Staying strong when mental strength isn't always there

coatczech · March 2018

I recently quit weight watchers after about 9 months and 30 pounds lost. The will to continue with this program wasn't there for me anymore and I wanted to try branching out on my own. However, I have a hard time keeping positive and having the willpower to keep on track, the desire is very much there but the want for certain foods or habits just seems much stronger. Has anyone else battled this issue using any successful methods? I'm currently exploring yoga and meditation in hopes of channeling negative emotions in a positive way. Open to suggestions!

fb47 · March 2018

It's impossible to be motivate all year long. It's now 5 years since I started lifting weights and changing my way of eating and I can guarantee you, not every day was motivating. There were days I didn't feel like going to the gym, there were days when I wanted eat garbage food, but I just ignore my feelings because my goals are important to me. I used to be a skinny guy and I wanted not to be that skinny guy anymore so I promised that even if my body tells me not to, I promised to ignore my feelings and do what I have to do. Sometimes in life, you either force yourself discipline to reach your goals or just give in. But if you do give in, then it means your goal was more of a wish. Someone who really wants to change things, will do everything in it's powers to do so. I wish you luck in your journey and I hope you do end up succeeding.

anubis609 · March 2018

Unfortunately, will power and motivation are fleeting. Remaining positive and hopeful are important qualities to have, but ultimately, you can't wish away bad vibes or negative thoughts. Those come with the goal of diet.

There are tons of fitness articles and writers who can probably provide what you're looking for, but you have to be mindful that it's a long-term game. There are times to be flexible, rigid, or take a break.

Certain people that might help would be Lyle McDonald, Alan Aragon, Brad Dieter, James Krieger, Bret Contreras, Sohee Lee, Aadam Ali, and others in that area.

Any one of them will tell you one way or another that there isn't a universal way to get through the period of suck, but it exists and you kind of have to want it bad enough.

KeepRunningFatboy · March 2018

See the Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal- amazon or kindle

tolose21702 · March 2018

It’s times like these when you know what you have to do and the motivation is hard to reach. You change so much in your lifestyle but not seeing the results you want is so hard to keep the motivation. It almost make you feel like giving up. I want to give up...

KeepRunningFatboy · March 2018

tolose21702 wrote: »

. It almost make you feel like giving up. I want to give up...

A couple thoughts... commit to thinking positively, be your own cheerleader, versus the critic. Renew the mind, if you catch negative thoughts, call it garbage and replace the thought with truth.

Be careful not to let what you want right now to interfere with what you want for your future best. Replace the thought of wanting to give up with wanting to achieve. It’s not motivation; it’s decisions that are made by the higher executive functions in the mind. It’s intent vs instinct.

Finally, we react best to encouragement and compassion from those that support us and love us, but we treat ourselves sometimes as a punching bag. Stop beating yourselves up, and start rooting yourself on! Give yourself a high five and go on to live victoriously!

elisa123gal · March 2018

i find when i push through weakness, i end up so much stronger. That's my advice to you.. push through. I have days where i 'feel' like quitting or actually try to justify why my diet won't work in the long run. So? Big deal. I "feel" that way for a while..but i never act on those feelings. A day later..the struggle is gone..and i'm left stronger knowing i can make better decisions and trust myself to be an achiever not an excuse maker. Nothing is worse than being a victim of your own destructive feelings.

oneorangecat · March 2018

I think the pressure and accountability of the weekly weigh ins, whatever program you do, helps me when i want to give up.

jpearson1289 · March 2018

I struggle with the same myself, the best thing I've done is sign up for something expensive class or personal training... have guilt if I don't go and it takes up money out of the food budget so I can't buy bad things. I'm currently struggling and have rebounded to my heaviest, but I'm still fighting. Keep positive and keep moving forward, a bad day isn't a bad life. You got this, surround yourself with good happy supportive people. I've never been so depressed in my life, but reaching out is helping me alot.

DebLaBounty · March 2018

For me, I discarded the concept of "motivation" for "discipline." Every day I came within my calorie goal I felt I achieved something positive, even if the scale didn't show any weight loss for that particular day. When I overate for the day, I chalked that up to being human and enjoying a dinner out with friends (those meals are hard for me to calculate actual calorie intake). Anyway, eventually you develop the habits you want to develop. And you learn that these positive changes, accomplished little bit by little bit, are self-reinforcing. Allow yourself to be proud of your accomplishments! You will get over some of these pesky little detours!

Staying strong when mental strength isn't always there

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