Keeping Motivated?

jessicaerin13

I'm the kind of person that needs instant results in order to keep moving forward. I have been a member of the gym for almost a year now and have taken off 10 pounds total. I really struggle with portion sizes and making the right choices. This is one area in my life that I am really trying to focus on.

How does everyone keep motivated when there are no results, by your own fault or not

Maqui04

MFP keeps me motivated also im graduation is in November and i want to look good in pictures plus im a very positive person and i see my results maybe you dont see it because you see yourself everyday it happens to me too sometimes

Saragirl2

I lose motivation too when I'm not seeing fast results. I find leaving a positive message on my fridge helpful and also reading success stories & learning about how others have reached their goals to be helpful. I recently uploaded a new photo onto my phone of me & I plan to take a new pic every week so I can (hopefully) see results. Don't forget to reward yourself. Even if you were successful with a change in your diet for a week, why not splurge on a little gift for yourself. Whatever is holding you back, you have to take look at it and learn from it. Success will happen with small steps.

bellesouth18

I just put it on "auto pilot" and keep on keepin' on! I've been at it for almost 2 years. And I must admit that I stalled several times, mostly mental (the last stallout lasted about 5 months). Guess I just got tired of the daily grind. But even though I was tired and/or discouraged, I still logged my food and I continued to log in MFP. Now I'm back! Just don't quit! If you don't quit, you don't have to start over again!

ceciljacobs

this is something I really struggle with too! I try and focus of the behavior as a goal not the weight, I use a star chart and give myself shiny stars for exercising, so weird but super reinforcing.

brittanykira

Been at this for just over a year now and have had a few periods lasting a couple of months where I just needed a break. However, I use comparison pictures to keep me motivated. I use small goals that are achievable, like 5 lbs a month or so, which helps me keep on task because once I reach that goal, my motivation spikes! And all the little goals will quickly add up to a bigger goal (ie. 50 lb mark which I am 8 lbs away from!). I also don't limit myself. Right now I am finding that having a less healthy meal or treat on Saturday is working but when I first started, I would eat a little chocolate here, some pop there, so as to not binge. And I still managed to lose weight! It is all about moderation and making sure that healthy foods are being ate more than junk food. And exercise! I started by just walking. All these little things really make a difference because you don't get discouraged as fast, or at least I never! Hope something I said helps you

Runningcircuits

I am a results-driven girl, too. I log in here every single day and if I am having a day when I am disappointed, I head to the success stories board and start reading. I had many weeks in a row with almost no change and was fortunate to have a supportive member reach out to me and offer advice. I often look to those on here who have been successful and read open diaries to take that as a guide to success. I am more convinced every day that I was doing quite a few small things wrong (which added up to a lot of wrong) and advice from others has helped me change. I'm pretty sure I'll have a successful weigh in tomorrow.
So, I guess what I am saying is reach out on the boards and get motivation from the successful people on here.

Good luck and let me know if I can help!

-jen