THE MYTH OF MOTIVATION (AND WHAT YOU NEED INSTEAD)

redoux33

ya know I found myself recently saying things like, "WW just doesn't work for me." or Calorie counting just doesn't work for me. Or tracking my food ...etc. One day I realized that it's not the plan, the diet, the routine that doesn't work, it's my choice to work it or not. That's on me. It comes down to how bad do I want to be a healthy weight compared to how bad do I want a bag of potato chips.

Sfulcher05

You're absolutley right. No excuses, just decided everyday.

snowflake954

This is a very old thread, but with all the "I lack motivation" threads running on here everyday, it needs to be shouted out. Motivation is fleeting. Make a decision and start making good habits.

snowflake954

Bump

2baninja

BUMP

fathers_wish

I'm on that boat you described. I have the knowledge, I'm motivated, I know right from wrong, and I continually make excuses as to why overeat, don't move, under sleep, etc. I've been looking for a magic pill sort of speak, a phrase, sacred wisdom to turn the switch and finally discover my true self. It doesn't exist!! What we do have is free will to decide. Ate we going to do the right thing or not? You have given me a lot to think about. Something I need to DECIDE for myself. Thank you.

ninerbuff

Motivational speakers can be inspiring IN THE MOMENT and maybe a little after hearing them. But the reality is motivation is internal because no amount of inspiring can get people to do something they really don't want to do CONSISTENTLY.
That's why it's HABITUAL BEHAVIOR that has to be focused on. If you have the same behavior with eating day in and day out on what ever goal you're trying to reach, you don't need motivation to do it. Even on days you don't want to do it, you'll likely do it anyway out of habitual behavior. Every once in awhile you'll break it, but behavior will bring you right back in.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 35+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

SafariGalNYC

Capt_Apollo wrote: »

This is from fitness blogger Vic Margay.

Lack of motivation to follow a healthy diet and commit to consistent exercise is a myth.

You are going to die. And neglecting your health and fitness is more likely to hasten your departure. Furthermore, the days you do have will be spent with less energy and more pain if you choose to eat crap and be sedentary. The motivation, the “why”, to exercise and eat nutritious foods in appropriate quantity is present and strong. The bigger mystery is why we choose to ignore the need for proper diet and exercise in the face of obvious requirements.

We do not need motivation. We need a decision.




We need an unwavering non-negotiable decision. And yes, I know that the pic above was not taken during Hurricane Sandy (although I thought it was when I posted it to my Facebook page). But it was taken during a torrential downpour at some point in recent history. It absolutely captures the fortitude and decision of those soldiers to stand by their post no matter what hardship may be encountered.

If those soldiers can decide to endure the elements, then we can decide to put down the damned pizza and beer.

Or forgo the free bagels at the office. Or wake up a half hour early to exercise. Or keep a food journal every day. Or whatever else we know we need to do but keep failing to commit to because it is “hard”.

Enduring chemotherapy is hard.

Hitting a fastball in the major leagues is hard.

Negotiating nuclear disarmament from a hostile nation is hard.

Saying goodbye to a loved one in the hospital or the veterinarian’s office for the last time is hard.

But putting down the cookies and picking up the spinach? That’s only as hard as the story we tell ourselves.

One of my favorite threads

dew11252

I have that bookmarked from awhile back. So true!

CheerMom715

Phenomenal. Bump bump bump!

BrightEyedAgain

Bump

jcawelti

So much this! Thank you! I needed it.

LAMP4560

Thank you for sharing. This is true. We need to pick the "hard" - Hard now to leave the pizza or hard later to face diabetes.