Motivation...

Motivation is fleeting. What keeps me going is:
- habit
- discipline
- trusting the process and being patient
- not making my weight loss unnecessarily difficult (I still enjoy treat foods in moderation, I haven't set an overly agressive weight loss rate,...)

Like the first comment mentioned, habit and structured discipline will outlast motivation every time. What has really helped me stay consistent is to stay introspective about my process. If something isn't working don't just cross your fingers and hope you're better motivated next time, figure out the obstacle and work to mitigate or remove it.

Examples
- schedule-wise I basically have to get up early and lift before work. I put in a ton of effort to make sure I get to bed on time consistently, and generally make it as easy as possible for me to go from getting out of bed to working out in a timely fashion. I prep my breakfast and lunch the night before, I lay out all my clothes for both work and working out, mix up my pre-workout, etc. I've always sought out some different alarm apps to keep me from hitting snooze, so far Alarmy is my favorite.
- I can't be trusted to make sound food decisions if I'm just playing it by ear for lunch during the work week so I pack the same thing for lunch everyday (A clif bar, a big protein shake, and a green apple). Yes, it's boring and I recognize it wouldn't work for everyone but it's worked really well to keep me on track.
- There was also a time when I realized I would wander down to the vending machines in the break room if I was bored. To combat this I stopped carrying cash a the machines didn't take cards at the time. I was quickly able to break that habit.

It's not always about being perfect or knocking workouts out of the park. Be ruthless in executing the basics and the process will take you where you want to go.

kshama2001 wrote: »

Trex5009 wrote: »

So last time I used this app was more than a year and a half ago I want to say. Last weight logged was 126 pounds. I am now 150 pounds and ive mostly packed on muscle and some fat. I've recently went on a cut just to lower my body fat and get them abs to show. Anyway, I am on day 5 and i've been really disciplined in the kitchen with my calories but I am also getting demotivated. Do you guys have any tips for me to stay on track and not just give already as it is hard as i'm sure most of you know. What keeps you guys going?

When I see this together "i've been really disciplined in the kitchen with my calories but I am also getting demotivated" I wonder if your calorie deficit is too large.

1. What weekly weight loss goal did you select?
2. What % of the calories you earn from exercise do you eat back?

Same thought.

You are human and one of your most basic motivations is to eat. If your goal is to cut some fat you can push your eat motivator back some but if you try for too much it should override. In fact, if it does not kick in and make you want to eat it is probably a bad sign.

The type of motivation you are trying to rely on is what I call "game day" motivation. It is how you get amped up to do something big. You can't live each day in "game day" mode though. To even consider doing it should seem exhausting.

As @Lietchi mentioned it is better to establish a habit. If the habit is especially hard then you will always struggle to stick with it.

I am not the same person that started all of this 2 years ago. I have changed. I have newer and better than I did. I have a better mindset. Because I have changed this aspect of my identity I can now rely on another basic motivation which is just to be the person I am.