Most of us who have tried to lose weight have or will experience times when their motivation to lose weight and stay healthy is gone. It seems that one day you are gung-ho and full of excitement and the next day *poof* it’s gone.
I had my share of these times, after all, I had been on at least 536 diets in my 10 years of obesity. I’d quit one diet, wait a few weeks and try another round. Every single time I started off with a bang. I’d throw away junk food, turn my nose up at cake and cookies and turn my back on fried chicken and french fries. That usually lasted about two or three days. Then I’d start to fade. I’d say okay to an ice cream treat while at the mall, or I’d swing through McDonalds or I’d secretly buy a few candy bars just-in-case I needed them. What happened? Where did my motivation go?
I used to joke with people and tell them I lost my motivation in the pan of brownies, but that probably wasn’t accurate. It was probably more accurate that my motivation wasn’t very strong in the first place – since I only lasted a few days. I was motivated to fit into smaller sized clothes, but that didn’t happen in two days. So I’d get discouraged, even though intellectually I knew I couldn’t lose 100 pounds in two days. But because size was a big motivation for me, I didn’t sustain my efforts.
As I finally started losing weight that final time, my motivations were a little bit different than all the other times I had tried to lose weight. Yes, I wanted to be a smaller size. But in addition to size, I was motivated to get healthier for myself, my kids and my future. I did not want to die from an obesity related illness, and that’s the path I was headed down. I was also motivated to set a good example for my kids.
But even with those “healthier” motivations, I still had some motivation issues during the 14 months it took me to lose 150 pounds. There were several times when I just got tired of the whole thing and felt my motivation go down the drain. One thing I didn’t do during those times were quit. Why not?
My motivation came from within myself.
I learned that only I could motivate myself. Not a size tag in my clothes. Not a healthy dinner. Not my husband or well-meaning friends. Only me.
Even with that understanding, I still struggled. But within that struggle I found that not “feeling” motivated was okay. But it wasn’t okay to give up on myself, because I knew that I was heading in the right direction and that the only way to reach my goals was to keep following my plan and concentrating on all the good things I had already accomplished. I also made a list of all my future goals and that helped me see where I still needed to improve.
What do you do when your motivation wanes? Diane
You always put these kinds of things related to weight loss, in such good words. I feel what you write but to put it over in words, is another thing.
When motivation wanes, I make myself remember why I do this journey. I remind myself that I do this for a better health condition, for the fact that I now can run which I never could when I was obese and for myself. When motivation lack, I tell myself that if I don’t get up in this cold winter morning for my run on the treadmill, what kind of example am I to myself. Do I want to go back being obese? No. Do I want to struggle doing everyday things again? No. With these things, I normally get my butt into gear when motivation lacks
blackhuff´s last fabulous musings ..Dreams for the children
The old Sheri couldn’t lose weight and keep it off for nothing! This Sheri the one who experienced such pain, depression, high blood sugar and depression finally made a decision “I had enough!”
That was my motivation and that is what motivates me to continue to live the healthy way.
Great post!
Sheri´s last fabulous musings ..Running Around The Heat
Mine seems to mysteriously come and go. One thing that helps… reading blogs:)
Karen@WaistingTime´s last fabulous musings ..Blow Out The Candles and Make a Wish
When my motivation starts to wane I work with someone new to the journey. By getting outside my own head and sharing my experience and hope with another food addict who is willing to work for their recovery I find peace, strength and the motivation to stay on this path of keeping the pounds off one day at a time.
