consistency/motivation

lisavaughn76
lisavaughn76 Posts: 9
edited November 10 in Health and Weight Loss
How do I stay motivated? I'll work hard, lose the weight and then gain it all back plus some. WTH??!!

Replies

  • SweetestHoney
    SweetestHoney Posts: 95 Member
    Stay on positive social media. Whenever you feel unmotivated come on here. I follow motivational people on tumblr too.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    What weight pattern are you talking about, just a few lbs or 5+? Not sure what the pattern is?

    Do you know the reason why you are gaining it back?

    Is it down to you and your point is you sabotage yourself by eating too much or are you mystified why weight comes back. If its the latter then it will be to do with the stadard list of natural fluctuations, eating more and moving less than you think.

    If its the sabotage scenario then you just need a chat with yourself or get friends who cna keep an eye on you. You need to commit and be focused. If its self sabotage its becayse you havent commited or planned well enough. You tell us whats going through your head when you start to break your deficit?

    For me I stay motivated becayse I get results and understand what is involved plus its a long term project that will have some bumps. Success in reaching targets is its own reward and im less inclined to sabitage becayse that has me going backwards. Thatss why you really need to focus and keep reminding yourself why you are doing it and what it takes.

    Bit of epiphany when I realised how possible losing weight was, its not easy but just keep doing the right thing. fall off the wagon, get back to making good decisions again. Break it down and take it day by day week by week and be mindful when you decide you wnat to sabitage and justify it to yourself. No hiding or excuses.
  • PinkCoconut
    PinkCoconut Posts: 655 Member
    Honestly? You answered your own question in the title of your post! Motivation and consistency are two separate things. Motivation comes and goes. You can help it to stick around by creating a strong WHY (WHY do you want to achieve your goals?), setting up layers of accountability through friends, challenge groups, posting on social media and the like and surrounding yourself with people who are doing what you want to achieve.

    Consistency, on the hand, is what it is. Consistent. It's you doing the work whether you're motivated or not. For me, my goal isn't to stay motivated, it's to stay consistent. So if there's a day where I really just couldn't care less about getting off the couch or how healthy my next meal is, I consciously switch to just staying consistent. It's unsexy, it's boring, it's tough but focusing on just staying consistent each and every day builds HUGE results in the long run. Consistency is what is going to make your exercise and healthy eating habits a LIFESTYLE.

    Feel free to friend me and we can chat! :)
  • lisavaughn76
    lisavaughn76 Posts: 9
    Do you know the reason why you are gaining it back?

    Is it down to you and your point is you sabotage yourself by eating too much or are you mystified why weight comes back. If its the latter then it will be to do with the stadard list of natural fluctuations, eating more and moving less than you think.

    If its the sabotage scenario then you just need a chat with yourself or get friends who cna keep an eye on you. You need to commit and be focused. If its self sabotage its becayse you havent commited or planned well enough. You tell us whats going through your head when you start to break your deficit?

    For me I stay motivated becayse I get results and understand what is involved plus its a long term project that will have some bumps. Success in reaching targets is its own reward and im less inclined to sabitage becayse that has me going backwards. Thatss why you really need to focus and keep reminding yourself why you are doing it and what it takes.

    Bit of epiphany when I realised how possible losing weight was, its not easy but just keep doing the right thing. fall off the wagon, get back to making good decisions again. Break it down and take it day by day week by week and be mindful when you decide you wnat to sabitage and justify it to yourself. No hiding or excuses.[/quote]

    *Im talking about 15-20 pounds. I get tired of working out. I "take a break" and before long the weight is back plus some. I have minimal friends that usually start out with me and then they quit.

    I get angry with myself cause I'd just wasted a Month or two with hard work all to throw it away because I've grown bored or tired of the lifestyle change.

