What's your motivation?

[Angelica]

So when you have a project, job, or chore to do? What motivates you to complete it? I tend to procrastinate until the last minute on some things. Sometimes my procrastination is what motivates me. What motivates you to get something done?

[RandomAnthony]

I guess it depends on the situation. I'll focus on the weight loss thing for now. I was motivated to get healthier after a Memorial Day weekend in which I got very drunk and ate, oh, probably the equivalent of two pizzas. On Monday afternoon I got on the scale and weighed more than I ever had. I started working out the next day. Now, the timing was right in that I had more of an opportunity with my kids slightly older and fewer work/academic responsibilities, and the results started to show, so I kept pushing. Now I'm motivated, honestly, by fear of backsliding. I don't want to go back to how I was before.

[Debbie]

During the summer I was really motivated, my attitude was right and I lost 25 lbs. Then Christmas came and I've eaten right and haven't gained but 2-3 lbs back. But at this point I'm struggling to get back on track. My oldest is really doing well, and I would like to motivate myself so I don't make her slide back into her old habits. It's been 2 weeks since she had any soda, or any sweets of any kind; last night we went to dinner and she had a coke and said this morning she could tell the difference, she felt dehydrated. When it comes to chores and jobs etc. I do okay, I get them done, at work it's a motivator, just I guess if I don't I'll probably loose it! L0l I have a new job, a new atmosphere, my kids are out of school and on their own.......

[Trudy]

I am going to "share"...

One of my biggest issue is that I am a perfectionist... That is not to say that I am not a procrastinator since that is actually one trait of a perfectionist... putting something off until you can do it "perfectly"... That being said, I have historically not taken care of myself very well. When other things are chaotic in my life I would focus on them thinking I will get to me when I get all of those things straightened out... Well, that never really happens, does it?

So, my motivation... or what "flipped the switch" in my brain was a crappy year... After buying a house, my company decided to close my facility (in 2010) and a month or so later one of my best, closest, most honest and reliable friends/mentors/like an Aunt/Mother to me was diagnosed with Cancer. She passed away two short months later.

After this, I really had a hard time saying, I will get to my health when things calm down... The good thing ended up being "trapped" with my house because it made some choices really clear. I have to stay here until the factory closes... and after that there were no more decisions for me to make, nothing left to clean up... except for my health

So, last July/August, I did it... I started back on Weight Watchers... there were alot of little things that motivated me/kept me on track... Competitions at work, my ex from years ago coming back into my life, etc. But at the end of the day, I looked at what I was doing and where I was heading and decided my health was the most important thing to me... so that is what motivates me!!!

The ex AKA Hubby recently had a cousin a couple of years younger than me pass away. He basically died from being over weight... His heart gave out. Hubby said to me that he didn't want that to happen to me. I have to say that if my own desire to be healthy wasn't enough... The fact that he "wants me around for a very long time" was a reality check for me.

Thanks for listening!!!

[Debbie]

For me it was having to take minutes for a cardiac surgeon and listen to him talk about patients with diabetes and heart trouble and how "they can't control their eating". I didn't want to be one of the patients he was talking about..... So yesterday I bought losts of fresh veggies and fruits, we will cook dinner at home and take our lunch, and I will clean off my treadmill. I have a desk full of chocolate and I put it all in a bowl and set it out.

I went and got the papers to join the gym at work and I'll turn those in tomorrow.

I don't like it, don't like it at all, I'm going to go kickin' and screamin' the whole way, BUT this is for me.

Thanks -

[RandomAnthony]

I'm more motivated in the summer, too, but I like the feeling of accomplishment when I grind it out in the winter.

I'm also a bit of a perfectionist/obsession person with working out now, Trudy.....like I think I said, I'm terrified of backsliding...

[Debbie]

I told myself that everyone has bad days they just don't "obsess" about it as much as I do. It's a normal thing to want something you can't have, so today I'll avoid eating whatever, chocolate, I'll feel better and maybe tomorrow I'll have a small piece. But sometimes tomorrow is wayyyyy down the road. Sometimes tomorrow is tomorrow, then you get back on the cycle again. I keep telling myself this is "normal"? Please tell others do the same thing?!!??!!?

[Dorie]

I'm curious - does anyone have thoughts on whether or not it's a good idea to help keep yourself motivated for weight loss with "rewards" when you reach different milestones? (For example, rewarding yourself with a pedicure or a new workout outfit for losing the first x number of lbs.)

My main motivation to lose weight really is just to look and feel healthier, but I'm thinking about setting up some interim goals/rewards for myself.

[Trudy]

I do have interim goals in terms of weight loss/weight targets set up about every 25lbs (I have about 100lbs to lose). I really don't have a firm list of things I am going to do, but I did join the gym after I hit the first 25lbs. Something I would have done anyway, but I was hesitating on due to the cost. I am now looking at it as an investment in my health... I will most likely do something similar (fitness related) but smaller when I hit the next milestone.

Something you can build on would be a good idea... a charm bracelet... every X lbs buy a new charm. A reminder of where you were and where you want to be...

[Dorie]

Trudy - Thanks for the input, and congrats on those first 25 lbs! That's wonderful!

The charm bracelet idea is really nice! I was thinking something jewelry related, something fairly nice that I know that I'd keep forever as a reminder of how hard I worked (and hopefully a reminder NOT to backslide in the future).

[mary elizabeth]

hi dorie, i used to reward myself with food. since i started losing weight i have tried to get away from that and break that way of thinking. so, i would suggest rewarding yourself with a new workout outfit or something to you keep you motivated with exercise.