went to a school event with my daughter, and had trouble just walking to the door of the school. I had to stop a few times along the way, and once inside the door, I had to sit on the floor because I was so out of breath, and out of shape. The teachers kept asking me if I needed help, and I had the gall to tell them it was their fault for making me walk so far. I was totally embarrassed and humiliated. I've been searching once again for my "why" because I've become complacent.
Sometimes your "why" is that you're just fed up with things how they are, you know *something* has to change, and it might as well be you. It comes when you actually would rather go through the "uncomfortable" that comes with making changes rather than just being uncomfortable with how you are now.
My current "why" is that I have to fly to Washington DC in June, and I'd like to be more comfortable in the plane seats.
Well said! OP, I would add that it's not always one, big earth-shattering WHY, although it can be for some people. Sometimes we have a different WHY every day to varying degrees. Don't wait around for a big WHY moment. Find a useful WHY each day.0 -
kathrynrf89 wrote: »I want to have children. Then, after I have children I want to be healthy for them. I have tried loosing weight in the past for more short term "why;s" and I would loose some weight only to become content with it, and then stop trying. I always eventually gained it back. This is the first time I have a solid, long term why, and it is the first time that I have worked at it for a long time. I have no reason to stop now, but one really great reason to keep moving forward.
I really want to lose weight to be able to have healthy kids and be healthy for them too, but for some reason that hasn't been a big enough "WHY" for me. I guess it still doesn't feel like I'm doing it for me if it's for another human being,even if it is family =/ really sucks0 -
My "WHY". It feels good! It hurts to be unhealthy. People look at you different. I looked at myself negatively. I'd sit on the couch a watch life go by. Now I'm walking the dog. Pulling the kids around on the tobogon. Leading by example.
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These are so good!
Thanks!
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When you REALLY don't want ____________________ (fill in blank: exercise, put down the fork, plan another menu, track what you ate, etc.), but you go and do it anyway because__________________ . That's your motivation.
Jillian Michaels says that looking for motivation--and especially WAITING for motivation--is a monumental waste of time. Just do it. The motivation actually shows up later, when you see the results.
I just try to remember that I can do almost anything for one more day. And someday I'll look back and be both amazed and proud.
Keep going. And may Success chase you down the street!0 -
+10. If I always waited to "feel motivated" to go to work, I wouldn't have a job.Jillian Michaels says that looking for motivation--and especially WAITING for motivation--is a monumental waste of time. Just do it. The motivation actually shows up later, when you see the results.
Results do often lead to motivation.
For example, I've been increasing the weight on my bench press every week. If I show up and put in 2-3 tough sessions, I can be reasonably confident I'll enjoy a new PR.0 -
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Maybe it's not about finding your WHY, but more about just taking action now. My mantra is "motivation comes from action, not the other way around." I've found it to be very true. The more days in a row I log my food and hit my goals, the more days I get up and exercise, the more motivated I am to keep working at it.0
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I think the real definition of your WHY is intrinsic motivation. Not guilt or someone telling you why you need to do it, but a drive within yourself to succeed or to keep up or to just learn to obey yourself. You can't get that from someone else. It may take some soul searching. I agree with RillaVanilla, too. Have you ever heard the saying "fake it till you make it?" Do that. I didn't get my "why" until about a year after I started.0
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No particular why, But lots of reasons to keep it up.
I was military once, and the thought of continuing to be fat by those regulations shamed me.
I like having mirrors in my house. Got rid of them while I was big.
I like nice clothes, and never would buy them while heavy.
I love knowing I beat the odds living in the fattest state in America.
I got my self esteem back. That alone is worth every bit of it and why I continue.
Truthfully it wasn't health reasons, it was my own ego and vanity.0 -
Been "faking" it for years but I still can't figure out what makes me want to put down the pizza. I don't have a problem getting to the gym. It's food. Fake it til you make it doesn't work with food.0
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Been "faking" it for years but I still can't figure out what makes me want to put down the pizza. I don't have a problem getting to the gym. It's food. Fake it til you make it doesn't work with food.
Just curious... Why is pizza, or any other food for that matter, a problem? I'm learning to work whatever food I want into my macros and if it's too many calories, I can always work out longer to get my net cals down. I did the deprivation diet for most of my life and it is not sustainable long term.0 -
My "why" has changed over the years. In my 20s I kept at my preferred weight to "look good".
In my 30s after my Ph.D. studies (and some weight gain) I made a concerted effort to lose weight and learn how to eat. So my "why" then was "learning how to eat so i don't have to diet again".
In my 40s my "why" (for maintaining) has been: to be healthy for my family, to increase the changes of being a healthy older person. I want to enjoy life after retirement, in addition to life now.
I turn 50 next month. My "why" (for maintaining) so far is much as it was in my 40s: to be healthy. I have a lot of goals for the next 30-40 years. A lot I want to do.0 -
Been "faking" it for years but I still can't figure out what makes me want to put down the pizza.
If you've been faking it for years, the great figure you've obtained from eating 2 slices of pizza, a small coke, and a salad w/ balsamic vinaigrette instead of the whole dang pizza should motivate you to keep eating the way you have been. At least, for me, I don't want to go back into my fat clothes! I've kept one token pair of pants around to remind me where I cam from.
Tonight's dinner--a 12oz bone-in NY Strip Steak, Asparagus, Mashed Potatoes, and a microbrew ale. Some potato chips first. A healthy moderation tends to be yummier than fast foods!
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My why is because I've been dealing with weight issues since I was 13 years old. Next month I turn 49. That is a lot of wasted years hating myself so much that I would rather stuff my face than exercise some discipline. I want to be healthy, fit, and confident. My why is because I'm NOT going to be fat at 50!!
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RillaVanilla wrote: »for
Just curious... Why is pizza, or any other food for that matter, a problem?
Why is it a problem? I can't out-run a bad diet. And are made in the kitchen. I eat 80% clean food, but I just eat too much and no reason in this world has yet to convince me that a salad or kale or green smoothie or mashed cauli or whatev have precedence over less desirable options. I can do well for a few days but not for a long stretch. That is why I think my underlying reason hasn't been discovered yet.0
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