MOTIVATION

This is Alvin.  Alvin and I compete in obedience.  He’s a pug and mostly works for food.  Food is his motivation.  Without food, he isn’t always motivated to work.  When we compete, I need to remind him what his reward will be after he does his exercises in the ring – since no food is allowed in the obedience ring. 

I also need motivation to keep me eating in ways that are good for my body – especially when I’m tired or stressed.  My motivation consists of the reasons why I wanted to lose weight and why I want to stay at a healthy weight.  Your motivating reasons for losing weight may be different than mine; however, it’s important to figure out your particular “whys” that can keep you going when it seems easier to go back to your old patterns. 

Why do YOU want to lose weight?  Try to think of at least 5 reasons why you want to lose, write them down, and put them where you can easily review them several times each day.  If you think of more whys, or your whys change, write those down as well.  Those whys will help to keep you motivated on days when you are tired, discouraged, stressed, or just want to stuff your face with those luscious looking brownies.   

It's helpful if you ask yourself “why” 5 different times.  After you write down your first “why” (such as to be healthier), ask yourself why is it important to you?  Then when you find that answer, write that down, and ask yourself why that answer is important, and so on.  Different “whys” will help to motivate you under different circumstances. The more reasons you think of for why your goal is important to you, the more reasons you will be able to use for motivation when you need it.

It is also important that your motivation be because of something you want – not because of something you are doing for someone else.  Weight loss and weight maintenance is often a life-long journey.  If you lose weight for yourself, your motivation will be stronger than if you lose to please someone else.   

Support yourself with your “whys”.  If you are choosing to lose weight, lose that weight from a place of love for yourself and your body – even if your body does not look the way you would like it to.  When you love yourself and choose to lose weight from a place of love (such as because you want to treat your body in a way that it will be healthier), your motivation will be much stronger. 

You may be able to lose weight because of an upcoming high school reunion or your daughter’s wedding, but that reason is unlikely to keep you motivated afterwards. 

When you think about the reasons that will help to motivate you, you are more likely to eat in ways that will help you to achieve your goals.  If you are having difficulties staying motivated, or finding reasons that can keep you motivated, I invite you to set up a mini-session with me to find out how coaching can help you to become and stay motivated.   

I also recommend that you journal daily.  If you are having difficulties with feeling motivated, journaling about why you are not feeling motivated can help you to find the thoughts which are keeping you stuck in the yo-yo pattern of weight gain and weight loss.  Once you figure out the thoughts that are booby-trapping you, then you will be able to figure out how to change those thoughts to ones that empower you so you can get the results you want.  

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