“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing.. that’s why we recommend it daily.”
~ Zig Ziglar
So What Happened To You Motivation?
Motivation is a powerful tool for success! The degree to which you can remain motivated allows you to continue to make progress and can determines whether you realize the goals that you establish.
Seems that Motivation is at its highest when you 1st begin your fat loss plan. BUT….where does it GO? Why does it leave?
I love the quote by Zig ~ really hones in on the fact that Motivation is NOT some magical state of being – some elusive skill – something that Lasts forever once you capture it.
Nope.
Fact is Motivation just does not Last.
It can literally come and go. You will have super highly motivated days and really low, down in the dumps days.
And you know what?
It’s okay! There is nothing wrong with you – you are human.
The PROBLEMS only begin when we give IN to a waning motivation – when we stop trying – when we give up – when we Quit.
But not YOU – this is a New Year and a New You and you are going to DO something about it!
Step 1: Embrace The Cycles Of Motivation
Begin with the understanding that motivation comes and goes – and this is okay – before implementing all the wonderful “Motivation Success Secrets and Strategies” otherwise what is the point?
Motivation is something that you must consider and take care of on a daily basis. No different than your “fat loss or fitness plan” …your meal plans, your workout schedules – all require daily care and focus. If you are not willing to clean up the way you eat nor follow a workout plan with consistency – - you will not get results.
So to begin to Master Your Motivation, understand it is something you can control on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis. Yes, there are plenty of strategies to HELP you do this, but like I said, you have to go into it understanding that motivation takes effort!
Step 2: Identify Motivation Zappers
It is also important to identify the saboteurs that can interfere with your ability to either get started or maintain your motivation. This allows you to plan ahead so you are not so easily derailed.
Based on the comments left on the Video Blog “I Will Stick To My Resolutions… Really!“
Lack of Motivation can happen for a Variety of Reasons….
Lack of Focus: “I need tips to stay motivated and not get lazy. I know what I need to do, I have what I need… yet when a workout gets challenging, it can put me off working out the next time I need to. I’ve only just started out on my weight loss journey, yet I can’t seem to stay focused. Help!” ~ Fai
Overwhelm: “My biggest problem is keeping motivation when depression sinks in. Money worries or not seeing results on the scales from my hard work and it seems to get harder and harder to get myself moving…” ~ Amy
Lack of Drive: “It’s quite simple for me all you need to do is give me a swift kick up the bum……. get off my lazy back side and get moving…” ~ Catherine
Lack of Time: “I have a BIG motivation problem. I know everything I need to do, but just can’t seem to find the best time to do it. I keep thinking I will set the alarm 30 minutes earlier, but so far, all I’ve done is hit the snooze.” ~ Terri
Pain: “There are days I get motivated to work out and I actually do it for a week or two, but then I become so sore…and for days be sore…that I get lazy and dont want to feel that pain anymore…” ~ Amanda
No Results: “i’m finding it difficult to find motivation when i can’t see results in fist two weeks.”
~ maja
Step 3: Define Motivation
Finally, It is important to define Motivation ~ What Is It?
You may be able to come up with a list of things that Motivate you, but have you stopped to think about what Motivation is?
Motivation is a desire to achieve a goal, combined with the energy to work towards that goal.
Motivation is your DRIVE ~ this Driving Force is fueled by your REASONS.
You know what you want….but do you know WHY you want it? Have you asked yourself the hard questions of WHY these goals are so important to you? This is a Vital Step in the goal setting process.
Now that you have a better handle on what happened to your motivation, Tell Me…
Be sure to stay tuned this week for simple Motivation Secrets and Strategies!
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What motivates me is the fact that I WANT to be healthy, strong and feel good every day of this precious life. The one thing I find people don’t think about much is “what if something were to happen to my health – something totally unexpected?” Would your body be in a strong position to fight whatever that health related issue is? Just because we’re healthy, we eat right, we work out doesn’t guarantee that we won’t get one of the many diseases or illnesses that are out there – it’s a matter of having a healthy and strong body and mind to be able to fight through it.
My life finally being in order is motivating. Setting a fit and healthy example for my kids is huge motivation!!! The amazing community of supportive women in Club FYM motivates me. My husband training to run a marathon motivates. And my dress that I love that is too small right now is a huge motivation to me as well!!
Excellent point Janice!
Too often we get caught up in the WANT for immediate physical results – which can lead to unhealthy and damaging attempts.
When if you just stop and ask – What can I do to Take CARE of Me? you begin the path to improved health and fitness from the inside out!
I find motivation in positive people! That’s why I LOVE ClubFYM!!
I also find motivation in working hard now to not be in bad health later! I want my kids to naturally know what healthy living feels like!
Positive People are an Instant Motivation Booster!!! Love it Mary!
This too is why I turn to ClubFYM!!!
I love this post Holly ..
)
It addresses many of my probelms.
what motivates me is my family’s happiness which for sure means my happiness because I can’t spread it if I don’t have it!
