I can feel myself losing the beginning excitement

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  • mtnstar
    mtnstar Posts: 125 Member
    I feel like 2-3 weeks is just on the cusp of when you will start to notice a lot of improvement in your strength and endurance if you are pushing yourself during workouts. When this starts to happen, it's a big intrinsic motivator, as workouts (at least for me) started to become more fun and less torture.

    Something I did that helped motivate me was buy a pair of jeans two sizes smaller than I was currently wearing. They were the same brand/style that I currently wore, so I knew it was a good cut for my shape. Every Friday I tried on the jeans. One Friday, I could get them buttoned and zipped (although they looked ridiculous) and that was a big motivator. Then one Friday, I tried them on and they fit. Not that you have to do exactly this, but for me it was baby steps toward a goal.

    I also wrote a list of reasons I was changing my lifestyle, and paired the list with a picture of myself in a bathing suit on my phone. Whenever I felt a dip in motivation (can't I just skip the gym today- I'm tired, or when I was in the donut section of the grocery store) I looked at the list and picture.

    Like others have said, make sure the plan you have created for yourself is sustainable and will work with your life. Extreme changes will never "take" for the long term.

    Hang in there! Sounds like you are off to a great start!
  • Foodiethinking
    Foodiethinking Posts: 240 Member
    It sounds a little harsh, but maybe it's a good thing you're losing the spark. You're not doing it for the spark, you're on this journey for healthier, happier you. The only difference now, if that it's becoming a habit- which is good. You don't have to think about it as much because it's a mindset. Stick with it :) good luck!
  • missomgitsica
    missomgitsica Posts: 496 Member
    I give myself a little bit of a break when I get into moods like that. Like if I feel really burnt out on working out, I'll give myself a week or a few days where I just focus on meeting my calorie goal and don't force myself to work out. It still leads to a loss, and I generally find that after a little break I get that motivation for the gym back.
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
    Motivation fades. No one can be motivated long-term, period.

    Accept the fact that motivation will cease to exist for long periods of time.

    Now is the time to develop the discipline to get it done even though you're not motivated.


    ^^^ Yup. Time to buckle down...Decide what you really want....and make it happen. The "new" wears off of everything in time. It's the ones who stick with it that see the results.

    You CAN do this. You just need to realize that it isn't all fun and exciting. It's work. It's dedication. It's screwing up & getting back at it. It's a new way of life.

    Tell yourself you are worth pushing through this drop in enthusiasm and go make it happen!!!!!
  • EvenThatNameIsTaken
    EvenThatNameIsTaken Posts: 164 Member
    Nice to see this thread today as I am getting frustrated over the up and down of the scale even though I know by tracking that it will go down over the long term if I just continue on the very do-able path I have started! My calories are not too restrictive, I am exercising regularly, but some (several) days I go over and I'm not losing weight every day and that gets to me even though I KNOW weight loss is not linear.

    Been considering taking a break from weighing every day and reading forums everyday (even though I learn so much) and just focusing on calories/macros and exercise for a few days. You know.. the important stuff.

    Weight loss causes me mood swings, I'm very happy and excited when I lose some weight, then frustrated and sad when I gain a little (even though it will go away if I just keep on keeping on with my new habits). Hopefully I can start to balance these mood swings and have an even keel about it...

    Happy Friday and hope you feel better knowing you aren't alone! I do...
  • Kif2bskinny
    Kif2bskinny Posts: 7 Member
    It's not about motivation. So get that crap out of your head. People that are successful at this just make it a habit. Every single one of us has days where we just don't want to do it. But, we force ourselves. That's habit and ritual, not motivation. Motivation is a stupid word and is fleeting. I wish it would be eliminated from language. Make diet and exercise a habit, like brushing your teeth. It's just something you do. There is not other option. Would you go 2 weeks or a month without ever brushing your teeth. Fitness is the same. Just make yourself do it every damn day. All of it. Eating right and exercising. And understand that there is no end-game. There is no goal. This is now what you do forever. That's it.

    THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED!! Screw motivation!!!! Just get **** done! Its been a week of no gym BUT im going to the gym right now!! Cause all we have is now! !! i'm printing this out...its going on my wall! So thank you Jerry

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