Motivation

addictedtochocolate125

What gives you motivation?

I want to lose weight and I want to exercise. But by the end of the day I'm exhausted and I don't fancy getting up earlier than 5.30 to exercise in the morning. I know exercise helps with tiredness and I hope once my gym with friends starts again I'll see a change.

But what gets you to the gym or to eat healthy?

markswife1992

honestly i am trying to figure out how to get motivation this time around. i lost alot of weight, but then gained it back when i got pregnant, ended up losing my baby, had two surgeries and now i'm on meds that have caused me to gain 20 lbs in the last month. i do go to the gym, although i'm not losing like i want, my inspiration is coming few and far between. this morning it was raining and i still managed to get out of the house instead of lying in bed listening to the rain i will be happy to hear others' responses and how i can get back into my old routine.

i wish you well

NorthCascades

I never feel motivated to go to work, but I like not being homeless. Showers are even nicer than avoiding traffic by not commuting. It's like it isn't really a choice, I go to work because I have to. Not because I'm motivated. Probably that's just as true for you as it is for me.

You can absolutely lose all the weight you want to, as long as you're willing to put in the effort. It can be done, it's within your power, you just have to want it more than you want extra food.

markswife1992

NorthCascades wrote: »

It can be done, it's within your power, you just have to want it more than you want extra food.

donuts and hot dogs are still winning so far.

Pam_1965

I started getting back into exercising again by just taking a walk in the evening. Started with 2.5 miles around the neighborhood. Some evenings I was tired or had a headache, but I did it anyway. The headache always went away. Then I moved up to 3.5 miles. The neighborhood started getting boring, plus I ran into so many students and would stop and shoot baskets with them on every corner, so my walking slowed down. Now I regularly walk 5.5 miles around a golf course hiking trail and actually run more than half of it. I burn 600 calorie everyday just with this walk/run and get to eat more when I get home. It's marvelous!

2011rocket3touring

Started about 3 week ago, very motivated. I view the process as a game and the objective is to match the numbers MFP gives me. It's kinda exciting when calories are added via exercise or activity. There is also an element of strategy; do I go for maximum extra calories with cardio or invest time in resistance training for long term benefit?

MicheleLFarrell

No matter how tired I am, I remind myself that I will
never regret going to the gym. It always makes me feel better and I use it as a reward to sit and relax when I get home. Hope that helps!

capaul42

Determination has replaced motivation for the most part for me. No one can be motivated all the time. But I am very stubborn so determination helps so much more for me.

I find that setting small goals helps. Not just the "I want to be X weight" . I have fitness goals for different exercises, goals for trying new foods, goals for hitting benchmarks in inches lost or going down a size. Stuff like that. When I hit one, it makes me more determined to hit another one.

kshama2001

I relate to not wanting to exercise at the end of the day. What helps me change my state is taking a shower. This energizes me. Sure, it may seem weird taking a shower BEFORE going to the gym, but it works for me. If I need to take another one after, I do. Showering is also great to do before yoga to clear the sinuses.

Another thing I do when I don't feel like exercising is give myself permission to stop in 15 minutes if I need to. But the vast majority of the time once I get going, I'm good.

MissusMoon

capaul42 wrote: »

Determination has replaced motivation for the most part for me. No one can be motivated all the time. But I am very stubborn so determination helps so much more for me.

I find that setting small goals helps. Not just the "I want to be X weight" . I have fitness goals for different exercises, goals for trying new foods, goals for hitting benchmarks in inches lost or going down a size. Stuff like that. When I hit one, it makes me more determined to hit another one.

This is the key right here.

happyauntie2015

I wouldn't say motivation is what has been keeping me going these last 3 weeks. I think what it is is that I'm so tired of being tired and I'm tired of not being able to not play outside with my niece or take my dog for long walks. I have some health issues other than the weight and at times I'm bed ridden for a few weeks at a time and well I'm tired of letting my health rule my life I want to take it back. So I don't know if it's motivation or not but I keep going forward. You can do this!

RoseTheWarrior

capaul42 wrote: »

Determination has replaced motivation for the most part for me. No one can be motivated all the time. But I am very stubborn so determination helps so much more for me.

I find that setting small goals helps. Not just the "I want to be X weight" . I have fitness goals for different exercises, goals for trying new foods, goals for hitting benchmarks in inches lost or going down a size. Stuff like that. When I hit one, it makes me more determined to hit another one.

Exactly this!! Well said.

shadowfax_c11

markswife1992 wrote: »

NorthCascades wrote: »

It can be done, it's within your power, you just have to want it more than you want extra food.

donuts and hot dogs are still winning so far.

There is nothing wrong with having donuts and hot dogs. As long as you log them and stay within your calorie goal. Realising that you can eat pretty much anything you want as long as you stay within your calorie goal helps a lot. Eventually you just start making healthier choices because while you can have that ice cream if you want, you realise you would sometimes rather feel full with a big bowl of air popped popcorn. Sure you can have a 76 gram hot dog or for the same calories you can have an 85 gram T bone steak for 50 fewer calories. Sometimes you just have to have a hot dog. And that's okay.

As for motivation. I'm not motivated. I do it anyway. I do it because I have made it a habit to do it. Habit is stronger than motivation. @NorthCascades pretty much saved me the extra typing because I was going to same almost the same thing.

LessthanKris

I printed out a workout schedule and it is hanging in my office. I usually follow 90 day programs so I have a three month schedule. This had made it an obligation for me. I have to be really sick to miss a workout. Just crossing off a day complete gives me satisfaction. If you stick with it long enough, you just get used to it being part of your day.

The eating is something I still struggle with and has been a big roadblock in reaching my ultimate goal. I do well throughout the week with no snacking but our weekends are busy and I end up undoing part of my work. I try to remind myself slow progress is better than no progress.

tomteboda

My motivation was and remains sheer terror of becoming disabled while very heavy. I have lupus and it causes joint pain and heart inflammation. My mom's 400 lbs and 100% immobile. I live with her and take care of her and I don't want to be in her position, ever. You can't control what life throws at you, but being very overweight only makes everything a lot harder.

Machka9

Results are motivating.

Start ... stick to it ... and when the results start happening they just make you want to continue.

kommodevaran

I don't go to any gym, but I move daily, and eat healthily. Motivation doesn't have a central part in this anymore. I'm determined, and I have learnt better habits, and I have tweaked my environment and my attitudes. I also got past the notion that I could always eat better. I've come to the conclusion that I eat good enough, when I get in the nutrition I need and keep a stable weight. Some times I have to be a bit strict, but most of the times I just enjoy. A lifestyle change you don't enjoy is just another diet.