Fitness wise, what motivates me the most is the need and desire to feel free when moving, working, dressing up (or down
also, my desire to be a good role model to my children.
also, the look in my husband’s eyes when he sees something he really likes!!
Focusing on what I have done and how bless I am to be able to get up and workout! It comes within! I think of the possibilities and PUSH hard!!
One of the best motivators I have had recently was sledding and learning to ski with my son. Sure I was a little sore the next day, but I know there is no way I would have been able to ski at all without building strength and practicing the FYM program. We went sledding the next day to relieve the stiffness and soreness from skiing and it felt so good to be active that I still did my workout even after that! I can tell the difference in my body when I play with my son and it feels great, I can keep up now!
Here’s a quote I read this morning for all of us trying to workout and eat healthy……”Don’t trade in what you want most for what you want at the moment.”
Once I start to see results it is much easier for me to keep up the intensity. I am like Cathrine, I just need a kick up the backside ocationally – and who better to do the kicking than another FYM!!
What Motivates me is knowing how great I feel after a morning workout and visualizing that new Fit, buff Me I will meet at the end of my hard work. My mum has cancer, she can’t get out and exercise as much anymore,but I Can! so that motivates me. I know I don’t always have to like doing it (exercise) but I never once regret it after.
An event is a HUGE motivation for me. If I have a goal date that I am working toward, that seems to help keep me focused. Wanting my children to NOT have health issues is also a big motivation. Thankfully I know that changing bad habits takes time and I am willing to work through it with them. I want them to have a better quality of life. Having my family proud of me is also a motivation. When my 17 year old son says to his friends that his mom can outdo them in pushups…….well, let;s just say, “It doesn’t get much better than that:)”
Being a young mother, and wife, I hope to have a long and healthy life with my husband, son and any future kids. But I also want to be confident and happy when I see my reflection in the mirror every day. I don’t want to bury my head in the sand, shying away from the prospect of climbing that mountain, and watch that mountain just get bigger and bigger as the pounds pile up. So, I suppose I just want to have control over my body and health, whilst leading a healthy, happy energetic life!
I have struggled with motivation issues in all areas of my life in the past. I think we do need to realize that we are human and that our bodies and our minds cycle like the tide going in and out. Understanding that different strategies work for different people I would like to share how I have come to terms with motivation.
I don’t take credit for coming up with this myself, but I have found that it really works for me and maybe it will work for other fym members.
It seemed that when I was trying to get motivated it was often for something I really didn’t want to do, even if it was something that in the end was good for me, like exercise or cleaning off my desk. In other words, I came at it from a negative mindset. So instead of trying to motivate myself, I decided to get inspired. I asked God/The Universe for inspiration to complete the task. And that has made all the difference for me. When you are inspired to eat healthy or do a FYM workout, its hard to think of it as negative. So decide what gives you inspiration, what lifts you up and moves you in the direction of your dreams and you just may get motivated in the end!
I wish Good Luck and Divine Inspiration to all the delicious FY Mummies out there!
karen
My children motivate me.
They can be a huge hinderance in finding the time and energy to workout. But how can I expect to teach my children how to take care of themselves, make and acheive goals, and live a wonderful life if I can’t do the same for myself.
So yes, my children motivate me. All four under the age of five of them.
Good evening and a big hug to you all! I am Catalina, I am from (and live) in Mexico. I´ve been visiting this site lately and I love it! I was reading your posts about motivation and I was thinking about Janice’s words: It is so true that we have to build a strong body and mind because we don´t know what we can go through; I lost my father six months ago, he died of stomach cancer: at firsrt we couldn´t belive how someone so healthy, so fit and so commited to wellbeing could get a sickness like that… after months of struggles and hard times I am understanding now that the way his body reacted to the sickness the way in which he did not need any pain medications, his calmness, his love…. were only possible because of an incredible strong body and strong soul… I surely hope none of you have to face something like this but I just want you all to remember that we shape our destiny with every decision we make minute by minute and we shouldn´t (me included!) waste any of those opportunities!!
Love u all!!
Catalina
I tnink someone said this earlier but my son motivates me , he has so much energy the I have to be healthy to keep up with him and the bonus is a fityummymummy motivates my son to want to be healthy too. He aslways tries to imatate me when I workout or eat heathy, it refleacts on him too.
If I can get outside of my stress zones…my children would be my biggest motivation. Being able to keep up with them and then some. I would like to focus on making my relationship better by having more energy and looking and feeling good. It will motivate me to know how much confidence I know I will have. It also motivates me to know that I can go shopping one day for all new clothes…thats exciting!!
The desire to be healthy, to look and feel GOOD; to grow better with age; to wear clothes and feel confident, knowing I look good; to explore more fully my potential; to improve every area of life through better health and fitness – these are ideas that motivate me.
If I can keep theses thoughts in mind, I am more motivated to follow through and leave behind the excuses, the apathy.
