What happened?

carleemaeb

Can someone please tell me where my motivation went? I started my journey back on September 8th at 214 pounds - 10 weeks post beautiful baby girl. I found MFP and logged for about a week before deciding to join Weight Watchers. I lost an average of 1.3 pounds per week and then cancelled my membership mid October as I felt I gained enough knowledge to keep me going. Continued logging on MFP and got down to 203. I was feeling great.....and then all of a sudden after Thanksgiving I lost every ounce of motivation I had. My fiance keeps telling me that "you must not want it bad enough." (grrr) I do want it so bad but can't seem to get it together.

I know I cannot be the only person that this is happening to. I am asking for some advice. Anyone. Please tell me what you do when this happens to you.

I appreciate it much

Ainar

Yep, was same thing for me - started, quit, started, quit, etc. And then I realized something. It's pretty simple actually. Motivation is a BS...

It's like a spark what sets the fire but if there is no firewood to burn it will die. You can't be motivated all the time just like you can't keep fire alive with only sparks and no fuel. What you need is a self discipline.

Imagine it that way...
Why you wake up at 7:30 am at morning to go to school or job? Not because you are being motivated but because you must. You do it even if you don't want to because it's a must for you and it's based on self discipline. If you wanna be smart you go to school, if you wanna get money you go to job and if you wanna be fit and healthy you ate good and work out.
You prolly are thinking: "I should lose weight"... right? Do you think same way about your job? Should? "Should" implies possibility of not doing that. And you are aware that if you will not do it you will get fired. So it's a must for you. If job example does not fits for you then imagine something else. Maybe feeding your kids, lets say? Is it a should or a must? Why not make your weight loss a must too? It's all in your head...

When I first started to work out and eat healthy there absolutely hated it. But I still kept doing it cos I know what would be the outcome. Just like I still went to school even if I hated it too. Good thing is that discipline is like muscle, you can train it up. And if you keep doing something with times it becomes easier and automatic. Now I go for morning jog and say no to junk food very easy and it's same with people I have talked about this, it becomes easier.
They say it takes average of 24 days to make something a habit. Lets round it up to 30. What if you would resolve to ate healthy for next 30 days? With an idea that if it is too hard for you then give it up. But only after 30 days of no cheating and right eating. And count days down. "O man I want that candy, ok... 24 more days left then I will stop this and pig out." By the end of those 30 days I bet you will not want to give it up anymore cos it will be easier. And even if you would, then give it up. But it's still worth to give it a shot.

One important thing tho... do not take breaks, no Christmas or Thanksgivings or anywhere else. Even if you are doing great once you ease it will get harder again. Stop throwing wood in fire for a while it will die again. If you want cheat meals make them regular planned meals each week at same time. Do not go away from your graphic even if there is celebration of some short. This was prolly your biggest mistake you made.

Anyways, that's what I have learned in my healthy living journey what is fairly short, little over a year only. hope I did not confused you too much. And sorry for dumb metaphors, it's just a way how I like to talk, hehe. Wish you luck! Feel free to add me if you want!

Greets! ^^

JustJennie1

Did you lose every ounce of motivation after Thanksgiving because you ate a lot and maybe didn't exercise as much as you were? Did you gain weight during that period of time? Sometimes a small weight gain can be a motivation crusher. Seeing the scale go in the wrong direction after you've worked so hard and lost so much (congrats BTW) can make you feel like a failure. The only thing I can say is that you just have to get back on the wagon and do it. Join WW again and keep up with tracking your calories and exercise on MFP.

Does your fiance work out? If he does then go to the gym with him. You don't necessarily have to do what he's doing but he could be a great motivator to get you off your duff and working out. Why not get him to help motivate you? Also are there any pictures of you pre-baby where you felt and looked awesome? Take those pictures out and post them all over the house as a reminder of what you're working towards.

Good luck and don't be discouraged. Everyone loses their motivation it's just a matter of sucking up and getting back to it.

4_Lisa

Been there done that! When my motivation drops, I just keep plugging away with it, even if I don't want to go to the gym, I go anyway. It is too easy to decide that 'todays gonna be a rest day'. In the beginning it is getting into a routine, once in that routine, it is easier to stay in it. As a mom, you do things you don't WANT to do... well this is no different. you have to be ready for the change in mindset.

