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I second the recommendation of the Feeling Good book. It has helped me very much, and I re-read it about once a year.

I tell myself a lot "I deserve good things."  It's a simple phrase, but it took many months of reciting it to myself before I really understood what it meant and that it's true.

During this weight-loss journey, I often tell myself "I want better for myself."  Why am I choosing to eat healthfully and go to the gym rather than sitting on the couch and eating takeout?  Because I want better for myself!

Another is "I can do hard things."  When I start my own little pity party, and start thinking "but this is all so hard" and "why does this have to be so g.d. hard???" I remind myself  "I can do hard things!" And in my head it sounds like a big, victorious declaration. I love it!

Some of the things already said are things I use. Like "get off your ass and move it" "and I deserve to be happy and healthy" "I can do hard things" maybe I don't say those exact words but that is the gist. The other thing I love to say is "Slow and steady wins the race" To me it means that I can't accomplish anything in one day. Improving your life in any area takes time, and it doesn't happen overnight. I get impatient and want it done now. But the way to win in slowly and steadily. Keeping at it, a little each day. Some days aren't as good as others, but just keep trying.

ok, so I am soo in need of this thread today.  Thanks for posting it Beth!

I did not have any answers for you.  BUT, this morning I was dragging my arse around.. working, laying down, going into the kitchen, working, laying down, etc...

12:30 came and I was going to lay down on my lunch break, BUT I DIDN'T!! I took Lesley's words I CAN DO HARD THINGS and I went out and did week 4 day 2 in the parking lot.   Between the cold air and the run itself, I got back some of my energy.  Now, I am a sweaty mess, but I DID IT! I got up off my arse and went outside and just did it. BECAUSE I CAN!

thank you all for posting your self motivators.  It definitely helped me today!

This is what I have come up with and they are not all originals...

I am not going to eat (insert whatever) and I will be glad in a few minutes that i didn't.

I am not even hungry.

Every bite of unplanned food (or chocolate) matters.

Walk away... you have worked to hard.

1 Hershey Kiss (or whatever) = 1 extra mile to the run.

I am worth it.

Stop!  It's not an option right now.

I can put it in my plan for tomorrow.

Go do something else.

Walk away and if you really want it in 30 minutes come back to get it.

No choice if I want to lose weight.

I have a choice.

This is just a craving and it will pass.

If I don't eat it I will strengthen my resistance muscle.

I love myself more than (insert) mine is chocolate right now.

Give yourself credit for walking away.

I feel great and I want to keep it that way.



I have a positive attitude and I am loving the life that I am living... just having those damn all or nothing thoughts with certain foods.  I want to have control and I am teaching myself to stop and think before I act on an impulse.

Back about a year ago when I started seeing a therapist for my image issues as well as dealing with a weight gain she recommended that I buy a book called "Psychocybernetics"  it's an older book but still makes a lot of sense in todays life.  It's all about the power of positive thinking and how one can change themselves and their mindset just by positive thinking.  It suggests that even laying down and visualizing something such as a better golf swing, or going to the gym everyday can make a change.  It can help with fears... with will power etc.  Its as if thinking about the thing you want to do, or overcome in detail is almost the same as doing it in real life.  When I wanted to start making a gym rat out of myself before I would lay down for bed I'd visualize myself getting ready for the gym... everything from walking upstairs, changing my clothes, tieing my shoes, arriving at the gym, getting on the spin bike etc etc... and I have to say it definitely helped.  Try visualizing yourself making good decisons... walking into your kitchen and chosing an apple over a piece of chocolate.  To your brain... it's all the same as if you're actually doing it.  It sounds a little far fetched and kooky... but it really works for me. Before I have time to think about whether or not I want to go to the gym.. I'm usually there and doing it.