What makes you lose momentum?

figureitout87
figureitout87 Posts: 126 Member
in Motivation and Support
As I sit here eating a bag of mini eggs after a not so great week of nutrition and exercise (my issue is getting back on the saddle), I thought I would reach out and see what you guys think causes you to derail and what you think you could do to avoid it?
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Replies

  • figureitout87
    figureitout87 Posts: 126 Member
    edited April 2017
    I can definitely understand the "f**k-it" mentality, but I really like the Harry Potter reference. Keeping yourself accountable no matter what
  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    Gravity
  • wiremog
    wiremog Posts: 34 Member
    Booze is always my '*kitten* it' trigger. Time to scale it right back!
  • wiremog
    wiremog Posts: 34 Member
    Haha! Kitten it?! Oh MFP, you're cute.
  • 93873528
    93873528 Posts: 12 Member
    I think it's the idea that you just need the motivation to do it but motivation is a lie. There is a term called "ego depletion" that explains you can only push yourself so far until your motivation collapses and you find yourself eating a bag of mini-eggs.

    I believe you need to replace old habits with new habits, find support to keep you accountable, and make a decision to change.

    I'd encourage you to watch the video "why motivation is garbage" by Mel Robbins
  • Unknown
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  • ellengiller
    ellengiller Posts: 16 Member
    Holidays, travel, any shakeup to routine. Getting familiar and complacent... what gets me back on; the personal rewards for being conscious of diet and strong through exercise. My "community" of mfp friends motivate me-feel free to add!
  • justkris_gettingfit
    justkris_gettingfit Posts: 239 Member
    Stress knocks me off and it takes me about a week (or two depending on how bad it is) to get back on. I'm definitely a stress eater, and its something I'm trying desperately to change.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    The loss of the perception of being in control is my most recently discovered demotivator.
    https://despair.com/
  • amiraammora
    amiraammora Posts: 33 Member
    I lose momentum when I am feeling down or when I have stress
  • rungirl0582
    rungirl0582 Posts: 2 Member
    For me, there's a couple of things:
    1) I get to a place where I feel great, clothes fit great, etc. and I start to slip up.
    2) The "all or nothing" mentality (I've let this one go for the most part): if one meal isn't great, it rolls into the next, I skip a workout, etc. The thought that the day is ruined, the week, the month, etc.

    I have embraced that health/fitness is the outcome of putting one foot in front of the other and not stopping. It's habits. It isn't one meal, it's what we do the majority of the time.
  • strshllw84
    strshllw84 Posts: 256 Member
    It's weird, I really lost momentum this past week. My workouts have been pretty lack luster and honestly, I think it was lack of support from my significant​ other. I'm trying to stay away from alcohol because of the calories and he encouraged me to drink on our night off... And yesterday I drank as well for Easter dinner. I felt extremely guilty for last week and especially yesterday. Trying to get my momentum back this week. This is for me. Not anyone else.
  • goldenday
    goldenday Posts: 204 Member

    Struggling with my mental health and just getting tired.

    I've got hopefully the last 16.6 pounds left to go. I've gained a pound then lost the same pound for a month maybe. When I get really low I struggle to stick with my gym plan- and I honestly skipped 20 days. This last bit seems a bit impossible, even though I've already lost double this amount already. One pound at a time.
  • BaddS4
    BaddS4 Posts: 302 Member
    When I go away for a few days.. Especially when I travel to Montreal.. The food is sooo good..... But when I get home I'm right back to eating right and working out... So it almost balances out..lol
  • airica25
    airica25 Posts: 50 Member
    holidays, getting angry, sadness, hormones. Those are all my buttons. Sometimes its "Oh I can celebrate because I have lost X pounds!" Sometimes its just plain ol "I am so tired of trying so hard and having no results." I am off and on the wagon all the time. Sometimes its just feeling like I am starving to death and I would rather grab some crackers instead of making something healthy. I often forget those oranges in the fridge. "They" say usually people usually do good for about 2 weeks. I was thinking of a plan that would let me do 2 weeks on then I am not sure how long off... maybe a weekend? We got rid of all the snacks, and desserts. Just trying to be healthy, I would say I am not doing that great but I have lost 7 pounds and my husband has lost 17. little steps I guess...
  • 88olds
    88olds Posts: 4,532 Member
    Wow! Great stuff here.

