Get Motivated

It seems like every other question I receive sounds something like this:

“I want to lose weight, but I just can’t seem to get motivated to do anything about it. Any tips?”

I’ve been asked this question so many times that I decided to make this page. So here are my thoughts and some advice for those of you seeking motivation.

You have to want it

It sounds obvious, but in order to get in shape you have to want it enough. Quitting an unhealthy lifestyle is like quitting an addiction to drugs. Unless you’ve fully made up your mind that this is what you want, then you’ll give up as soon as it gets hard. (I was a smoker for 10 years on and off and tried to quit several times. Now, after 10 years, I can honestly say I’m a non-smoker and will never be a smoker again. What changed after so many botched attempts at quitting? I wanted it. I really, really, wanted to quit smoking. And no matter how hard it got I knew that the end result (a longer, healthier life) was worth the momentary discomfort.) Being an adult is about taking responsibility for your actions. If you eat garbage and sit on your butt all day, you’re going to feel terrible and be out of shape. If you want to get healthier and fitter, you have to actually do something about it. Take responsibility and realize that if you really want results, you need to put in the time and effort.

You need to do it for you

Forget trying to lose weight to impress someone. Negative people will find a way to be negative regardless of what you weigh. Forget them and move on. If you’re trying to lose weight in order to get someone to like you or to gain friends, then you need to take a long hard look at these people and ask yourself if someone who would only want a relationship with you if you were smaller is someone who truly deserves you. 

Talk to people about it

It is my personal opinion that a lady (or gentleman) should never tell others they are trying to lose weight. It puts the other person in an awkward position. (Should they compliment you and tell you you don’t need to lose weight? Should they congratulate you, and if so, how do they go about it without making it sound like they think you need to lose weight? Are you just fishing for compliments?) Instead, tell people that you are trying to get healthier. Tell your family, friends, and significant other. Involve them in what you’re doing. Join a gym together, go for walks, cook healthy meals. The larger your support system, the more people you can turn to. Your weight loss journey should not be a secret. If it is, ask yourself why. Could it be because you know your habits of weight loss are unhealthy? 

Negativity gets you nowhere

Challenge every negative thought you have. If you’re thinking “I’m fat” ask yourself if you might be responding to something else by using this language. For some of us “I’m fat” is the go-to explanation for anything that goes wrong. You know, just because you can’t find a pair of jeans that flatter you doesn’t mean you’re fat. Just because no one asked you to prom doesn’t mean you’re fat. Just because you don’t feel comfortable in a swim suit doesn’t mean you’re fat. Its so much easier to just justify everything in our lives as a result of our appearance, but its important to challenge this. Its also important to challenge whether you might just be upset about something else, or are tired, or hungry, and this is creating negative feelings. Don’t just accept this negativity! Challenge it!

Reward your body, don’t punish it

Look at your body as something beautiful that can be made even stronger and healthier through proper nutrition and exercise. Don’t view exercise as a punishment for over-eating or healthy foods as tasteless punishments for eating unhealthy in the past. View nutrition and exercise as rewards and things you are giving your body because you love and respect it and want it to be the best it can be.

These are just some things that have helped me. I’ll be adding more in the future, so check back! You might also want to check out my section Reasons Why.