I figure it is the same when I quit smoking, I tried 5 times before I was successful, each time I learned a little more about myself and applied it next time.

No breaks from your tracking and exercise is great advice. I have watched a number of my friends on here say they will be back after Christmas... I don't think many of them will. I'm off to Mexico for Christmas, have my MFP on my phone goin with me, work out schedule is being written out, and workout clothes are with me. I can take a vacation from work, but this is now my lifestyle. No breaks from that. In fact to drink and eat on vacation, I will likely have to workout HARDER to make up for it.

It's not about motivation in the end, it is about lifestyle change. You have made one big change in your lifestyle with a baby, work this in alongside those changes. you will find it a comfort soon, and want to continue because you start to feel better.

shape_up4good

why do you want it?

Brian_VA

It's a tough time of year. More temptations obviously. But, from an evolutionary perspective, this is the time our ancestors would be focused on food to get them ready for winter. Many of MFP friends - friends that have reached goal and proudly sport 6-pack abs are beating themselves up at their bad food choices lately.

You have two weeks until January. Once life returns to normal getting your eating and exercise program back into a normal pattern may be easier. Set some goals for these two weeks. Exercise three times a week for an hour. Don't eat high calorie food that isn't absolutely amazingly delicious. This saves me from 90% of the desserts out there. Save your calories for Mom's homemade brownies, and don't waste them on the office party's store bought cookies. Set not so strict boundaries like these, but absolutely live within them. If you can emerge in January having maintained (or even gained a few pounds) you'll be able to resume your journey. But if you regain all your weight it will be much harder. Focus on maintaining through this tough times.

jigglewiggles

Yep, was same thing for me - started, quit, started, quit, etc. And then I realized something. It's pretty simple actually. Motivation is a BS...

It's like a spark what sets the fire but if there is no firewood to burn it will die. You can't be motivated all the time just like you can't keep fire alive with only sparks and no fuel. What you need is a self discipline.

Imagine it that way...
Why you wake up at 7:30 am at morning to go to school or job? Not because you are being motivated but because you must. You do it even if you don't want to because it's a must for you and it's based on self discipline. If you wanna be smart you go to school, if you wanna get money you go to job and if you wanna be fit and healthy you ate good and work out.
You prolly are thinking: "I should lose weight"... right? Do you think same way about your job? Should? "Should" implies possibility of not doing that. And you are aware that if you will not do it you will get fired. So it's a must for you. If job example does not fits for you then imagine something else. Maybe feeding your kids, lets say? Is it a should or a must? Why not make your weight loss a must too? It's all in your head...

When I first started to work out and eat healthy there absolutely hated it. But I still kept doing it cos I know what would be the outcome. Just like I still went to school even if I hated it too. Good thing is that discipline is like muscle, you can train it up. And if you keep doing something with times it becomes easier and automatic. Now I go for morning jog and say no to junk food very easy and it's same with people I have talked about this, it becomes easier.
They say it takes average of 24 days to make something a habit. Lets round it up to 30. What if you would resolve to ate healthy for next 30 days? With an idea that if it is too hard for you then give it up. But only after 30 days of no cheating and right eating. And count days down. "O man I want that candy, ok... 24 more days left then I will stop this and pig out." By the end of those 30 days I bet you will not want to give it up anymore cos it will be easier. And even if you would, then give it up. But it's still worth to give it a shot.

One important thing tho... do not take breaks, no Christmas or Thanksgivings or anywhere else. Even if you are doing great once you ease it will get harder again. Stop throwing wood in fire for a while it will die again. If you want cheat meals make them regular planned meals each week at same time. Do not go away from your graphic even if there is celebration of some short. This was prolly your biggest mistake you made.

Anyways, that's what I have learned in my healthy living journey what is fairly short, little over a year only. hope I did not confused you too much. And sorry for dumb metaphors, it's just a way how I like to talk, hehe. Wish you luck! Feel free to add me if you want!

Greets! ^^

^This is great, I'm in the same boat too, right after Thanksgiving my motivation went right out the window. This is a very good way of looking at health and fitness. Thanks : )

carleemaeb

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. They are much needed right now. This is exactly why I love MFP - people just like me. Thanks again and best of luck to ALL of us.