    "Good enough" Constant vigilance" "Motivation is a lie"

    I don't think motivation is a lie, I just think it's hugely overrated and takes away from the real issue- determination. Agree that good habits will see you through most of the time but you have to keep your guard up. Good habits need to be defended. When you catch yourself mindlessly eating candy, the answer is the trash can.

    Determination sees a project through to the end.
    Want to lose 50 lbs because your knees hurt. You lose 30 and they quit hurting. Now what?

    You're flying high because 25 lbs seemed to melt away, the next 15 not so much. Determination time.
  • Leah_62803
    Leah_62803 Posts: 292 Member
    Self pity and pizza. I wish I was kidding.

    If something is going on that makes me feel sorry for myself, I want to eat and eat. I know it's not healthy but food makes me happy. There is almost nothing better than snuggling up in a blanket and eating alone. Maybe it's because I'm a busy mom? I rarely get time to myself or food that I don't have to share so being in a quiet, comfortable place with some warm food just fills me with comfort and happiness.

    Also, pizza. I love it and I can't seem to stop at a piece...or two.

    Last night I was feeling sad for a variety of reasons and then I got a knock on the door and it was the pizza delivery guy. My husband had ordered me a pizza because him and 2 of our kids were out at a wrestling show. I got a blanket, put in my Pushing Daisies dvd, and ate 4 pieces.
  • jcraig10
    jcraig10 Posts: 477 Member
    Being tired.
  • Leenizi129
    Leenizi129 Posts: 133 Member
    Sometimes it it just life and people making you feel bad or dumping on you with their stuff.
  • YogaBookLady37
    YogaBookLady37 Posts: 34 Member
    Booze.
  • Andrea4456
    Andrea4456 Posts: 39 Member
    Yes, booze for sure!
  • megzchica23
    megzchica23 Posts: 419 Member
    Mine is my health. Whenever I start feeling bad and need to rest and can't really exercise and struggle to have the energy to want to cook or clean after work it is really hard to get back into it, even after I start feeling better.
  • happysherri
    happysherri Posts: 1,360 Member
    Emotions and stress! Had an emotional weekend and this morning had feelings of giving up. But, here I am with my egg white veggie omelette and my salad for lunch. #nevergiveup :blush:
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,972 Member
    Injury. When I can't do as much as I'd like to physically, I sometimes don't scale back as much as I need to in food.

    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
    9285851.png
  • JasperMosley
    JasperMosley Posts: 6 Member
    For me, it's my depression and anxiety. My depression demotivates me, and my anxiety makes me not want to leave the house. Both contribute to my binge eating. When both get bad enough, I often throw up my hands and say, "forget this". I'm really working on my mental health alongside losing weight, because I know if I can get my mental health managed, losing and maintaining my goal weight will be easier.
  • kenzienal
    kenzienal Posts: 205 Member
    Once I skip one workout, the excuses just begin to pile up higher and higher for the next skipped workout, and then its a downward spiral from there.

    For example, I am doing a 90 day challenge. I was 2 months in before I missed my first workout. Now, I'm half contemplating skipping 3 more due to a busy upcoming schedule. Sure I could make them up, or move the days, but just skipping them sounds so much better. (Ugh, my lazy brain.)
  • JstTheWayIam
    JstTheWayIam Posts: 6,357 Member
    edited April 2017
    Injuries... More specifically over use injuries...

    As for diet... Seeing food go to waste has always been a trigger for me to overeat...

    Still struggle with this, especially if I bought it

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