Serious Lack of Motivation

Hellokatie0517

I've recently re-discovered this board as I'm trying to get on track in preparation for my Nov. wedding.  I posted a day or so ago, but just wanted to formally say "hello again".  I'm having a really hard time with WW.  After a disastrous weigh-in last night, I went home and cried out of frustration.  I've been doing WW off and on for almost 12 years.  I re-joined in December and I have only lost about 3 lbs.  I'll lose then gain, gain then lose, etc.  I can't seem to stick with it.  I'm lacking motivation to track and exercise.  Sometimes I feel like I've done WW so many times for so long that I just don't have it in me anymore.

Has anyone else felt this way? How did you get over it and get going again? I guess I thought that buying my dress and the wedding itself would be enough motivation, but clearly it's not working.  I know I just need to track and work out.  I need to hear from other knotties who have hit a wall like I have.

Thanks!

raynes

Maybe it's time for a change?  It's hard to keep up with things when you're bored with them.

Other than that, you just have to make your health and fitness a priority in your life.  It has to be something you MUST do, not something you might maybe do.

AshnRobo

I think everyone hits a wall somewhere in their weightloss journey. So, don't beat yourself up about that.

I'm a strong believer in inner motivation and doing this for yourself for your own reasons. If I start to lose focus, I take a moment to myself to think about why I'm wanting this for myself. I think about all the things I hope to gain from this journey and what I hope to lose. It helps to make a list or if you are a pro con person make a pro con list of weight loss. 

Visualizing your reasons can help you get back and stay on track. Also, if you have an iPhone (I believe even Andiods have weightloss apps now) add a weight loss tracking app. I personally love target weight and myfitnesspal.com (my name is asheia on there add me and we can support each other!). 

As for WW: just quit. Seriously. It doesn't seem to be a weightloss program that works for you. Yes, it works for a lot of people, but that is no reason to force yourself to do it. Not every system will work for everyone. Personally, I could never do WW and be successful. That type of program just won't work for me. However, I think something like Jenny Craig would work great for me. If I could fit it in the budget, I would probably do that. Find a system that works for you. Even if it is just meeting a friend over coffee to discuss your weekly weight loss plans.

Also, don't push to change everything at once. Make small gradual changes for a better lifestyle.

kmartini1021

I found that setting a fitness goal for myself, rather than a weight loss goal, was most motivating for me. Find a physical activity you like doing and make a goal to excel at it!

I've taken up running and it's something I really enjoy so it's easy to do it on a daily  basis. I did a 5k last year that I'll be running for a second time this year. My goal is to beat last year's time. I also signed up for a warrior dash as a fun event. Then I plan to extend that goal to a half marathon after the wedding when I can dedicate more time to running.

Also, if you're like me and you enjoy cooking and being a foodie, start trying new recipes. Dieting can get pretty boring if you stick to the same meals day in and day out but it doesn't have to be. Try some new and interesting recipes! Healthy food is anything but boring when you cook it right!

Most importantly have confidence in yourself and stick with it. Nothing beneficial ever comes easily. It's worth the pain and time in the end! You'll get there!

Sharingourlove

I too am having trouble with motivation.  My wedding is in 114 days, I've been engaged for 11 month and haven't lost anything - in fact gained about 10 pounds when my FI moved in!  (Though I am slowly loosing that 10.)

I know what to do, I know what to eat, and how much and when (I'm a stress-eater).  Motiviation is also hard if you hurt (doc put me on BP pills that I think are causing the muscle aches but can't go off them until I loose weight).

I just wanted to let you know you're not alone and the PP have some great ideas (and they've helped me too!).  Personally I'm taking some time today to talk to a counselor about what is keeping me from moving forward - having someone to talk to is helpful and can just be a friend over coffee.

Wishing you luck in finding your motiviation.  I know I'm hoping part of mine comes back if it ever stops raining here (I'm south of Seattle).

xlovemehalwaiyzx

My sister in law has done ww a few different times. i personally have yet to see any difference in her. but i don't watch her closely and i always see her eating things she shouldnt.
i myself now am trying to lose weight mainly for this summer then keep it off til my wedding next year.
i've watched my mom do many different things. and the one thing that has worked for my mom is the 6 week body make over. i dont know if you have ever hurd of it. but i just started it and lost 3 pounds in a week. you don't have to exercise its mainly eating and i add in exercises when i can to tone. if you ever want to chat more i'm here!
hope all works for you. and you lose what you want!

mariemoten129

Motivation really can only come from yourself. . . Unfortunately! It's too bad we can't buy a can of it & drink it to attain it. We all would be very broke! haha.

