I'm a freakin Yoyo.

Ireshgurl

So, I've been on here awhile.... and I love it. However I am SO not consistent. I literally have no motivation even though I've bought DVD's, running shoes, a HRM, weights, and even a Wii. I even have a couple of free gyms I can hit if I feel the need (military). I do pretty good for maybe a week, and then comes the BLAAAAAAHHHHH. You would think that when I stare in the mirror in my undies or whatever and am totally unhappy and disgusted by the way I look that that would motivate my *kitten* to get movin. Nope, not really. I see all the cute clothes STILL in my closet just waiting for me to lose the weight and I just can't seem to find the motivation, anywhere. I need to find my motivation. I WANT to lose 25lbs before I go home in August. And before ya ask, the hubby is of no help, lol. He's a worse Yoyo than me and is now relying on Hydroxycut to help him lose weight. He also required to go to the gym before he goes to work in the am or he might go right after, and that doesn't work for me. I also hate going to the gym period. It's just not my thing.... hell, I haven't found my thing or I wouldn't be here complaining right now, lol. I just don't know what to do anymore.

mnishi

I have the same problem, the only thing that helps me is if I have a clear goal that I cannot back down from. I signed up for an 8k at the end of March, so knowing that if I don't train for this race I will look like an idiot helps me to get my butt out of bed in the morning.

Qarol

It's hard, dear. No one can present you with motivation, like a present. I wish. It's just something you've got to find within. I think everyone gets discouraged now and then. To a different degree, perhaps. I find what helps me is making a plan. I have a calendar, and I write down the days I'm going to do what. And I have a few friends on here whom I've reached out to, to make myself accountable, to vent when I need to, to cheer me on when I do well. I'm certainly not the poster child for motivation and discipline, but I don't give up. I may "fall down" and have to take some time wallowing, but I can't allow myself too long. I've lost far too much weight to ever turn back now. Sometimes, I tell myself that even if I'm simply maintaining (and I'm currently stuck in my longest plateau), I cannot give up because I cannot gain this weight back. I will NOT gain this weight back.

So while that's probably not helpful at.all...the truth is, you have to find it for yourself. You're lovely. You'll find a way. I believe it.

Sumo813

Even though my logging is done every day, for both my diet and exercise... I've been feeling myself waver just a bit. I think a lot of it has to do with this long *kitten* plateau I've been experiencing. But I also know that it's because I don't eat as clean as I should and still don't quite understand the science behind the numbers (am i working out too much? too little? etc etc) I'm frustrated, to say the least. But I DO know how exercising makes me feel. I am completely different person than I was a year and a half ago. I have a better attitude toward things in general and I love the endorphin high I feel when I get off the treadmill or get done sparring. I also know that I am getting stronger and developing muscle again. But that doesn't stop me from stepping on the scale and feeling a bit dismayed when I do not see a drop. But I keep going... because I know it's just a matter of time before my feet get me to where I want to be. With this "journey" as we all like to refer to it... patience is the biggest factor we need to consider. There will be roadblocks. But they are only there to give us a puzzle to solve... which we eventually will do.

lejess

Maybe you're setting your expectations too high. But first let me tell you, I feel like you do pretty often. It comes in waves. But, that whole thing about setting small achievable goals actually helps. I cant say its a cure all to those days when you'd rather die than go workout, but it does help reduce the number of days when you feel like that.
OK, so what is a small goal? Well its different for everyone, but what's been working for me has been to literally get through one day, one meal, one snack at a time. Its kind of lame sounding, but if I remember to pack myself a morning snack, my lunch, and dont run to the vending machine in the afternoon....thats a triumph. Its funny because I get out of work, get in my car and go "yeah! I totally made it through the day without junk food!"
Then I get home....the real battle begins. To work out, or not. This comes real will power, but I do it right away. As in, I set my bag down, march immediately into the bedroom and put on my work out clothes. DO NOT SIT DOWN AT ALL.
If I need an afternoon snack, I quickly grab one. Eat it while standing. Seriously. Dont sit down to tie your tennis shoes. Bend over, do a squat, whatever, just don't sit. Its like a siren call.

Then, I leash up my dog and get outside. Or go do my Wii Zumba, or DVD, or whatever. The key is literally to not sit down.
If I sit down, Im done. Im not getting back up.....except to visit the fridge. :laugh:
OK, by this point in the day, I can celebrate my small triumphs. I worked out, so I feel good, so I choose a healthier dinner naturally. I dont want to ruin all the work I just did. So, another triumph!!

So look at that....I had 3 triumphs in one day....that makes me feel awesome.

Not everyday will be that smooth, but you gotta take it one step at a time. Lets say I did hit the vending machine, I allow myself five minutes of guilt. Then I tell myself, ok, workout is not an option when I get home. Then you triumph again by working out.

Its when you let the entire freakin day slide into despair that it gets harder to get out. So start small.

Triumph by having a good breakfast. Triumph by sticking to your healthy snack. Triumph by having a good lunch. Triumph by getting your workout in on the day you planned to. Triumph by having a healthy dinner. Fill your days with triumph after triumph and your motivation will improve. I promise.

72MonteCarla

I had to think about this for awhile before I could respond. It sounds like you are already doing the things I might normally recommend: Focus on why you want to do it; Give yourself a variety of options for exercise so that you don't get bored; Pull out your favorite "smaller-sized" outfit and hang it where you can see it every day.

Perhaps you need to set small, attainable goals and gradually increase them. Week one: walk 20 minutes a day, week two: walk 25 minutes every day, etc...

Have you tried to naming a reward for achieving your goals? "When I lose 10 lbs, I will buy myself a new pair of shoes" our something like that...

How about an accountability partner? Find someone to exercise with (either in the flesh, or one of your MFP friends).

I honestly don't know where you will find your motivation, but I hope you do. please let me know if there its anything specific I can do to encourage you.