HOW do you STAY motivated????
Callean321
Posts: 44 Member
I am in awe of the people that I see on here and in the news that decided to lose weight and just DO it!!! I find myself unable to stay committed for more than 2 weeks.I have good intentions and feel really strongly but then BOOM I am "off the wagon". I feel disgusted by my lack of will power and inability to stay on track. After a few weeks of feeling like a complete failure I try again but this has been the process for me for YEARS!!! How do you STAY committed????? Why, in the moment, is the food so much more important to me than my health or desire to be thin???? Any help would be so appreciated!
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I've been there so many times. It's hard to diet and lose weight.... Plus that's only half the battle, maintaining is even harder. This is the longest I've been able to eat healthy and lose weight, staying committed in my entire life. I've lost 47 pounds since September 12th, and I have no plans on eating the way I use to.
I guess you just get a point in your life where you really realize you have one life to live, and need to take care of the body you have. I have health problems as well as I had poor eating habits. I jumped on my mom's scale after this summer and realized I had gained 20 pounds in just a matter of a few months (on top of already being over weight) I remember looking in the mirror and fighting back the tears.
I thought to myself "No... no. I will NOT allow this to take me over." I turned my devastation into motivation instead and have been losing weight ever since. I grew tired of gaining weight, feeling tired and unattractive. I don't want to be known as the "fat one" anymore. I want to know that despite my health problems I CAN be healthy. I want to know that I will grow old and grey and watch my children grow up and have families of their own. I want to live the longest and healthiest life I possibly can.
What it comes down to is you have to really have a deep down discussion with yourself. Do you want to always look at healthy people and wonder how that feels? Do you want to put yourself at risk for diseases that would never go away? Do you really enjoy the way you feel?
You CAN do this babe! I believe in you. I don't have to know you, to believe you can do this. Mind over matter.. Be stronger than what you think!!
Good luck!0 -
THIS>>What it comes down to is you have to really have a deep down discussion with yourself. Do you want to always look at healthy people and wonder how that feels? Do you want to put yourself at risk for diseases that would never go away? Do you really enjoy the way you feel?
You have to really, truly want it, more than you want to eat badly or not exercise. If you don't keep pushing yourself, then you don't really want it.
I will also say that you have to find something you like to do. There are so many exercise programs on the planet that it's easy to find *something* active that you like to do.
Last, don't give up. Find friends who will push you, and don't make excuses.0 -
I am 100% with you . I have dieted ( and lost ) before , but have never stayed with it for long . I just FULLY started 3 days ago . I started to realize how tired I was getting from doing nothing and how stairs were killing me and I decided that enough was enough . I'm only 17 for petes sake . I guess , there just comes a time when you get sooo fed up with it , you just do it .
My advice though , is to try your very hardest to make it past 3 weeks . They say it takes a month to break/make a habit . If I may , I would suggest doing the 80 day challenge ( I can send it to you if you'd like) . It is just a series of motivational questions that make you really think about what you want in life. Every day , you get on here and answer the question of the day . Like for example , today I am supposed to be vegan for the whole day and see if I like it or not . Yesterday , I had to describe \my ideal body .
It really helps ! If you need any motivation at all , feel free to message me
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First, you have to not be disgusted with yourself. You have to realize that everyone falls off somewhere....and that's why we are ALL here. We ALL want some kind of change. Find people that motivate and support you (this is the perfect place!). I can't say what it is exactly that has kept me motivated this long (I've only been at this for two months), but this is the longest I've done something like this. I just got really excited when I saw even the smallest bit of results. I set a goal....more what I wanted, I guess. Something so simple like "I want to look great in a bikini next summer". From there, I set very small goals for myself.....because I fail with big goals. I didn't want that to happen. I said something like "I want to lose just three pounds this month".....or "I'm going to switch out the regular milk in my cappuccino for soymilk". Small stuff.
So my advice, find your big motivation. What is it that you really want. Then, always go back to that when you start to feel a little bummed and ready to quit. Then, set a small goal. Make a small change. Keep it simple, something you can achieve without drastically changing your everyday life......and it's funny, because it might end up drastically changing your life in the end. Good luck!!! 0 -
If I may , I would suggest doing the 80 day challenge ( I can send it to you if you'd like) . It is just a series of motivational questions that make you really think about what you want in life. Every day , you get on here and answer the question of the day . Like for example , today I am supposed to be vegan for the whole day and see if I like it or not . Yesterday , I had to describe \my ideal body .
