HELP! I lost my motivation

MBuckler3
MBuckler3 Posts: 22
in Health and Weight Loss
I was doing so well. I had lost 54 pounds. Then I got sick.... It took almost a month to get better and when I finally did my motivation was gone. It has been 6 months since then and every day is a struggle. I have only gained back 4 pounds but that's 4 too many. I still have more to lose and I just can't seem to get back on that horse. Any advice (good or bad) would be appreciated. I refuse to go back and I am afraid of not being able to move forward. I just don't know how to get my motivation back.

Replies

  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    Do you want to be fat?

    If the answer is no, then there is your motivation. Remember how hard you worked to get as far as you have. Why undo all of that? Also, think about how you look and feel now as opposed to 50 pounds ago. Do you really want to go back to that?

    Not wanting to be fat was always my motivation when losing and continues to be my motivation while maintaining.
  • nellyett
    nellyett Posts: 436 Member
    The best way would be to take it one day at a time. Can you commit to go for a 15 minute walk today? Just taking the first step is always the hardest!

    If your meals haven't been the healthiest, can you commit to having one meal today that is on track? Same for one snack?

    The little things will add up and get you going in the right direction. :)
  • KimberlyDCZ
    KimberlyDCZ Posts: 525 Member
    Just do it. Just make the decision to get back on track TOMORROW MORNING! That's what I'm telling myself anyways...
  • micheleld73
    micheleld73 Posts: 914 Member
    The best way would be to take it one day at a time. Can you commit to go for a 15 minute walk today? Just taking the first step is always the hardest!

    If your meals haven't been the healthiest, can you commit to having one meal today that is on track? Same for one snack?

    The little things will add up and get you going in the right direction. :)

    This sounds like a great way to start...you might surprise yourself and do even more than you originally planned - it's the small victories that help us get over the biggest hurdles.

    It also doesn't hurt to have someone at work or home to join your journey.
  • 19kat55
    19kat55 Posts: 336 Member
    From your profile:

    "I want to go out to play with my kids and be able to keep up with them. I want to walk up a flight of stairs and not get out of breath. I want to look good standing next to my gorgeous husband."

    There is all the motivation you should need. Your children and your husband!


    And I want to add you should really do this for yourself. But if that does not motivate you right now, maybe what is in your profile will.
  • jefskott99
    jefskott99 Posts: 4
    I am really sorry you got sick. I gained 20 pounds back last year (I had been on Atkins, which I no longer use) after breaking my wrist. It took me months to get to the point of feeling like weight loss should even be a priority (actually nearly a year). It wasn't for the pain, but for your exact statement - I lost my motivation, and in my case I felt sorry for myself. Besides, breaking my wrist gave me great license to start eating and not exercise - I don't know why, I simply took it.

    I've lost 15 of those 20 and have another 62 to go to my ultimate goal, so my advice, should you want more than empathy, which I'm sure we ALL have for you, is go to the basics - log your food, exercise, weigh yourself and get back on your program. You will lose that four pounds relatively quickly and proceed on your journey to great healthdom!

    I wish you the very best and hope you have recovered from your illness fully! By the way, you and others who have lost 50+ pounds are MY motivation for continuing where I want to be - a 24 BMI. That's 184, and my goal is 180. I'm 6' tall and currently weigh in at 242. Since I was at nearly 260, I'm glad I'm moving in the right direction, but it's people like you that show the rest of us that we can succeed in substantial weight drops. Thank you!
  • AbsyPernet
    AbsyPernet Posts: 145
    Hi there!! I am sorry to hear that, but I do believe it happens to all of us sometimes. You have to find and do what works for you!! Some people loss weight in order to fit into a dress, or have a holiday coming up or don't want to be fat anymore, you have to think what actual motivate you to join mfp in the first place and it will come back to you, don't think how much you have gain but look forward to how much you are going to loss and you will do it!!

    Feel free to add me as a friend and we will keep each other going.:flowerforyou:
  • TArnold2012
    TArnold2012 Posts: 929 Member
    Ask yourself what motivated you when you began? Remember how hard you have worked. Recognize that while you may be struggling somewhere from within you still have you goal in sight or you would have caved in and would have gained more than a mear 4 pounds.

    Start with this and remember one choice, one day, one meal, one bite at a time. You can do this
  • doggiesnot
    doggiesnot Posts: 334 Member
    Decide to lose weight, and you will.
  • MBuckler3
    MBuckler3 Posts: 22
    You are all AMAZING. Thank you so very much. One day at a time. I refuse to give up :happy:
  • hawkeygal
    hawkeygal Posts: 133 Member
    I'm in the same boat as you. I was in a car accident, and was out of work for 4 months due to a concussion. I couldn't do anything, and I resorted into eating processed and fast foods again (I was clean eating before all of this) as I literally couldn't stand up for longer than 2-3 minutes.

    Before the accident, I was down almost 20 lbs. and since then, I've gained it all back. It's so frustrating. Well, it's almost a year later, and I'm starting to feel better. My biggest thing is lunch. If I plan my lunches out a week ahead (I assemble on Sundays), I'm golden and stay with the plan. As a result, I'm feeling better and I have more energy to do things (mostly go to Physical therapy).

