How do you stay motivated?

lavendy17

I guess you've imagined how long it will take- let's say 2 years.

Picture yourself in 2 years:
1. You didn't follow through and are now a lot bigger
or
2. You did and are thin and fabulous!

So isn't it worth the time it will take?

As I learned from a fortune cookie-
Don't worry about how long it takes to make your dream come true because time passes anyway!

Sheri3851

My small piece of advice: I joined an open group called Lose 5 pounds in January back in January. I have kept doing that each month. So what I've found is that it's easier for me to think of the goal as five pounds at a time than the BIG number. Five pounds at the end of each months seem like a huge victory and it's something to feel good about instead of thinking I need to lose 20 more. Good luck on this journey!

mrsl90

Yep I agree setting small goals is the answer. Alongside measurements as sometimes with exercise the measurements get smaller quicker than the weight goes down! Also set yourself a non food reward for when you reach your goal. Also remember its a learning process it takes time to find out what works for you and what doesn't . Don't beat yourself up if things don't happen how you want them too, look at what you did and what you can change. Good luck.

cwolfman13

I have to admit one of the things that has deterred me from trying to start this sooner is knowing how long it will take to reach the weight I want to be. How do you keep yourself motivated and on track knowing that you have a long way to go? I'm definitely going to need all the help I can get because I know myself and how easy I fall back into bad habits. It's like I want the weight to come off fast but I know that's not healthy and that I need to take it slow and steady if I want to do it the right way and get lasting results. So difficult for me.

Motivation comes and goes...it's ultimately about making changes and habits that are sustainable. Also, you have to look at the bigger picture...losing the weight is just the tip of the ice berg. Most people view that as the finish line...they're "done"...problem is, that's really just the starting line of a much longer race...the one that lasts a life time. Your nutrition and fitness are life long endeavors...so stop looking at things from the POV of being "done"...you aren't "done" until they put you in a box.

Every day take baby steps towards better nutrition and better fitness...before you know it, you're making leaps and bounds.

Jestinia

Sometimes I do something little and vain like try on jeans at the thrift store, find a pair that is a size or two smaller than I am, and diet my way into them.

Right now I'm just happy to be back in my happy jeans again, though. And I donated all my bigger jeans so next time I gain weight, I'll either have to go naked or not be able to breathe in my skinny jeans!

aliceanchainz

Ignore the scale and focus on how well your clothes are fitting- that's the best motivation of all. Weight loss should be more about body composition rather than a numbers game.

I have to agree with this. I have been going strong for 21 days and my scale says I havent lost a pound. I use my treadmill 5-6 days a week I am sweaty as heck and Im on it doing HIIT. I know its working because my clothes are all too big. Toss the scale, its only a number.

hopefulmimi

This is my first day on MFP and staying motivated to reach my weight loss goal has been a challenge for me. Reading the advice on this page helps to reset my focus on the small wins, eventually they add up.

Thanks All

l_ashley

Having a friend as a workout buddy has helped me tremendously at my workout goals!

Conquer14

I actually look at people's progress pictures on here. It helps me stick with it. I ferl happy for tjose peoe and think I can do that too!

Saphira291

Having a friend as a workout buddy has helped me tremendously at my workout goals!

I have wanted to have someone like this but I have no friends because we keep having to move

Jenn037

I also get unmotivated and totaly know how you feel. I feel off the track last year and now I think if I would have stuck it out how mucg better I would be... I will help you and together we cn motivate each other .. add me as your friend..

chaparra71

Time will pass, whether I'm losing weight or not. And if I'm not losing weight in that time, I'll most likely be putting it on! I just think about 6 months from now- do I want to weigh less or do I want to wish I'd started 6 months ago.

Exactly! Believe me, if you put it off, you will look back in a month or two, or 6, and say "look where I could be if I had only started then"!!!!

starslobber

The biggest thing that keeps me motivated is the reality that with each pound I lose the further away I get from having a stroke or heart attack. Also, the amount of energy I have now from exercising everyday makes me feel awesome, its worth the hard work and discipline. Before this year, I would get easily discouraged from having little to no weight loss results, but the truth was I really didn't know what I was doing, I didn't have the right balance of calories or nutrition, and I was doing very little as far as exercise, because I would be fatigued all the time from not eating right. Counting calories is the secret to success, I count EVERY day and it is paying off. I started this year with a better understanding of how to lose weight, without starving myself, by eating mostly whole and filling foods and making sure I have a calorie deficit of 500-700 every day.
I find that if I exercise at least 15 minutes EVERY day, it becomes habit and I am more likely to feel motivated to exercise every day, when I take a day or two off from exercising it physically and mentally feels too difficult to begin again, not sure why. Also I do exercises that I find enjoyable, which for me does NOT involve gym membership, I feel uncomfortable at those places. I workout to Richard Simmons DVDs, Leslie Sansone DVDs, Zumba, and beginner exercises including light weight lifting/toning with Comcast fitness on Demand, as well as walking the dogs when the weather is good.