How do people stay motivated

[tinkerbell123]

I have a question, how do people stay motivated to stay on the rounds?

[2011me]

Simply.... I just keep an eye on my ultimate goal...

[LilacBruze]

Losing weight faster than any other method I have ever tried in my 20 years of being overweight?

Not wanting to gnaw my arm off in hunger?

Seeing my glucose levels go down to almost non-diabetic numbers?

Having all my friends and co-workers wanting to know what my secret is, but knowing they would never have the willpower or open minds to actually do what I am doing?

Ordering my next bras and panties from Fredericks and not Lane Bryant?

Being able to look in the mirror at my naked body and SMILE?

I mean, how much time do you have? Because I could go on!

[chicamala]

Originally Posted by LilacBruze

Losing weight faster than any other method I have ever tried in my 20 years of being overweight?

Not wanting to gnaw my arm off in hunger?

Seeing my glucose levels go down to almost non-diabetic numbers?

Having all my friends and co-workers wanting to know what my secret is, but knowing they would never have the willpower or open minds to actually do what I am doing?

Ordering my next bras and panties from Fredericks and not Lane Bryant?

Being able to look in the mirror at my naked body and SMILE?

I mean, how much time do you have? Because I could go on!

You are helping me at this specific moment when I am feeling rather hungry and scared that I'm not going to have what it takes to do this for 3 weeks. I just started day 1 of the VLC....oy, it's just the first day!!! But, for the moment, I am holding firm. Your words were encouraging as I am diabetic and really need the numbers to go down. Many of your motivations fit me, so thanks!

[chicamala]

Also, been thinking about what else I need to do to change my focus from food. Think I'm gonna try and get me sewing projects back up and running. My weakest spot of the day is evening munching. I think I see early bedtimes in my future. I hope I can sleep!

So, a hobby and changing some old habits that will undermine my efforts are the current plan to help me stay motivated. And, hopefully seeing some nice results soon will help me stay motivated!

[RedsSkinnyJeans]

"STRENGTH IS A MATTER OF THE MADE UP MIND"

[tinkerbell123]

I know its hard, and i have tempations just to quit. But really what does quiting do for me? Nothing! I tend to just gain more weight when I am not watching what i am eating. I guess keeping busy is the most important part of this...I know I will need lots of support , since im a emotional eater.

But I dont want to give up.. I want to keep going.

I do not want to have to deal with weight issues forever. because being over weight really is no fun, its just depressing when it comes down to it.

[Bierarsch]

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. Losing weight is the only thing that has made me TRULY feel better in spite of my hypothyroidism being properly treated. I don't want health issues when I am older. I want to be able to have a healthy pregnancy, and be able to chase after my children. I want to take pictures without hating what I see.

[LilacBruze]

Originally Posted by chicamala

Also, been thinking about what else I need to do to change my focus from food. Think I'm gonna try and get me sewing projects back up and running. My weakest spot of the day is evening munching. I think I see early bedtimes in my future. I hope I can sleep!

So, a hobby and changing some old habits that will undermine my efforts are the current plan to help me stay motivated. And, hopefully seeing some nice results soon will help me stay motivated!

For reasons that I really can't go into here, evening munchies were the HARDEST to give up for me - and still are.

Don't get me wrong, I am not superhuman, I think about food constantly. I mean, constantly. No one else is on a diet at my house and at work, I work with about 300 people and let me tell you, they all eat HORRIBLY. There is always junk food around, ALWAYS. I am barraged with sights and smells daily and it gets hard - OFTEN - to be so motivated. But I have to be strong while everyone else is being weak. I just have to.

For me, I guess I just reached the point where I got tired of being unhealthy. I got tired of being a "BBW" - it got to a point where I saw NOTHING beautiful in being a bloated, unshapely mass of fat. I got tired of my skinny doctor looking at me with disapproval and threatening to put me on insulin. I decided I was done. Period. End of story.

I said to someone when I first joined here that I have had a one-sided love affair with food for too darn long. I loved it but it did not love me back. It made me fat, it made me unhealthy, it made me miserable. Food (the wrong kind) does not love us back, and it is time to switch that food that WILL love us back. Is a Twinkie worth dying over? Is Taco Bell? Is cheesecake? Okay, maybe cheesecake is... lol... but it would have to be a damn good cheesecake!

Don't give some chemicals, fillers, and artificial flavors the power over you. They are inanimate objects. You are better than that. Again, end of story.

I am not trying to come across as harsh but I guess it comes down to which you want more - the food that doesn't love you or loving yourself by getting yourself healthy. I have lost 50 lbs in 13 weeks and I don't want that to be in vain. I don't want to have worked so hard only to sabotage it. I have come too far for that. Someone here has a signature "nothing tastes as good as thin feels" - that has become my mantra on the bad days (and trust me, there have been a few of those). Isn't that the truth though? Does anything taste as good as being thin feels? Not even cheesecake!

I have changed some habits - like now I don't eat or drink after 5pm, so I make sure to get my 80oz of water in before 5pm. I walk on my breaks and at lunch, even if it IS only around the building a few times. I am still learning. I still have obstacles. This forum has been priceless in assisting me and all I can say is, there are great people here who not only have the experience but have some pretty strong shoulders. Don't be afraid to lean on a few when you need it.

Okay, rant over!

[chicamala]

Well said and very true and inspiring! I will cut and paste that and reread it a few times each week. :0)

Do you do okay not drinking water after 5? I am always so, so, so thirsty! I would like to stop drinking water earlier and because I don't, I have to get up and tinkle 3 times a night.