It really helps ! If you need any motivation at all , feel free to message me
Oooohhh! What's this 80 Day Challenge you speak of?! I like little challenges!0 -
First, you have to not be disgusted with yourself. You have to realize that everyone falls off somewhere....and that's why we are ALL here. We ALL want some kind of change. Find people that motivate and support you (this is the perfect place!). I can't say what it is exactly that has kept me motivated this long (I've only been at this for two months), but this is the longest I've done something like this. I just got really excited when I saw even the smallest bit of results. I set a goal....more what I wanted, I guess. Something so simple like "I want to look great in a bikini next summer". From there, I set very small goals for myself.....because I fail with big goals. I didn't want that to happen. I said something like "I want to lose just three pounds this month".....or "I'm going to switch out the regular milk in my cappuccino for soymilk". Small stuff.
So my advice, find your big motivation. What is it that you really want. Then, always go back to that when you start to feel a little bummed and ready to quit. Then, set a small goal. Make a small change. Keep it simple, something you can achieve without drastically changing your everyday life......and it's funny, because it might end up drastically changing your life in the end. Good luck!!!0 -
When you want it bad enough you'll find the inner strength. Everyone has an inner strength waiting to be called upon.You have to really, truly want it0 -
Thank you soooo MUCH for your replies...they brought tears to my eyes. I have decided that I am going to make a list of the reasons why I WANT so desperately to lose weight and put it in my purse and then when I am tempted to go off my plan I will read the list . I don't know why....I just am so happy in the moment and then end up binging on family dinner or at a party and then feel disgusted afterward which leads to more binge eating....I NEED to do something to stop this cycle....it's not just bad for my health but it is breaking my spirit.....0
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Fitness goals is what did it for me. I wanted to do the Warrior Dash, with my brother and my niece. They're both crazy athletic... I didn't want to not be able to keep up with them.
My first week here, I was dragged taking my Pekingese for a walk. Within a month, I was able to run one mile, and that was amazing. Within another month, I could run a 3 miles. A couple months after that, I passed my brother in a 5 mile race and finished just 7 seconds behind my very athletic 24 year old niece.
Don't think about it as losing weight. Think about it as living the life you deserve to lead and treating your body the way it deserves to be treated. The rest will fall into place.0 -
Personally, having friends who are supporting me & keeping me accountable has been so important to finding success! I would strongly encourage you to find friends and/or co-workers who are also trying to get healthy & work together at it.
For the past year I've been part of a fitness challenge at work and we're getting ready to regroup again in January. We weigh in & meet once a week to see how everyone is doing. Everyone is going to have ups and downs but it's wonderful to be a part of a group that's trying to encourage each other to make good decisions & not beat each other up when we fail 0 -
MA MOTTO: when u want to quit; remember WHY you started!!!!! it has helped me stay on track!0
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i can't deadlift 500 lbs yet.0
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Write down as many reasons as you can. Add to them over time.
Measure and track improvement.
Set interim, short-term, reasonable goals. For instance, what can you achieve in one month? How will you celebrate that achievement? (No, not with food.)
Think about what happens if you quit. Do you want to be healthy? Do you want to stay unhealthy and get worse to the point where ... fill in the blank, examples: you need medication to control blood pressure, diabetes, unable to enjoy a walk with your family?
P.S. Use distraction too. When you are tempted, try doing something else. If at home, exercise. At a party, go ask someone (preferably not someone next to the buffet) a question about something interesting. If out with family, focus on enjoying their company. If alone, read something, check out MyFitnessPal message boards, work on a hobby you enjoy (best if it require both hands and concentration).0 -
MA MOTTO: when u want to quit; remember WHY you started!!!!! it has helped me stay on track!
i like it!0 -
Yeah I have a problem with this time from time. I totally know how you feel about the food being more important than the desire to be thin.
It may take some time, but I PSYCH myself into it. To do this, I scramble and hustle to find anything and everything that I can soak up motivation (can take days or weeks). For example, searching/following fitness gurus (the ones that get me going), watching fat/thin documentaries, watching motivational videos, transformation videos, watching movies with actresses that I admire (body). I also have to REITERATE myself with the basic "eating rules" all over again and without fail, I always LEARN something new. You also have to PLAN PLAN PLAN.. (i.e what you're eating and how much). I feel like the only real room for error is lack of planning. I know when I do not plan, I blatantly have nothing to focus on and the day becomes "free for all".
Getting "into it" is easier said than done. You have to find out what YOUR personal needs are (whether it be what kinds of foods to disregard, how many calories per day, relief from an eating disorder etc)... take baby steps.. don't just overwhelm yourself with everything.. that's another easy way to fail and get unmotivated. Take a first step, as soon as you master that, then move on to the next, etc. "It's a marathon, not a sprint".
Another really good thing for me is INSPIRATIONAL BOARDS.. I print pics with fitness quotes that are personal for me and get me going. Also several pictures of people I admire and make me ashamed when I want to eat something unnecessary. Make a board and post it somewhere in your room. I mostly snack in my room so having the board is very useful.
I may be different from you but I struggle with impulsive emotional eating/binge eating. I also have this bad relationship with food in general. If you want any more details as to how I gradually control it... feel free to message me.
