What keeps you motivated?

hollywollyx

I've come half way into my weight loss goal. I'm lacking motivation recently. I've been feeling a bit low and unwilling to work out or eat right. What motivates you? When you feel a bit ~blegh~ what helps you stay focused? Youtube videos? Any books? Pictures? Blogs? Let me know! I'm in some need of help lol. :ohwell:

GaryMerr

Nothing like the feeling of drained muscles after a tough workout, a real sense of progress - that's the motivation!

douglasnorton

I stay motivated by the goals I have written down. I keep reminding myself why I am doing this and what I want to accomplish. It helps me to keep going that extra mile!

randomtai

My developing muscles... rawr!

KateK8LoseW8

My workout plan is written down, and I have to do it whether I'm motivated or not. I treat it like a second job.

bob_day

What keeps me motivated? The scale. When I see my weight go
over 125 pounds, my mind starts screaming at me.

AmyRhubarb

Looking at old photos, seeing how far I've come. My MFP friends. A new workout top or shorts helps too.

kewpiecyster

Well - I still have a ton of weight to lose - but I am no stranger to loss. I have lost over 75 pounds slowly before joining MFP. Looking at pictures of when I got married motivates me - because I was at my absolute heaviest (around 380 lbs.) I love to put on the wedding dress and see how much fabric hangs off of me - and how different I look now. I just hit 293 this morning! I am sooo close to being down 100 - and that motivates me. Another motivator is my blood sugar numbers staying where they should while my medicine dosage goes down. I can't wait until I am off the medicine! Won't be long!!

1Shellybe

My workout plan is written down, and I have to do it whether I'm motivated or not. I treat it like a second job.

That's exactly what I do every morning when the alarm rings at 5:30... I don't like getting up that early, but it is the only time that is available. I am out the door at 5:55 and walk to meet a friend at 6:00. the first time she texted me to cancel, I was tempted to rollover and go back to sleep BUT I decided that nobody else is more important than ME and that if this was a job and I had to be there at 6:00, I would get out of bed and get there! It worked... I have walked a minimum of 60 minutes every day for 15 1/2 weeks. I now walk farther and faster than I did in May. I added on stairs and more hills... I refuse to quit this "job" ... it is the most important one I have ever had!

hollywollyx

Thanks for responding guys! The scale is naturally a huge motivator but I've just felt so stale lately. I was debating changing up my diet to a vegan one. I just think I might be getting a bit bored of my diet. I also might look for new places walk. I just don't want to get complacent. I'm 100% one of those people that's like 'I'm half way there? meeeeh might as well stop now'. I really love hearing what keeps others going. I feel a lot less alone now that i've started adding people and talking to you all .

hollywollyx

I honestly never thought about looking at is as a 'job'... I might start doing that. I might set up a rewards and punishment chart lol. It sounds like something they do on 'Super nanny' for the naughty kids. But I honestly have the attention span of a fish and I'm full of excuses.

SoDamnHungry

Looking fantastic in tiny clothes.

HollisGrant

I've come half way into my weight loss goal. I'm lacking motivation recently. I've been feeling a bit low and unwilling to work out or eat right. What motivates you? When you feel a bit ~blegh~ what helps you stay focused? Youtube videos? Any books? Pictures? Blogs? Let me know! I'm in some need of help lol. :ohwell:

This is a really good question. I think when you've lost some weight, not all of it, but enough to look and feel better, then you're at a danger point where you could just quit and slowly gain it back. This is the place to up your motivation -- sign up for a class where other people will get you going again, for example.

I think I'm at that danger point right now. I've lost 33 pounds, but I should lose another 15 or so, maybe even 20, it's hard to tell. I've started college classes again in addition to my job, so I have less time to exercise, too. I'm thinking about buying a treadmill to use at home for the winter.

It's a trap to act when you feel like it -- to wait until you are in the mood to do what you should do. You have to remember the big picture at all times.

This true story really inspires me whenever I see it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

obum88

I let myself know how long the workout will take, down my coffee protein shake and go hard. The sense of accomplishment after is huge! I like to eat, so the more i work, the more i work, the more i get to eat. Think about why you started and how far you have come.........sometimes all you need is a break from it all but set an end date for your break and thoroughly enjoy it, then jump back in.

ElsaVonMarmalade

Nothing wrong with switching up your diet if you're bored - I've done Whole30, a month of raw food, giving up sugar completely, etc. Nothing that I could (or want to) do for the rest of my life, but it does shake things up and get me thinking about new things to eat, and gives me a new/fun challenge. Why not try being vegan for a month just for fun?

losing_it_2013

Being determined to reach my goal....no matter what! I refuse to not see this through so for me quitting is not an option!

TattedInStilettos

I love the new energy i have... I feel really good...

And just straight pissing ppl off who didn't like me when i was over weight it's killing them to see how good I'm looking now... :laugh: i so love it...

hollywollyx

I love the new energy i have... I feel really good...

And just straight pissing ppl off who didn't like me when i was over weight it's killing them to see how good I'm looking now... :laugh: i so love it...