    It's all about planning the meals out, then plan your exercise out once you've got a grip on your eating habits.
  • hawkeygal
    hawkeygal Posts: 133 Member
    PS--this is what I do for lunch:

    I went to target (or wherever you want) and bought the ziplock containers that come two or three in a pack with three little compartments--one big enough for a sandwich, one that has a 1/2 c and one that holds a 1/3 c.

    I preassemble (no, they don't get soggy in my opinion) my sandwiches on sandwich thins...turkey breast, ice burg lettuce, veggies, a slice of cheese. That goes in the big part. Then I put in grapes in one of the cup compartments, and a cutie (orange) in the other.

    In another larger bowl sized ziplock container i put a salad with veggies in it, and in a tiny ziplock, I put 2 tbs of balsamic vinegar in it. Make 5 of those bad boys.

    BOOM

    Lunch for the week. I stick to it, and I feel better about myself. Plus, I'm so not a morning person, and this is the perfect grab and go.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    I was doing so well. I had lost 54 pounds. Then I got sick.... It took almost a month to get better and when I finally did my motivation was gone. It has been 6 months since then and every day is a struggle. I have only gained back 4 pounds but that's 4 too many. I still have more to lose and I just can't seem to get back on that horse. Any advice (good or bad) would be appreciated. I refuse to go back and I am afraid of not being able to move forward. I just don't know how to get my motivation back.

    That happened to me about 4 years and 50lbs ago. I was doing AWESOME at the gym....going 3-4x a week, and running 12-15 miles a week. Then my youngest ( then 19months) had a freak trampoline accident and broke his thigh :( he was in a body cast for 5 weeks, and I could not leave him for anything more than grocery shopping. I went a handful more times that year, but my heart wasn't in it.

    I gained 50 lbs before I could get a gym membership back.

    In February I got my gym membership back, and I KNEW that I had to be consistent or I would fall into the same trap.For the most part I have been there 3-4x a week all year long. The only times I was not there were when I had other commitments I could not put off til later--waiting at home for a propane delivery ( someone over 18 HAD to be home for a test they needed to do), or doctor appointments. Because of my commitment, many people at my gym *know* me. When I was like an hour late one day this summer, the trainer actually noticed and mentioned it! I drag my booty in no matter what---I came in the morning after injuring my wrist ( went to Urgent Care afterwards), and just last week I came in ON CRUTCHES the morning after spraining a calf muscle. In a way I am afraid of losing my motivation after losing 30lbs, so I HAVE to keep at it.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    No, you didn't lose your motivation, it's still there, it's just taking a little nap. You still want this, otherwise you wouldn't be reaching out for help, right?! Go to your profile page, read what you wrote about wanting to get into shape and your inspiration, think about them, maybe even add an update if you come up with more reasons or goals.

    There's nothing wrong with going back to square one. Remember how excited you were in the beginning? You can get back there. Hunt down some new recipes (this is what usually helps me when I'm bored) or find an outfit you'd like to buy or sign up for a 5k that you have to train for... Whatever it takes to get that fire in your belly again. Set small weekly goals - not weight related but fitness or food related. Like this week you'll track every day. Next week you'll stay in your calorie goal 5 out of 7 days. Third week you'll get to the gym 3 days. Fourth week you'll drink all your water, or eat your fruits and veggies or try a light version of your favorite recipe, etc.

    And like that 1st responder said - it's so not worth gaining the weight back. You've come so far, why give up now?!
  • krystonite
    krystonite Posts: 553 Member
    I had, after a year of strict eating and exercise and unrelenting hard work and dedication, fell off the wagon as well. I moved across the country, I lost my job and girlfriend, I tore my rotator cuff, and just all around sunk into a 6 month rut. All of that hard work was completely reversed. I not only gained back ALL the weight, but I managed to tack on a few extra pounds.

    I felt like it wasn't worth it to do it all over again. So disappointed in myself for working so hard for a year only to just erase that work. But then I realized that tomorrow will come regardless of what I do today. So I can either just start again now knowing that it CAN be done because I've already done it, or I can live in a past that I cannot change. But regardless, your progress tomorrow will reflect your decisions today.

    I'm starting over. Literally today is day 1 of me trying to get back to where I was. Let's do it together! Because we can.
  • krystonite
    krystonite Posts: 553 Member
    The best way would be to take it one day at a time. Can you commit to go for a 15 minute walk today? Just taking the first step is always the hardest!

    If your meals haven't been the healthiest, can you commit to having one meal today that is on track? Same for one snack?

    The little things will add up and get you going in the right direction. :)

    Very true.
  • j_orchowski
    j_orchowski Posts: 2
    Take it 5 at a time. Someone told me this once and it has been a saving grace in ANY time of need. Falling off the wagon is so easy, but getting back on the wagon is the hardest. If you take the easy way in life then you don't feel like you earned it. So get back on that wagon! :happy:
  • InnerFatGirl
    InnerFatGirl Posts: 2,687 Member
    Same here. 42lbs lost, lost my motivation, gained 5 back. Now I don't know what to do. I'm hanging on, but I feel like giving up. All I ever want to do is eat, and usually eat too much or junk.

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