The best motivation, is no motivation. A short rant from an expert roller coaster dieter.

Geocitiesuser
Geocitiesuser Posts: 1,429 Member
in Motivation and Support
If you lose weight thinking you're going to get a "hot date" and you don't get a "hot date" you will be defeated

If you lose weight inspired by bodybuilders, and think you'll become one, when you don't, you will be defeated

If you lose weight because you think you may earn more respect from acquaintances, when you don't, you will be defeated

If you lose weight because you think it will remove a chronic illness, when the illness does not go away, you will be defeated


Losing weight just isn't some sort of magic bullet that fixes your life. It doesn't make lofty unreachable goals anymore reachable. Doesn't bend the laws of physics, and doesn't change the behavior of those around you.

Every single time we look at a screen or advertisement we are bombarded with some of the world' most beautiful people. If you think losing weight will make them welcome you into their different reality, you will be defeated.

*results not typical should be enlarged, bolded, and shouted. So many times I have lost significant amounts of weight only to find out, "it doesn't matter".

The best motivation is no motivation. Don't do it for others, don't even do it for yourself. Do it as a chore as common as the laundry. With no lofty goal, there can be no lofty disappointment. Maybe without the lofty disappointment, you (me) will be able to keep it off long term. Corporate marketing is horribly toxic.

Obviously, I'm "happy" for those who do attain exceptional results in their personal and love lives by losing weight, but it doesn't play out that way for everyone. So I'll just eat my moderate amount of food, do my moderate amount of exercise, and try to make it a chore rather than some uphill battle against impossible odds.

Thanks for letting me rant.

Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,982 Member
    Geocitiesuser wrote: »
    If you lose weight thinking you're going to get a "hot date" and you don't get a "hot date" you will be defeated

    If you lose weight inspired by bodybuilders, and think you'll become one, when you don't, you will be defeated

    If you lose weight because you think you may earn more respect from acquaintances, when you don't, you will be defeated

    If you lose weight because you think it will remove a chronic illness, when the illness does not go away, you will be defeated


    Losing weight just isn't some sort of magic bullet that fixes your life. It doesn't make lofty unreachable goals anymore reachable. Doesn't bend the laws of physics, and doesn't change the behavior of those around you.

    Every single time we look at a screen or advertisement we are bombarded with some of the world' most beautiful people. If you think losing weight will make them welcome you into their different reality, you will be defeated.

    *results not typical should be enlarged, bolded, and shouted. So many times I have lost significant amounts of weight only to find out, "it doesn't matter".

    The best motivation is no motivation. Don't do it for others, don't even do it for yourself. Do it as a chore as common as the laundry. With no lofty goal, there can be no lofty disappointment. Maybe without the lofty disappointment, you (me) will be able to keep it off long term. Corporate marketing is horribly toxic.

    Obviously, I'm "happy" for those who do attain exceptional results in their personal and love lives by losing weight, but it doesn't play out that way for everyone. So I'll just eat my moderate amount of food, do my moderate amount of exercise, and try to make it a chore rather than some uphill battle against impossible odds.

    Thanks for letting me rant.
    Motivation is internal and how people use it will depend on that person. I'm a highly motivated person when it comes doing things FOR ME. Whether it's working out in they gym or painting my house, once I've motivated to do something, it's rare for me to stop until it's completed. I will HAVE A PLAN of action to do it before I start, then I just have to stick to that plan consistently.
    I will agree to a point that if you do adhere to a routine like it's a chore, you won't need much motivation to do it, however things like exercise have it's up and down days. When I wash dishes, I don't try to have a personal best unlike when I run or workout. So somedays I'm more motivated to do better than unlike a regular chore.

    And goals are good. You don't get better just doing the same thing over and over once you reach a desired endpoint. You'd maintain, but I'd like to think even then people still want to be better and you'd have to change your plan slightly to achieve it.

    But I hear what you're saying.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • OutsideIsMyInside
    OutsideIsMyInside Posts: 9 Member
    Hey I remember seeing you around here! Had been wondering how you are doing. Read a lot of your posts years ago. You’re right, it may not bring a miracle for everyone, but you need do the right thing because it is the right thing. You say it doesn’t matter if you lose the weight or not, but from my experience, once you gain it back, it actually did matter, at some level. At some point a person has to realize that there are more important qualities to a personality than just the looks. Working on that myself. Chin up and take care.
  • Geocitiesuser
    Geocitiesuser Posts: 1,429 Member
    edited March 2021
    Thanks OutsideIsMyLife. After losing like 140lbs I stopped logging in and went about my life focused on other things. The weight slowly crept back on, then EXPLODED after the pandemic. I dare not step on a scale, lest I feel that "defeat" I'm actively avoiding.
  • flatblade
    flatblade Posts: 224 Member
    edited March 2021
    I'll take a middle tack on this. In the original post, the theme seems to be that weight loss will solve nothing and that anyone who does this to look better, be a champion athlete or improve their mental outlook is destined to fail. This contrasts with reports and advertisements that suggest you'll get a sexy significant other, become a champion and find true happiness.

    Of course, the latter "accomplishments" are exaggerated or impossible, but losing weight can and does have benefits. Most of them are internal--improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol which come with losing weight improve health, in particular heart health, and lower the chance of heart attack or stroke. At my age (66), that means a lot. Further, it is easier to exercise--walk the golf course, get in the pool or run--when body mass is not overwhelming. Finally, while being overweight or obese isn't 100% correlated to any mental health issues, I think it improves mental health to have a body in the normal range.

    I've struggled with obesity most of my adult life. In 2019, I reached my weight goal but then slowly crept up and now have gained between 25-30 pounds, mostly since the pandemic started a year ago. The last couple of months, I've worked harder at controlling my eating and exercised more (now that gyms are open) and I'm slowly reducing. My motivation is to keep my health and enjoy a long retirement in my second marriage. I want to continue to wear the clothes I bought after I lost 90 pounds (they have gotten tighter!).
  • Geocitiesuser
    Geocitiesuser Posts: 1,429 Member
    The pandemic lockdown definitely impacted a lot of us in a very negative way. It took me months to acclimate and figure out a new normal. Even now it's still a work in progress.

    I am positive you will fit back comfortably into those clothes in no time!

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