Motivations

This one is hard. How do you keep on going with the weight-loss journey when the initial excitement fades? How do you keep going when you get tired of seeing the same old workouts day after day? It's even harder to answer these because there isn't any ONE thing that will work for everyone. And there isn't even any one thing that will KEEP working for the same person, all the time!

I read somewhere that motivation is something you have to keep doing. It's like bathing... it only lasts a day, so each day- you have to repeat it. So whatever you find that might work for providing motivation... you have to grab for it each and every day. What worked yesterday won't last all week.

Okay, so I can't speak for anyone but myself. But I will list some of the things I have done over the years that have helped in some way, to keep me moving. Things that helped me from quitting. Maybe they will work for you, maybe not. Maybe it'll work for a week, a day... an hour- or maybe not. Or maybe there will be something that will work for months at a time, too!

Get a new workout program- if the old DVD workout is boring you, find a new one. I think this is one of the reasons why I own pretty much every workout that Beachbody puts out- because I like trying something new to shake things up. Plus, the different styles can help break things up and works different muscle groups!

Announce your plans- Sometimes this works well. Letting someone know what you are doing and what your goals are... because then it's "out there" and it could hold you more accountable. I've done this on message boards with online groups- and sometimes it works well, knowing others are now watching. What works more though- is if you can get this 'someone' to JOIN YOU in your efforts- so then you are not even doing it alone. What's funny is that now that I'm a Beachbody coach, I've been even more motivated to keep up with my workouts, because now I know people are watching. There's no slacking now!

Find a community of support- This really helped me many times over. When I first started trying to lose weight, I had some online moms groups and we helped each other along well. Many of us were working on losing that "baby weight" so we shared goals. Once I found Beachbody, I found incredible online support in their message boards. I found people who were just starting out like I was (so we could whine together)- but also those who'd been at it awhile and were successful- and could give advice. Plus, it was good to not just be talking to people who were exercising, but to be working out with the same workout program you were using- and sometimes, even matching the days on the scheduled plan. THAT really helped keep me going, as I didn't want to miss a day and get left behind! Get involved, and stay involved. It might only be virtual (online)- but yet the benefits are real.

Then came WOWY- the online gym. So I was working out on my own- but yet NOT alone, because you can meet up with others in WOWY. Either at a pre-arranged time, or you just go in and might see someone you know at random. Either way- it was motivating to see someone you know from the message boards in there- working out just like you are. And again- if you start seeing the same faces every morning, it just turns into its own "thing" that you don't want to miss out so you don't skip.

Get a pair of athletic shoes and wear them ONLY for the workouts. I had a nice clean pair of New Balance crosstrainers that I loved- but I told myself that I could only wear them when I was putting in a DVD workout. I couldn't wear them for just kicking around the house or yard. No wearing them to the store. Nothing but for workouts!!! And for while, that worked well- because I wanted to wear those shoes.

Take those dreaded pictures! I hated it, and swore I would never, ever show anyone... but there is something very motivating (and scary/embarrassing) about putting yourself out there. Letting some of those same support groups you have, see just where you are when you start... and to be able to compare where you go later, with the "after" photos. Just knowing you need to make sure those photos look different, can keep you pushing. Of course, I have to throw out a warning here- as I've often had repeat photos a month after working hard- and seeing hardly any change. It's discouraging!!! So be warned that there are times (too many times) that visible change just DOES NOT happen right away. But during those times, just be very aware of what's happening inside. Maybe you know you are not as winded anymore. Or you feel stronger, or more flexible. Or you know your blood pressure is lower. Or you have more energy. Or you find that you are sleeping better. Whaterver it is- grab onto it!!! But yet the photos show NO change... just take heart and have faith- that if you keep on going, you WILL see a change after the next month. YOU WILL. Just don't give up after only one month or two months. It didn't take just 2 months for the weight to show up- and it won't take only 2 months for the weight to go away either. Keep at it- and eventually, you'll WANT to show those awful "befores" because they will show everyone just how far you've come once you put them next to the current healthy "afters"!!!

Browse other success stories. I do this often, on the Beachbody message boards. I look through the galleries and see the before/afters from other people. It is VERY motivating and inspiring- even for those who aren't "done" yet- and are still overweight... just seeing how far they've come already (and knowing how brave they are to put themselves out there)...it just motivates me. I know what strength it takes to hit "post" and put a photo out there that you'd much rather hide. But to do it, it really does motivate you to make sure you make it look different next time! Everyone has hurdles... and to read the stories of those who have overcome them... it helps give me new focus.

