How do you keep yourself going?

nicolevargas
nicolevargas Posts: 2 Member
in Motivation and Support
I started this app last month then I fell off the wagon a week and a half into it. What's the secret to keep going and staying motivated?

Replies

  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,615 Member
    Watching the number on the scale drop.
  • RachelElser
    RachelElser Posts: 427 Member
    ^^^^^^ this yes! I love to look at my report chart and see the line tilting down. I also have a big ol' chest of clothes that I want to fit back into, so looking at them is motivating.
  • gfjazz
    gfjazz Posts: 285 Member
    Just do it I guess.some days I wonder at myself
    Today I am tired but did a free UTube Jessica smith 30 min walk
  • KristaCatherine87
    KristaCatherine87 Posts: 56 Member
    edited September 2016
    Keep reminding yourself of why you started in the first place. You must of had a reason for downloading this app. Once you see the scale number drop or your clothes becoming lose it's easier to keep going. Good luck!
  • Trish1c
    Trish1c Posts: 549 Member
    I'm a competitive person. Join a group. There are dozens on here. Set goals & work to attain them. I hate to lose (except weight) so that motivates me.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Keeping a diary and calorie counting isn't for everyone...I did it for awhile when I was losing but basically used it as a tool to just become more aware...going on 3.5 years of maintenance and I haven't kept a diary in that time...I just focus on good livin'...eating well and regular exercise and the rest tends to take care of itself.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    I don't like being fat.

    I've been both fat and fit. I prefer the latter. It's a matter of which do I want more? Two minutes of something tasty, or a life of feeling good about myself?
  • MissusMoon
    MissusMoon Posts: 1,900 Member
    I view sticking to my calories and exercise as part of life. It's not about motivation. Just like bouncing checks and getting a negative balance in my bank because I really "want" something isn't reasonable, not taking care of my body in a similar way isn't, either. Why should my health be optional?

    Shorter answer: I do it whether I like it or not.
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    A taste of success definitely helps in the beginning. Habits form later and you can use the memory of your prior successes to kept you buoyed even when the scale movement slows right down. Were you disappointed in the scale after your week and a half of logging? If so, perhaps consider a short low carb stint in the beginning. We know it's water weight but it's joyous to see that scale move.

    Or was the problem the other way around, as in, did you not eat enough? I need big time motivation to suffer through an overly strict diet, but I don't need much motivation at all to eat just slightly less than maintenance. Eating more protein helped me stay full for longer.

    Did you add friends? They help!

    Congrats on your first post. The forums can be helpful too.

    Best of luck this time around. You can do this.
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    Habit, not motivation. Planning my meals and sticking to the plan is just life as usual.
  • hypodonthaveme
    hypodonthaveme Posts: 215 Member
    What keeps me motivated? The desire to be healthy and the disgust that I felt when I was close to be clinically labeled as severely obese. Almost to goal and I have learned so much. I learned I am stronger than I once I thought. I can walk a 15:30 minute mile now down from 35 minutes. I have tons of energy. Don't get winded play with the grand children. Able to find clothes I like to wear. Hearing my husband telling me what an inspiration I am to him ( he's down 35 lbs). The scale and inches lost are fine but there's so much more that keeps me going.

    You need to find an exercise you will do because you enjoy it not because you have to. When exercise becomes a chore you are more destined to quit. Eat what you like but don't go over calories. Grab some support and accomplish your goals.
  • alc649
    alc649 Posts: 467 Member
    I've gotten to the point where I don't feel right if I'm not doing it. I did take this past weekend off from logging, but still didn't overdue it as far as eating goes. It will help once you see the scale drop, but I feel so much better now, more positive about life..clothes are looser. I had a pretty good loss my first and second week, so I think that helped me stick with it. I still have a long way to go, but it feels good to be on the right path. Friends on mfp definitely keep me going for sure. Without their motivation and support, I would've quit a long time ago. I'm going to add you, and let's do this together!
  • PennWalker
    PennWalker Posts: 554 Member
    nicolevargas wrote: »
    I started this app last month then I fell off the wagon a week and a half into it. What's the secret to keep going and staying motivated?

    My secret to keep going? The doctor told me this July 15 that my cholesterol numbers put me at a high risk of a heart attack or stroke, plus I have hypertension (on the edge of high blood pressure). 6 weeks of exercise, losing 15 pounds, and my blood pressure is normal.

    In short, because if I don't lose weight and get in shape I will be a fat old bag taking millions of pills and sitting in the doctor's office every week, or dead. No thanks.
  • NancyYale
    NancyYale Posts: 171 Member
    edited September 2016
    Motivation comes and goes. Stubborn pig headed cussedness can last a lifetime. Just take quitting off the table as an option and start every day fresh. Simple and hard at the same time.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    I'm not dependent on the scale for motivation. I do care greatly that my calories be within a narrow range of victory each day. Last week I got close to frustrated with a lack of scale movement. I just kept winning those daily victories with the calories and today my weight is 5# below the level of last week.
  • indiacaitlin
    indiacaitlin Posts: 691 Member
    I think about the holiday to Disneyworld I have booked for next September and visualise myself being happy with the way I look in my holiday photos!
  • ericar21
    ericar21 Posts: 71 Member
    the thing that made me stick through it this time was finally starting to see and feel a change. the best feeling ever is when your clothes become to big, start seeing muscle definition, and i just started to have more energy and feel better about myself. i know its hard at first to stick with it but for me it became an addiction and i love it!

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