I did ww 8 yrs ago... I had small success, but I was younger then.

I am now doing ww right now... On my 4th week & I've lost 10lbs. What keeps me going is thinking about looking awesome on my wedding day. Then after that, I'd like to just keep looking good!

Think about the pictures that you're spending a ton of money on. You don't want to look at them a couple weeks after the wedding and hate half of them. You'll be so angry with yourself that you didn't do more to lose that weight you wanted to do.

Give yourself SMALL goals first... Like pp said... either do a workout goal or a weight goal.

Give yourself a goal to walk 2x a week for 30 minutes... Do that for 2 weeks & then up it to 3 days, for 40 minutes. . . That can really help with your motivation & feeling better and losing weight!

You can do it if you want to do it! I seriously was lacking motivation too... then I saw that my cousin was losing weight and I said "okay! she's losing weight just because!!! How come I can't lose for my own wedding! get it together!"

hahah... good luck! we're here for you!!

Hellokatie0517

Thanks for posting ladies.  I appreciate it! I had a great day yesterday.  I tracked everything! FI and I took the dog for a 1.5 mi walk.  I definitely feel renewed.  I just have to keep the momentum going.  I know I needed to find the motivation within myself, sometimes it helps to hear how others have struggled and moved on in order to know that things will be OK.  My goal is to do the 5k Walk-it Challenge that WW is doing and hit my 5% by Memorial Day.  I think the walking is going to help with my weight loss and my spirits. 

I've been doing my best to try different WW recipes.  I'm going to set a goal with that too.  Maybe try 1 new recipe a week.  Sometimes the same recipes can get a little stale.

Thanks again!

Sharkdiver1980

Hi! Are you doing the new WW Points plan? I know a LOT of people are having trouble with it who have been longtime members...I am one of them. I've been doing WW for 3.5 years, faithfully, every week...though I do have bad weeks here and there, The new program just was not working for me. I went back to the momentum program (which was the one they had just before they introduced points plus) that program really works for me, so I am sticking with it.

I know what you mean about motivation, that was me last week...totally didn't track, went out to eat a bunch of times, and ateeverything in sight...I just couldn't make myself have any self control last week.

BUT...I went to my meeting and weigh in last night, took my 3lb gain, went home, put my wrist weights on and walked 1.6 miles. Gotta pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and just do it.

Look like your on the right track now! Just know that we all struggle with this too, it sucks, it's hard, and eventually, we'll get there 

Hellokatie0517

@Sharkdiver1980 I'm definitely having a harder time with PointsPlus than I did with Momentum.  I understand why the change because they're trying to change our way of thinking when it comes to food choices and having fruits and vegetables be 0 points.  However, I could eat fruit all day and all that sugar can add up.  Plus, knowing I have a ton of points doesn't seem to help.  I might have to revert back to Momentum, but with everything on the eTools and iPhone app in PointsPlus makes it kind of tough.  I'm going to put my best foot forward and make this work.  Are you doing the Walk-It Challenge?

Sharkdiver1980

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_serious-lack-of-motivation?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:59ed694c-7c20-47ba-a628-8fab16853343Post:0c311ece-2dac-4a39-bfbd-a817d5754d41">Re: Serious Lack of Motivation</a>:
[QUOTE]@Sharkdiver1980  I'm definitely having a harder time with PointsPlus than I did with Momentum.  I understand why the change because they're trying to change our way of thinking when it comes to food choices and having fruits and vegetables be 0 points.  However, I could eat fruit all day and all that sugar can add up.  Plus, knowing I have a ton of points doesn't seem to help.  I might have to revert back to Momentum, but with everything on the eTools and iPhone app in PointsPlus makes it kind of tough.  I'm going to put my best foot forward and make this work.  Are you doing the Walk-It Challenge?
Posted by Hellokatie0517[/QUOTE]

I kept all my old books and calculators from the momentum plan, and I had a dining out companion, and complete food guide too, so I'm in good shape for that. I did sign up for the walk it challenge...they are doing one in my town in Chelmsford, Ma.

I was never thrown off by food choices on the momentum plan, so choosing healthy snacks like fruits and veggies over things like cookies was a no brainer, and they would often say that in meetings...even though some of the points values work out to be the same, not all calories are created equal...kind of thing. The apple has so much more to offer than 1 chocolate chip cookie. I also think the points target range was much more spot on. Also, the basis of weight loss is calories in, calories out...and the new PP plan does not even take calories into consideration...which I think is also causing problems. Overall, it seemed most people had more success on the momentum plan...if they are going to keep PP plan, they should admit it has flaws, and tweak it.

Good luck!!  :)