Struggling with motivation

I clicked on your post because I'm having pretty much the same problem....and I even plan my meals out the night before...but then somehow what I brought for lunch just isn't enough and I'll add in a granola bar or some chips that someone in the office has. So..it's now after lunch and I have the same guilties that you speak of. I hope some super motivated person jumps on and tells us the secret!

Summer arm-bearing sundresses are motivation for me! Vain perhaps, but it keeps me focused! But truly, wanting to be healthy for my family and any future grandkids is primarily my motivation. I'm resigned to the fact that every meal might not be exactly satisfying (especially when I don't plan properly and have to just throw something together). I'm accustomed to feeling a little 'less' than full and would rather feel that way than 'too' full and yucky. I do try to get in a good amount of protein though which helps. I often take a protein shake to work, to keep me from being tempted to grab the chocolate which is always around. Set-backs happen. I gained 10+ pounds over the holidays, due to being too busy to exercise and not logging accurately. But I've been working like a fiend to get it back off. Maybe visualize the beach body that you would like to have on the cruise...lol! It does take a time investment. By the time I leave the office, head to workout (having that afternoon protein shake really helps get me through my evening workouts), then finally make it home, I don't have a lot of time left in the evenings. Our kids are grown and out of the house and we don't have grandkids yet. But I love to knit...and I've had to cut back on that in order to devote to exercising, logging calories and planning meals. I also love puzzles, so for me I make it a game to see how all the calories/foods can come together to fit into my day. You can do it! Joining MFP was a great start, just take one step at a time and it will become almost a habit.

You just have to do it! I know that sounds simple, but just Start. Once you start prepping your own food and exercising you will feel better.

Meal Prepping - getting excited to look up and try new healthy recipes and maybe adding spices I like to them. More turn out delicious than not. Also that what I get in my company's cafe is more expensive and knowing that my way tastes so much better!

Exercising - finding something you enjoy is the best. Try new things until you find what works for you. You are more apt to stick with it if you enjoy it. I love volleyball. My competitive league season just finished - we came in 2nd. I am loving my strength training program I do at my gym (it's my time, it's become therapy)

Keep trying and go home tonight and bake some chicken breast and throw it in some tupperware - Boom! You can do it

You know your motivation - getting ready for the cruise. We each have different motivations. We just have to want it badly enough to make the difficult changes needed. Personally from observation in MFP, it seems like people who do it to stay alive or other health reasons are most likely to follow through consistently. Sometimes "vanity" is not enough to get people to act, because it's hard.

I've lost 50lbs so far and it's really all up to how much you want it. If you're doing it to impress someone else you'll never loose your weight. If you're doing it because you want to be healthy you can loose it. It's about desire and what you desire is sinking your teeth into some terrible McDonalds burger. I constantly remind myself that I'm dealing with how long I'll live here. If I eat badly always, I'll die sooner. We all die and so I plan to live as long as possible. I used to weigh 220lbs now I'm 170lbs.

For everyone who is struggling, I feel your pain. The story of my life has been gain, lose, then gain and lose, then gain. There is a magical, mystical and sometimes elusive thing called motivation that we want to grasp and hang on to for dear life....I recently lost 40 pounds, and again, since I've retired and my lifestyle has changed, and I find myself slowly gaining, again. It's so easily spoken, but not so easily lived....staying motivated to eat the right foods, drink the appropriate amount of water, and stay active with exercise or at the very least walking daily. I will re-read "The Thin Commandments", and try to remember that I can't ever eat sweets, because they are addicting for me. I need to record my food every day, and count calories, and stay more active, and leave the sugar alone...but not always so easily said and done. Good luck everyone....it is a daily battle!!!