Personal issues affecting my motivation

One of the hardest things to remember sometimes is that no matter what we do, all of these other things will STILL be happening. There's nothing a person can eat, or drink, or put up their nose, or whatever, that will change a situation. It sucks and it hurts, but you gotta deal with life as it comes, and not try to find comfort in a bag, no matter what came in it.

I sincerely hope your storm passes quickly.

When you're worried about a loved one, it is really, really hard to stay on track. I know. BELIEVE ME. I know. I started my healthy diet on October 1, 2012. About two weeks later, my husband was rushed into emergency surgery. I had every excuse to break my diet. Worry, needing to arrange child care, being at the hospital long hours, etc. etc. etc. But you know what? Every single time I have dieted in the past I've lost weight. EVERY TIME. 90 pounds once, 38 pounds another time. Over and over I've lost the weight, but every time I've ****ed up part way through because I get stressed and my motivation goes away. One time it's a new relationship. . . wait, BOTH times it was a new relationship. Note to self: New boyfriends are bad for your health. Anyway, I'm getting distracted. The point is, every time I was doing really well, but I stopped being motivated, and then I stopped doing what I was supposed to be doing. That's when I realized, this time, when I was throwing stuff into my boys' backpacks, and planning what junk I was going to buy, my motivation doesn't mean ****. Motivation is GREAT. It's awesome. It makes it feel good and it makes it EASY to do what you're supposed to do. But my body doesn't care if I feel excited about eating healthy food or if I just eat it because it's what I'm supposed to eat. It doesn't care if I work out because I'm hyped about it and I want to be the next fitness icon, or if I just do it because it's Friday, and Friday is kettlebell day. Motivation is an emotional state. That's all. Emotional states are temporary. In fact, if you can't change emotional states when the situation changes, you're looking at a mental health diagnosis. Don't tie your performance to your motivation. When you are motivated, use that energy to build healthy habits. Then when your motivation goes away, as it inevitably will, due to stress, or tiredness, or just time, relax into the healthy habits you've built. Remember also, your body is a toddler, basically. Treat it like a toddler. Firm limits, a healthy routine, and lots of love. Don't give in to its temper tantrums (and that's exactly what craving junk food and not wanting to work out are, a bodily temper tantrum) because every time you do, you're making it that much more likely that you'll give in the next time too. Instead of stopping at McDonald's for a 20 piece chicken nugget and a Coke Zero on my way to the hospital, I grabbed a Subway veggie sub and a big glass of water. I got through my husband's hospitalization without screwing up taking care of me. You can get through this, AND support your boyfriend while still taking care of you, too. Shoot me a friend request if you want.

Thank you so much for this post!

That is exactly what I needed to hear.

Ok, dragging myself to the gym now.

How did it go?