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MyFitnessPal Community

How do you keep motivated

angelsimbre

Hello y’all! Can you share your ideas and techniques on how to keep motivated to workout and eat more healthier 😬 TIA

Replies

kami3006

As someone with clinical depression, motivation for anything is fleeting. But, I've been logging and exercising for five years now consistently by making habits. I weigh and log my food and exercise as part of my daily life and don't have to give it consideration. Much like washing my face or brushing my teeth. Motivation is irrelevant because I just do it.

So making small changes over time and turning them into habits is what did it for me.

Tankiscool

On some weird way I don't stay motivated. I simply know what I need to do to be my best and to reach my goals. If I don't do that I fail myself. If I fail, i learn from it and get my *kitten* up and get back to what I know, because I know I can do better. Holding myself accountable is more important I guess.

lililomo2

i have stage four small lymphocytic lymphoma, which is incurable and i will not do chemo for as i'm already immuno compromised. i have two children and a husband who i love more than my life itself. enough said - i kick my own *kitten* every day and do what i can to wake up every morning and get, It , DONE.

MTD2020

3 rules to remember:
1. Enjoy the journey (NOT the destination)
2. Don't follow your target on very short time scale (daily: NO, weekly: OK)
3. Celebrate the small wins

KaylaMack013

I usually workout in the morning so I get it out of the way. No excuses.

I’ve also found that having someone to meet you at the gym or go with you to classes helps.

Lastly, having an obtainable goal and placing sticky notes in random places with motivational quotes to help you reach your goal.

Danp

I eliminated the need to stay motivated by eliminating anything that required me to be motivated and replacing them with things that didn't require it.

I had to stay motivated to eat stereotypical 'healthy' foods that I didn't hate but didn't really enjoy so I just started to eat food I liked within my calorie target. No motivation needed to just eat food you like

I had to stay motivated to go to the gym to exercise. I didn't hate the gym but I didn't love it either so I just found an activity (cycling) that I really enjoy. No motivation needed to go cycling I often can't wait to get on my bike.

Cahgetsfit

Yeah like with some previous posters, I'm not one who relies on "motivation" either. I just do what has to be done. track the food, if fall off the wagon and start to emotional eat or crazy eat, get back on (even if it takes a while... eventually I get back on)... I dunno. It's rewarding to see changes in the body and gainz at the gym (or whatever your exercise is - more endurance if you run or do aerobics or whatever for example..)

I dunno - but I definitely don't sit there scrolling through IG looking at skinny chicks posing and being all "motivational". And i HATE those motivational quote things that people put up also - my eyes just glaze over those.

but that's just me.

What keeps YOU motivated?

bbybrd4031

I got a Fitbit and it syncs with MyFitnessPal, and the Fitbit keeps me moving (luckily)

Carneyje3

Motivation comes and goes, so my goal is to form lasting habits instead. When motivation fails that's when habits and discipline kick in! I'm going about it by making routines (morning and evening) which both incorporate healthy habits (e.g. meal prep, stretching, working out, drinking water, etc.) and bribing myself to build the habit. If I stick to my routines for one month straight, I'm going to get myself a gift. Then I'll set a new goal two months out with a new prize! Hopefully eventually it will just become second nature.

angelsimbre

Cahgetsfit wrote: »

Yeah like with some previous posters, I'm not one who relies on "motivation" either. I just do what has to be done. track the food, if fall off the wagon and start to emotional eat or crazy eat, get back on (even if it takes a while... eventually I get back on)... I dunno. It's rewarding to see changes in the body and gainz at the gym (or whatever your exercise is - more endurance if you run or do aerobics or whatever for example..)

I dunno - but I definitely don't sit there scrolling through IG looking at skinny chicks posing and being all "motivational". And i HATE those motivational quote things that people put up also - my eyes just glaze over those.

but that's just me.

What keeps YOU motivated?

Cahgetsfit wrote: »

Yeah like with some previous posters, I'm not one who relies on "motivation" either. I just do what has to be done. track the food, if fall off the wagon and start to emotional eat or crazy eat, get back on (even if it takes a while... eventually I get back on)... I dunno. It's rewarding to see changes in the body and gainz at the gym (or whatever your exercise is - more endurance if you run or do aerobics or whatever for example..)

I dunno - but I definitely don't sit there scrolling through IG looking at skinny chicks posing and being all "motivational". And i HATE those motivational quote things that people put up also - my eyes just glaze over those.

but that's just me.

What keeps YOU motivated? = I guess those fitness model on Instagram? Lol I just admire their dedication to be fit:)

Thank you all!! Much love - Angel

bigbandjohn

I had a long way to go. Currently for me, taking my new old clothes to the Salvation Army Thrift Store because they got too big. Looking in the mirror and seeing what I've become. Grabbing an old belt and having part of it practically touch the floor, when it barely fit before. To start, realizing I made a commitment, a promise to someone dear that I must keep. Someone who was one of the 2 most important people in my life.

He would be proud. Actually, he probably is.

