When Motivation Lags

At some point in your journey toward eating better and becoming more active, it's inevitable that you'll face a lapse in motivation. After all, at the rate of 1 to 2 pounds a week, weight loss can seem like a slow journey. But as the old fable of the tortoise and the hare illustrates, slow and steady wins the race. Week after week, those pounds will add up sooner than you might think! After all, 2 pounds a week is 26 pounds in three months and 52 pounds in six months! In the meantime, try these tips for keeping your eyes on the prize:

•Look for inspiration. Draw motivation by reading inspirational quotes or the biography of someone who faced her weight battle and won.

•Buddy up. Find another person who shares your commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Challenge each other to keep going.

•Write in your journal. Turn to your journal to see how far you've come, remind yourself why you're doing this, and clarify what obstacles might be getting in the way.

•Switch it up. Perhaps boredom is the cause of your slump. If you always walk for exercise, try swimming or biking instead. Experiment with some new healthy recipes. Keep it fresh.

•Try a coach or trainer. These professionals can help you reconnect with your vision and how you'll get there.

•Make a list. Write down all the pros and cons of stopping your weight-loss efforts now. Do you really want to go back to your old habits?

•Shop for new gear. A new pair of shoes or workout outfit might be just what you need to get back in the groove. You deserve it!

•Remember the positive. Think back on all of the compliments you've received as a result of the changes you're making. Write them down so you'll have them to look at the next time your motivation lags.

•Set a new goal. Consider training for an upcoming race, walkathon, or other sports- or fitness-related event.

•Seek support. When you're feeling discouraged, make an extra effort to surround yourself with positive people.

•Use visualization. Reconnect with your goals by visualizing the future you want and what it will take to get there.

Remember, motivation is a feeling that comes and goes. Persistence, not perfection, will get you where you want to go. Don't give up now!

You can find even more nutrition, fitness, behavioral health, and medical tips at www.dukediet.com. 

You need to do what is best for you.  We all need to find our own keys to our success.  I see your points about making you doubt your decisions and jumping on diff rent band wagons mid-stream. 

Your post helps me to understand some of my friends who i believe are like you.  They do not want my help or suggestions and now that you have enlightened me I am going to back all the way off unless they mention weight related issues.  Thanks for enlightenment!

Congratulations!!!   and thanks for this post!!  Keep up the good work!  I think the slow down is due to summer time and less time to come here.  I know that is the case for me.  I am off work today and so was checking in.  I had WLS but that was about 6 years ago.  I am getting support from anyone.  I check this site and myfitnesspal.com for support.  I like this forum because I get many tips and support that will help me lose the next 200 pounds I need to lose.

I have been sort of up and down for the last 4 months -- but I have managed to lose 20 pounds.  Your post gives me confirmation that I can reach my ultimate goal.  Thanks again.

When I first started, I had a boat load of weight to shed - just thinking about how long it would take to shed this weight was depressing. I assume that everyone who is obese feels the same way?

Anyhow, one of my goals was to shed half my weight, but I never really thought I'd get that far - I didn't know when and where my weight loss would end but I never could picture myself getting close to normal weight.

Now I have shed half my weight - and in fact I missed when it happened - I just passed right by it and didn't blink an eye. My highest known weight (I weighed more but I don't know that number) was 336. Half my weight is 336 divided by 2 = 168. But I now weight 162.5 so I missed celebrating what I used to think was an unattainable goal. 168 pounds is a nice healthy weight for an average height male - to think that I used to carry that weight on my body in fat is unbelievable to me now.

For those of you who are struggling, I want you to know that there is hope and the rewards of shedding weight are enormous so you have to keep working on it even when you feel defeated by life.

One of the things that kept me going was coming here to the Non-surgical forum and participating - which means posting although there were times I lurked too. I found that when I posted - either making new topics or responding to others it really helped keep me focused. It makes me sad to see that the board is so slow these days. I wish I could help make it more active so it could help others the same way it has helped me. I wish the lurkers would come and play.

(((HUGS))) I'm so sorry your finding yourself back in a deep hole, one that you had climbed out from and now you have to struggle not to tumble back in.

Please get to the gym and get started on exercising - I think it will help you feel so much better and hopefully give you strength for the rest of your battles. You are stronger than you think and I know you can do it once you get back on the wagon.