Will Power

chris0912

I just joined 2-1/2 days ago. I think the site and app are great, but I'm not sure if they're going to provide all the motivation I need! I have a huge problem with will power. I've started on weight loss crusades before, only to abandon them after a month or so. I have all the reasons in the world to lose the weight, but can never seem to make myself carry through. What helps everyone else out there?

jlewis2896

For me, it's a fitness-oriented goal, not weight loss. For example -- running a 5K was one of the first goals I made.

Then, even if I fell (crashed and burned) off the wagon and ate my weight in ice cream, I still would work out the next day because ice cream doesn't keep me from running a 5K.

I think it's all about not putting your eggs in one basket. Make a list of reasons and goals. Look at it whenever you find yourself licking the bottom of a bag of Cheetos. There's ALWAYS a reason to keep going.

kettlewitch

Experience. I have learnt that no matter how much I have convinced myself that "one won't hurt" or " I'll take today off and get right back on it tomorrow" it's utter b******ks! For me, it will be the start of a slippery slide into having my head stuck in the fridge. The first time I do it, it is a one off and I do get right back on it. But then the days between the one offs get less and less and before I know it, there are no good days at all. It isn't willpower, it's sheer bloodymindedness and determination. And even now,a little bit of me is thinking about that wine

anubis609

Almost dying from morbid obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol and triglycerides, fatty liver, going into a sudden diabetic coma + acute pancreatitis pretty much started the initial motivation to suddenly change my lifestyle and stay dedicated to a healthier choices for myself, by myself, as I wasn't really accustomed to dying and not being able to carry out my own plans I had set for myself.

I'm also rebelliously curious and I tried to figure out a way for me to get all of those symptoms back to normal on my own without medication. I was successful. Then success became my drive behind my motivation.

But it has to come from the core of yourself. If you know deep down, and I mean DEEP, like subconsciously, that you are probably going to half-*kitten* the want to make a change, then you're going to get half-assed results.

ShellyMacchi

have to say... what helped me this time (and like you i have gone through weight loss efforts many times before)..is...

i stopped trying to lose weight

it just finally clicked in my head that you are what you eat is WAY more than just a trite 'saying'.. and quite frankly i don't want to spend the last 1/2 of my life worried about getting sick due to my own lack of attention to what i was eating.

i am not on a diet (though i am losing weight which rocks!)... i have simply ... finally... flipped that switch in my head that means i have accepted i am just going to eat this way from now on.

i feel better (and the better i feel the more i am encouraged with making healthier choices)
my skin is SO much nicer/clearer now, at this age, than it has even been before...ever.. and THAT is due to the water i think cause this is not the first time i have made a concerted effort to eat clean *L*

well.. that and i really enjoy tracking things... the food diary, being ruthlessly honest there about what i am eating and keeping it public makes me WANT to stick with doing this the right way too *S*

and inspiration... reading about the success others have had here... and specifically those that have had success that took a long time!
the fact they understood/accepted there are no 'quick fixes' and have hung in there.. inspires me to no end *S*

good luck in your journey!

ShellyMacchi

But it has to come from the core of yourself. If you know deep down, and I mean DEEP, like subconsciously, that you are probably going to half-*kitten* the want to make a change, then you're going to get half-assed results.

110% agreement

MsFitnFabulous

have to say... what helped me this time (and like you i have gone through weight loss efforts many times before)..is...

i stopped trying to lose weight

it just finally clicked in my head that you are what you eat is WAY more than just a trite 'saying'.. and quite frankly i don't want to spend the last 1/2 of my life worried about getting sick due to my own lack of attention to what i was eating.

i am not on a diet (though i am losing weight which rocks!)... i have simply ... finally... flipped that switch in my head that means i have accepted i am just going to eat this way from now on.

i feel better (and the better i feel the more i am encouraged with making healthier choices)
my skin is SO much nicer/clearer now, at this age, than it has even been before...ever.. and THAT is due to the water i think cause this is not the first time i have made a concerted effort to eat clean *L*

well.. that and i really enjoy tracking things... the food diary, being ruthlessly honest there about what i am eating and keeping it public makes me WANT to stick with doing this the right way too *S*

and inspiration... reading about the success others have had here... and specifically those that have had success that took a long time!
the fact they understood/accepted there are no 'quick fixes' and have hung in there.. inspires me to no end *S*

good luck in your journey!

I agree. And I want to say I did this. No surgery. No diet shakes 3 times a day. No lose fat while you sleep fly by night crap. I got off my bum bum and exercised! My family is sick because they eat like fat people. I want to and will be the fit one.

ShellyMacchi

... My family is sick because they eat like fat people. I want to and will be the fit one.

ooooh i SO agree with that!!!
i am living with the perfect example of just about every 'unhealthy eating' related illness possible.. my husband.. and he is not that way due to the food i cook or bring into the house that's for sure!
He is slowly coming around now that i have stopped nagging him all the time about what he is doing to himself... and just .. finally... focused on me and only me *S*

Thank heavens for that... you are leading by example and your family will slowly catch on too!

ddelapas

Excellent point about not dieting, but instead, making healthy choices. Now with MFP I am able to track what I eat and really understand the choices I make. And, I'm not denying myself. I'm having a glass of wine or low cal beer when I want and still keep under my calorie goal for the day. I really really like how you get a positive calorie balance when you exercise. That's terrific incentive. I can really tell the difference between the days I do and don't exercise. Good luck in your journey!