How to stay motivated ?

mayaarnette98
mayaarnette98 Posts: 50 Member
edited November 20 in Motivation and Support
How to stick through this lifestyle change

Replies

  • Laughter_Girl
    Laughter_Girl Posts: 2,226 Member
    The only thing I can think to do is follow the advice of the Nike slogan. Just do it!
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    You really do have to be the change you want to see.
  • ozgurvh
    ozgurvh Posts: 182 Member
    You should set goals that you can reach, also they must be challenging for you, not a easy one. Focus on what you want to accomplish, and eliminate distractions:)
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    We all have lifestyles. A lifestyle change is just changing lifestyle. If you're starting on yet another diet, it's still a diet, no matter what you call it. Don't go on a diet.
  • skymningen
    skymningen Posts: 532 Member
    Changing your lifestyle sounds very scary and like it is a big thing.

    But, if you think about it, it isn't. You probably are doing it constantly.
    Your life has been changing a lot since you were born. Your situation changed, you interests changed, your body changed. You are always adapting to your environment and your mental and physical needs. Changing the way you eat and move is nothing new to you at all. Don't make a huge thing out of it. See it as part of life and the fluctuations and changes normal life brings.
  • VeggieBarbells
    VeggieBarbells Posts: 175 Member
    BabyBear76 wrote: »
    Hope this works for you, but this is what I did.
    1. Took three pictures of myself in a bikini (front, side, back) dated it, and put it away.
    2. Set two goals. 1st was a small and relatively easy goal, 2nd was a little bit (but not much) harder. 1st was to lose 10lbs (starting at 350, this was easy). 2nd was to workout (including walking) 30 minutes a day for a month

    After 1 month, I took three more pictures of myself and laid them side by side with the first set. That's when I saw a difference. First thing I noticed is that my back boobs were now just back fat. But, SEEING just 30 days of work and what a difference that makes was huge. I still take 3 pics a month. And from the first ones two years ago to today, it's hard to believe that it's the same person.

    Every time you reach a goal, set a new one. Something small and attainable. Such as 2" off your waist, 10lbs, be able to do 10 sit-ups (at one point I couldn't do 10 whole sit-ups) or anything you want. Every time you reach a goal, reward yourself in a non-food way. Go to a movie, put $10 in a jar towards a new outfit, anything you like.

    Just remember that slow progress is still progress!!! The weight didn't come on overnight, it's not going to come off overnight.

    You can do it!

    ^^^ This all day long - I hear people say 'oh I don't like what I see so I don't take pictures' but I found this was the biggest motivator I had. In addition to this, I took measurements and I lifted. These three combined demonstrated my progress on weekly basis and then its only a matter of time before the NSVs start. For me at least, I had to come to terms with what did I want more, food or fitness. I chose the latter. @BabyBear76 is spot on - you can do it. Train your mind and everything else follows. Good luck.
  • preshalin
    preshalin Posts: 52 Member
    Laughter_Girl wrote: »
    The only thing I can think to do is follow the advice of the Nike slogan. Just do it!

    This! I have been saying this to myself all the time and it works.

    Another thing I do is setting short term goals and track my progress. I generally set them to be 6 weeks. So like for the next six weeks I'm going to eat a balanced diet. And i track my progress using the scale, measurements of my waist, chest, arms, legs, neck and hips every week.

    At the end of the 6 weeks I evaluate the progress. Did this work for me? What can/should I do differently.
    I then eat at maintenance for 2 weeks. One week to build up to maintenance and the next week at maintenance and I indulge in some nice things but stay within my limit. Then I repeat the cycle... works for me... Find what works for you!
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    mayaarnette98 wrote: »
    How to stick through this lifestyle change

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/818701/the-myth-of-motivation-and-what-you-need-instead
  • rianneonamission
    rianneonamission Posts: 854 Member
    If it's a lifestyle change it's not about motivation, it's about getting used to this new lifestyle. For that reason a lifestyle change shouldn't be a hardship. If it is, you're doing something wrong.
  • 88olds
    88olds Posts: 4,534 Member
    Maybe a nit pick but like AnvilHead, I don't think motivation takes you far. It's the initial rush to get going, it also comes back on good days. But you can't lose weight if you only stick to it when feeling good.