    I also tend to become unmotivated because I feel like the can't or dont see the results like I want. This time I've promised my self that I'll stay on track. I hate to break promises.
  • oleladie
    oleladie Posts: 4
    My whole life has been on and off diets. I know just what you are talking about. With me, in the past, I would lose my intended weight, only to see it return within 1 year. I am on the track now to losing most of the weight I had gained back (I have 7 pounds to go until I'm at my goal). I've learned the most important lessons are: Consistency (with exercise, and with portion size), and make up your mind and have the will to stay the course. Without those two factors, the weight will return. My downfall is portion size. Exercise is easy enough (walking, dvd, gym, swimming..loads of stuff). Right now, my biggest motivation is the clothes I wore six months ago are too big for me now. But most importantly, I feel healthier and more confident.
  • terbusha
    terbusha Posts: 1,483 Member
    If you're yo-yo dieting, I'd ask you what you're nutrition looks like. Usually, people who do that way under-eat with a lot of cardio and bring their metabolism down in the process. Check this video out and see if this sounds like you.
    www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHHzie6XRGk

    If you have questions, I'm always happy to help out.
  • weightsnbakes
    weightsnbakes Posts: 34 Member
    If you are getting tired of working out, find something that you enjoy. It will keep you interested and focused towards your goal. You did answer your own question in your title, consistency is key. I used to work out for a month then get bored and quit. I then realized that I really enjoy lifting weights so my main focus is strength training. I enjoy it, it's a challenge against myself and I know that I am doing my body good. That said, weight loss is 80% diet, so find an eating style that is sustainable to you. It might take some time but once you hit that right combination of enjoyable exercise and diet, you will be unstoppable.
  • WickedPineapple
    WickedPineapple Posts: 698 Member
    PinkCoconut wrote: »
    Honestly? You answered your own question in the title of your post! Motivation and consistency are two separate things. Motivation comes and goes. You can help it to stick around by creating a strong WHY (WHY do you want to achieve your goals?), setting up layers of accountability through friends, challenge groups, posting on social media and the like and surrounding yourself with people who are doing what you want to achieve.

    Consistency, on the hand, is what it is. Consistent. It's you doing the work whether you're motivated or not. For me, my goal isn't to stay motivated, it's to stay consistent. So if there's a day where I really just couldn't care less about getting off the couch or how healthy my next meal is, I consciously switch to just staying consistent. It's unsexy, it's boring, it's tough but focusing on just staying consistent each and every day builds HUGE results in the long run. Consistency is what is going to make your exercise and healthy eating habits a LIFESTYLE.

    Feel free to friend me and we can chat! :)

    She's right. I had to change my ways of thinking about exercise and nutrition before really being able to lose weight and keep it off. I took exercise out of the 'optional' section of my brain (when I was only doing it to lose weight or to make other people happy) and put it in the 'mandatory' section (along with brushing my teeth, sleeping, etc.).
  • lthames0810
    lthames0810 Posts: 722 Member
    If your program to lose weight is making you so miserable that you keep giving up on it, then the program isn't right for you.

    I know someone that does this, too, and she's frustrated. She is a switch on/switch off kind of person. When she's on, she is totally commited (kind of driven, actually) to do everything exactly to plan. Then she flames out because her plan is so difficult for her. She eats way too few calories for the high volume of exercise she tries to do and feels sluggish and grumpy all the time until she can't stand it anymore and gives up. She then goes overboard the other way and gains all the weight back.

    If changing your workouts or food intake (or whatever is making you unhappy) results in a slower rate of loss, so what? Time is going to go by anyway and it's better to make slow progress over that time than zero progress.
  • lisavaughn76
    lisavaughn76 Posts: 9
    It doesnt make me miserable at all. It doesnt frustrate me and i don't get grumpy. I believe you misunderstood me. I said I get bored with it and at times and at times I get disappointed. I have changed my mindset this time. I won't watch the scale and I won't do the same exercises and eat the same foods so they won't become redundant.
  • lisavaughn76
    lisavaughn76 Posts: 9
    And I dont really "diet" I cut out things I know are or were causing the weight gain. Fried food, fast food, alcohol, white rice, pasta and potatoes. I cut down on either things like bread, red meat and sugar. I just wanted suggestions on how to keep myself motivated and not quit every month. Some of your suggestions I'll try. Thx.
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