What motivates you? Increases willpower?

SunnyDayzMomma

I went to bed one night and decided that now was the time. The time to get healthier, lose weight, gain energy and flexibility to move and groove with my kids, and to be able to act my age again instead of like my grandmother (I'm 34)! I woke up that next morning and it was on! It's been wild, 16 days in and not a single craving or bend in my resolve. I KNOW this is because it's fresh and exciting, so my question to you all is this: What gets you motivated to keep on keeping on, when you don't feel like it anymore? What's your motivation, what gives you a little bit more willpower when you feel yourself wane? Mantras welcome! Thank you!

srujana_kanneganti

--Small successes-- like 1 lb of loss, or a increase in strength (adding weight plates to the barbell!)
-- imagining my confidence levels once I reach my goal, being able to wear what I want with confidence
-- feeling healthier

Kalikel

I want to be healthy. As I lose, I like looking better, for sure (!), but health is where it begins and ends for me.

lemurcat12

Seeing the losses serves as a motivator as you go forward.

I also found it helpful to set specific goals to work toward, things I could control more than the scale. Like this week I will workout 5 times for at least 30 minutes each, or this week I will have vegetables with all meals.

I had a lot to lose, so I set a bunch of mini goals too--down 20, no longer obese, no longer overweight, stuff like that. And a lot of mine were exercise related since getting back in shape was a huge part of my motivation--run a 5K and then a 10K, run a half marathon, bike 30 miles.

Motivation is easier if it's not all on your own too--and I say this despite not telling anyone offline I was trying to lose weight until I was well into it. I had forgotten this until I stumbled on MFP, and I think the community here kept me interested through some tougher times. Having people offline who are into the things you are doing can help too, although it's not always possible. I didn't want to talk about weight loss, so for me this meant getting involved with some running groups and the like, although I didn't do this until I was well along the way and thinking about maintenance, since I think it will help cement the changes as part of my overall lifestyle going forward.

Machka9

I created a Blog post about this topic BUT ... I don't know how to make that post public.

For those of you who have been around a while, is there a way to make one blog post public, but not all of them?

lorrpb

Remember what yousaid:
"The time to get healthier, lose weight, gain energy and flexibility to move and groove with my kids, and to be able to act my age again instead of like my grandmother (I'm 34)! "

If you're not moving ahead, you're going back to where you were. For me, I don't ever want to feel that way--physically or mentally--again. That is what has kept me going for 13 months, 94 pounds, and 50 inches, and I'm not done yet. You can do it too. Discipline=commitment+consistency.

beccajean1986

srujana_kanneganti wrote: »

--Small successes-- like 1 lb of loss, or a increase in strength (adding weight plates to the barbell!)
-- imagining my confidence levels once I reach my goal, being able to wear what I want with confidence
-- feeling healthier

That's almost exactly how I motivate myself all the insecurities I've felt for so long, I'll finally be able to overcome them. I'll be a happier, more energetic and fun mommy, wife and friend. All of that, is WELL worth the sacrifices and hard work

zaxx1953

To be clear, if not crass, I enjoy the company of attractive women.

No matter what women tell you, LOOKS MATTER.

Centipede007

Losses in pounds motivate me personally but I am also motivated by my improvement in my favourite sports. There's also a hint of pride about being able to wear things that I feel uncomfortable wearing right now.

whmscll

I'm participating in a group challenge here on MFP. One motivator is wanting to post that I've lost weight every week. Another is that I make small, weekly goals. For instance, this week it's to stay strictly within my calorie limit for the week. When I waver, I tell myself I only have to be strict for this one week, then I can go 50 or 100 calories over one day next week if I'm really hungry or craving. A week is nothing. This goal makes me really be careful with my intake and logging. I've now recommitted to doing this for another week. Once I commit, I don't want to let myself down. Sticking with it and reaching my goal is so rewarding.

atypicalsmith

The scales. They didn't motivate me for a very long time. Then one day I was 169.8 and I went nuts. My ideal weight is between 105-110. Now the scales motivate me very well. Not to mention MFP.

jjburger77

I'm not a parent, but I would imagine one of your motivations would be your children. I've heard many parents say that they want to get healthy so their children have a good mentor and so they can see their children grow up.