Best of luck! you can do it! It's easy to fall off the wagon, but you making this post today.. is a first step back on 0 -
I like that quote too! My personal motto has been "just when you think you are done fighting, remember what was worth fighting for!" I have suffered from depression, anxiety, addiction and bad eating habits. I tell myself that just when I feel like giving up and throwing in the towel, there was and is something that is worth keeping up the fight for whether it's your health, self-esteem or your family.0
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MA MOTTO: when u want to quit; remember WHY you started!!!!! it has helped me stay on track!
I like that quote too! My personal motto has been "just when you think you are done fighting, remember what was worth fighting for!" I have suffered from depression, anxiety, addiction and bad eating habits. I tell myself that just when I feel like giving up and throwing in the towel, there was and is something that is worth keeping up the fight for whether it's your health, self-esteem or your family.0 -
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I stay motivated by keeping my goals modest.0
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I just MAKE it a part of my daily lifestyle which I find to be motivating. The more I look and feel, the more motivating. I sleep great, I fit in clothes better, my skin is smooth, I feel more energize, etc. I think positive so I can keep motivated everyday 0
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For it was when my doctor asked me did I want to live long enough to see my daughter graduate. I have a 16 yr & I want to be here for all her milestones as she goes through life. The initial reason was external but, to continue it had to become internal for me. I love what I see now. I love feeling energized. I just have to put on a pair of leggings to keep me motivated. Before the weight loss, you would never catch me in pair of leggings because it outlined my body bulges & I hated it. I always wore baggy clothes. This mama is not afraid to wear form fitting clothes anymore.0
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i have a list of long term and short term goals.0
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I look in the mirror every day naked and go now thats why your gonna end up a 40 year old virgin. Thats my motivation0
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I keep two photos of me, by my bed it is the first thing I look at in the morning @ my highest weight of 380 pounds, and the last thing I see when I close my eyes . My second photo is right next to it@ 266 pounds gone with the wind .That keeps me on track and keeps me motivated to keep it off for good .
Believe in YOU ! YOU are worth the investment !
Keep pushing don't stop .0 -
My Epic Quest: http://tinyurl.com/7ey2ylw0
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It is EXTREMELY difficult when you first start to stay motivated! I started at 230 pounds and am now at 150 pounds - it's not an easy thing to do, but you have to WANT it more then anything. You have to learn that you are changing your way of living. It's not a diet - it's a lifestyle change. The holidays are such a hard time for me but this year I have only gained a pound - and I haven't been following it all that closely, so to me that shows that I have changed my way of thinking and can now eat healthy without even thinking about it. It's second nature. Motivation of family and friends also help. My mom and I did the journey together and it was so helpful to have someone right beside you motivating you and going through exactly what I went through. I also LOVE to exercise now - I used to dread it. I love my runs in the morning and my ab workout and upper body workout. I'd be lost without it. I feel so much better about myself and the comments I get from people really keep me motivated and keep me going. It is not an easy process but when you see the results it is well worth it! If it helps - I know you can do it! Everyone on this site is behind you and will be here to help motivate you! Hope that helps! 0
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I used my spreadsheet. It helps me keep the big picture in mind.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/peterdt/view/insights-of-net-calorie-loss-spreadsheet-4505820 -
Good question - I think approach has everything to do with it (well for me at least I know it is).
For example I do not consider myself on a diet, I've changed my lifestyle for the better. Period. Just like starting a new job, it's difficult at first then gets easier and easier until 3, 4, 6 months down the road I can do it with my eyes closed. Life experience has taught me that, so I use the same approach to my lifestyle change with food.
To be fair if I want something I have it BUT I also know that means I have less of something else or I workout to compensate. What I don't do is ignore that I had that chocolate bar etc and then load up with more cals later in the day. In short I make myself accountable.
I keep motivated by training hard and often. I see improvements in my weight loss, body composition and overall shape by taking photos on a regular basis. Many do not or only take after pictures which defeats the object of the exercise in my book. Even 2 weeks in, you'll begin to see small changes plus you lose big when you first start.
Everyone is different and motivation can change along your journey, the main thing is having a go and finding the right combination of eating clean foods and exercising for you. Even I have to ask myself sometimes how bad do I want it?0 -
Have you ever journaled how you felt when you first started a new regime? Like when you're all excited and think "this time is it!" When I lost my weight, I remember I made it a New Year's resolution in 1987. That was the first time I wrote down I wanted to lose weight. It's also the ONLY time I kept a New Years resolution!
Whenever I want to falter, to this day, I revisit that New Years resolution in my diary from 1987. I couldn't let that hopeful girl down yet again...
It also helps I'm a Beachbody coach now and it's part of my livelihood to stay in shape lol0 -
How do I stay motivated?
I walk around naked.0
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