Nothing seems to stick

sarita86

Ladies,

I can't seem to stay motivated. I don't know what it is. My sisters are losing weight, but I am just going up and down the same 10 lbs. Right now I'm up the 10lbs again! actually 8.. so not as bad but still. I  just can't seem to keep the weight off. I stopped doing fad diets and I went up (kind of expected) but now I just don't feel motivated. I've been chubby all my life, I don't want to be this way, I want to be healthy and lean. I'm doing  this for myself, I'm always trying, I know not hard enough or it would be working. No thyroid or other hormonal problems.. I know what I should be doing but can't find the motivation. How do you ladies make the motivation stick?

saintpaulJess

I've been there.  Have you considered talking to a therapist about it?  Our food choices and "motivation" are a function of a lot of different things.  It might be something to consider.

On another point...  More than half the time, I'm not motivated to go to the gym.  It's 4 a.m. and I'm tired, grouchy, and would just rather sleep.  But I do it anyway.  Sleep in your gym clothes if you have to.

Another tool for food choices, commit to writing everything down or entering it into something like MyFitnesspal every single day.  Even if you aren't making the best choices, just keep writing it down every day.

entropicbeauty

Myfitnesspal.com has helped me gain the motivation I needed. Logging on every day and being able to see a history of progress helps me emmensely. Also, now that a lot of TK girls are on there we're like eachother's cheerleaders! It's wonderful!

If you join, I have the same screenname on there as I do here, feel free to add me

MerAndTrick

So when I first made the commitment to a healthy lifestyle, in 2007, I was 35-40 pounds overweight.

I came from a family of obese parents, an overweight younger sister, family get togethers that centered entirely on food, and everyone with heart disease, high BP, or Type 2 diabetes.  So needless to say, I did not have a "good" relationship with food, and, at the time had NO relationship with exercise.  So I can understand and relate to how hard it is at first, to find motivation.  Especially when you're starting what seems to be an uphill battle.

So this is what I did... I made small changes, 1 or 2 a month.  When you start trying to change EVERYTHING all at once, thats when I got this feeling of being overwhelemed and gave in to unhealthy habits.  I would focus on the 1 to 2 each month, and then by the time the next month rolled around, they'd be habit, and I could sustain them much more easily.  Then I'd add 1 or 2 more healthy habits.  And I started super small... Like:

• This month I will run/ jog 3 times a week for 20 minutes
• This month I will not eat candy out of the candy jar in the HR area at work
• This month I will pack a healthy lunch to work once a week

By focusing on small changes, and giving them enough time to become habit before adding new ones, I was able to turn around my habits.  It takes time and it's still not easy.  You will slip up, but don't turn these slip ups into an ongoing event.  So you had a "bad" lunch... eat a good dinner.  Don't turn one bad meal into the "well now that I cheated, I'll just start again tomorrow."  But be diligent, drag your butt to the gym when you planned to do so... remember: you made a commitment to YOURSELF. 

emhemmelgarn

I love everyone's suggestions on here -- so helpful!

Here is a more-silly approach: Everytime I walk by the donuts someone keeps bringing into the office, I tell myself that 'nothing tastes as good as skinny feels'.

Since January 1st, I'm down about 12 lbs and have another 25 or so to go. I have found that when everyone around me knows my goals, they are more supportive when I make good decisions. It's very difficult to make small changes when you are the only one changing but everyone else keeps on with the same habits. For me, having my fiance be a part of some of these changes has been SOOOOO motivating.

nycheryl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_nothing-seems-to-stick?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:3912557b-f114-4929-8976-4f83e486e223Post:eff11fd5-ff89-4bec-b07d-13bd7cd0270b">Re: Nothing seems to stick</a>:
[QUOTE]I love everyone's suggestions on here -- so helpful! Here is a more-silly approach: Everytime I walk by the donuts someone keeps bringing into the office, I tell myself <strong>that 'nothing tastes as good as skinny feels'. :) </strong>Since January 1st, I'm down about 12 lbs and have another 25 or so to go. I have found that when everyone around me knows my goals, they are more supportive when I make good decisions. It's very difficult to make small changes when you are the only one changing but everyone else keeps on with the same habits. For me, having my fiance be a part of some of these changes has been SOOOOO motivating.
Posted by emhemmelgarn[/QUOTE]

That's my mantra right now!  Hahaha.

This board is very supportive and helpful - I think having the accountability threads and myfitnesspal can make all the difference!

I'm one of the few who completely changed everything and it worked for me.  I cut out soda cold turkey (that sucked), no more fast food, started cooking at home and working out.  Yeah, it was tough... but temporary pain until I get into the habit.  And all worth it for the wedding day and beyond :)  I'm down 17 pounds since Jan 10.  :)

Good luck!

sparkles776

I started my workout/eating healthy routine Jan 17th and my goal is to lose 40 lbs by August when I plan on trying on dresses. That is 5 pounds a month. My weight so far is coming off incredibly slowly. I have only lost 3 pounds so far this month. I have 10 more days to lose the 2 lbs to my goal for the month. I am going to the gym 5 times a week and eating very healthy.The weight didnt come on overnight, and it wont come off overnight. That is my mantra right now. I agree with making small changes and it will help it stick more. I pack my lunch everyday for work, and I am slowly cutting soda(pop where I am from) out. I am down to having only 1 a day, which I am proud of this month. hang in there and keep going! Sometimes it takes 4-6 weeks for your body to recognize the changes you are making.

arwo

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_nothing-seems-to-stick?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:3912557b-f114-4929-8976-4f83e486e223Post:7bb36f39-a7e3-4578-b916-1133f16e13f5">Nothing seems to stick</a>:
[QUOTE]Ladies, I can't seem to stay motivated. I don't know what it is. My sisters are losing weight, but I am just going up and down the same 10 lbs. Right now I'm up the 10lbs again! actually 8.. so not as bad but still. I  just can't seem to keep the weight off. I stopped doing fad diets and I went up (kind of expected) but now I just don't feel motivated. I've been chubby all my life, I don't want to be this way, I want to be healthy and lean. I'm doing  this for myself, I'm always trying, I know not hard enough or it would be working. No thyroid or other hormonal problems.. I know what I should be doing but can't find the motivation. <strong>How do you ladies make the motivation stick?</strong>
Posted by sarita86[/QUOTE]

I don't know if this is going to sound harsh, but you make it seem like motivation is something that just happens to people--as if it's a passive thing. I don't think it is.

There are plenty of days when I am not at all motivated to get out of bed and go for a run. Actually, I take that back. When 5:30 rolls around and my alarm clock goes off, I NEVER want to get out of bed. I would much rather stay cuddled up under the covers. But most days, I get up anyway. I wouldn't say I am motivated to do it--I just do it anyway.

For me, it's less about motivation and more about practice. I practice making myself go running even when I want to stay in bed. And the more I practice, the easier it gets. I don't wait to feel motivated, because that would hardly ever happen--even though I truly enjoy running. Don't wait to feel motivated. Just practice doing it.

sarita86

Thank you Ladies...and to the PP..I think harsh is what I need although I wouldn't call it harsh.. I would call it tough love. You are right--Like nike says just do it! LOL! I actually went running---I didn't want to and I did it anyway. I just feel like hearing these things from all you guys keeps me going. I think I will use my fitness pal. I've used sparkpeople for years but maybe its time for a fresh start! Okay ladies. Here it goes..  arwo it wasn't harsh--it's the splash of reality I needed! 

Too the other ladies--I will see you on my fitness pal!