Negative Motivators

iammeinnh
iammeinnh Posts: 72 Member
edited December 2024 in Motivation and Support
I know, Negative Motivators sounds like an oxymoron. We always focus on positive motivators when trying to get fit. We want to fit into a pair of jeans, go skydiving, live a long healthy life. But, I can't be alone in having negative motivators too.

When I want to dive into a plate of nachos mouth first I'm not really thinking about wanting to cliff dive in Negril. I'm thinking about nachos. Savory, cheesy, spicy nachos. Sometimes my negative motivators are the only thing that puts the brakes on my binge.

I think about times people have asked me if I'm pregnant (no...just fat :/), or the terrible pictures of me in family albums, or that blonde girl that was all over my bf at his last gig and the way she looked me up and down when he introduced me as his gf.

Does anyone else have Negative Motivators? I'm curious.

Replies

  • killdontmurder
    killdontmurder Posts: 142 Member
    Hmm, when people want to go swimming. I always go, but I'm constantly thinking, "*Kitten*, wish I had a body that wasn't offensive."
  • iammeinnh
    iammeinnh Posts: 72 Member
    lauracups wrote: »
    Even when I was obese I was relatively active, the chaffing was quite the negative motivator. I don't have to powder up like a breaded veal cutlet now :blush:

    That is awesome, What a visual! :D
  • iammeinnh
    iammeinnh Posts: 72 Member
    killdontmurder wrote: »
    Hmm, when people want to go swimming. I always go, but I'm constantly thinking, "*Kitten*, wish I had a body that wasn't offensive."

    I'm glad you still go swimming! B) I hate when people don't allow themselves to enjoy life because they don't have the perfect body.
  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    A long time ago I was at a kids soccer party. My brother and I were volunteered to be the token adult on each team to ensure that all hell didn't break loose. The kids had to pick which team we were assigned to.

    The kids were literally fighting each other NOT to have me on their team. Amid the melee you could clearly hear "He's old", "He's fat". I brushed it off but it was a turning point for me.

    Later, when I looked in the mirror, I agreed - I did look old and fat. I was only 6 years older than my brother but I looked so much more and I decided there and then that I would change and get back to the more athletic, healthier me.

    Since then I've given up smoking, cut back on my drinking, tidied my eating up significantly, lost fat, gained muscle, taken up running (and subsequently retired from anything but the most casual runs), and taken up weightlifting - But I can still remember that day.

  • iammeinnh
    iammeinnh Posts: 72 Member
    Out of the mouths of babes. Kids are brutal. Effective negative motivators though.
  • JDixon852019
    JDixon852019 Posts: 312 Member
    Not really a negative motivater, rather tough love is a sub on Reddit.com called r/fatlogic. That group has been the most helpful for me. I was convinced it was my hormones making me gain weight, I even had my thyroid tested. I tried to blame everything but myself for my 40lb weight gain. Once I accepted my weight is MY fault, I felt more in control. I got a food scale and realize just how much I was over eating. The weight is just falling off now and I have tons of energy.
  • dutchandkiwi
    dutchandkiwi Posts: 1,389 Member
    Horrible as it sounds; my mother is my negative motivator.
    I recall at one stage that her belly was so large that she looked pregnant - I vowed never would that be me.
    Fast forward about 20 years. My mother had even grown bigger, but worse I saw my belly swell to that level where I vowed I'd never be. One of the pre-cursors to changing my lifestyle.

    The upswing is; my weightloss and fitness has been a positive motivator now for my mother to change and I am am hoping it will stick.
  • LuckyNumbers
    LuckyNumbers Posts: 208 Member
    I read (or listened to a podcast) about negative motivation some months ago, and there is some research to back it up, as I recall. Not everyone is wired to be motivated by positive visualization or reinforcement.

    I often switch between both negative and positive motivation. I imagine being the "fat mom" when my toddler starts school, or developing health problems related to my weight. Other times, I'm really kind to myself and pat myself on the back for my accomplishments and for persevering even when it's really tough. I imagine myself in a hot one-piece next summer or having Michelle Obama arms (not likely, but something to shoot for!).
This discussion has been closed.

Categories