from I want to/gonna to I am doing it- how did you?
I think I am the biggest motivation slacker ever. I am quick to fall off the wagon.
I want to lose weight and be healthy and I know the concept behind how to get there.... I just can't quite wrap myself around it....
How did you get over the gonna's?
I think the biggest thing is that you just have to make the decision mentally--just say, no matter what, I am loosing this weight and living a healthy life. I finally feel motivated in these last couple weeks, and even though I've fallen off the wagon a couple (several) times, I just tell myself--Okay, so you screwed up today. Tomorrow is new, start over.
Also, make it difficult for yourself to fall of the wagon. Tell people around you not to give you snacks/sweets, remove anything unhealthy from your house. Stock measurable, healthy snacks (like 100 calorie snack packs). Pre-plan meals. I find that it helps when I get home with groceries, I measure out stuff ahead of time into plastic baggies or tupperware. That way, when you need something, it is already sectioned out so it is easy to track on calorie count and it stops you from overeating. I mean, how many people walk around with measuring cups or scales?? It might be some work, but it makes it convenient later and helps you stay on track!
Well, I hope this helps. If not, I guess you should hire a cheerleader (or a drill sergeant) to follow you around 24/7.
To finally get from gonna do it to did it, the first step is to actually do it. Who cares if you do it well at this point? Just go do something! Make a plan, or borrow one, stick to it, and log your progress. Logging progress as far as what I have done, my measurements and weight are CRITICAL for my motivation. I have started the workouts in the book "New Rules of Lifting for Women", and having workouts all laid out for me really helps.
I think you guys hit it on the head.... it is ok to mess up/not to be perfect at it, but just get back to it.... now to get it in my head....
And I guess Nike had something there with thier "Just Do It" slogan....
Thanks!!
i actually always tell that to myself when im working out and want to stop. People prob think im crazy when im muttering under my breath "just do it" lol
Check out the Motivation forum - there's alot of inspiring stuff there.
You're right about the Nike thing - Just Do It - really, there's no other way. You can't sit around waiting for a grand awakening - it might never come.
Do you need a partner for motivation? If so, find somebody that'll join you in your "quest". This works for alot of people.
Write down a list of goals - sometimes having a plan is what you need to get started.
Talk yourself into it. Getting (and staying) motivated is hard. Falling back on old, comfortable habits is easy. Tell yourself you won't take the easy way out - it's gonna take some work (and you're not always going to like it) but it'll be worth it in the end. You'll be amazed at the self-confidence and pride you'll feel once you've conquered your mental "hurdles".
This is from my journal. I hope it helps.
Focus on the change.
Understand that every effort you make is a good effort. Today you may walk only one extra step or throw away only one bite of food. But in a week it is 7 extra step or bites. In a month it is approx thirty and in a year it is 365. In five years it will be 1825 and so forth. What if you took 10 extra steps a day?
There are no small victories. It may seem small to you now, but keep a journal log your changes. So you did one modified sit-up today, in 3 months you will be doing 20 or more regular ones and in 4 months when you are discouraged, you can look back and see how far you have honestly have come.
Celebrate you victories. You are better than you were yesterday. Be proud of yourself.
Re-vamp your favorite recipes You can still eat some really satisfying food if you just change a few things to make them a little more healthy. Remember--any change will make a difference.
Learn to understand what you like What gets you moving? What foods do you truly like. Once you discern what you (not anyone else) like then you can make those important decisions.
Have a contingency plan the process of change has a cycle and you must be prepared for it. You will be faced with discouragement, temptation, sabotage, stress, pain, and the unexpected. What is your plan to deal with these?
Lastly remember you can do this! I hope this helps...
I take everything one minute at a time. It makes it much easier for me to stay on track and get back when I fall off. If I don't work out or eat something I feel guilty about, I know it all changes the next minute. I use it as a strategy to keep me going. "Just three more minutes - you can do that, now three minutes more." "Just to the next tree, that wasn't so bad, now to the bridge"
If it is food that is bothering me I start with half of what I want and when I am done I assess if I need more.
Little steps every day add up!
I went from 'i'm gonna have to lose weight' and not really doing anything about it to DOING something about it really quickly. It was like enough was enough really.
I recommend everyone make a mission statement when they're starting out. Very useful.
Good luck getting over the 'gonnas'!
Hi Nutellabella,
If you change the words from "I have to" to "I want to" it makes a huge difference in you thought process. I learned the power of visualization read some info about it it will make a huge difference.
WE CAN AND DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
John FaMis
Nutella85- love the name :)- i like the mission statement idea, also
MADAMQ- the one minute at a time sounds like what I need.... It will help NOT set me up for failure I think
DKiesser- you have some very great points, when I am taking every second at a time, I will focus on the change :)
Runyourlife- I have attempted in the past to find motivation partners on here, but it seems that they disappear as soon as I find them- maybe I am picking people too much like me :) Along with my mission statement, i will write those goals out
Joline- they probably hear you and take that as their motivation :)
thanks again!! It was fun reading your suggestions!
If you figure it out let me know.
Panacea911- at this point I am in the contemplation stage, this weekend I will set some time for the planning stage to set for Monday the action stage....
I think I either skip the planning stage or half the planning stage which then leads me to give up in the action stage.
Where are you struggling?
