It's clearly February - lost motivation all around

What keeps me going now...is the fact that im still hanging in there. I started Jan 1 at 169lbs. I lost 7lbs but then went through 2 weeks with nothing changing. But today i stepped on the scale at 161. That was a GREAT feeling. This is the longest ive ever stuck in with this weight loss/life change and believe me i've tried everything at least 50 times within the last 6 years.

I'm proud of myself and i want to beable to wear the cutest dresses this summer and know that i actually accomplished my goal for the 1st time (with God's help of coarse because i have to pray daily for the strength to resist.) Otherwise i probably would have quit the second week.

Plus i dont want June to roll around and im stuck with the question, where would i be if i wouldve stuck with healthy eating and exercise? I hate that feeling....so im soooooo determined this go round :bigsmile:

I LOST 22 lbs, I only have 8 to go and the last 10 is the hardest. What keeps me going is I don't want to go back to where I was. This saying is cliche but, when you get sick and tired of being sick and tired you will change. It's sometimes lonely and boring and not fun. But when you can wear something that hasn't fit in years, when you can squeeze into a seat on the subway, when you don't get winded walking up stairs - you feel better and don't want to lose what you have.

I hope you get back on track. You have to be patient and that is hard!

Also, friends on mfp are really supportive and help e stay motivated

I have seen it each year for the past 4 at the YMCA I go to, start of Jan, lots of new people, machines all used and busy, but as Feb starts, slowly start to see the crowds dwindle.

I think folks have a hard time staying committed to themselves and their goals, I think often they create too many goals or set the bar too high, when what they need to do is take smaller bite size goals, get in the habit of one or 2 smaller goals and then when they have those habits down add more.

So get in the habit of just getting tot he gym 3 days a week, dont worry about the scale at first or dieting so much, get in the habit of going and doing 15 to 30 min 3 days a week, make it easy and obtainable, that way once you doing it for 2 months you feel great because you are hitting the goal mark. Now after 2 months or 3 you up the time, or days, or start looking at the scale, after a few months of hitting those new goals with first, you start to look at diet. Now you begin to make life changes that you are sticking with.

We all realize we did not get overweight in 2 months, so how in the world do we think we can lose it all in 2 months to a year, if we do not get in the habit of doing these things 90% of the time we will never stay at that level we want for life because we will revert to old style habits.

One thing that keeps me motivated is how fast I can undo all my hard work of the last 14+ months if I ever give up.

I know I could gain every ounce I've lost back in less than six months (trust me, I could do it), and that alone is enough to keep me determined to never go down that path again.

You have to be sufficiently tired of where you are and where you were. I say "are" for those who aren't at goal and not quite done just yet.
I couldn't imagine going back but I damn sure won't stay here because I am truly TIRED of where I've been and how I feel.
If you are truly done with being unhealthy and unhappy you'll stick to it. Even if you slack off for a brief spell, you'll be right back at it working towards your joy...

All the best :flowerforyou:

...cliche but, when you get sick and tired of being sick and tired you will change.

^ sometimes cliche is hiding truth.

I've been wanting to "lose a few" for about a decade. But I always went about it in a half-assed or fad-diet way... and of course, I gave up quickly. For me, something had to snap in my mind. I don't know what did it. Maybe the fact that I just turned 40 and realized that losing will only get harder as I age. But you really DO have to turn a corner before you commit.

Another motivator for me: Like iowachapman mentioned, all the New Year's Resolution people show up January 1st. And all the gym regulars know they'll be gone by mid-February. I have NO INTENTION of being some sad, foregone conclusion of failure! Call it pride, call it whatever... I call it success. The thought that someone, somewhere might be looking at me (with no judgement) thinking "Is she really up for this? Will she be here in March?" keeps me motivated to defy expectations.

Oh the joys of the February blahs! I know it well, the winter time blues, the "stuck" scale, the desire for more food than necessary. This is the time of year when we really have to work hard at not feeling sorry for ourselves! Look back, even if you've just begun and haven't lost much yet, just tell yourself "Wowie, look at that, I've lost something!" And that "something" will increase over time, little tiny bit by little tiny bit. It takes time. Over 2 years for me, but I can tell you it's worth every struggling minute. Keep the faith, try to smile a bit and give yourself some credit. And never give up!