You will find that when your clothing fits a little better and what you see on the scales going in the direction you want will keep your focus intact. It can be frustrating at the beginning, but eventually, all of what you have been doing pays off! I've been on my journey since February 1, 2013, and I know that this is something that I will do for the rest of my life...it's a journey after all.

Keep up the great work, SunnyDayzMomma!

tomatoey

I'm much more mindful of wanting to take care of my body, so it can get me through to old age in a more or less happy and functional state, definitely. That's really shot up in importance just this year, as the number of issues that are starting to rear their heads is ticking up. I want to take a more proactive role in my health overall, because I know from experience how gappy medical help can be for some things.

Mostly, though, still, vanity. Right now, I'm losing a bit of weight regained after a significant loss, because I know how good it is to feel completely unselfconscious and free, and, honestly, to wear whatever the hell you want and look good without even thinking about "dressing for your shape" or whatever. I want no restrictions on clothes

When I lost that weight, I didn't use mantras for motivation. I was really excited to learn all this new stuff (I geeked out for about a year). For the first month of adjustment, I used the rule "must do something for 30 minutes every day". After that, I could feel direct and immediate benefits from the exercise I did, so that was rewarding enough. Food-wise, my choices prevented me from ever really getting into a state where I had to worry about eating too much. Aha oh yes, I'd also just broken up with my ex, so there's that, lol.

I'm glad you're in the right headspace for a major life change! You can do this

Machka9

Machka9 wrote: »

I created a Blog post about this topic BUT ... I don't know how to make that post public.

For those of you who have been around a while, is there a way to make one blog post public, but not all of them?

OK, here it is ...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Machka9/view/motivation-755773

Sued0nim

Success and progress pictures like my av

Motivation fades,what you need to develop is commitment even when you don't wanna

Whitezombiegirl

zaxx1953 wrote: »

To be clear, if not crass, I enjoy the company of attractive women. No matter what women tell you, LOOKS MATTER.

It's true- but what people in general like may suprise you. My husband is 10 years older than me, grey all over, extreamly hairy back, bald, short and sometimes has a bit of a belly. I think he's the sexiest man alive! (I really do)

misskarne

Working on a jump at the rink and knowing that the technique on it's own is getting me close - imagine how much better, higher, longer, and more rotated the jump would be if the as$ you were hauling into the air wasn't so fat!

candykay0605

The little steps! Asking myself if I love myself enough to workout and eat right each day

DeguelloTex

I am very motivated by wanting to avoid failure. No food is good enough to justify failing. Skipping a workout would feel worse for longer than any short term "benefit" from skipping it, so I don't.

zyxst

Having goals works for me. I've reached all but one, getting to 140# which is not going to happen, but after doing this for over 3 years, it's habit. Realizing one meal/night of overeating isn't going to pile the weight back on.

999tigger

Progress and in a funny way lack of progress becayse that just makes me more determined. The killer is boredom, so I practice avoidingt hat and maintaining focus.

kommodevaran

Focus on behavioral goals, not weight loss goals. You can control what you eat and how much you exercise. Your body will respond in due time to whatever you do with it.

Know that weight fluctuates naturally from day to day, regardless of real fat loss or gain. It takes 3500 calories to lose or gain a pound of fat.

Do not rely on willpower. Willpower is a limited resource. Set yourself up for success by removing temptations and triggers. Plan your meals. Write a shopping list, take it with you, and follow it. Eat before grocery shopping. Leave the kids at home, or if they are old enough, give them tasks (find a vegetable and a fruit they want to try).

Do not deprive yourself. Eat at a moderate deficit. Do not cut out any foods unless your doctor has told you otherwise, and eat what you love, but make sure treats are treated as treats.

Get moving, but don't overdo it. Find out what you like to do.

Create a support system. Involve your loved ones, but do not expect them to change their lifestyle for you.

Realise that a lifestyle change is indeed for life. Improving and then falling back to bad habits will not help much. Make those habits stick because you like them. We can do lots of unpleasant things for a while, but in the end we will do what we like. If you have found a healthy way to do what you like, you are a winner.