Dahllywood

I've been losing motivation as of late too. Job, winter, shorter days, just lethargic in general.
Let's just get up and do it! You will not regret a workout

lwoodroff

I agree with the above - motivation is a fallacy, determination is what will help you. Set a schedule and then stick to it. don't feel like exercising? tough, it's Monday at 6pm so you're at the gym. etc. Be bl**dy minded about it, your mind is stronger than your body!

and celebrate the successes, however small.

starfish1783

I'm in the exact same boat as you as well! Chugging right along like a speeding train until Thanksgiving and then BOOM... brakes hit. I've actually been putting weight back on the past 3 weeks. I also get told by a lot of people "You just don't want it enough" and "You're not willing to make the lifestyle changes" and all that. I know it's partially true, but also.. I just need that spark back - like you said. I swear, if you could bottle motivation, you'd be a billionaire!!!

BUMP for the post and everyone involved. Here's hoping we can all get back on track - feel free to add me if you want a motivator and feel like being one as well ;-)

Colombianchick29

Yep, was same thing for me - started, quit, started, quit, etc. And then I realized something. It's pretty simple actually. Motivation is a BS...

It's like a spark what sets the fire but if there is no firewood to burn it will die. You can't be motivated all the time just like you can't keep fire alive with only sparks and no fuel. What you need is a self discipline.

Imagine it that way...
Why you wake up at 7:30 am at morning to go to school or job? Not because you are being motivated but because you must. You do it even if you don't want to because it's a must for you and it's based on self discipline. If you wanna be smart you go to school, if you wanna get money you go to job and if you wanna be fit and healthy you ate good and work out.
You prolly are thinking: "I should lose weight"... right? Do you think same way about your job? Should? "Should" implies possibility of not doing that. And you are aware that if you will not do it you will get fired. So it's a must for you. If job example does not fits for you then imagine something else. Maybe feeding your kids, lets say? Is it a should or a must? Why not make your weight loss a must too? It's all in your head...

When I first started to work out and eat healthy there absolutely hated it. But I still kept doing it cos I know what would be the outcome. Just like I still went to school even if I hated it too. Good thing is that discipline is like muscle, you can train it up. And if you keep doing something with times it becomes easier and automatic. Now I go for morning jog and say no to junk food very easy and it's same with people I have talked about this, it becomes easier.
They say it takes average of 24 days to make something a habit. Lets round it up to 30. What if you would resolve to ate healthy for next 30 days? With an idea that if it is too hard for you then give it up. But only after 30 days of no cheating and right eating. And count days down. "O man I want that candy, ok... 24 more days left then I will stop this and pig out." By the end of those 30 days I bet you will not want to give it up anymore cos it will be easier. And even if you would, then give it up. But it's still worth to give it a shot.

One important thing tho... do not take breaks, no Christmas or Thanksgivings or anywhere else. Even if you are doing great once you ease it will get harder again. Stop throwing wood in fire for a while it will die again. If you want cheat meals make them regular planned meals each week at same time. Do not go away from your graphic even if there is celebration of some short. This was prolly your biggest mistake you made.

Anyways, that's what I have learned in my healthy living journey what is fairly short, little over a year only. hope I did not confused you too much. And sorry for dumb metaphors, it's just a way how I like to talk, hehe. Wish you luck! Feel free to add me if you want!

Greets! ^^

wow you are so inpirational!

cecyvaquero

Don't be so hard on yourself it happens to everyone. It is happening to me right now but I think its becuase of the holidays. You will see come new years you will find your motivation. What I do when I get like this is I just get up and start all over again. I start by doing a workout. I have 4 children so I can't go to the gym. When I put them to sleep I just pop in a dvd and I do a workout. You have done really great so far so if you fall just get back up. If you need motivation you can add me. Congratulations on the baby girl. My baby girl is already 5 months and I lost all my weight. Don't be upset if the hubby says you don't want it bad enough. Remember its the holidays and we all get tired of doing the same things. Start today if you can to just get up and do a workout. It doesn't have to be an hour long. Just get moving again. Try to eat better. Drink your water. Take your vitamins. Start somewhere honey. Good luck.