Last time I lost the weight it was a trip to Jamacia with my husband and several extended family members. I felt great and enjoyed it so much. After baby #2 (2 yrs ago) I got sucked into that “kids, husband and everyone else 1st, you 2nd”. Here lately, I’m tired of coming in 2nd. And someone told me last October that I couldn’t do it “all”. Yeah, he was right but it really honked me off. Nothing motivates me more than when someone tells me I “can’t”. So I turned the tables on me. . . and it’s going to work because “can’t” is not going to be in my vocabulary when it comes to ME. I AM WORTH IT!
This journey started when I hit a certin number on the scale. Lost @ 20lbs and hit the platou. Stayed there for 3-4 years. Then a friend started to lost weight and the challenge was on, couldn’t let him lose more then me. Now its a habit that gives me a thrill knowing that I’m getting better and better, physically, mentally, spirtually. I love to be challenged and having friends and family help is great, but the biggest motivation is ME. Best to all and let the games begin!!
I just started reading this newsletter and find it very incourage me to start be motivated . First for my own health ,then for my seven children that they are concern about their outlook. One of them already started to build this gym and do his training .By the way I’m grandmother of five so it is very imported to stay healthy.Best to every one be positive for the future,
Hi!!
Wow, I was reading everybody’s comments and I clicked out of the site..but something told me to come back and share my motivation..because this was a big struggle in all parts of my life as Im sure most of you can relate!
I started truly living healthy from May! I had so much information to get me started but I guess I never really had the desire…The desire to change my lifestyle.. To not allow anything (even MOUTH WATERING DELICIOUS FOOD) cause me to slack…so I started and I just couldn’t stop!
I have lost about 20 lbs since May..It’s a miracle..yes, people have been CONSTANTLY complimenting the way I look. I still can’t believe Im in this body but hey, when you really have the desire you get your goal done! Hence, it’s not only inspired me just physically but in other goals in my life!
A few days ago, I started as an assistant teacher in a pre-school(MY DREAM JOB!)..and boy do you need all the energy you can get! Now, I really begin to see why its more important to be living healthy! The kids are constantly demanding your attention and they are kids so they want to play! And I see that they really like a teacher who has the energy to chase em around and participate in all their vigorous activities!
I see the other teachers and I know they are so worn out after running a few minutes. But I could keep going! And thats my motivation. My kids love it when I have the energy to play with them and just be a kid like them. That gives me the greatest joy! I don’t want to be tired..ever!! Haha!
I would like to be healthier, and give good example to my kids. I would love to go to the shop, try any type of clothing, and just look good and feel confident. and I really want to good great on my 30th birthday.
My friends who live in another country and remember me as a slim girl before the pregnancies size 6. after the first baby I was size 14 and they couldn’t even recognize me.
That really hurts, don’t want to feel the same when I visit them over the summer, down and miserable. and I really need size 10 bikini this year…
forgot to add that with the New Year I found motivation in this blog and all positive stories I found here. daily emails remind me what I should be doing instead of sitting in front of computer haha. thanks Holly!!!!!
What motivates me.. “If you do nothing, you get nothing!”
That’s what I tell myself when I’m sitting on the sofa fighting with myself to get up and do my workout. It works!
You’ve GOT it Angie ~ Action brings about Results!
Maja ~ I am thrilled to know this blog has been a new source of motivation for you! So much is here to help!
Getting started is key…
I find that even when I am totally unmotivated if I can make myself start I always finish. I may start saying I’ll only do a little workout, but at least it will be something. Once I start I almost always do the full workout.
I have several motivations but the one that sticks out in my mind is the motivation to be organized. I’ve never really applied how to be organized but I absolutely LOVE it the few times that I am. I feel with this program it will really teach me how to be organized in more than just the nutrition/exercise part of my life. I just need to keep doing it! It’s super hard so far, but I know I can do it!
My biggest motivation is the fact that the workouts are only 15 minutes… that alone has kept me on track.
I have always been a great dieter and eat cleanly but when it comes to exercise I never stuck to it because it was in my mindset that I always needed to do a lot of cardio and weights to get results. And I hated exercise!
It has blown my mind that I am getting fit in 15 minutes a day!
I have encouraged my teen daughters to follow my example by saying “Come and join me… just for 15 minutes” and they are willing to try because it’s for a short amount of time and they can still get homework done.
Everyone’s quotes have been very motivating, too!
What motivates me is:
1. I feel aches and pains when I don’t exercise.
2. I love when I climb a hill, that the person I am with is winded and I am not!
3. I love the abundance of energy I have throughout my day – like the everready battery that keeps on going – while everyone else in my family is collapsing in front of the T.V., I can keep going even after a very full day!
4. I hate the crappy way I feel when I don’t eat supportively – especially when I consume sugar in any form.
5. I want to be a healthy and active “Grandmother” when the time comes and grow old fully functioning and active.
6. When I achieve all this I hope I will have been a good role model for my husband and children.
7. This way of life has made me a person with an optimistic outlook on life and I smile a whole lot more than I used to!