How do you get motivated

SMarie10

I'm the ultimate procrastinator. I put off simple things - like picking up a pile of old newspapers, or taking down decorations from holidays.

I know motivation to make things better comes from within - you have to want to make a change, make something better.

I'd like to hear from you what challenge you've had - not necessarily health related, and how you got yourself to take that first step.

groomchick

I follow a simple formula for everything. Figure out what I want...Set some goals with a deadline... make a plan on how to reach those goals. It seems to work for me for most things and keeps me focused. Good Luck!

BrittaneyHG

I woke up one morning and thought I COULD be a skinny girl. All I have to do is stop wishing I could look good in my swimsuit and clothes and make it happen. Yeah I worked out before but never to become "THIN".

What I do is get up and get ready for the gym I don't sit there and think about it. I JUST GO!
I play great music and think about when I get skinny I am going to look so good.
Day dream!

JennBrown83

my biggest motivation was last year around this time, my dad and I got together for Remembrance Day (Veteran's Day for americans LOL) and we had to walk up a hill to get to the cenetaph and I couldn't keep up. I was huffing and puffing and begging him to slow down. My parents walk 6 - 7 km a day so they are in shape, but my dad will be 60 next year so I thought with the age gap I would be able to keep up. It was so embarassing!!! Now, anytime I want to put off going to the gym or not giving my all in a workout I just remember that and it definitely helps.

k121777

I plan major events to attend. It could be a wedding, a high school reunion....whatever. Then I HAVE TO BE GOOD!! LOL!!! I would rather drop dead than go to my high school reunion being "heavy". Works for me. Really well!

2bFitNTrim

Rewards work for me. For example, when it comes to taking down holiday decorations, we make it a family thing & devote a day to getting it done. Once done, we might go out for dinner or rent a movie, or both. I do this almost every day without really thinking about it too much. Get my yucky stuff done, then watch a great TV show, movie or read a book.

PennyNickel14

I have to have a plan and a schedule - Because i will put off my exercise indefinitely. I put off doing something about the weight for too long and wish that i had started earlier instead of saying tomorrow or next Monday!


I stick to the plan - Even when it stinks and I don't feel like it. Because the next day or next week - I am so glad I did.

The lull is only temporary!

SunshineKisses_2012

I detest cleaning. Like, seriously. So I plugged into pinterest and looked up cleaning and motivation. One of the articles I ran across is an article on how to clean your house in 15 minutes a day. I thought, "I can spare 15 minutes instead of sitting my buns on MFP all night." So I did. Now, I don't have a spotless house as I have only taken 15 minutes (that turned into an hour long cleaning fest) once, but I actually got a LOT done in that time.

I like what someone else said about setting goals.

I think I need to go take 15 minutes to clean something now.

SMarie10

I appreciate all of the great suggestions and solutions.

I'm making a list - starting small with some managable things I can finish easily. Also going to check out that website pinterest because I too have 15 minutes a day I can devote to making my life a bit easier.

abower150

I have a trouble with getting motivated to go workout some days and also i have a trouble to get motivated for studying even when I know that I dont have a test in the class for a while. But you just have to know that in the end you are benefiting from what you are doing and it will help you in the long run ALWAYS!! Even if you cannot see it now it will help you so much in the future. So make very very short term goals if you have to, make a daily schedule of what you are going to do and what you want to accomplish ( dont over do you schedule) and make sure to always have a little break in the day for you! Or else you are just going to run yourself into the ground.
Good luck with the motivation!! you can do it!

Edithrenee

I just put one foot in front of the other, do 10 mintues of exericse such as walking and give that to yourself if you feel good..I know you will then keep going, if you tell yourself okay 10 minutes come on you can do 10 minutes i gaurentee you will feel good walking gettingmoving you will turn it into longer time. Mind tricks, Also if you wait to be motivated it ant gonna happen at least for me.

I only get motivated after i do it. lol Then it leads to motivatin later. I just squeeze my butt cheeks and take a deep breathe and say it ant going to get done until i do it, might as well do it get it over with so i have the rest of the day to not think of it again. That goes for anything you do.

CathiAnne

I checked out pinterest. WOW! What a neat site. It's a favorite on my computer now. Good ideas for motivation and lots of other stuff.

SMarie10

I checked out pinterest. WOW! What a neat site. It's a favorite on my computer now. Good ideas for motivation and lots of other stuff.

Yes, I too checked out this amazing website, and spent a good hour looking around... could be another website addiction in the making.

Abower150 - I recently finished up my Master of Science at Drake Univ. and it was certainly a struggle to manage a full time job and school / studies on the nights and weekends. I finally figured out that I had to go to the library to actually study, as I was a total goof off at home. I know I can find the motivation to accomplish many things. Just need to get my butt in gear and do it.

KyleB65

Once I decided to make a change. I kept motivated by setting small achievable short term goals.
It started with things as simple as doing 10 push-ups in a row. As I hit these small goals I would set other goals. And so on.
Now I am working out 6 days a week, I have lost 50 lbs and I can now keep up with almost anyone in my classes.

Can't say this would work for anyone else. But for me it was a game changer. I am almost certain that I would not have had the same success if my focus had been on a long term non-specific goal like improving my health. The task would have seemed to large to accomplish and the goal too difficult to measure.

BTW, I am still setting short term goals to keep motivated. Now however, my goals are a little more ambitious!

Great question!