Why can't I get motivated like I did before to lose the weight?

You just have to get back to it. That's all you can do. Start small by incorporating reasonable changes and then grow (or shrink, LOL) from there.

And then, once you get back to where you want to be, don't stop! Emotionally, it's much easier to maintain than it is to start over.

I get motivated in bursts, so during my last burst of 'hey I'm awesome, let's do this thing!' I threw out the junk food and hung my favorite -now way too small for me- shirt on the wall next to my bed and when I woke up the next day I though, hell yeah, you're going to fit me by May... Bring it ON!

I think most people struggle with it right at the beginning because it seems like a daunting task. My 10yr old son is easily overwhelmed by large tasks (or long lists of things to do). I have go break it into small manageable chunks for him - try that. Don't look as much at "I need to lose 70 pounds! This is impossible!" - start with a small goal. Maybe a few pounds, or maybe make a goal related to how you eat/exercise/behave and start improving those aspects one at a time. When you see any progress it will fuel you to continue. (*)

I once heard this saying, and I think you need to hear it too: "Motivation gets you started, habit keeps you going." Sometimes we do not have a lot of motivation. So start making small habits. Drink an extra glass of water at dinner. Play around with your kids. Play volleyball as a family on the weekends. Then, when you start seeing results, hopefully you will get motivated. LATCH ON TO THAT MOTIVATION! Start making even more healthy habits and eventually you will be living a very healthy life style. Habit is everything

jillmarie125 wrote: »

motivation doesn't last. you need to want it. the want/desire to be better is what will keep you going.

You said a year after your daughter was born. How long has it been now? As we age, it takes more work to reduce weight because metabolism slowly reduces over time. So where it may have been a breeze at 25, at 35 it's going to be much different. Calorie deficit counts, but for some having to eat much less than before at a younger age can be challenging.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Generally speaking, not losing weight is not a result of not eating enough. As long as you're still alive, your metabolism is going. Have you set your calorie goal and tracked consistently? Track everything that goes into your mouth, workout a few times a week when/if you can. It truly is simple, though it's easier said than done. It can seem tedious but once it becomes a habit, it's a part of every day, think of it like checking into facebook/twitter/social-media-of-choice.

motivation is a fleeting thing...developing healthy habits is what is ultimately necessary for any kind of long term success. making and breaking habits it tough work...don't try to do too much at once...baby steps...just try to do a little better today than you did yesterday. Set mini goals for yourself that don't necessarily have anything to do with the number on the scale...things like eating 6 full servings of vegetables today, etc.

Being a healthy weight is simply a bi-product of living a healthful lifestyle...to live a healthful lifestyle requires developing healthful habits. When you do that, things tend to fall into place.