Alternate motivation?? Let me explain
ANewWayToLive
Posts: 31 Member
Ever woke up feeling TOTALLY ready? Like you could achieve anything? Then the hours goes by, time flies and so does your motivation? Well, this is me!! Let me give you a very good example; 5 days ago, I quit smoking. Cold turkey. Not even a puff since! The trigger was simple: A regular pharmacy trip with my mom and a brilliant idea of taking my blood pressure while she was shopping around. 142/129!!! That was it!!!! The sign I needed to stop. But when it comes to my weight, I can't seem to find the trigger inside to start and keep on going. Anyone else like that? How do you guys get/keep motivated?
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Replies
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Congratulations on quitting smoking! That's fantastic!
As far as weight loss, how about a twist to your "alternate motivation" theory, meaning, input your stats here, find your daily calorie goal, plan and pre-log your food and workouts (optional; but that may help rebuild your cardiovascular function after smoking for a while) and then just do it. You may have a surge of motivation but don't wait around for it. Motivation comes and goes, but habits stay.3 -
Congrats on going cold turkey! That's awesome!
As for weight loss motivation, like all motivation it's best if it comes from within yourself. Start with something small, like buying a scale and weighing your food. Make that a habit, then add another small one to it!
Alternatively, try swapping a high calorie food for a lower calorie option, like regular soda for diet. One small change at a time can take you far!
Best of success!3 -
I quit smoking 3 days ago.. going kind of stir crazy now. I need distractions.. I don't know if I would call it staying motivated, but as long as I stay busy, I'm good4
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Congratulations on quitting smoking! That's fantastic!
As far as weight loss, how about a twist to your "alternate motivation" theory, meaning, input your stats here, find your daily calorie goal, plan and pre-log your food and workouts (optional; but that may help rebuild your cardiovascular function after smoking for a while) and then just do it. You may have a surge of motivation but don't wait around for it. Motivation comes and goes, but habits stay.Congrats on going cold turkey! That's awesome!
As for weight loss motivation, like all motivation it's best if it comes from within yourself. Start with something small, like buying a scale and weighing your food. Make that a habit, then add another small one to it!
Alternatively, try swapping a high calorie food for a lower calorie option, like regular soda for diet. One small change at a time can take you far!
Best of success!
Thanks to you both!! I try to take small steps to healthy new habits, like moving 30 mins, drinking more water etc. Motivation does come and goes and it's also very true that habits stay as well. I guess by taking it, one day at a time like I did/do for smoking, it will result in greater success!!
@futurelcon I totally know what you mean. I've been irritable for the last days and also extremely tired. I should learn how to replace the need for a cigarette by exercising instead
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Good for you! Don't guilt yourself into doing something you're not ready to do, though. Tackle the smoking urges first. IF it makes you feel better to go out for a walk, then do so, but don't try to do too much all at once.
What activities do you like? Do you have hobbies?1 -
Good for you! Don't guilt yourself into doing something you're not ready to do, though. Tackle the smoking urges first. IF it makes you feel better to go out for a walk, then do so, but don't try to do too much all at once.
What activities do you like? Do you have hobbies?
Unfortunately, my hobbies aren't really towards fitness. I'd love to be passionate about fitness! I read a lot, meditate and try to practice yoga every other day. I just purchased 21DayFix a week ago. I haven't started yet, because I'm on vacation and unfortunately, my husband don't follow me in my "health/weigh loss" journey. Which is totally fine, he's entitle to is own choices and I respect that, it's just harder to make healthier choices while he ain't. When I work, we never have a meal together (not even diner) which makes it easier for me to make better, healthier choices for myself.0 -
Congrats on quitting! I was a long time smoker, too, so I know the challenges there! Once you get past 3 days most of the nicotine is out of your system, so it's mostly just mental and habitual at that point. You literally have to take it one day, one hour, sometimes even one minute at a time. Exercise is a GREAT way to curb the cravings. Just go for a walk, and 5-10 minutes later the urge will pass!
What you have to avoid is the 10 lb gain most of us get as a reward for quitting. Food all of a sudden tastes WONDERFUL because your taste buds and nose aren't burned out with tar and smoke anymore. So you need to watch out for idle munching, which is just another way for your brain to reinforce the hand-to-mouth reflex that isn't happening with smoking.
I would hold off on upending your diet along with quitting smoking at the same time. Its a lot to take on at once, but maybe make small changes, like drinking more water (it'll help flush your system), taking small walks, maybe cut out alcohol. Stuff like that. As you move through the next few weeks you can begin to ramp up your healthy efforts as a full-fledged non-smoker!
Just my two cents as someone who's been there (quit smoking and lost 50 lbs).
Good luck!1 -
brian_gunther wrote: »Congrats on quitting! I was a long time smoker, too, so I know the challenges there! Once you get past 3 days most of the nicotine is out of your system, so it's mostly just mental and habitual at that point. You literally have to take it one day, one hour, sometimes even one minute at a time. Exercise is a GREAT way to curb the cravings. Just go for a walk, and 5-10 minutes later the urge will pass!
What you have to avoid is the 10 lb gain most of us get as a reward for quitting. Food all of a sudden tastes WONDERFUL because your taste buds and nose aren't burned out with tar and smoke anymore. So you need to watch out for idle munching, which is just another way for your brain to reinforce the hand-to-mouth reflex that isn't happening with smoking.
