How do you find the self discipline and motivation?

I think about how I would look and feel if I don't stay motivated and have self discipline. I would immediately feel horrible after eating horribly and not exercising, and what have you. It's just not worth it to my to me. I know it's painful sometimes, believe me, I know! But it's so worth it to do it for yourself and your body.

I have a really hard time sometimes making this healthy lifestyle work for me, especially with how busy I am and all the things I do during the day. I used to constantly make up excuses as to why I couldn't pass up this unhealthy food or why I couldn't use this extra 30 minutes to get in a quick exercise.

Lately, it's been sheer will inside me that I want to feel and look better and be happy with myself. If you stick with it, you will guaranteed look and feel better than you do right now. Eventually it becomes a part of who you are and something that you truly enjoy.

The best advice I can give is take it just one day at a time. That's all you can do sometimes to make it work. If you slip, get right back up and try again. Everybody makes mistakes--it's ok. I know you can do it. We're all here to help. :flowerforyou:

Honestly...I'm not sure. Haha, not helpful, I know.

For my first week or two, I started running with friends, even if just sometimes, which actually taught me that running could be fun. During that week I practiced telling myself that I enjoyed what I was doing, even if I didn't. I told EVERYONE that I loved it, that it was hard, but still. When I showed up to run, I made jokes, I faked a good mood, I tried to get small bursts of energy to make things funnier. A month later now, I've almost come to believe it. That helps me at least get started.

Beyond that, I remember that a month ago, I hated looking in the mirror, I remember how I've felt since I was in middle school (even though at the time I was literally half my weight now, but also had an eating disorder). And I decided to change it. Even if my body hasn't changed much, I tell myself it has, and I smile at myself in the mirror when I can. I hold on REALLY tight when people tell me I can do it, and/or give me a compliment.

I've also set a goal. Not a long term, lose 70lbs sort of goal (though there's that one too). I set a goal of where I wanted to be 2 months from when I started (a month now). Not about weight loss, or nutrition, but rather, of what I wanted to DO (A 5k, regardless of my weight). And now that I've registered and paid it, I kindda have no choice but to train, lol. I can't afford it. So I remember that I have somewhere to be in a month.

I won't lie, I slack. Some mornings I refuse to run, but I try to make it up the next day or at night. Some days I go way over my calorie count, so I might refuse to count, lol. But...I want to like myself. And right now, that's enough for me to do what I'm doing...

(Also, seeing all the people on my feed, regardless of the fact that I don't have a CLUE who they are, doing this every day helps, lol, or I feel awful)

I firmly believe my signature.

I have found that my motivation has gradually shifted over the years from appearance to health. Now my number one motivation is investing in a long, happy and healthy old age (as far as I can control events, anyway), although the way I look is also a factor to some extent. There are so many health issues associated with excess weight, it's a 'no-brainer' really. But it also helps to have stability in your life, so that you can establish a really good routine.

Fat picture/Healthy picture:



And dressed, 4th of July 2010/2011:



That's all it takes for me...seriously.

wow! impressive!!

. But it also helps to have stability in your life, so that you can establish a really good routine.

This!!!!

I don't really have a problem, sometimes I will treat myself but it's not hard to stop. It's a calculated treat that fits into my limits for the day. You're in full control of your body... just do it! Think that to yourself, you are not controlled by food, if you want to get up and run nothing is stopping you but you... it's not very hard once you think about it.

how did you do that body figure thing on the bottom.. its awesome!

I will admit that I am struggling.

I think it depends on why you are doing it in the first place.

Mine is for health reasons - being laid up in emergency with wires up the ying yang and being told you have had a heart attack is a real motivator. It scared the bejeezers out of me :sad:

I went to my GP yesterday. After 4 weeks I have dropped my pulse rate, blood pressure and weight (I lost 10+kgs before I started on here) and my ECG came back normal. That was progress I could see and the look of sheer relief in hubby's eyes told me everything he is feeling too.

If I wane a little I look back at my readings - I can see those so it becomes real. If I want to remind myself of why I am doing it I look at my hubby (I adore him and have years and years worth of love to share with him yet), and flick back through the pics of us atop of Hellevellyn (2nd highest mountain in England). I used to love it and miss hillwalking dreadfully.

I saw one lady post a pic of her before and now jeans - that was awesome. Do you have something that you could see your progress with too?

How do you find the self discipline and motivation?

as far as motivation goes im able to do this by having a monthly plan, every month i plan for next months fitness challenges that i need to meet, for instance in oct i will be starting the 100 push up challege and i know that i have to stay on track this month with fitness in order to meet octobers challenge.

i also post my success on my wall where i can see them everyday even now my goals for this month are posted right in front of me, i see it every day, i change up my workouts every month so that i dont get bored and my body does not get usto the same old routine,every month i buy a book on fitness or nutrition or even self help to stay motivated, i log in here faithfully everyday to see what others are doing and what helped or worked for them, i never stop trying to find a fitness challenge or a new way of doing something fitness related,think of it as a project like buying a car or home do your homework constantly, there is always something to read or learn about fitness and staying motivated there is always somehting you can do to keep it moving forward.

as far as discipline is concerned i allow myself no excuese there are 24hr in a day surely i can make time to workout and i do.

one of my favorite quotes is..."DO OR DON'T DO-THERE IS NO TRY"

Its a part of my life now. I am no longer tempted by foods that give me temporary satisfaction. Of course we all cheat now and then....I love pizza! Rather I love how I feel...fit!!! I love the rush I get after hard exercise. Its simple....I just do it. Depends on how bad you want it.

I strongly believe that it is a day to day process. There are all different types of motivators...family,health,vanity. For me it is a mix of everything and just wanting to be the best person I can be. When I step on the scale and see minimal loss, I see that as a challenge. When I see at least a pound gone, I feel victorious :-) I like logging what I eat because it holds ME accountable. It is not like the oreos in the cupboard come after me and beg me to eat them. I am in control. The end.

The self-discipline? That really hasn't been a problem for me. I don't give in very easily...and it pisses my friends off haha. As for the motivation, I just think about what my little brother's reaction will be when he comes home at the end of the year and sees me after begin away for about six months.

Everyday is a new day for me. That is what I remember. When I want to eat something, I plan for it. I don't think of it a cheating. My new lifestyle doesn't call for that. I also look at all the clothes that I have that no longer fit due to my increased weight gain. I think about how great my jeans feel now. I also see a nutritionist every two weeks. It helps me to be accountable to someone other than myself. I also think I am worth it. No, everyday is not easy. But I think about my goals and why I want and more so need to loose weight.

Hang in there :-)