That's a good one. I do enjoy the snide comments and back handed compliments. It's always nice to know you're pissing people off lol. :bigsmile:

hollywollyx

Nothing wrong with switching up your diet if you're bored - I've done Whole30, a month of raw food, giving up sugar completely, etc. Nothing that I could (or want to) do for the rest of my life, but it does shake things up and get me thinking about new things to eat, and gives me a new/fun challenge. Why not try being vegan for a month just for fun?

Yeah! I think I might get all my shopping sorted on Sunday and start Monday. It means I'm not picking up things and having a nibble because you can't have any animal products. So it'll rule out a lot of the naughty things I like to pick at lol.

hollywollyx

I've come half way into my weight loss goal. I'm lacking motivation recently. I've been feeling a bit low and unwilling to work out or eat right. What motivates you? When you feel a bit ~blegh~ what helps you stay focused? Youtube videos? Any books? Pictures? Blogs? Let me know! I'm in some need of help lol. :ohwell:

This is a really good question. I think when you've lost some weight, not all of it, but enough to look and feel better, then you're at a danger point where you could just quit and slowly gain it back. This is the place to up your motivation -- sign up for a class where other people will get you going again, for example.

I think I'm at that danger point right now. I've lost 33 pounds, but I should lose another 15 or so, maybe even 20, it's hard to tell. I've started college classes again in addition to my job, so I have less time to exercise, too. I'm thinking about buying a treadmill to use at home for the winter.

It's a trap to act when you feel like it -- to wait until you are in the mood to do what you should do. You have to remember the big picture at all times.

This true story really inspires me whenever I see it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

I'm definitely at that danger point lol. I WANT ABS. And the other half of me is like 'Meh... Do you REALLY need abs?... You could just lie in bed?... Have a cupcake... Go on...' lol. It's like I'm sabotaging myself! How unfair is that!
I'm going to watch the link now

JasonT1973

Things that currently motivate me:
Self respect,
desire for a longer healthier life,
my sense of pride won't allow me to give up,
the great feeling I get every time the scale moves down
and the romantic answer...
Inspiring a S.O. to look at you with joy and pride that they've got you!

Happy lifestyle change all!

MeGaga

i nearly lost 25 kgs, and then i gained them all back! that got me sooo down that i lost all motivation but i hate myself that way, so for me joining such a community is kinda motivating as a re-start for dieting and maybe getting some exercises as i never do! then motivation will be through easily finding clothes!

trisH_7183

Having a Dr who is a runner & rides a racing bike for miles ,knowing he has heard all the excuses.His reply is tuff,get on with it. LOL
losing wt,eating healthy will,I hope cut my meds way down . looking good in smaller size clothes helps.Seeing ppl who were snarky about my excess pounds is even better.Keeps me motivated.

mtnhiker1

It is the successes that keep me motivated. be it one more pound that I lose or one notch tightened in the old belt, or even that little more energy that I have from losing a little weight so far. Count up the successes so far to me that is pretty good motivation.

dragonforce84

This is my opportunity to look the best I have ever had...in my whole life. I have never had abs, muscles, strength as I have now because when I was a teen my parents didn't place a lot of emphasis on sport.

I used to do all the wrong things like cut out healthy fats and carb load, overtrain and then crash.

This is the first time where I am fully equipped with all the health books in the world, knowledge, cooking skills and finally employing a PT was the start to everything. PTs are worth every cent. It costs a fortune but he fixed my back problem and now I am on the gravy train to hotness! yay.

JuliesZenpuppy7400

Small, attainable goals. Not focusing on how far you have to go but 5, 10, 20 pounds goals!!!!

hollywollyx

Small, attainable goals. Not focusing on how far you have to go but 5, 10, 20 pounds goals!!!!

I've not tried that. I might start

Jennloella

one entire wall of our master bedroom is mirrors. That's 40 feet of reflective wall. Yeah, that.

hollywollyx

one entire wall of our master bedroom is mirrors. That's 40 feet of reflective wall. Yeah, that.

Ahaha you poor sod. How do you cope on off days? I avoid all mirrors like a vampire.

Kezzanna

Having to be accountable to other people. If I'm having an off can't be bothered day I have to continue regardless. I know that if I don't show up to fit club, there will be texts asking me where I am. I can't cancel the pt session because I have a friend who does it with me and I don't want to let her down. I have to walk the dog cos she can't take herself, so I might as well burn some calories there too. My diary is open and the community here is so supportive that if I'm feeling down or totally blow food for a day, they encourage me to try again and I don't want to let them down either. Lastly, having something to look forward to - I'm flying to visit my brother at Xmas. I want to look better and fit into the seat on the plane easier!

Joebob8

The only thing that keeps me motivated for the long haul is focusing on feeling fit and strong. I am a fashion addict, but I ind that focusing on external beauty (i.e. a new outfit, an upcoming event, etc.) can swing both ways. On the one hand it is great to have a specific goal in my mind of how I want to look by a specific date but it can also add too much pressure and stress. I don't want to turn to a pint of ice cream and sweatpants because I am unable to reach a certain goal by a specific date. Focusing on being bikini ready for summer is a battle mentality; focusing on how great working out and eating right keeps me on track for a lifetime.