lack of excitement about losing weight

jkdje0607
jkdje0607 Posts: 4 Member
in Motivation and Support
There is no need to post a long story about my weight, because obviously this is something that I struggle with, otherwise I wouldn't be on here, but, I am having trouble with keeping myself motivated. Normally when I start making goals and plans, I am excited and ambitious to start. But these past few months, I have been in this slump, and gaining weight. I just feel like I have failed all the other times, why would this time be any different? Losing weight is hard, and I know it's a long process, I just don't know how to stay "on the wagon". I will be starting personal training tomorrow, so that way I can be held accountable at least to someone other than myself. But I am curious if there is any one else who feels the same way, or has felt the same way and has some ideas on overcoming this?

Replies

  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    I think it's best to consider it something you do for delayed rewards, so don't expect it to be exciting for a while ;) It's kind of like a college degree or high school graduation, imho. You do what you do to get it right, but the reward comes later! Losing weight usually doesn't take 4 years, though, so there's that :D

    And there are rewards as you go, but some folks don't get excited about what they've lost, especially at very first when the numbers look small. They add up! It works! But focusing too much on the 'now' part of it can trip you up, unless the 'now' is enjoying the feeling of finishing another workout, etc. Try to find happiness in accomplishing small goals often. It really is the consistence that does it, boring as that may be, yeah ;) It's OK to not be excited. But don't stop working towards it or you'll definitely regret that.
  • deannasueknutson
    deannasueknutson Posts: 38 Member
    I keep going with giving myself small short term rewards if I complete something. I never have the issue of counting calories. It is exercising part that I sometimes struggle to be consistent with. Right now, I am giving up Mountain Dew. I ABSOLUTELY love Mountain Dew and could drink it all day if I let myself. But I am trying to eat/drink healthier. So if I work out each day this week, I will let myself have ONE Mountain Dew. If I don't do that, I'll have to try all over again next week until I can have a Mountain Dew. That is how I find my motiviation cause I crave Mountain Dew so I work out in order to have one. I'm sure eventually since I am not drinking so much Mountain Dew that I won't crave it anymore. Then I'll find something else for me to work towards.. I have a long term motivation as well. That is to be able to fit into my favorite shirt from college. That's what keep me going. :-)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,035 Member
    There is no need to post a long story about my weight, because obviously this is something that I struggle with, otherwise I wouldn't be on here, but, I am having trouble with keeping myself motivated. Normally when I start making goals and plans, I am excited and ambitious to start. But these past few months, I have been in this slump, and gaining weight. I just feel like I have failed all the other times, why would this time be any different? Losing weight is hard, and I know it's a long process, I just don't know how to stay "on the wagon". I will be starting personal training tomorrow, so that way I can be held accountable at least to someone other than myself. But I am curious if there is any one else who feels the same way, or has felt the same way and has some ideas on overcoming this?
    If you are feeling this way, then your approach to it may be not be for you. Talk to your trainer about your concerns and see if they can come up with some sensible and doable programs to achieve your goals.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • softblondechick
    softblondechick Posts: 1,275 Member
    No one is excited about failure. Dieting is an area, where I admit, I fail. Which is why, you need to change your focus.

    Why are you doing this? What is the reason? Sometimes, we need to realize we are hard core, food addicts. Believe me, if my addiction was alcohol, I would be in serious trouble. I consider myself lucky, to be a food addict...

    I no longer think about exercise, whether I want to go, or not...I just do it. That is it. No choice, or thought, or anything else. I put myself on auto pilot, and drive to the gym. I put myself in the spin class, and just do it.

    As for food, I have to keep my diet simple. I can't be cooking a lot of fancy things, because portion control is a big problem for me.

    Every day is a new day...what happened in the past, is past. This is a new beginning. You don't need to be all excited, or motivated. You just need to focus on change. Change is inevitable, misery is optional.

    I went off the plan a few months ago, I was too exhausted to think about anything...I was moving, that pretty much took my focus. My SO had a heart attack, I can use all those things as excuses, as to why I fell off the wagon...in the end, I just lost focus.

    I am back at it...no fail here, just back into focus on getting healthier.
  • HollisGrant
    HollisGrant Posts: 2,022 Member
    The suggestion to talk to the trainer is a good one.

    Some days I feel the way you're describing. For me, it's depression, laziness and the blahs all rolled into one. I stand aside from my feelings, don't identify myself with them, and do something physical that I like. Exercise lifts my spirits. The hardest part is getting off the couch and putting on my shoes. I love walking, so I go for long walks outside. I always feel better afterwards. I hope you find an exercise you like because that might help change your mood.
  • golfergirl92
    golfergirl92 Posts: 79 Member
    When I tried losing weight last March, I tried to completely overhaul my eating habits/gym routines/lifestyle so much that it was overwhelming to keep up with and I gave up. In May, I graduated college and didn't want to be at the weight I was. I moved an hour away from home to a new full time job. I started small like buying only healthy foods and working on eating more fruits and veggies. Then I worked on drinking more water. Then I joined a local gym. Now I'm focused on weight training and meeting my macros/nutrition. You really have to take baby steps and the weight loss will follow! Something else that really inspired me to keep going is having a support system on here. I comment on forums and find people that are similar in height/weight/issues and add them! I see them doing so well that I wanna keep up! Add me if you'd like :)

Categories