PRNCSSGRL's CalorieKing blog
Monday, Mar 1 2010 - Motivation..or lack thereof
View PRNCSSGRL's food & exercise for this day
Ive been perusing blogs pretty much all day while at work. Ive noticed a theme if you would. It seems many people have lost their motivation to continue their journey towards healthy living (whatever definition that holds for each individual).
As this is really my first attempt at changing a lifestyle and not just relying on whatever weight loss fad is out there (including but not limited too Atkins, Weight loss pills, purging, pre-bariatric surgery restrictions) Im wondering if this is pretty common when you start out on this long journey?
Is it the 8 week blues?
It is the New Years resolution dissolution?
Granted Ive had a few minor emotional setbacks. Emotional setbacks due to being angry with myself for getting to this weight, frustrated because I couldnt run 60 seconds without stopping, or just plain old holy hell, Im cranky today. Im still moving everyday and in that see the emotional setbacks getting fewer and farther in between.
Today I dont lack in motivation.
Today.
But what about tomorrow? Or 3 weeks from now? I turn to those who have had substantial weight loss (50+ pounds) and wonder what they did to keep motivated? What did they do when they werent feeling motivated? Did they persevere? Did they hang their heads and wonder if this was going to be another unsuccessful try? Did they look in the mirror and point a finger at the person staring back and firmly say You will lose this weight. You will get healthy. You will not give up
Did they cry one night in a bowl of ice-cream and then get up the next morning and climb 100 stairs? Was is one conscious decision after another until habits formed?
I am surrounded by people just starting out on this journey. Maybe to them it isnt a journey? Maybe its just a passing thought. For me this is a journey. I do not want to be 100 pounds overweight any longer. Period. I do not want to wear a size 24 pants. I do not want to be winded after climbing a set of stairs. I do not want to be ashamed of who I have become physically at the age of 40. I see other newly commitment people dropping like flies (and by dropping I mean, not posting on their blogs or over at calorieking) and I fear I will be one of them eventually.
Tell me what motivates you and how did you get over those motivational hurdles? Tell me what to look out for so that I can be prepared if I see that hurdle up ahead. Share your wisdom with me. I want to cross that threshold of being high numbered weight loss success story.
Help me write a chapter!
As this is really my first attempt at changing a lifestyle and not just relying on whatever weight loss fad is out there (including but not limited too Atkins, Weight loss pills, purging, pre-bariatric surgery restrictions) Im wondering if this is pretty common when you start out on this long journey?
Is it the 8 week blues?
It is the New Years resolution dissolution?
Granted Ive had a few minor emotional setbacks. Emotional setbacks due to being angry with myself for getting to this weight, frustrated because I couldnt run 60 seconds without stopping, or just plain old holy hell, Im cranky today. Im still moving everyday and in that see the emotional setbacks getting fewer and farther in between.
Today I dont lack in motivation.
Today.
But what about tomorrow? Or 3 weeks from now? I turn to those who have had substantial weight loss (50+ pounds) and wonder what they did to keep motivated? What did they do when they werent feeling motivated? Did they persevere? Did they hang their heads and wonder if this was going to be another unsuccessful try? Did they look in the mirror and point a finger at the person staring back and firmly say You will lose this weight. You will get healthy. You will not give up
Did they cry one night in a bowl of ice-cream and then get up the next morning and climb 100 stairs? Was is one conscious decision after another until habits formed?
I am surrounded by people just starting out on this journey. Maybe to them it isnt a journey? Maybe its just a passing thought. For me this is a journey. I do not want to be 100 pounds overweight any longer. Period. I do not want to wear a size 24 pants. I do not want to be winded after climbing a set of stairs. I do not want to be ashamed of who I have become physically at the age of 40. I see other newly commitment people dropping like flies (and by dropping I mean, not posting on their blogs or over at calorieking) and I fear I will be one of them eventually.
Tell me what motivates you and how did you get over those motivational hurdles? Tell me what to look out for so that I can be prepared if I see that hurdle up ahead. Share your wisdom with me. I want to cross that threshold of being high numbered weight loss success story.
Help me write a chapter!
3 comments so far.
3.
a decade ago
What motivated me or what continues to motivate me? I don't want to die at 54 due to diabetes, high blood pressure, anuerysm, stroke or heart disease. All the males in my family literally don't make it past 54. I dont want to die or if I do, I won't go down so easily.....and I definately don't want to be the first female to die at that age and if I do die young, others can speak about how hard I tried to live a healthier lifestyle!
by PAPERBACKNOVEL
2.
a decade ago
I tell you all the time that you are my motivation. Seeing someone that is similar to me helps so much. I know I am not giving much motivation to others since I am dealing with my own personal junk right now. I still love to read what you and a few others say and I try to keep that in my head when I want to quit. It is going to be a bumpy road and I think we are going to have great success and yes there will be icecream and tears but we will overcome and continue on!
by MRSDSB
1.
a decade ago
Resolution Dissolution unfortunately gets many people. So does the end of the honeymood period on CK. At first, many people drop weight easily and quickly. But when the honeymoon period ends and they realize the actual work involved, many give up. It's too bad, because I truly love this program and am ready and prepared for the time.
Since I'm not super successful, I don't know if my sources of motivation will help you, but these are mine:
1. reading all blogs and posts by Royalty member - ie. VTiller, Miriam, 13Foxtrot. They have been at this a while, had great success, but mostly impart a lot of wisdom
2. following along those who lost 50+ pounds.
3. reading success stories here, on bodybuilding.com, bodyforlife.com
4. looking at a picture of me at my highest weight next to the picture of me at my lowest weight
5. looking at how my stats have changed -> not just loss on the scale, but my body fat%, my measurements
6. reading through my workout blogs. I log all my workouts so it's really motivating to see how I myself have changed in the workouts I do, the weights I lift have increased, etc.
7. reading through my blogs just to see how my personal life has been affected by my weight loss. I used to have so many fear-filled, anxiety-ridden blogs. Now they are more humorous, informative, and a little bit more confidence than what I had before.
Sorry for the long post. Hope this helps. Glad you haven't lost your motivation today. Tomorrow if you do, I'll kick your a$$, dontcha worry!
by HAPPYNSWEET77CHI