    I think discipline is rooted in belief in your plan. Focus on building and supporting good habits, your life will be easier. Summon some determination when times are tough.
  • 4homer
    4homer Posts: 457 Member
    I take it one day at a time. Don't beat myself up if I mess up. Also I keep in mind there are going to be weeks I have big losses, and weeks where I might even gain but as long as the numbers (scale and inches) keep going down I know I'm doing good. Weight loss isn't linear. Most of all I enjoy it. Every day I can do a little more. I discover more recipes to try and I savor food now instead of inhaling it.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    edited August 2017
    Why do you want to be motivated? THAT is your motivation. For me, I don't want to go back to the pain and dysfunction I had before losing. That's enough to keep me going. But mostly you just have to establish a consistent routine. Then Hollie if regardless of how you "feel". You don't have to "feel motivated" to do a workout or log your food. Eventually it becomes easier to follow your plan than to make an excuse.
  • TeethOfTheHydra
    TeethOfTheHydra Posts: 63 Member
    My motivation comes in three forms: a) I have a near-term plan (like what I'm going to eat today) and every measure of time I stick with it, I feel better about my resolve and commitment; b) every day I wake up feeling and looking as good or better than before, I feel motivated to keep going; c) one of my great loves in life (surfing) depends, to me, to some degree on my fitness, so there is a direct, concrete benefit to stay on target (rather than just saying, its good to be healthy). Find a passion that drives your goals! I don't think one can motivate one's self indefinitely for no reason.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    edited August 2017
    mayaarnette98 wrote: »
    How to stick through this lifestyle change

    Are you always motivated to go to work? Do you go anyway? Are you always motivated to clean the house? Do you do it anyway?

    Motivation is an emotion that only takes you so far...gonna have to get passed that.

    I'd also ask if you're trying to do too much all at once? Are you trying to be "perfect" all of the time, etc? It is unrealistic to think that you will be perfect...that your nutrition will always be spot on and that you'll never miss a workout, etc. The all or nothing mentality is usually the downfall for most people..."well, I missed a workout...I suck...I guess I'll just sit here and do nothing then for a month" instead of just acknowledging and moving on...

    Making big life changes is a process...you don't just flip a switch and do a 180*...I've never known anyone to have success with that. Making life changes is typically a series of baby steps that ultimately result in an evolution of habits, etc...this is a process that takes place over months and years, not a handful of weeks.
  • JessiBelleW
    JessiBelleW Posts: 831 Member
    I think you get motivated and then you figure out which habits are going to steer you right, even when you have no motivation. So: going shopping at the beginning of the week to fill the fridge with healthy foods? Excellent. Even if you do no exercise you've still nailed eating right.

    make going to the gym/ working out/ walking a habit - even if you don't want to go it is still part of your routine. Sure some days it just doesn't happen but 3 habit workouts are better than doing none!
  • lalepepper
    lalepepper Posts: 447 Member
    Finding other things besides weight is a big part of it for me. Goals related to clothing sizes, ability to engage in activity, times for an activity/distance, measurements, and setting little healthy rewards like a daytrip to a park or trying a new activity can help to keep the momentum and also support your weight goals while working on it for the long haul.
  • etmiller1975
    etmiller1975 Posts: 32 Member
    I have a great wife to support me. That helps tremendously. And at work overseas, unfortunately, but fortunately. I work with three retired Marine corps staff srgt, and five ex Royal British Marines. These guys are rough, but give lots of mental support. Like by yelling
  • pamfgil
    pamfgil Posts: 449 Member
    Stategy and organization beats willpower and motivation, work out what actions will make it easier to carry through with your plans e.g. I will have my lunch pre prepped, so all I have to do in the morning is pack it, no decision required
  • Andy10725
    Andy10725 Posts: 68 Member
    For me, when the cloth doesn't fit, I can just buy new one. However, when my knees ache from playing with my boy, when I woke up every other day with a headache, when my blood pressure spiral out of control, they really scared me enough to keep me going.
  • Sashslay
    Sashslay Posts: 136 Member
    I stay motivated by knowing what I want!

    I want to walk into any store, grab some clothes and feel comfortable trying them on.

    Knowing what I want motivates me to stay with it!
  • Mark_Joseph
    Mark_Joseph Posts: 101 Member
    First and foremost motivation will only get so far. There will be days where you arent motivated to do something and you will be finding yourself asking this question again. Disicipline is what will get you far and get you to accomplish your goals inside and out of just fitness.
    So here is something that has helped me.
    Goal setting. Weekly, monthly, year.
    Writing down your progress to see what is or is not working for you.
    If you cant get a reason to do it for yourself think of someone to do it for.
    Introduce your goals to friends. They should be able to help you and hold you accountable and etc. If they aren't helping you achieve your goals or they think less of your goals... They aint yo friends.
    Lastly, consider what are your dreams and values. Lets say you Dream of being a CEO of a company one day but your values say otherwise(poor work ethic mindset and attitude, lack of initiative). You have to reconsider your values.
  • kobbymfp
    kobbymfp Posts: 5 Member
    Take it one step at a time, set small goal and as you achieve them, it will inspire you to go bigger. Don't set extreme goals. Small victories are better than no victory
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