RaspberryTickleChicken

kommodevaran wrote: »

Focus on behavioral goals, not weight loss goals. You can control what you eat and how much you exercise. Your body will respond in due time to whatever you do with it.

Know that weight fluctuates naturally from day to day, regardless of real fat loss or gain. It takes 3500 calories to lose or gain a pound of fat.

Do not rely on willpower. Willpower is a limited resource. Set yourself up for success by removing temptations and triggers. Plan your meals. Write a shopping list, take it with you, and follow it. Eat before grocery shopping. Leave the kids at home, or if they are old enough, give them tasks (find a vegetable and a fruit they want to try).

Do not deprive yourself. Eat at a moderate deficit. Do not cut out any foods unless your doctor has told you otherwise, and eat what you love, but make sure treats are treated as treats.

Get moving, but don't overdo it. Find out what you like to do.

Create a support system. Involve your loved ones, but do not expect them to change their lifestyle for you.

Realise that a lifestyle change is indeed for life. Improving and then falling back to bad habits will not help much. Make those habits stick because you like them. We can do lots of unpleasant things for a while, but in the end we will do what we like. If you have found a healthy way to do what you like, you are a winner.

+1

Make small incremental lifelong sustainable changes in what you eat as well as how much.

So that by the time goal is reached & maint is here, it's a seamless transition to the rest of your life because there is NO END TO MAINT!

Good luck!

Capt_Apollo

sign up for a race, something that is just outside your comfort zone. not a runner? sign up for a 5k. kind of a runner and can make it through a 5k with some difficulty? do a half marathon, or an obstacle course race.

october is 12 weeks away, which is perfect time to train for a race. it's great to have something to do, and a greater reason to get out of bed to train and work hard and eat right.

Sweets1954

For me it has been a process. When I was diagnosed with prediabetes the process began by making small changes. My divorce and then marrying my second husband who, at the time said he wanted to travel provided more incentive. The birth of my first grandchild added to the motivation. I want to be healthy enough to see her and, now, her sister grow; and to be healthy enough to enjoy doing things with the two of them and any additional grandchildren that might come along. I still dream of traveling but that dream seems to be put on permanent hold.

ChefSteveUrso

Whitezombiegirl wrote: »

zaxx1953 wrote: »

To be clear, if not crass, I enjoy the company of attractive women. No matter what women tell you, LOOKS MATTER.

It's true- but what people in general like may suprise you. My husband is 10 years older than me, grey all over, extreamly hairy back, bald, short and sometimes has a bit of a belly. I think he's the sexiest man alive! (I really do)

Do you have any sisters with the same exceptional tastes in men cuz I rock that look.

maggiemay530

Making really short term goals: today I'm sticking to the plan... logging in everything on MFP... taking that walk.

I can have that piece of cake (or ice cream or cookies or chips) anytime I want it but I'm in charge here and I'm choosing "not now", so I'll have a really juicy pear or something else that I love with some nutritional value. Feels empowering!

gothchiq

This might sound kind of twisted, but if I feel lazy, I watch something like Hoarders or My 600 Pound Life and that gets me right up off my butt and into the gym or doing housework.

msf74

Enjoyment and happiness.

I enjoy the exercise that I do and they have different benefits. Running is meditation. Cycling is time for myself or catching up with friends. Weights are stress relief.

Cooking and eating home cooked meals made with fresh ingredients which taste amazing with friends and family is a joy.

It's not hard to succeed when you like the life you are living...

ChefSteveUrso

At first I was motivated by health problems and pain. Now 111 lbs later it's definitely a habit (healthy lifestyle) but I'm continually motivated by staying healthy and flexible into old age. I'm 49 yrs old now, and I want to be feeling good and healthy 20-30 years from now. Time flies by so fast, so you have to be proactive with your health. The old saying that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" are words to live by.

maggiemay530

gothchiq wrote: »

This might sound kind of twisted, but if I feel lazy, I watch something like Hoarders or My 600 Pound Life and that gets me right up off my butt and into the gym or doing housework.

Me too! Extreme weight loss is another one and those motivated me to get going in the 1st place! Not twisted at all and hey, if it is who cares? If not for some of that I'd still be on my ample butt as my own health went down the tubes.