Daily Post--4/1/08

What motivates you to stay on track? How do you re-motivate your self? How do you "get back on track" after falling off the wagon? We're looking for general motivation tricks/ideas.

I've asked myself that same question recently because I don't really know why I've been able to stay on track all of these months. I think it's just that I keep losing the weight, and I feel better, so I want that to continue. I don't like missing my daily work-outs or being put in a position where the food choices aren't the best for me because then I feel like I'm not doing all I can to help my cause. I know that I'm still in my "honeymoon period" so this may all change at some point in the future, but for right now, staying on track has sort of become second nature for me. I drink a protein shake every morning so I start the day off right. I wonder if that may be a motivating factor - ? (I'm one who, in the past, would easily go off track for the rest of the day or week or month if I did one bad thing on the diet.)

I've maintained pretty well for many months, but having had some tragic losses in our family recently, I'm losing control. It's too easy to make bad food choices when you're surrounded by family and comfort foods. Having said that, there is no excuse for not taking care of myself. I've traversed the same two pounds many times the last month or so, thankfully - the scale goes down about as often as it does up - but v e r y s l o w l y, I've gained a few pounds. I tell myself every day that "tomorrow, I'm going back to basics" - then something happens and I "fall off the wagon". I am trying to get more exercise each day to try to make up for the excess carbs I'm eating - and I guess that's what's keeping me somewhat stabilized. I know that I can't continue to gain, even a pound or two a week - or I'll end up right where I started 185 pounds ago, in time, and I'm determined that THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN! One major motivation is that I've given away everything in my closet bigger than an eight - so if I gain more than a few pounds, I'd have to go shopping for 10s - and I'm just not going to do that! Tight jeans are a great reminder that I don't need that (insert temptation here)!

The new clothes in smaller and smaller sizes really do help. I track my food on the daily plate and that motivates me too. I will win against the number of calories allowed even if I have to have sugar free popsicles for dinner. Carla

I usually stay pretty motivated by all the compliments, and the difference in my before and after pictures. However, a few times I have fallen off track for a few weeks, gained a few pounds, and the tight feeling of my clothes makes me get right back to basics. I love the feeling of being in control. Also, the fact that I am in the public eye so much, being a ministers wife, and knowing that there are those few people who just wait gfor me to gain so they can say the surgery was a failure,,that keeps me motivated too! Be Blessed Betsy

Checking in with OH and journaling my food and exercise. Jules

I think what motivates me to stay on track is looking back at my before pictures and remembering all the things I couldn't do, that I can now do!!! That really helps me to stay motivated!! If I fall off the wagon for a day, I look at myself and remind myself that I'm human, but I can't keep doing this!! I don't fall off the wagon too often. Also, I have two very dear close friends that have had Lap Band surgery and we have the safe doctor. We talk every week and if we're having problems, we're on the phone to one another!! Friends like this are the biggest and dearest help I can find. That and the wonderful people here on OH. Michele

I look at my before picture. That's enough for me.

Actually these mini-challenges and OH.com in general keep me focused..we all have moments of weakness...I guess for me now I no longer say "I'll get back on track tomorrow"...I have started saying "I will get back on track at my next meal"...that way I am not putting off till tomorrow what I can do today.

This has been a real issue for me. I finally found a therapist who deals with patients who have had WLS and wouldn't you know they don't take insurance. So now I am not sure what to do. I really feel as if I need some professional counseling to help get through this sabatoge I am doing to myself mentally. I am my own worst enemy and realize I need help and was so excited when I heard there was someone in my area who specialized in this and then I got shot down as quickly as I found them because there is no way I can afford to pay out of my pocket. So for me I have not found a real motivator to get me back on track. Sally