Try little things to keep yourself motivated!! What do you do????

Hi everyone,

I'm new to CC and have only been on this "diet" for a couple of weeks but have lost 4 pounds... which is a tiny amount of my total however, you have to start somewhere and I feel great for the first few....

A couple of things I do to keep myself motivated and to remind me to be proud of what I've done so far;

1.)  For every pound I lose, I put a £1 coin in a jam jar on my dressing table so I can see it everyday and I've also made a deal with my bf that he will match the amount in the jar... to keep me going then eventually it will be a lovely treat of maybe a new pair of heels/ new clothes etc etc..

2.) Every time I lose a pound I try and find things in the kitchen of around a pound in weight for example a 400g tin of tomatoes and feel how heavy the amount of weight is I've lost.. which is really amazing even at 4 tins :) .. it's surprising how much it is!

3.) I've stuck a picture of myself on the fridge at my heaviest and a pic from a magazine of the kind of figure I would like to have... makes you think every time you open the fridge door :)!

Does anyone else have any little tips/ tricks that they use to keep going??

H x

1.)  For every pound I lose, I put a £1 coin in a jam jar on my dressing table so I can see it everyday and I've also made a deal with my bf that he will match the amount in the jar... to keep me going then eventually it will be a lovely treat of maybe a new pair of heels/ new clothes etc etc..

I don't have any tips to provide, but just wanted to say I love your idea!!!  I am in maintenance, so my goals are now fitness-oriented.  If you don't mind I think I'll steal your idea and begin to adopt this myself ;) 

That way, as I reach my fitness goals--run a 5K, improve my pace, increase resistance in my weights--I can reward myself with the fitness gadgets I like ;) (HR monitor, trail running shoes) 

Thanks for the tip -- and best of luck to you on your goals!!

No problem.. steal away...hope it helps you  :).. best of luck to you too!!

I buy a dress or pair of cute jeans and "work" my way to them.  Sometimes, it can take several months but when I put that item on, and it fits, it's a really great sense of achievement for me.  Plus, I get to look really cute that day!

Every time I reach a "mini-goal" I go to a big box store and buy enough non-perishable food to equal the total I have lost so far.  I take its picture, then donate it to the local food bank.  Makes me feel great, I get a real sense of accomplishment that I used to carry that weight around all the time,  and now I am "lightened" by that amount, and  I can give it to someone in need.

Original Post by dkenworthy:

Every time I reach a "mini-goal" I go to a big box store and buy enough non-perishable food to equal the total I have lost so far.  I take its picture, then donate it to the local food bank.  Makes me feel great, I get a real sense of accomplishment that I used to carry that weight around all the time,  and now I am "lightened" by that amount, and  I can give it to someone in need.

 ^this is a beautiful thing to do - double the joy of losing weight - that's wonderful

I don't have any suggestions, I think you are doing great. My problem is that I am limited in my exercise.  I have arthristis and fibromyalia.  If anyone has a suggestion, please let me know. 

Original Post by dkenworthy:

Every time I reach a "mini-goal" I go to a big box store and buy enough non-perishable food to equal the total I have lost so far.  I take its picture, then donate it to the local food bank.  Makes me feel great, I get a real sense of accomplishment that I used to carry that weight around all the time,  and now I am "lightened" by that amount, and  I can give it to someone in need.

 

 dkenworthy.. I am soo impressed, such a great idea..   imagine if everyone on the site did that .. what an amazing bonus to losing weight!! Well done!

Original Post by heirloomgirl:

I don't have any suggestions, I think you are doing great. My problem is that I am limited in my exercise.  I have arthristis and fibromyalia.  If anyone has a suggestion, please let me know. 

 heirloom.. have you tried swimming as its gentle and won't put as much pressure on your muscles..?

I buy myself things that may help in the weight loss. My first 20lbs got me a vegetable chopper (since I hate to chop my own but need vegetables), then got some adjustable dumbbells, and now I'm about to get an emulsifier-style blender for juicing (should make the last 20 lbs go faster).

I like to do larger rewards like that, but for others, helping in the weight loss may just be getting a workout dvd or getting a new pair of jeans that show off your legs and get you tons of compliments. Whatever makes you feel good and keeps you motivated!

I have a reward system for myself because in the past I have always been really stingy with money and never buy myself extra things.. so to me "earning" myself something new is much better than going out and buying something for no reason.

When I lost 5 lbs, I spent went to my favorite accessory store and got some new sunglasses and a pair of earrings

When I lost 10 lbs I got a mini pedicure at the spa

When I lose 15 lbs (1.2 til that goal!!) I am going to buy myself 2 DVDs

When I lose 20 lbs, I get to go to the scrapbook store and buy some new supplies

When I lose 25 lbs, I am getting my belly button pierced

My plan for now is to lose these 25 lbs by November but I also have another goal in the works keeping me motivated...

My ultimate goal is to get down to 135 and if I get to that point, I am FINALLY going to splurge and get the tattoo I have wanted for years

When I question my motivation, I just think about my future.. I also think about buying cute pants suits that will make me look as hawt as Hillary Clinton when I start working :)

I have a picture of my old self on the fridge too!  It makes me happy every time I go by it. 

And I buy a new album every several days I eat and exercise fairly well.  And I always use my new music when I run, so it has a double benefit!