My article on finding my motivation from "Bandwagon On the Road"

I'm 2 years post-op from my Lap-Band surgery and after a pretty rapid weight loss of 120 lbs in the first year my weight loss came to a screeching halt for most of the second year. To be fair, I've never been much for exercise and I did let sugar (which I have a really hard time controlling once I start) back into my life, but for most of my second year I only lost what I gained, over and over again. I don't have much to complain about.  I'm wearing a regular size 16/XL, I no longer have sleep apnea, my constant knee and foot pain is completely gone and I can walk 3 miles easily while carrying on a conversation, just to name a few miracles! My only problem is that I want to weigh less than 200 lbs. I currently weigh 216 and even though I don't NEED to weigh under 200 and I'm not even aiming for what the BMI chart says I should weigh (174), I WANT to weigh under 200 lbs.!  I'm sure you understand this unfounded desire to reach that milestone.  I WANT TO LIVE IN ONDERLAND! Just because!

    This whole self-exploration thing started me thinking about exactly what does motivate me. Oddly enough, I've never been motivated by money; I like it, but if I don't want to do something money rarely works to get me moving. Some people set goals and find the determination inside themselves to strive for and achieve whatever goal they set.  I've made a life-time of resolutions that get easily pushed aside and forgotten come January 2^nd no matter how "realistic" they are. Some people like team sports and a rah-rah, cheering squad. Me, I'm a musician. We don't cheer or jump up and down and we certainly don't high five! But...we do like applause...hmmm, maybe I'm on to something here! I come from a musical family and ever since I can remember we were put in front of people and encouraged to perform. And what is the measure of success when you perform? Yes! It's praise! I am very motivated by praise. 

     I got a lot of "constructive criticism" as a kid, but very little out-right praise which made it even more desirable. My well-meaning parents always felt it was their responsibility to deliver a lesson with every effort or attempt I made to gain their approval when I performed. But no matter how hard it was to get genuine praise, when I did receive a compliment, from anyone, that was the measure above all, the goal, the big prize, the golden ring! So, it should come as no big surprise that when I was 19 I started working for a company that was founded on the idea of service and family. They gave a lot of recognition to their employees for a job well done and I flourished in that environment. I've been greatly rewarded over the almost 30 years I've worked for this company and it wasn't always monetary. For me, getting a verbal thank you, a note, an award or a pat on the back was my greatest motivator and I excelled! I like my efforts to be recognized and I like to please people by exceeding their expectations! So, when I decided to join Weigh****chers this past January as a last ditch effort to lose the weight I had gained over the holidays, I found a connection there because I like gold stars and applause when I lose a couple of pounds! I like to weigh in and get a "good job" from the lady behind the counter! Sounds corny, I know, but it works for me! 

     What motivates you? Answer that question and it might open some doors, uncover some missing truths about who you are, help you learn how to reward yourself with something other than food and may even help you find your next passion!

     As for me?  I'm losing weight again so let's hear it!  "Good job, Lisa!"