Have an event as a goal. Sometimes it works- losing weight before a wedding, a cruise, a vacation, whatever- but it only works if you HAVE some event coming up! Or sign up for an athletic event- such as a 5K or a marathon (yikes) and it'll give you something to shoot for. Of course- you start small... but give yourself something with a set date so you'll know you have to work hard until then. Even if it's to do a certain program for the 'prescribed' 90 days.

The problem with the set-date goal though- is that once that date or event comes and goes, what then? Drop every bit of hard work and go back to "life as usual" and gain all that weight back?? I hope not!! That's when it'll be even more important to find new goal to set. Have more dates to shoot for. Something. Anything... but just keep those goals coming, or it'll be too easy to stop the work and gain weight right back.

Stop the negative talk. I know I do it, and it's not so easy to stop. But the negative talk HAS to stop. I had to accept that I deserve the time I had to allow myself. I had to stop feeling guilty about what was being set aside just so I could get that hour of workout/shower time in. I DO count, and I DO need that time to work on making myself better... and the dishes or floors really CAN wait.

Along those same lines- it also helps to find a workout program or activity that is EFFECTIVE in a short amount of time. Something that is intense enough that you get benefits in only 30 minutes! That way, you can tell yourself, if you are physically suffering through- that "it's only 30 minutes" and keep pushing through. Or if you think you are "too busy" and don't have time to work out- tell yourself "it's only 30 minutes" and realize that you can waste 30 minutes just watching a rerun of The Office!! (no offense to the Office fans, saying it's a waste of time- that's not what I mean- I love the show too) So use those 30 minutes to better your body instead. How easy is it, to waste 30 minutes just sitting around in front of facebook?!?? lol I'm guilty of that, and even more. So yeah- you HAVE TIME to work out each day. You really do. As for suggestions- ChaLEAN Extreme is very intense in just 30 minutes. Or Power Half Hour. Or even Tony's 10-Minute Trainer- done in just 10 minutes! (I haven't tried that one personally yet- but plan to.) Some of Jillian Michaels' workouts are that way too. I still laugh about her Shred DVD... "It's just 20 minutes... then you die." LOL

Reward yourself... but try not to make the reward a food! Set up a reward system that maybe if you can get in 4 days of workouts in one week, or you get a workout in EVERY day that week- you can treat yourself to something. New music for your iPod. Or a new shirt. Or something... but try to make it something that won't set you back in your fitness, like rewarding yourself with 3 cupcakes. Not good!! Well, the cupcake would be good, but the idea is not good!! Give yourself little baby-steps goals to keep you going. Lose 10 lbs and you treat yourself to a professional massage. Lose 15 lbs and it's a new hairdo. Or for the guys- maybe it's los 20 lbs and it's new golf clubs. Whatever... but make it worth the weight. (Ha- worth the weight/wait! lol)

If you are a reader- keep a good book you really want to read by the stationary bike- and allow yourself to read that book ONLY when you are on that bike! That worked for me for awhile, as I have a recumbent bike- but be warned, that to sit there for an hour pedaling and holding up a hardback- it does put a strain on your back muscles. I never thought it would- but just holding up a book puts pressure back there. So pick smaller books. ;-) And try to keep the pedaling at least 10mph or more. No slacking at 8mph or you won't get much benefit!

Keep an eye on your measurements, but take the scale with only one eye. The scale is good for general monitoring- but it also fluctuates so much that it's not a good guide. Especially when you first start and your muscles might swell and retain water- and you actually GAIN for the first month you're working out after a long break! So use the scale wisely. Measuring works to have concrete signs that you're losing inches... but also be aware that it's a slow thing, too. **sigh** Patience... not my best trait. But yes, it takes time- but you will see improvements in the measurements and you won't know if it's happening if you don't do some "befores" first.

Whew... that's a lot. But I know there HAS to be many areas of new motivation, or it would just be too easy to quit. Just find what works for you. I have to juggle between several different sources of motivation and inspiration because it really is easy to "get lazy" again. Know WHY you are wanting to lose weight or get fit- and don't lose sight of why you are even doing it to start with.