Weekly Meeting Topic: Motivation

In this week's meeting, we talked about motivation. It seemed an especially timely topic because for some reason, I've been bombarded with questions about my own personal motivation lately. Just today, I was asked on Twitter "How do you stay so motivated" My under 140 character response was "I remind myself why I want this. You have to figure out why you want it. That's your motivation"

But since most questions of this magnitude require more than 140 characters, here's a longer answer.

For many of us, the answer will probably vary on any given day and it will certainly vary depending where we are in our journey. I've heard many times that what motivates us to start is probably not the same thing that motivates us later on, and I agree with that. Some of your motivations will change.

Using myself as an example-

When I first started, my motivations were basic, and a little negative. I was motivated to start because I wanted to feel less gross, feel less uncomfortable, and try to enjoy whatever youth I had left (I felt my youth had been pretty much wasted, since I'd been heavy and depressed the majority of my life). While those are good reasons to start (any reason is a good reason to start!), I say they are negative because since being on Weight Watchers and learning about Winning Outcomes in the Tools for Living (seriously, my favorite part of the plan), I know that a goal should be stated in the positive. If I were to rephrase my initial motivations now with that in mind, I would state them positively. I would say I want to feel better, I want to be more comfortable in my own skin/body and I want to start enjoying life! But at the time, I was oblivious to positive speak...

Anyway, that's what motivated me 5 years ago. That's what got me in the door. But after I started to 'feel less gross and less uncomfortable' I found motivation in other ways. I was motivated by the progress I made at the gym, or when I saw I could try something new, not be great at it, and do it anyway, the best way I could. I was motivated by how much better I felt - I breathed better, walked better, felt better when I moved or sat or crossed my legs. I was motivated when I realized oh my goodness - I really am enjoying my life now! How awesome is this and why didn't I do this sooner?!

These days I'm motivated by things like trying new activities, preparing for the 2012 NYC Marathon (you're gonna be hearing me say that a lot for the next year. I have to keep saying it, I'm actually terrified), and I'm motivated now because I know how amazingly different my life is since I've become healthy. I'm motivated by what I've done and what I still want to do. I'm motivated by how great I feel and I don't want to give that up. The bottom line for me is that I don't ever want to go back to the way I used to feel (and look) and I don't have to because I know I'm in control of my choices. I gave myself this amazing healthy new body and I have the power to keep this healthy new lifestyle. So in short, I'm motivated by me.

The great thing is I believe anyone can find their own motivation. And I've said many times that while external motivating factors are great (like an upcoming event, or a friend's success, or a doctor's warning), I really think you need internal motivation to be successful long term.

If you are still wondering how to get motivated, do this - find 5 or 10 minutes of quiet time and think about the question I asked my twitter follower: Why do you want to do this? (whatever 'this' is for you - lose weight? return to a previous weight? try a new activity like train for a marathon? :) become healthier?) While really contemplating that question, write down every single reason that comes to mind. No matter how big or small. List every possible way you can answer that question-

• to fit into your smaller clothes that you outgrew
• to look better
• to have more energy
• to breathe better
• to work towards reducing your cholesterol or blood pressure
• to shop at 'regular' clothing stores
• to be healthier
• to participate in a sport or event you are currently unable to
• to fit more comfortably in an airplane seat or a restaurant booth
• to be able to bend down and tie your shoes
• to walk up the stairs without being winded
• to be around longer for your children and grandchildren
• to lessen the impact on your joints
• to set an example for your family
• to gain confidence
• to prove you can do it!

Those may not apply to you at all. They're just some examples to give you ideas. I want you to really think about your own specific situation -- how you're currently limited by your weight or health, how it's impacting your life negatively, and why it's bothering you -- and then answer honestly. No one has to see your list. These are YOUR reasons.

And guess what - those are YOUR motivations.

See? You don't have to find motivation, you have it, you already know what your motivation is!

Here's the tricky part: You just have to keep your motivations in mind when you're making decisions every day (I make it sound so easy, right?). Carry the list with you, if it helps. Whip it out when you're walking past the bakery and contemplating buying a half dozen donuts to binge on (not that I've ever *cough* done that). Or refer to the list when you start telling yourself you're going to give up because "it's just too difficult to change, so why bother?" (I don't ever want to hear that defeatist attitude from any one of you! Never give up!!!) Post the list on your fridge to help prevent a mindless eating moment. Read the list before bed. Recite it to yourself in the shower every morning. Do whatever you have to do to keep all of those reasons in mind.

As for how to *stay* motivated?

For most of us, our motivation is pretty high when we first begin. And as you start to see progress, that should help keep the motivation ball rolling - you'll probably be able to cross a few items off your list (yay!), and having seen what you accomplished, you'll likely be motivated to do and achieve more. But if you hit a point where you feel unmotivated, it's time to re-examine the question, because your motivations may have changed. But you don't wait for that to happen - update the list as often as necessary or as often as you think of a new motivating factor.

Keep the question - and your answers - in mind every day. You already have your motivations, let them motivate you!


For more info:
Here's a link to the Weight Watchers Tools for Living, Motivating Strategies
And here are some older posts I tagged with "motivation"