I would hold off on upending your diet along with quitting smoking at the same time. Its a lot to take on at once, but maybe make small changes, like drinking more water (it'll help flush your system), taking small walks, maybe cut out alcohol. Stuff like that. As you move through the next few weeks you can begin to ramp up your healthy efforts as a full-fledged non-smoker!
Just my two cents as someone who's been there (quit smoking and lost 50 lbs).
Good luck!
Thanks Brian!!! And congrats on quitting smoking and that incredible 50 lbs loss!!! That's amazing!! I've been smoke free for 5 days now. On the 3rd day, I binge eating sweets late at night. Which wasn't really smart. I now replace cravings with deep breathing and by drinking water. I know losing the weight will be a long journey, it will take time and that's something I need to remember as well. It will take time!!! I just don't have much energy since I've quit smoking, with all the headaches and very VERY short nights, it's just difficult to chose the healthy way.0 -
ANewWayToLive wrote: »brian_gunther wrote: »Congrats on quitting! I was a long time smoker, too, so I know the challenges there! Once you get past 3 days most of the nicotine is out of your system, so it's mostly just mental and habitual at that point. You literally have to take it one day, one hour, sometimes even one minute at a time. Exercise is a GREAT way to curb the cravings. Just go for a walk, and 5-10 minutes later the urge will pass!
What you have to avoid is the 10 lb gain most of us get as a reward for quitting. Food all of a sudden tastes WONDERFUL because your taste buds and nose aren't burned out with tar and smoke anymore. So you need to watch out for idle munching, which is just another way for your brain to reinforce the hand-to-mouth reflex that isn't happening with smoking.
I would hold off on upending your diet along with quitting smoking at the same time. Its a lot to take on at once, but maybe make small changes, like drinking more water (it'll help flush your system), taking small walks, maybe cut out alcohol. Stuff like that. As you move through the next few weeks you can begin to ramp up your healthy efforts as a full-fledged non-smoker!
Just my two cents as someone who's been there (quit smoking and lost 50 lbs).
Good luck!
Thanks Brian!!! And congrats on quitting smoking and that incredible 50 lbs loss!!! That's amazing!! I've been smoke free for 5 days now. On the 3rd day, I binge eating sweets late at night. Which wasn't really smart. I now replace cravings with deep breathing and by drinking water. I know losing the weight will be a long journey, it will take time and that's something I need to remember as well. It will take time!!! I just don't have much energy since I've quit smoking, with all the headaches and very VERY short nights, it's just difficult to chose the healthy way.
Yep, I've been there! I forgot about the headaches. It's like there was this constant dull ache up there. Ibuprofin is your best friend.
I remember eating. A lot. I'll never forget one day about 3 days or so into it and I was sooooo hungry and such a craving I ran across the street in the middle of the afternoon to buy egg rolls. Lots of them. Hence why I needed to lose 50 lbs!
That's why I suggest tackling one issue at a time. If you go full non-smoker cold turkey AND go full healthy-eating simultaneously, you'll end up falling off the wagon... hard. Just slowly layer things on. Drinking water is good. Taking walks, good. Maybe switch out a few small diet items for a few healthier options. Then once you get 3-4 weeks into it, ramp up the diet, increase the exercise, etc.
I've just been there and know how hard it is to do one of those things independently without layering them together! But quitting smoking is by FAR the best thing you could do health-wise! The rest will seem easy...!2 -
Congrats on chucking those smokes!!! I quit years ago but for health reasons. I took Chantix. My husband was so impressed, he tried too but couldn't do it. Now, he's vaping instead. The biggest problem I had was not knowing what to do at the times I used to smoke! It didn't feel right to drink my coffee in the morning without my cig. Driving to work, on my break at work (I still went outside with all my smoking buddies!!!), after a meal, having a beer or other alcoholic beverage...it took a while to adjust!! I agree with brian_gunter, you might want to just deal with one thing at a time. Good luck with whatever you decide!!0
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atitagain1958 wrote: »Congrats on chucking those smokes!!! I quit years ago but for health reasons. I took Chantix. My husband was so impressed, he tried too but couldn't do it. Now, he's vaping instead. The biggest problem I had was not knowing what to do at the times I used to smoke! It didn't feel right to drink my coffee in the morning without my cig. Driving to work, on my break at work (I still went outside with all my smoking buddies!!!), after a meal, having a beer or other alcoholic beverage...it took a while to adjust!! I agree with brian_gunter, you might want to just deal with one thing at a time. Good luck with whatever you decide!!
Congrats to you for quitting as well!!! I have to admit, it's not as bad as I thought it would, the only problem is how, I'm dealing with stressful situation actually. I was using cigarettes as a "getaway" in stressful situation like work, at home etc. 3 nights ago, I had a glass of wine and obviously, it wasn't a good idea. I didn't smoke, but very close to. I have to agree as well with Brian and all the rest, I need to take it slow, take it one day at a time and make sure that I gradually make smarter and healthier choices along the way.0 -
Losing weight and exercise will also help your blood pressure. If it worked to help you quit smoking, use it as motivation for other things too...0
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@kendahlj I know it will. That's why I'm working towards a better and wiser life choices such as cutting down (if not eliminate) alcohol and my biggest problem when it comes to healthy eating habits; Eating out. I need to cut down the restaurants and learn how to cook, homemade healthy meals.0
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