Those are the things that drive me.

Running2Fit

1 - Journaling is a big part of keeping my motivation. I set up a 30 day habit tracker page and there really is some sort of psychological factor behind getting to fill in that little square to mark that I did a work out or met my calorie goal that keeps me motivated. It sounds dumb but it works.

2 - Weighing myself every morning keeps me motivated

3 - I will online "shop" for all the cute clothes I can buy when I'm skinny. I favorite stuff but don't actually buy anything

4 - I set small goals to give me something to celebrate along the way

cwolfman13

What do you mean by eat more healthy? I think a lot of people have a very myopic view of what constitutes "eating healthy" and they think it's all plain chicken breasts, broccoli, and endless salads. Nutritious can also be delicious and full of flavor...find some good recipes and get in the kitchen and cook deliciousness and then you won't need motivation to eat healthier.

As exercise goes, my primary form of cardiovascular exercise is cycling...I love cycling, so I don't really need any motivation to get out for a ride most of the time...indoor trainer is another matter, but it's really a "just do it" thing with my indoor bike trainer...it's only 30 minutes, it's not that big of a deal. I also lift a few times per week...I also enjoy that activity.

maureenkhilde

Set small goals along the way. They are doable, and then win I hit them that feeling of hitting the goal is huge. Like I started out not being capable of exercising much, so the first goal was to be able to walk around the block, block equals 3/4 of a mile. So when I could do that I was happy dance time. When I started 500 ft was tough. Now I do 3 miles 5 times a week. For weight loss I set lose 8% goals. Totally doable, and makes me feel great when I knock each one down. Also in December taking all my way too big dressy work clothes and donating to Dress for Success. It will be a sizeable donation, another feel good moment. One because too big for me, and two knowing someone else can get wear out of them. I find setting goals works better than so called motivation.

danavelling

Look up fitness motivation on Pinterest

Mykatet

I get motivated by looking at the success stories and photos on MFP. Pinterest can also be really inspiring too. When I want to eat something I shouldn't I try to ask myself would I rather eat that or be able to do X, such as go to a concert, take a hike, etc.

WilmaValley

Weighing in regularly

H0ckeyplaya55

Motivation comes from yourself not what others do ... you need to make this more of a lifestyle and not see it as a chore... this is my priority I wake up every morning ready for my workout later on that day ... meals are eating in a schedule and it just becomes routine ... it’s not a glamorous life but I love it

CarvedTones

I have been tracking over a year, part of the time losing (~ 65 lbs) and part maintaining, successfully so far. I have failed a number of times in the past. My take - motivation has a short shelf life. Discipline is your friend. Is this important or not? If it is, make changes so it becomes more natural rather than seeking constant motivation. And when you are tempted to return to old habits, the discipline has to kick in. My .02 - YMMV.

CarvedTones

lililomo2 wrote: »

i have stage four small lymphocytic lymphoma, which is incurable and i will not do chemo for as i'm already immuno compromised. i have two children and a husband who i love more than my life itself. enough said - i kick my own *kitten* every day and do what i can to wake up every morning and get, It , DONE.

You are amazing. I would probably have a pity party and not worry about my diet or fitness. You're an incredibly strong person to face this with such a great attitude. Respect!

gojolida

i'm all about "perfect attendance" -- just logging in daily, entering in the foods i'm eating, and going for the longest login streak i can is motivation enough! if you're being honest with what you're eating and exercising, that awareness can be really motivating, and the reward is seeing how many days you've been on. this isn't my first time with MFP but my long streak before was over a year, and that was really motivating!

swatson99

I was already motivated because I hated being fat and didn't feel good all the time. But a big turning point for me was watching on Netflix the documentary "Obesity The Post Mortem".

They actually show an autopsy of an obese woman and what being obese did to her organs. Just seeing that and seeing where my future was headed I didn't like it one bit. The lady was only like 60 and I'm 48 so I could picture me being up on that table and them cutting me open. That was enough for me. I didn't sleep much that night and I've been faithful ever since.

For 40 days now I've been good with one slip up and I got right back on track and I've lost 15 lbs so far.

I still have a long way to go but I stay motivated by listening to podcasts like 100 pounds Phit n Phat. Just look up "obesity" on your podcast search and you'll find that and others. I read, watch and listen to everything motivational thing I can get my hands on and I'm living the dream and enjoying the journey. Good luck to you!

d_northrop

For my cardio at the gym I have a Netflix show movie ect. I can only watch at the gym. I Try to pick action fast moving so my cardio stays at a fast pace. For eating, as soon as I get home from grocery shopping i split up my items with one serving size of that item in a beg or container.

ashliedelgado

Realistic expectations, and reminding myself to trust the process when it feels like things are going wrong.

Grnhouse

I try to workout 3or4 days a week for about 70 minutes and each day I do I put a ck mark on my wall calendar. As for eating I just it what I want and try not to over do it. I have learned not to be too hard on myself and stop making comparisons to others. Why? Thanks for asking. Because they are not me and I’m not them. 😉