How do you stay motivated?

I've always lacked motivation - it's just always been something I've had a very hard time with.

How do you all stay motivated to lose weight? I really really really want to be healthier, and feel happier with my body and how I look, but that isn't even motivation enough.

Motivation tips? What do you guys do?

I suspect pep talks and 'go for it' speeches don't work on you.

You don't have to have any motivation though. Just log your calories in the same frame of mind as you brush your teeth. You don't question brushing your teeth do you? You don't need motivation to do it. It's a habit.

You need to turn the things that don't thrill you into habit. Boring, humdrum, automatic habit. Actions that you don't question. Choices that you don't try to negotiate.

When you have no motivation you start to talk yourself out of bothering with any of it. But if you make a hard and fast rule that you will log your calories, and identify what you are eating, all of the rest will follow.

Because you are logging you will see what you are eating.
Because you see what you are eating, you will have natural little choices of 'gee, I'll skip that 2nd icecream sundae' that will almost unconsciously start to happen.
Because of this you will lose weight.
Because of losing weight you will finally get some motivation.

There's nothing like succeeding for feeding you motivation.

I stick to a regular routine for a few months and then I slowly changle little things up. Variety is really what keeps me going. I could never just do the same exercises over and over all year and expect motivation or results.

It may seem mean spirited but sometimes I'll see someone who is overweight with their belly hanging over their belt and think "that's what I was starting to look like" and it's then easier to pass up the next doughnut, handful of chips, or fast food burger/fries and to get out of bed early and hit the gym the next morning.

And when I see someone lean and healthy, I think, "That's what I can look like if I keep this up"

And sadly our country has more people in the first category than in the second one.

I stay motivated by first doing what I say I will do Each time I do... I gain more confidence and before long it's a routine for me:bigsmile: :bigsmile: Also, whatever you do... remember....The sooner you start...:laugh: ...The sooner you'll finish:bigsmile:

What drives me is my health. When my doctor said it's time to lose weight, I obeyed.

I've been trying to lose weight for a long time now and it's hard for me to find my motivation and drive because of my depression. I always thought being skinny would help me become happier, but that wasn't the case.

I have seen this a lot here from those who have come and gone. All I can say is that being 'skinny' will not change you on the inside. It's just like being rich, it's not a magical pill for all your problems. You need to look for deeper reasons, health is a good one, keeping up with your kids (if you have any) etc.. People rarely stay motivated if they don't have a really deeply personal reason for wanting to change.

I consider myself lucky to be able to do everything I do simply because I 'WANT' to - I don't require external motivation, but sadly from what I have seen I am definitely in the minority.

For those who need to stay motivated, find YOUR reason. Something deeply personal to you, something that you can look at / read/ remember that you know will move you. Be it a picture of you at your fattest or the desire to be there for your mate/kids. Everyone's reasons are different. I can't tell you what will motivate someone else because I haven't had their life or experiences. Dig deep and find the REAL reason and you will have your motivation.

Every morning I get up and say to myself
"I'm going to do the very best I can today".
Somedays I do great and somedays not do much.
If I concentrate on having one good day, I don't dwell on the past or worry about tomorrow.

You do it until it becomes a habit. I weigh all my food now and log every day. It was a drag at first and now it is a habit, just like brushing teeth. It feels wrong if I don't do it.

As far as exercise goes, I make that first step, by walking into the gym. Do I feel like it? After about 8 months of it, most of the time I don't feel like it-- but once I am there, I lift weights, walk on the treadmill, ride the stationary bike, or stair climber until I break a sweat. I never regret working out, but I usually don't initially feel like going there.

Sometimes you need motivation and you can get it here by reading about other people's struggles and how they were able to overcome them. I don't have much weight to lose (anymore) but there are some people who have a lot to lose and it's fun to cheer them on. Some people have no idea what a nutritious meal looks like because they didn't learn it from their parents. It's exciting when they learn that they actually like spinach, or brussel sprouts or whatever.

You will figure it out. Keep plugging!

Self-hatred and anger. A homicidal focus on killing the fat man inside me, burning his corpse, and pissing on his grave.