Sometimes you is all you have

So_Much_Fab

Once upon a time there was a girl that was unhappy about the way she looked and felt. She was unhappy with her life. She had always wanted to lose the extra weight that bothered her but she wasn't quite sure how to do it. Eventually, she found MFP and started logging her food and exercising. For almost a whole solid year she was dedicated...worked out all of the time. Was faithful in keeping her daily calories under goal. She lost weight. Got fitter and stronger. She felt awesome.

And during all of this, she had no outside motivation aside from her MFP friends. There was no motivation or support from family or friends. All of the motivation came from within.

Eventually she lost her way. Then found it again. Then lost it again. Gained a little back. Lost a little. This is me, almost 2.5 years since my debut on MFP in April of 2011.

And here I am today, feeling like a shell of my former self. I've lost my way and that motivation that I once had. Sure, I find it for short periods, but it's nothing like it was during my first year. I've not been able to sustain it.

Wanting motivation from your friends, family, or SO is completely natural. After all, you're doing something AWESOME! You want everyone that's important to you to not only notice it, but cheer you on every step of the way! Since it's so important to us, it must be equally as important for those that love and care about us, right? For some of us, it works just like that, but for others, not so much. Some of us we have to solely rely on motivation from within.

Just because our friends, family, and loved ones care about us, that doesn't necessarily equate enthusiasm when we decide to lose weight and get fit. This is a hard concept to swallow, I know. But it's the truth.

I see so many posts on the boards about people that are upset because their family/spouses/SO's/friends/colleagues, etc. aren't supporting them in their quest to lose weight and get fit. I get that, I do. But you can't let that disappointment get you down. You need to do it for YOU. And yeah, it sucks to not have a cheering section. Believe me, I know. But sometimes, no one can cheer louder for you than you.

I'm not writing this because I've mastered the art of self-motivation. Not by a long shot. I still have work to do, mental blocks to break, and willpower to exercise. I'm writing this for me, so I can remember the days when I had unbreakable motivation. And I'm writing this for you, because if you connect with anything I've said here I wanted you to know that you're certainly not alone. Not by a long shot.

You can do this. And so can I.

:flowerforus:

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TL;DR Quit making excuses and make it happen!

Lkkiser3

Sounds about right! All I ever hear from family and friends is " oh your fine, just diet" yeah well easier said then done.. If it was that easy for me I wouldn't be where I am right now. Like you said its time to be my own motivation!

dan323

Wow Sheri,,,for a minute I felt like I was reading about myself,except the Her part, since i am a Him. You have done great. I can relate to what you said here, and you are absolutely correct. This is a time where only You matter. Some call it being selfish, and maybe it is, but darn it ,when nobody else is there it has to come from within. You have had your ups and down Sheri, and your a survivor. Your the best.

81Katz

Realizing I am truly in this alone ... by myself. It was a bitter pill to swallow. But a pill I needed to just take already. Sick of wasting time and emotion being pissed off, sad, hurt, frustrated, with myself, with others. Because it hasn't helped anything ... except there I sit still pissed off over stuff that's never going to change. Damn me and those expectations! :indifferent:

LinCharpentier

Sherri that could have come from many of us. In here and in the real world. Because when it boils down to the nitty gritty it's up to us. (you Me and whoever)
I joined tops many years ago. We have a few kops some that have 25 years of keep of lbs sensibly under there belt. Then there's those like me. Up and down. But as long as I have more down weeks i'm happy.
Maybe you need to join a weight group to get weekly support I like it here but not the same as a live support group that members care enough to give you a call when they see your down in the dump or missing meetings for to long.

Take care See you lighter.