Motivation is a tricky slope for me. And I'll tell you why.
I find it to be fleeting. Temporary. One of those semi, sort of feelings that tend to go away after a while.
Like making New Year's resolutions. Those never seem to last very long, do they?
Determination and consistency have helped me and have worked for me.
Today, I saw this motivational photo on Facebook. The Firm had posted it on their page.
If I had said to myself when I first decided to lose weight that I'd never be able to do it because I had so much to lose, I never would've come this far.
If I had said to myself, "Man, you pretty much have to lose half your body weight. You have to lose a person!", I'd never have been able to start.
If I thought to myself for one second that it would take me FOREVER to get there, I never would've started.
I would've just stayed fat. That would've been much easier.
Well, tough. I started where I started.
I had to lose as much as I had to lose.
Just because it was a lot didn't give me the right to wallow & whine & piss & moan.
Pissing & moaning were not going to help me.
Wallowing & whining helped get me to 270+ pounds.
Complaining about how much time it would take me to shed the weight would not get it off my body any quicker.
Whining about how much I had to lose would not make me have to lose any less.
I had to decide that I had had enough.
I could and did set small goals. Focus on 5 pounds at a time.
Then, when those 5 pounds were gone, focus on the next 5 pounds. Repeat.
My next goal is 155. Exactly 5 pounds from where I'm at currently.
Setting small goals would and did and have helped me immensely.
So while it does matter how much weight you have to lose, it does not matter how long it takes to get you to goal - as long as you get there and never give up.
When you have a lot to lose, it can get overwhelming. But if you allow it to overwhelm you, you give it the power.
I had to decide to take the power back. That shit was hard. But doable.
Don't focus on the time. You're only wasting it if you do.
Ouch! You stepped on my toes!!
ReplyDeleteI recently posted about how I looked back at one of my last serious attempts to lose weight (I hired a trainer and everything). I was shocked to see the dates on my journal and realize it was 5 years ago. Even if it had taken me 2 years to lose the weight, I would have been at goal for 3 years! Instead, I got to almost 100 pounds higher than my final goal.
Julie
http://halfajulie.blogspot.com
I totally agree girl! I set 10 lb goals. It really helps. I should set 5, that seems even better! xo
ReplyDeleteWell said Kelly and I needed the reminder. Looking down the road to five pounds is much easier to see than trying to see the goal post at 250 lbs lost. Next stop, 380 lbs. I can do that. 155, here you come!
ReplyDeleteWell said Kelly and I needed the reminder. Looking down the road to five pounds is much easier to see than trying to see the goal post at 250 lbs lost. Next stop, 380 lbs. I can do that. 155, here you come!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteI find finding motivation difficult. But finding people like you blogging is such a great help! And the support in this community is unreal! Thanks for helping me stick to it!
ReplyDeleteNo calendar regrets, Julie! You can only go from where you are. Don't look back in 5 years wishing you had taken action in 2013.
ReplyDeleteDo you set timelines on your goal, or do you just work towards it, and when you get there, you get there?
ReplyDeleteBrandy - I have tried setting time-oriented goals, but those don't work for me, much to my chagrin. Then when it doesn't happen in the time I allotted for it, I get discouraged and frustrated. So, for now, I am forcing myself to take the "It WILL happen and you have NO control over WHEN it happens" kinda mentality.
DeleteGreat Post, thanks Kelly!
ReplyDeleteWell said, girl! The time is going to pass anyway, may as well do something about it. Keep on keepin' on!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. You're so correct. When you start out, after years of whining and just getting bigger and bigger and feeling sorry for yourself, it seems like SUCH A DAUNTING task. Small steps DO work and they help keep you focused. The big picture is enough to drive anyone nuts.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you get to your next completely achievable goal. You rock!!!