[Stampe63]

Write down your biggest goal on paper, then all middle ones too. The smaller ones weekly or monthly ones that should be attainable. Then focus mentaly on that for the first 15-30 min when you wake up, and under the day inspire yourself with the thoughts of you in your best shape EVER! Visualise!!
Your mind is the most powerful tool there is ever! and there is no easy ways to get what you want PERIOD!
Never think negatively on what you do, your subconsious (sp?) can make that be true without you knowing it (well youll notice it though).
As soon I stoped doing that, things got out of hand....(268Pounds).
Now Im back in the saddle again, AND I WILL PROVE that I can do whatever I want to do despite all the naysayers chiming I cant
Well I can and I will do it

Good luck with your goals!!

[Sunny7]

Originally Posted by chicamala

You are helping me at this specific moment when I am feeling rather hungry and scared that I'm not going to have what it takes to do this for 3 weeks. I just started day 1 of the VLC....oy, it's just the first day!!! But, for the moment, I am holding firm. Your words were encouraging as I am diabetic and really need the numbers to go down. Many of your motivations fit me, so thanks!

you can do this, i am on my first round, and i tell you the hunger will go in a few days---drink more water and have some tea---when i started this, i said i can do any thing for 21 days, expecially lose weight---now my 21 days are up and i am extending for at least 10 more days, it went that fast

good luck to you and keep posting--that really helps--there are so many knowledgeable people on this board that will help to answer any question you might have

[chicamala]

21 days didn't sound like a long time when I purchased my drops. LOL
I like Stamps ideas on writing down the goals. I will fill a time spot up with that activity today if I get to feeling spastic again with stress and hunger. Should help to get me through it. I'm terribly compulsive! I hope food becomes a much smaller focus of my life. Even on this diet, it is the primary focus.

Tinkerbell, how are you doing lately?

[metqa]

Writing my daily weight on the calendar each day with a note of only X pounds to go was really motivating for me.

making a chart to see how the line goes down, at the end of a round I wanted to keep going to see it go farther.

My initial motivation was to be able to fit my regular clothes again instead of having to buy a whole new wardrobe of pants because my but no longer fit past the waistband when putting them on. and not being able to button them if I could get them on. Darned Prednisone!

and not feeling the pinched nerves in my skin from waist gain.

But it's hard to keep going if you hit a stall, then it helps to remember why you are doing this. so having the goals strong in your mind is the most important, and being creative with your food so you don't feel deprived helps with staying on target.

[nmbnancy]

Originally Posted by Sunny7

you can do this, i am on my first round, and i tell you the hunger will go in a few days---drink more water and have some tea---when i started this, i said i can do any thing for 21 days, expecially lose weight---now my 21 days are up and i am extending for at least 10 more days, it went that fast

good luck to you and keep posting--that really helps--there are so many knowledgeable people on this board that will help to answer any question you might have

I agree with Sunny, You can do anything for 21 days. When I started, I marked my calender and just made a pact with myself I would follow protocol for that many days, no matter what. I also did not weigh everyday, so I didn't have the disappointment of a .2 gain. Keep posting on the forum, that also will make you accountable.

[RedsSkinnyJeans]

I did the same thing. I kept saying to myself: "It's a month. I can do anything for a month." and....my personal favorite.... "Everything is a trade off." - I knew what I wanted and I was on a mission

[Violet_Dream]

Originally Posted by 2011me

Simply.... I just keep an eye on my ultimate goal...

Exactly.

[tinkerbell123]

I am doing good. i am on day 6 and Ive lost 8.4 lbs.. How are you doing?

[julieboolie]

For the hcg plan:

I told myself it's 3 weeks!! I can (and did) anything for 3 weeks!! Hard as it was at times, the scale going down daily that first week helped.

The other thing I tell myself is, "that (insert temptation here) will be here next month when I'm on P4, I can have it then." Delayed gratification totally works!!

There's the clothing motivation too. Cute designer jeans that are too tight now, are great incentive. Worked for me !

Getting fed up helps too.

[chicamala]

Originally Posted by tinkerbell123

I am doing good. i am on day 6 and Ive lost 8.4 lbs.. How are you doing?

Excellent!!!

[metqa]

Another motivation is thinking of the money wasted if you go off plan.

You could figure out how much it costs per day and if you cheat, you'll have to give up that much money. Maybe give it to a charity food bank or something.

[chicamala]

I looked back through my TOPS weight log and I discovered that I only have 7 more pounds to actually be lower in weight than I was the entire year last year....that is kind of motivating me now!

Money is huge for me, also. I don't like the idea of wasting it!

[Buttercup]

Years ago I was on Atkins and had huge success. Never left maintainence but had two more children and went up two sizes.

This time around, down at induction level most of the week, I have not had any success. No inches lost, no net pounds lost and it's been really, really frustrating. Must be fate that drew me here and saw this post, because I was really thinking, that the heck am I bothering for? My body seems to be so messed up that I can eat junk and still stay the same.

But, the thing of it is, that ever since that first success with Atkins, I never really truly went back to junkie eating. Not in the sugary stuff for sure. I did eat my rice (usually brown) and pasta occasionally. Pizza is my weak spot, but I was getting intolerant of it, so even that was limited.

I don't know how I am staying motivated. I think out of desperation, and from fear. Fear of how many sizes I will jump if I don't.

I am so depressed by this. My friends and family that I give advice and encouragement to are all having success. I feel like everyone else got on a bus to the best vacation place ever, and I lost my ticket.

[Bierarsch]

I said to my husband before we started R1: "What's 40 days of being on a diet? I've spent way longer than 40 days being overweight and miserable."

Buttercup, hang in there. There is a recent thread for former Atkins people that are now trying HCG. I would check it out. There are SO MANY people who have tried Atkins induction more than once and don't have good losses after the first time. Former Atkins dieters, please chime in!