Motivation is GONE

Ok... so, from December '09 to April '10 I worked really hard, treated my body well, and lost almost 40 pounds. Woo-hoo! But then, last Spring, I completely lost my motivation. I've worked out only sporadically, and I know that I'm not eating the way I should. I've started smoking again, too, when my husband picked up the habit again (we had quit together, and then he joined the Army and started again! :grumble: )

The good news is that I've managed to keep off all but a few pounds of the weight I lost, all my clothing still fits, etc. BUT I just don't feel as good as I know I can. What I don't understand is why I can't seem to get motivated again! Obviously I know how to eat and work out to lose weight, so what is my problem??

Has anyone else experienced this? What have you done to get back in the groove?

Because you don't want it bad enough. People who lack motivation to do something either find it too difficult or it's not in there interest.
Parents that don't help children with homework aren't motivated enough because they aren't that concerned about their child's education. If they were, they would help them.
Gotta hate being fat more than the work it takes to get there.

You made a COMMITMENT according to your bio. Now finish it.

Your describing exactly how I feel right now.

Wow! Its like you are in my head. I have a very similar story. Lost 24lbs and went on vacation end of July and just CANNOT seem to get back into the swing(have put back on a couple of lbs). I know I feel better when I exercise and eat better but I just cannot seem to get motivated. I still would like to lose another 10lbs but its like I've lost my drive. Sucks!

I CAN RELATE IN THE PAST 1 - 1/2 YEARS I HAVE LOST A TOTAL OF 107 LBS AND MY MOTIVATION HAS GONE ASTRAY. I AM TRYING FITNESS PAL TO SEE IF I CAN GET BACK ON TRACK. HAVE GAINED A FEW POUNDS AND NEED TO GET THEM OFF. TODAY IS A NEW DAY AND I HAVE WALKED 13 MINUTES THIS AM. JUST HAVE TO MAKE SURE I LOG ALL MY FOOD THAT GOES IN MY MOUTH...
:flowerforyou:

Let's face it, losing weight is a LONG process and having to do what it takes can wear you down. You need some you time here and need to sit down and reassess why you are doing this. You HAVE to really want to do it for the right reasons and not to just hit a number or please anyone else. If you feel miserable, it may be because your approach is too difficult. I've had to have clients sit with me and I've changed their 1lb a week to 1/2lb a week goal because it was much more attainable and that's all it took. For some it was nixing one exercise day a week. I don't have the answer, but you do. You just need to figure it out.

Hi , i have just come back after 3 months off from this site, i origonally lost 35lbs and was doing really well then i lost my motivation and it wast because i did not want it enough boy do i want to be healthy and thin, but i had outside factors playing into this and depression hit me hard, though i have put on 7lbs im back and am begining to try and get back into the routine, i think my motivation was upped by the fact that i felt really good after i had lost those 35lbs, i got back intouch with how that felt and wanted to feel it again also i like being able to choose what i wear and not pull it off because it looks bad on me. i hope this made sense and i wish you all the best with your journey

I completely understand what you are feeling. I think most people have been there sometime or another about one thing or the other. But we are what we think, we see things as "we" are and what we think becomes our reality. So we have to change our mind set from I'm not motivated to I'm getting motivated to AM motivated. Making smaller goals can jump start us. Perhaps exercise 5 minutes today, tomorrow exercise 5 minutes 2 times a day and so forth. Stop smoking for today only, then add tomorrow and so forth. Accomplishing smaller goals will do a lot for your attitude and will give you the confidence to do more. Many times you may have to enlist the help of others to get you motivated and to keep you accountable. Don't be too hard on yourself if you fail at something but don't be easy on yourself either. If you fall down 7 times get up 8! Hope this helps you.

I understand what you are going through. Your other-half...is he in Boot Camp? Is he prior service? I guess what I'm trying to say is, that if you can channel in on what he's trying to accomplish right now, and try to put yourself in that same mindset, maybe that is where you can find your motivation. When I went through Marine Corps boot camp, I didn't really think about it, I just did it. There really wasn't much time to think about TRYING to make it, I just kept my head down and kept charging. Of course there were MANY challenges--tough ones obviously. But, there has got to be the end goal. I am in the same boat with you, though.

Just keep your "hands up and your chin down", ok? Best of luck to you and yours.

I totally understand !!!! Sometimes I can be so motivated and then I just have none whatsoever !!! Why??! I have no clue I'll have to read the rest of the posts to see if anyone has answerd that question! Just letting you know you are not alone!!

Maybe you're just feeling tired and lazy. I get overwhelmed easily and need a break to look forward to, which is why I exercise four weeks and then give myself a week off. It's easy to get exhausted. Try saying "I'll exercise for the next three weeks, then take a week off." "I'll eat healthy for the next two weeks, then take a couple of days off.