There was so much promise in the month of January. Promise and excitement toward a new lifestyle, a new way of looking at food and fitness. Then came the beginning of February and although, not as motivated as in January, you still had a bit of gusto, ate well mostly and exercised at least once a week. Now, here we stand, at the end of February, and you hardly have any pep in your lifestyle and weight loss step.
What went wrong?
Where along the way did you lose your drive?
Why are you not motivated?
Before I address these questions, I want you to know, the purpose of this blog is to help guide you on the path of weight loss and aid in a lifestyle and health transformation. And sometimes the best way to do that is with a dose of reality and truth, that most of the time, we don't want to hear...
Sooooo,
Question:
Why aren't you motivated?
Answer:
You don't want it badly enough!
I know that sounds cruel but I am trying to help! This is the simple truth. In life you don't make changes unless you want them badly enough. Simple as that.
Now, you may be thinking to yourself that I am wrong, that you want this so badly. But do you? Really sit and think about it for just a minute. If you wanted this as badly as you say you do, would you be making the excuses you do on a daily basis? The, "Oh, I am tired so I am not going to work out today," and the, " One cupcake won't be that bad for me," or the, " I can eat a second helping of that pasta" excuse. All these things are just that, excuses, another way of saying we don't want it badly enough.
The reason I say it the way I do, is because I am currently living it. My wedding is May 2nd. The date was just confirmed. I have my dress and have my FINAL dress fitting in ONE month. That's right. One month.... meaning I have one month to get in the best shape of my life for the one day I will be photographed more than any other day in my life. You would think that would be the ultimate motivation right???? So did I. But there is something holding me back from fully committing. As much as I say I WANT to look flawless on my wedding day, and how badly I want to lose another 10 pounds before the wedding. I don't want it badly enough. I think to myself that yes, I would love to lose those 10 pounds but if I don't, it really won't be that big of a deal because I think I look fine.
There is nothing wrong with having those thoughts! I should be allowed to love myself and my imperfections but I should also learn to be honest with myself and in why I cannot find the motivation. Simply put, I don't want it badly enough. I don't have the same drive I did when I was 280 pounds. I have redirected my energy and motivation into maintaining my 140 pounds and frankly haven't fully made the commitment to losing the last 10 pounds.
So, as much as I say yes, I want to lose that weight and NEED to get in shape for my wedding, at this moment, it is all talk because I haven't really committed myself to the cause.
I know some of you are really not liking what I am saying because it is making you reflect on some of the choices you have made. And to that I say good. I am not trying to make you feel badly about the decisions you have made, strictly trying to get you to own them. Because the quicker you own them, the quicker you can get moving toward your goal and actually finding real motivation and staying motivated.
Some steps to help you find and KEEP yourself MOTIVATED!
Step 1.
Commit yourself:
Don't just say it, just to say it... MEAN it.
Make a commitment, write it down, envision it and be ready to live it. Be realistic and realize this is going to be a journey, that you will not lose the weight over night and fully believe this is your next step, understand it means some sacrifices and if you can admit all of those things to yourself , that is when you are ready. Until you make the commitment. You will not lose any weight, or get healthy.
Step 2.
Inspiration:
Find what INSPIRES you to lose weight!
It can be anything you want it to be! Anything from, you wanting to fit in your old size four jeans to you wanting to be able to go up the stairs without getting out of breath, to wanting to run with your toddler!
But whatever you do, be HONEST with yourself. If your real reason to want to lose weight is to look hot and sexy, OWN it. If it is to improve your marriage, OWN it, if it is so that you can walk into a room and feel confident, OWN it. But whatever you do, do not falsify your inspiration. Don't say you are losing weight for your children, if you are doing it to be a hot mom, both are great. OWN your inspiration because ultimately; it has to be about what really inspires YOU that helps you move forward, especially when times get hard.
Find your inspiration and GO WITH IT!
Write it down on a sticky note and stick it to your mirror, your dash board, your computer screen, your shower door, make it your cell phone wallpaper, stick it on your refrigerator, ANYWHERE you will be able to see it and remember what your reason, inspiration and your original motivation is!!
Step 3.
Accountability:
Do you ever wonder why programs like Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and more are so popular and have proven themselves to work??
Accountability.
Those programs hold you accountable. You have someone to check into, you have to track your progress whether good or bad. You have to go to a meeting and be seen. Most of the time there is a fee.
All those things hold you accountable to more than just yourself. They give you more of a sense of urgency to do well. To not disappoint others, beside yourself or to not lose the money you work so hard to earn. Those things have been proven to work time, and time again.
If you don't want to join any programs and want to do it on your own. GREAT. But find something to hold you accountable. Tell your spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, mother, daughter, son etc your weight. Make Monday your check in days and report your weight to them, wether good or bad. Uncomfortable??? YES! But that is the point . This will push you to do better and hold you accountable for your food and health decisions.
Join some sort of a contest. A biggest loser contest at work or recruit a couple of friends and put money in a pot. Winner takes all.
Those are just some ideas to help you stay accountable and thus helping you stay motivated.
These are just three of my favorite steps to stay motivated, in what I know, can be a stressful and difficult process of losing weight and getting healthy. I am going to start applying them as of NOW and I hope you will with me! I wish you success!
If I could do it, so can you!
Thank you for reading,
Fatfreevee
