How do I stay motivated?
I need help! 
How do I stay motivated? How do I continue to maintain my weight loss without gaining everything back?
Over the last 14 months, I have lost approximately 47 pounds! I am ecstatic over it and I feel fantastic! I even participated in a 4.5 mile obstacle course called the barbarian challenge. (you can read more about that here) http://wp.me/p2dM7J-nx
My initial motivation was to lose the weight for my daughter’s wedding which is in six short weeks. It’s a beach wedding and I just wanted to look “good.” I accomplished my goal of losing the weight and I accomplished the challenge of the obstacle course.
Now what?
The last two weeks I’ve found no energy to run or even exercise for that matter. I’m beginning to gain my appetite back and I am hungry all day!
The scales say I haven’t gained anything back yet, but I can feel it creeping up behind me like a criminal that will rob me of feeling and looking good.
I need ideas, I know what I need to do, I NEED to get up off my butt and move. I know how to do it because I’ve done it for a year, but I just can’t seem to do it right now.
So…. I am asking for your advice. What can I do to get re-motivated? How do I turn down that piece of pie when I am craving for it? How do I make myself go to the gym when I have countless other things to do every single day?
Is this what we call a slump?
New Visions 
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First of all, let me tell you that YOU motivated ME to enter a Mud Run! After reading about your experience, I signed up for one coming up in my area in late August. So, thank you for that! All the comments above are great ones. It’s just so hard to find the “magic bullet” that will just keep working and motivating. About 5 years ago, I thought I had it all figured out … lost 15 lbs. through “mindful” eating and exercise. Only it all crept back on. THIS time, I’ve lost about 20 lbs and am in the best shape of my life. Most encouragingly, my cravings for trigger foods have gone away and I am finally feeling confident that they won’t return. My plan of attack has been: a great dietician, Paleo eating and Crossfit. For the first time in my life, I feel satisfied after eating, do not have the blood sugar drops, don’t dread exercising, and my energy levels are normal. I don’t know if everyone would have the same results, but there are some great blogs out there to get started with Paleo if you are curious. It took me a year of “thinking about it” before I started Paleo … thinking I couldn’t do without grains, and dairy. My main food groups are vegetables, proteins, fruit and good fats. My shopping is simpler now, and I love finding new delicious recipes. There are so many delectible ways to eat much more simply. Here is a website that’s a great resource: http://balancedbites.com/. I also have a Pinterest page with recipes I’ve tried: http://pinterest.com/desaua49/recipes-paleo-mostly/ Whatever you decide, you aren’t alone. It’s a struggle … but hang in there! If you keep working at it, you will chip away and find success!
YOU have made my day by letting me know that I motivated YOU!!!! yay! You are going to love it and you will be so PUMPED!!!! I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Paleo….this is a new word for me and I can’t wait to check into it. Maybe I should read about it first but I thought that grains and dairy were foods that our bodies needed? Thank you so much for all the info and links to the different sites! My blogger friends are pulling me through this “slump.”
I think part of it may be that I met my other challenges so now I have to find more to keep me going. This is a great conversation and the info coming in is priceless!
hugs!
Sherry
I would suggest reading a bit about Paleo. It’s hard to wrap the head around eliminating food groups we have been taught for years are good for us. But we are seeing so many more food intolerances, especially in young people, and they may be influenced by how our food is being made these days. I was a BIG bread lover, but could NOT control myself even with whole grains. Now I have one piece of Ezekiel bread (which is not technically Paleo) a day, along with almond butter and lots of veggies, other proteins and good fats. My digestive health has improved dramatically. And I’m finally getting rid of belly fat for the first time in my life! I didn’t even know what my abs really looked like … and now I see a little more of them each week. The biggest benefit is not craving the sugar/bad fat/salt combos and feeling SATISFIED after eating. I used to always be thinking of what I was going to eat next … could eat and eat and eat and never feel full. No more. Whew! Here’s some great info from a leader in Paleo: http://robbwolf.com/what-is-the-paleo-diet/
I am definitely going to do some research on it. thank you for sending the link. It sounds difficult but makes perfect sense. you are describing me perfectly. I never get satisified after eating and I immediately start thinking about my next meal. Anyone else out there on the paleo?
It’s totally normal – no one can sustain a higher level of intensity for too long. Try looking at it as interval training in life. Sometimes you need to take a breather so that you can tackle it again with gusto. That being said, how about looking into something totally different that doesn’t seem like exercise while you take a respite? Dance lessons, hiking group, aerial yoga (that’s on my list!), etc. ?
Great ideas, I have tossed the idea of a yoga class before, maybe its time I tried one. All of these ideas are really great! thanks so much!
Yoga rocks! There are many different types, so do your research ahead of time to see what fits you.
I like fitness programs- having a start & stop date give me something to look forward to and a feeling of accomplishment. I stay in touch with fellow Beachbody folk! It’s a whole community of people invested in keeping themselves & others fit. So, I can look around at all their stories and be inspired, go to events and get energized… I also love motivational videos. Call a friend in low moments. Still learning how to deal with the cake craving! lol I carry “safe” snacks for the sweet/salty moments. Drink water or tea- by the time the glass is empty the craving has usually passed. Mostly my people keep me in it – I don’t want to let THEM down! 🙂 YOU CAN DO THIS!! 🙂 Change up what you are eating- get creative- Try Chia Seeds! (my new favorite food…)
All good advice! I think I am just “tired.” I was so motivated for so long, lost the weight and that kept me going, now it seems as if I just can’t get it going again. I love the idea of a start and finish date….and I love a challenge if I can get into it. Chia seeds? I’ll will definitely be googling that! Thank you!!!
🙂 And… sometimes you just need a break!!! Not too long- give yourself a “stop” date for that too! Don’t go wild- but just don’t try to push so hard, you know? I’m going to be starting Insanity again w/ my husband around the 3rd week of August- possibly putting together a challenge group! I’ll let ya know- maybe you’d want to join? Yes! Google Chia!
Hi there! for some reason, everyones comments are coming up as spam and my comment back to you is not getting posted….this is my second try. I have considered doing the warrior run in Oct. guess I just needed that push from you!!!!
The same thing happened to me, shortly after a year of solid work to get the weight off. Then it’s been seriously slow for the last few months. After such a long time of concerted effort, sometimes we need to take a little break. I did and didn’t gain the weight back. It gave me time to re-connect with why I’m doing this and actually gave me a chance to make some changes and make my nutrition and exercise/activity fresh again. And turning down the pie, it helps to carry a little card or paper with your goal/mission statement and an additional – “I’ll eat this in 5 minutes but it’ll take hours to work off. Do I have the time? Do I really want it that much?” Also, the remotivated – I watch youtube motivational videos believe it or not. The Vs. series really kicks the butt. I watch the main one every day. Have lots of other suggestions but these are the main ones for now.
ohhh, thank you , thank you, thank you! Maybe it’s just knowing that I’m not the only one that goes through this. I’ve been so good for so long… exercising, eating healthy, I sure don’t want to just blow it! I will definitely be taking your advice!
You are SOOO not alone in this! Plateaus are normal and just your body’s way of saying it’s time to shake things up. Eating more frequent, small meals, trying a different type of exercise/schedule. All those help a lot. My new trainer and new meal plan are doing wonders. Know you’re going to do great!
I keep entering new races that scare the bejesus out of me to keep going. One in Georgia in September, one in Warrior alabama in October and a half in November…scary… come do one with me