Lets talk about staying motivated

So lots of resolutions on the board. I think it human nature to make goals. To get to big goals (like that magic number on the scale) we need small goals. How do you stay motivated? I understand somedays are easier than others. Here are some of the things I am doing to get to my big goal. Throw out any junk food. (there has been some in my house for awhile) Go to the mall and try on clothes. (this helps me tremendously) Have a plan before I go to the grocery store. I've been posting the bill for my surgery that comes in every month on my office wall..so I can look at it every day. Keeping a journal. I have found I eat when I am very tired...I never knew that. I pull out 5 20 oz bottles of water and place them on the counter, So I know I must drink them before the day is out. (this is one of my worst areas) I have made a contract with my husband for my 1 hour of exercise a day. (he must be available to watch our 5 yr old) Take some time every day to mediatate on what I want to accomplish and how I want to look. The "if you can see it you can be it strategy". (which also works in other areas of life, not just weight loss). Go to support group. Come to the board for support and practical suggestions..like recipes.

Wow, that's great you are so organized! With me, "Motivation," is like a set routine, everyday! I've been doing it so long, it is automatic! I've always been one, who if I get a mindset in my head, THAT'S the way it is going to be! I have to admit, if I get thrown off, I get upset! I sometimes feel like a "Robot!" Organization, and routine, is VERY, important for Michael, so, he is actually, one thing that KEEPS me, ontrack. I have to stay as healthy, as I can, to care for him. Certainly, not the ideal reason, but it works.

This is an awesome post! I plan to hit goal this year, so I need to do the following. Drink the water - every day! Plan my meals - I make bad choices when I don't plan. Cut back on carbs - a bit out of control this holiday season. Trying on clothes at the mall is one of the most motivational things I can do. Exercise at least 5 days a week. Keep the food/exercise/water journal for accountability. Keep posting on the forums - very helpful to me.

Hey there! I found this board! Honestly, I am not motivated...or rather, I havent been motivated in months and months. I think I have bouced around 150-155 since last May, which was fine. I made a conscious decision to settle for 150 and maintain here for a while. I gained back to 155 in August when I quit smoking, lost back to 150ish, and am hovering around 155-157 again after the holidays..... I am ready for the motivation again! I dont mind a small fluctation, but I need to put the brakes on NOW and not let the upward trend continue. My goal for this year is to get under 150 (140ish?). I have 3 small goals to work on: I need to be diligent about my water, which is not too bad now I need to cut out the "extras" and empty carbs that have snuck back, pretty bad now I need to get my body moving again, i have been pretty lax with this too

Here you cool people all are! Great post Lenora, I really need to focus on my water intake--setting out your bottles is a great way to keep track of it.

Hey there L ~ I needed to jump in with both feet. When I was losing steadily I was exercising, eating right and drinking at least 64 oz. of fluids. Then the holidays struck and I celebrated hard - I FELT like poo. The easiest thing for me to start with was the exercise. I like it - I'm a nerd... so I started there. 2nd day in a row that I have completed what I wanted (it's weird I get started and then I keep pushing myself to go 5 minutes longer or run the last minute harder.) So today, I focused pretty much on my food intake and let me tell you, there was stuff all over the place that people brought in. I just stay out of the teachers lounge (my teammate checks my mailbox for me so there is no reason for me to even walk through!) For me, it is about getting back to what I know so that I can feel better - about me!