How do you maintain your motivation

(Michelle Britt) #21

I have two pictures of my former self, no others exist that I am aware of. I did shy away from every single camera, or made it a point to be the one behind the camera so no pictures could be taken of me. I look at my before and after, and every one else’s before and after. I love the self affirmations idea. Nothing like a little positive self love.

#22

I look at pics of myself when I was huge so I can re-digust myself with what I allowed myself to become. I also think about how I lost this weight once before 10yrs ago and gained it back. When I was 100lbs heavier getting to where I am now was the goal, now it’s about putting on muscle. Gives me a whole new thing to go after but still on the same track with improving how I look and feel.

(Michelle Britt) #23

I buy all of my clothes at the thrift store (love thrift stores) because I grew under them so often. It might be worth a $3 pair of jeans to give me the kick in the rear I need.

(karen) #24

Or maybe just a little Squeeze in the rear! :grin:

#25

Maybe find a few other athletic activities to engage in?

I find that I get bored with just one. It’s nice to mix things up a bit. At various times in my life, I’ve been an avid runner, road cyclist, rock climber, hiker, and mountain biker. I’ve given up running due to injuries and I haven’t gotten back in road biking either, but I still do the other activities.

(Michelle Britt) #26

I really loved your response because self improvement is a journey, and what journey is worth going at it alone. I feel everyone needs a little support now and then, today just happens to be my day, no matter how far in the journey I might be. And I am out of ideas, and what better way to get some fresh perspective then through others that are on similar journeys.

I have a wonderful routine that works great for me Mon-Friday. But let that weekend come about, and my determination and resolve just go through the window. And it is that lack of routine. Monday through Friday I wake, eat, sleep, homework, chores, working out, etc all on the same routine. Like clockwork. That is how I manage my adhd and my four kids, honestly. If I do not maintain a strict routine, my life falls apart. But the weekend is where it all goes to crap. If I could hold my resolve for those two days.

I will definitely research as you suggested. Thank you!

(Brian) #27

I’m not understanding what motivation you are seeking.

I changed my way of eating. And keto / low carb is the way I eat now. It was never intended as a “diet” or “temporary”. I changed the way I eat. I eat well. I don’t go hungry. I eat a big variety of foods. I’m not really needing motivation to keep on keeping on. I have goodies, they’re just keto-friendly goodies. I eat out, I just select keto-friendly items. Some things I don’t eat because I know I shouldn’t be eating them. But a lot of foods I eat because I really like them.

So hunger motivates me to eat. Making good choices continues my keto / low carb journey and satisfies my hunger. And then I live life until the next time I eat.

(???)

(Michelle Britt) #28

I also have a home gym, and four mini me’s to keep up with. And I only run when something is chasing me, or the occasions my children make me chase them, lmao. I really want to try kickboxing, so I might look into some classes in my area. Just to add in some variety. Thank you for your input!

(KetoQ) #29

My weekends were a problem with my routine as well. To make a long story short, have a weekday routine AND a weekend routine. Make the life changes work for you. Don’t try to force a round hole into a square peg. Adapt and thrive.

(charlie3) #30
  1. I remind myself that the CDC reports that 50% of American adults are diabetic or pre-diabetic. The only possible common denominator is carbs in the diet. Getting rid of those has been time consuming but not difficult.
  2. I’ve gone from almost overweight at 170 to dead center of ideal body weight range, 144. Waist went from 34" to 31", may be leaner than highschool. I like being in that condition and plan to stay there.
  3. I thought weakness in my left hip would end my walking days. Lately I’m walking 25-30 miles per week. If you can’t walk your independance is gone.
  4. I do 90 minutes of steady state cardio a week for the sake of BP. Early in the year I recorded 160/78. The new normal is 110/59 +/-.
  5. I do 3 70 minute resistance training sessions per week because it preserves muscle mass and magnifies the effect of all of the above (and because I’m vain).

It helps that I really like the food I’m eating. I also make it easier on myself by minimizing the number of times I eat-2 meals per day, no snacks. One day a week I eat nothing. From now on I’m in charge of when I eat. Hunger can be a productive stress like exercising muscles. It’s empowering.

(Alec) #31

Michelle
2 things for me:

  1. I remind myself of the health difference between SAD and LCHF and that’s enough for me. I have been fat and I have been fit: fit is better.
  2. I want to run faster. Simples. :joy::running_man:‍♂
(Katie the Quiche Scoffing Stick Ninja ) #32

Maybe you just need to re-evaluate your goals.
If your goal is no longer weight loss, perhaps focus on continuing to feel good mentally and physically?
I’m not sure, but when my motivation weins, I find a reason to keep going. And for now that is “Id rather see my toes”

(Michelle Britt) #33

I enjoy seeing my toes as well. Hell, I enjoy being able to reach my toes. I think your right, I don’t think the goal is weight loss anymore. I already exceeded my original goal of reaching 170 lbs, and continued on and am within 13 pounds of the second goal of 140 lbs. I guess I just need to reset what I am going for.

(Brian) #34

A friend used to say, “If God had wanted me to touch my toes, he’d have put them on my kneecaps!” LOL!!

(ANNE ) #35

Reaching the goal of being able to fit into my wedding dress from 21 years ago was a winner. It was my original goal and a top moment to be able to do it.
I am still the elusive 10 lbs away from my mental ideal weight. Six months of this WOE, and one of the best health choices I have made ever.
Motivation now, to not ever have a photo of me in my bikini taken again that looked like the one from a couple of summers ago…I may as well have had Type 2 Diabetes tattooed in a large font across my spacious arse.

#36

I started the the keto style with an eye towards long-term health. It worked to start but psychologically having a long-term “nebulous” goal only took me so far and I found ways to stray.

Read a book on making habits stick and learned 1 trick that works for me. When tempted to stray, I ask myself in these exact words aloud to myself when nobody is looking - “Why MIGHT I want to eat healthy for this next meal?” It’s supposed to tap into your already present motivation in a very near-term, specific way.

The exercise goes -

Q: Why MIGHT I want to eat healthy for this next meal?

A: Because when I stray, I know I feel bloated, slow and I usually don’t sleep well. Then I feel bad I blew my diet!

Q: How important - 1 to 10 - is it to you to not feel bloated, slow and have bad sleep?

A: For me it’s a 7 or 8.

Q: Why do you rate it so high?

A: I want to be healthy, I want to be active, I want to feel better and i know the best way is being true to what I know works for me.

Some of the science says we’re already motivated but focusing on less tangible things way in the future like “better health” only takes us so far. By asking ourselves leading questions in a positive manner it “hacks” into our already present motivation to be healthier by breaking down our decision to what’s immediately ahead of us. We’re all generally wired for instant gratification but here our instant gratification is taking 1 specific discrete step to eat healthy at the meal immediately in front of us.

If nothing else - another tool for the toolbox!

(Michelle Britt) #37

If I could love this more then once I would. I love love love love love this! Thank you so much for this!

(Michelle Britt) #38

There was a point in time that even if they had been on my knee caps, I prolly couldn’t have reached them then either.

#39

I’ll find the author and forward it along. The brain is such a crazy complex and SIMPLE thing all at the same time.

Eric

(Casey Crisler) #40

Do you have any nice hiking areas? I’m fortunate to be surrounded by great mountains to hike. Unfortunately, because it’s Phoenix it gets ridiculously hot. It also gives me the opportunity to practice my photography (lack of) skills. Although that has motivated me to spend money on camera equipment.
My biggest motivator to stay on the keto diet—the opportunity to wear skinnny jeans :rofl:
Okay, I’m joking about the last part. 52 year old men should not be wearing skinny jeans.