A client was discussing her weight loss goals recently and posed a difficult question: "So, I start off all gung-ho to lose weight. I get on my treadmill every day, I watch my diet, I even lose a few pounds and then...poof! It's like I wake up one day and my gung-ho is gone. What keeps happening to my gung-ho?"
That excellent question has caused many of us to bang our heads against that same brick wall (actually, the wall is more likely made of some kind of space-age, impenetrable steel) called: Motivation - Where did it go?
I've talked about motivation quite a bit: Getting motivated, staying motivated, figuring out why you're not motivated, offering pep talks and tips to keep your motivation going and even advice for those times you just aren't motivated to exercise.
I offer a lot of theories about motivation, but going back to the specifics of my client's gung ho question, one thing is clear. Whatever makes her gung ho in the first place doesn't have enough staying power to last past a few days or weeks. One possible reason is that exercising and eating healthy has to mean something - It has to have a value all on its own. Unfortunately, many of us are only doing it because we want to lose weight. Losing weight is important, but the urge to do so can be fleeting, getting lost in the nuts and bolts of daily life.
All this leads to one idea: To stay motivated, whether it's to lose weight or something else, your goals have to mean something to you. A lot of use look at exercise as a chore, an obligation, a means to an end (weight loss), maybe even a punishment. If that's how you look at exercise, it's not that hard to figure out why you're not motivated to do it.
If you value yourself, if you view exercise is a necessary part of your life, something that gives you energy, makes you feel good about yourself and makes life better, motivation isn't as much of a problem for you.
Thinking about your own approach to exercise, how motivated are you? Do you start out strong, only to lose energy a few weeks later? If so, do you think having more meaningful goals would help? Leave a comment and tell us all about your gung ho - or your gung no.
Tell me about it! Where’s my gung-ho!? I think I lost almost 70 pounds with sheer determination – will of steel, I called it. I only dress in small size now and in slim fits (so, there was really no more weight to lose). I had a pizza in one sitting last week. I don’t want to go out and run. Bad, bad, bad. Where’d my gung-ho go!? I was doing fine for 3 years!
After my marathon in 2 weeks (first marathon – yay!), I’m mixing it up! I would have liked to do my race without the couple of extra pounds though
I already have a groupon for a months worth of exercise bootcamp! I will get my gungo-ho as well as mojo back!
(But why did it go, though!?)
I just signed up for my races for the year. That will keep me motivated through at least September. There’s nothing like an event coming up to keep you training.
I think of my good fitting clothes. Everyday I remember that I will need a new wardrobe if I do not go to gym , that makes me wake up and run.
Two points:
1. Change how you feel about food. It is not a reward. Ice cream, cookies, candy, etc. are not for sometimes, they are for never! (of course there will be exeptions)
2. Find something that you actually enjoy in exercise. Spin, dance, racketball…anything that you enjoy. Then working out is not a chore. When you do workout, then you can add some of the more tedious moves but the ‘fun’ thing will keep you coming back. Haven’t found the thing you enjoy? Keep looking.
I spent many years “dieting” and trying to lose weight – seeing it all as a means to a definite end. It wasn’t until I realized that exercise is something that I will have to do regularly for the rest of my life that I could change my attitude about working out and eating right. Diets fail – because a diet for most of us is something we plan to STOP at some point. I don’t get the big gung-ho high I used to, but it’s more like an old friend that makes me feel better about myself physically and mentally. Lol..kinda like the difference between teen romance and deep, meaningful adult relationships! It took over 6 years, but I made major lifestyle changes, lost over 50 lb and am keeping it off. Sure, I gained about 7 lb over the holidays, but now I’m back into my healthy LIFESTYLE, and it’s coming off already, no motivation necessary. I don’t feel gung-ho, but DO feel determined, hopeful, and good about myself. Hope that gives others some food for thought!
The company that I work for is currently running a study for a new product in which we’ve gathered a group of volunteers who feel like they need to lose weight for one reason or another, and they use the product and get to get counsel from our registered dietitian. Over the past couple of months, motivation has come up more than once, and I’ve really learned just how important it is to have motivation that lasts. For me, I started working out to squelch chronic back pain, but I’ve continued because it helps me feel great.
Motivation is something that everyone has trouble with when they start out–I think the best motivation is the drive to feel great so that you can really enjoy life!
I used to dance a lot when I was younger, practicing sometimes six hours a day. I have some injuries now so I walk a lot, do cardio tapes that I find on Real AGe and do Feldenkrais work.
One of my resolutions for this New Year is to “Always exercise on Mondays.” This was inspired by a book I loved called “The Happiness Project” which I would recommend to one and all as an excellent read to start your new year.
Cheers!
Viveca
Are there any single mothers who manage to work full time, do everything that needs to be some around the house, care for your elementary school-age kids, and still find time to sleep a sufficient amount and exercise?
I have no family or others to help care for my kids. One of my two children has been very ill so I cannot exercise while my kids play, they are too old for the childcare at the gym, which is geared toward smaller children & I cannot afford a sitter so I can workout, even if I had a free two hours to go to the gym.
Please, if any other mothers somehow find time and energy enough to workout, other than waking at 5:30 a.m. before starting the rest of your day, which to do so I’d have to go to sleep when my girls do, please share your ideas. I feel like I have no choice but to not be in shape until my kids are old enough to stay home alone and cook their own dinner–at which age I’d probably be concerned about what trouble they might be getting into when I’m not around!.
Wow guys…
I can’t offer much for a mother with little time and many obligations on her hands with little help…maybe help from A friend or church?
As for getting motivated and keeping the passion…I keep it fresh with many types of music as I run…and always focus on why I want to be lighter and healthier….you must find that reason for you and focus on it when you have time for yourself.
The other thing that gets me going when its hard to feel the passion and groove is I remind myself I am thankful to be able to be mobile and have the chance to run or workout…as so many are disabled or ill..or just can’t mentally start physically pushing themselves. This works for me because I have suffered the physical and mental challenges that led to bad health for years…but made the choice to take control and get past it. I truly hope you find your inner strength and change your destiny to be well and happy.