Jane~
Keepingthepoundsoff.com
Jane C´s last fabulous musings ..Road Trip Day Nine – Long Days Journey into Day Ten
such a good post. I too have had times when my motivation was lagging. My difference is that during these times I at least hold my own. I am talking about getting down to the bare minimum in my life and holding on by my finger nails if necessary – not taking on mountains, but just treading water, until I can get going again.
very good post
Vickie´s last fabulous musings ..I dropped enabling groups at the start of my journey- I am just now ready to start chosing wisely and add positive things back into my life
I definitely feel more and less motivated at different times. Sometimes I’m ready to take on the world and you could set a pan of hot brownies in front of me and I wouldn’t touch them with a ten foot pole. At other times my motivation is completely gone and you couldn’t keep me away from the brownies with a ten foot pole. My approach is to capitalize as much as possible on my motivated times. In the unmotivated times, I do cut myself some slack and sometimes I go with the “Just Do It.” I use sheer willpower and determination to force myself to workout or to avoid the chocolate.
Laura Jane´s last fabulous musings ..Amazing Protein Pancakes!
The habits that I’ve established sustain me, and keep me keepin on.
My motivation never once waned. I was so determined to lose the 100 pounds and since I was seeing results it helped even more. The plateaus sucked. That was hard, but I stilled plugged away.
The only time my motivation HAS waned is recently…trying to lose those “last 5 vanity pounds” is hard to find motivation for. I am satisfied with my body and happy that I’ve maintained my weight loss for 3 years now. So trying to motivate myself to restrict my calories enough to lose 5 pounds it’s hard to do.
When I was younger, my motivation was guys & dates & stuff like that. As I got older, my motivation came from myself. I am also a person that works out alone which I prefer so I have to have self motivation.
Great post Diane!
Jody – Fit at 53´s last fabulous musings ..Banana-Curry Chicken Foil Packets
Forcing yourself is key. I often wonder, though, if the ability to force yourself to do something on the basis of reason (I know what is good for me versus what I feel like doing) is something learned or genetic. I suppose an easier way to put it would be willpower. It is an undervalued quality.
westwood´s last fabulous musings ..U-gan-da-fine me and things that will make you far angrier than bad puns
Recently when my motivation went MIA right around Easter I found myself making myself go through the motions even though I did not want to. Thank goodness with lots of prayer and concentration my want to came back eventually. I think reading motivating advice in blogs like yours was really helpful too. Blogging myself also helped because it helped me journal through the phase, and it made me accountable publicly. Great and helpful post because I have a long journey and know there are more hard days ahead where the motivation may wane!
Brenda´s last fabulous musings ..Do We Have to be HUNGRY to Lose Weight
I’m with Dr. J, for me it is habits that get me through waning motivation. Maintenance is my default, not gaining. Enough years of practice and my habits have been slowly, but surely, reformed. Losing takes motivation and dedication for me, I have to consciously work at it, but being healthier and aware of the impact of my choices is my new normal, and motivation isn’t needed to sustain it anymore.
Taryl´s last fabulous musings ..Pondering goals
I’m not sure if motivation has meaning for me the way it does for others. I guess I had to get out of my own way, to trust that a life with more meaning would be possible if I dared to let change happen. I had to stop struggling to control the outcome and, instead, to start living, with more freedom and hope.
HopefulandFree´s last fabulous musings ..ritual
I don’t know yet. I now need to get motivated to work-out and although I don’t need “motivation” at this poit for WL, I still struggle with the moving around…
Lisa´s last fabulous musings ..80 pounds lost! -
I am such a goal oriented person that I usually find a new goal. If plan A doesnt work I move the plan B and so on. Have a great weekend
Just wanted to say hello. I just found your lovely blog. Congrats on your awesome weight loss. That’s incredible. You will def be an inspiration as I start my new journey. I’m looking forwarding to following your blog.
I agree – it’s less about motivation but habits. It takes motivation to make a change, agreed, but once it’s there, you just have to let the inertia carry you.
It’s just that effort to make the change that’s the hard part!
I always tell people that it is never going to work if you try to lose weight because of what others think about you. You have to do it for yourself.
When the motivation got less self-discriminating, then it got easier. Mostly, I motivate myself by having fun with gym buddies and reading enthusiastic blogs, like yours, Diane. I also actively help others in my gym to learn how to bench press and learn new exercises. I feel so inspired when the people I teach are excited.