I have no will power - Suggestions?

MyChocolateDiet · July 2014

I'm interested in this thread because I'm not feeling very motivated right now either. I think in my case it's complacency having partially reached a state that other's like me to be at, but not myself. Also my schedules hectic.

So for me it's mustering up the wherewithal to make a major schedule shift whilst there is no outside pressure to change.

I am looking forward to my new fall schedule to free up some time and hopefully unlock some motivation once it's not moving mountains to find a time to get my workouts in. I find sticking to my eating to be easier when I'm working out regularly. Even though I know workouts are not necessary for weight loss.

Evidence that as you seem to understand OP knowing everything about what to eat or not to is not enough, we need to have our ducks in a row mentally to go forward. I can say, hopefully this will assure you that once you are started and on a roll it takes so much less effort "push" mentally wise to stay moving forward.:drinker:

jodi414 · July 2014

You summed it up - Its not a matter of whether or not I want it. I am not certain the best way to achieve it.

likitisplit · July 2014

Whoa. I think you need to step back and consider your audience here.

The main forums are a random group of adults all of whom have busy lives. People post questions and they get a random selection of responses depending on the individuals who see the post.

All of these individuals took time out of their day to read your post, formulate a thought and type it out.

ALL of these responses are meant to provide ideas and encouragement. Some people got started on a successful fitness lifestyle through a boot in the butt and others through being gentle with themselves. What worked for the posters is reflected in the answers you get. You need to pick out the things that work for you. It doesn't mean the other responses wouldn't be valuable for another person in different circumstances.

Snip8241 · July 2014

Somewhere I heard that there is really no such thing as willpower. There is determination and commitment to a goal. When I am feeling challenged I remember these things. It helps me.

MyChocolateDiet · July 2014

I guess I am in a similar circumstance for the summer. I thought I could go without workouts and just stick to a low cal goal and make progress but I'm finding not working out steadily to be a damper to my eating will power.

Sometimes we don't get "the best way" to achieve it, but have to settle for a "good enough" way to get started so that we are at least making progress and working toward our goals if not full steam ahead I guess. For me this would translate into accepting that while I have not made much progress this summer in muscle building or weight loss on the scale, at least I have achieved maintenance and made an enjoyable summer for my child and have earned up "frustration" points for use in the fall, LOL.

AglaeaC · July 2014

You singled me out with the soda example, so I'll reply to that. This is what I wrote:
"If you drink a tonne of soda daily, challenge yourself to decrease the amount by half or so."

I don't know you nor your eating/drinking habits and this is your first thread, so it was brainstorming for everyone who reads the thread, not just the opening poster. Many people come here with a habit of drinking lots of soda daily, so it was a friendly idea to consider.

I genuinely still have no idea what was so bad about the general tips I offered on being kind to oneself and practicing moderation in the beginning of the lifestyle change.

likitisplit · July 2014

This is a great suggestion. And even if you don't drink soda, this is advice that can be easily applied to other areas. The idea is to look for low hanging fruit and make small changes that can add up fast.

MyChocolateDiet · July 2014

I dont think there was anything unkind about your general ideas. The OP is new to this forum and I think the quoting might have been misunderstood and seemd like responding very directly and using her own words against her. I explained that in this site people use quoting a lot NOT to throwback our words in our face, but to clarify to whom we are responding. She seems to get that now.

I actually think the soda was a good example though, because it applies to many many people who realize months in how much soda coounts in calories and it's such an EASY fix that requires almost zero motivation and makes such a huge dent in the calorie bank. That in itself can be motivating. :drinker: Just switching to iced tea and water and coffee etc.. made a giant dent in my drink calories that were being hogged by juices.

jodi414 · July 2014

I didn't single you out. The comment I made was not referring to you or your soda comment. I used that as my own example. I didnt really put much thought into the comment you made.....When I said "negative comments" it wasn't in reference to your comment. There was nothing bad about your comment. You took what I was saying and assumed it referred to you. It didn't, at all.

MyChocolateDiet · July 2014

the ":flowerforyou: " is this forum's equivalent of "hugging it out"...just sayin'.

likitisplit · July 2014

Ah. It was all the "you don't want it enough" comments. Yeah. I think wanting it enough is over-rated. Having some tools that can get you from here to there given your current constraints was the issue with me.

What are you currently doing in terms of a routine?

AglaeaC · July 2014

This is from your second post:

We were only three who mentioned soda in our replies to you.

Best of luck on your journey.

ZaCkOX · July 2014

Your lack of willpower could be... you don't see exactly what you want. You have to want something. Want a skinnier body? You have to WANT IT.

jodi414 · July 2014

I think portion control is a problem for me and using smaller plates does help. I tend to mindlessly snack, so i try not to keep junk food in the house. Good points! This was helpful....

jodi414 · July 2014

I was simply stating that I dont drink soda as an example to show that it isnt that I havent made changes and that I dont want it. You just happen to mention soda....you read to much into it.

AglaeaC · July 2014

Perhaps, but I also read your reply when you accused people of being haters in the thread, prior to your edit, so maybe you see what formed my original impression of you. Try reading it again in that context and you'll see a totally different development of the thread. I get your point and maybe you get mine, so let's not derail this further.

mulecanter · July 2014

As many have said in various ways, I had to hit bottom so to speak before I had true will power. It was weird, but the day my wife got me size 42 pants was the last straw and there was some sort of mental click and my determination level went sky high.

That initial motivation carried me for a month or two, then a number of other factors help support me. Setting weekly goals (1-2 pounds a week), working both sides of the calorie equation (eating control and increased exercise), joining MFP challenges and reading MFP threads (social support is essential in my opinion), and finally--relieving the tension of "dieting" on occasion with a modest splurge every so often and then getting back on the wagon. All of these things helped me succeed after years of yo-yo diets.

likitisplit · July 2014

No soda or sweets. How much do you have to lose and what weight loss rate did you put into MFP? Are you struggling on that amount of calories.

amy8400 · July 2014

Aah, now this helps. Okay if you're having trouble with portions...best $20 you'll ever spend is a digital scale. I take mine with me when I travel; it's become that much of a valuable tool in my weight loss journey. Nothing goes in my mouth unless it's been weighed and logged. That way I have total accountability plus a road map of my nutrition. I know it sounds really nit-picky to weigh and log everything, every day, but it works and keeps you focused.

I totally get having kids, work, home, husband...that's why I suddenly weighed 200 pounds one day 5 years ago. I had convinced myself that I was busy, working hard, being a really good mom and eating decent and being pretty darned active. And that there was just nothing I could do to turn back the clock hands. Boy did I ever fool myself.

200 pounds was my first ah-ha moment. I got back to 190 for a couple of years after that. But then last summer I realized how out of breath I was doing my photography job...then I messed up my back for a couple of days with a slight twist. Couple those things with graduating to a size 14 pair of pants last year and I reached my "this is it" moment.

When you have that moment and you are ready for the journey, you won't see the comments written earlier on this post as negative. They're the cold, hard truth. When you're ready, you're ready.

And when you are, you will have the intensity and focus you need to get through anything--weight gain setbacks, plateaus, wedding banquets, exercise injuries, baggy clothes, "interesting" comments from others about your losing weight, etc.

Good luck and here's to your epiphany moment coming sooner than later :flowerforyou:

jodi414 · July 2014

About 30lbs, all weight I gained in the last 3 years with 2 pregancies. I've been steady, not gained, nor lost since I stopped breatfeeding. I onviously need to make some changes to start losing.

I have no will power - Suggestions?

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