Having Trouble Staying Motivated
I have been in the program since June 2007. I started with great interest and results. Then I did my typical,,, as I got better, I slowed down on my committments to exercise and diet properly. Before long, I was not exercising and back on caffeine. After falling back a few steps in my recovery and feeling GUILTY, I am now trying to get back on track, but I am having a hard time getting motivated to start back on the exercising and dieting. Anyone out there that has experienced the same problem and was successful in starting back up?
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Guest
I'm like this with most things...Call me Miss Procrastinater-non-motivater 
The program was actually one of the only things I didn't slow down and back out of...I think because it took me longer to feel better than most and that I knew my life and my relationship hung in the balance.
Have you tried to reward yourself? Set attainable goals and then reward yourself after you do them...even if it is completing one week. It may sound silly but it might keep you motivated...like maybe there's something you want so if you do one week as instructed, put 5 dollars away to buy that special thing. Something like that. Or, you could always do the whole sticker board like we got as kids for chores...I don't know it's an idea. Seeing all those gold stars add up may make you want to continue. I could always go to your house and start whipping you until you start again hahaha...now I'm just trying to make you smile. You may have slowed down or stopped, but the most important thing is you realized you did it and are getting back on that wagon...good for you!
The program was actually one of the only things I didn't slow down and back out of...I think because it took me longer to feel better than most and that I knew my life and my relationship hung in the balance. Have you tried to reward yourself? Set attainable goals and then reward yourself after you do them...even if it is completing one week. It may sound silly but it might keep you motivated...like maybe there's something you want so if you do one week as instructed, put 5 dollars away to buy that special thing. Something like that. Or, you could always do the whole sticker board like we got as kids for chores...I don't know it's an idea. Seeing all those gold stars add up may make you want to continue. I could always go to your house and start whipping you until you start again hahaha...now I'm just trying to make you smile. You may have slowed down or stopped, but the most important thing is you realized you did it and are getting back on that wagon...good for you!
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Guest
Dear Tygah:
I want you to PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK - derservingly. You are here - reaching out & you yourself recognized not maintaining the SKILLS of the program. Remember, this is a journey - not a sprint race. Each & every one of us, @ 1 point in time(many to be fair) - has "gotten off the train" so to speak. We're all human! Life, as is recovery, a JOURNEY. What you did then, is done the past: DON'T SWEAT IT SWEETIE. you have right now.
Last June-2007, I joined Weight Watchers - as part of my journey & a part of me facing myself(weight & various issues w/ food). In each meeting(1x per wk) you are weighed: to see any increase of weight or preferable:D a LOSS, lol. As is life, NOT EVERY WEEK you have a loss. This "gain" can be due any # of reasons: over indulging, lack of exercise, or in my case as a woman: hormonal or chemical things going on internally, that can impact weight loss. Each week, the MEETING LEADER reminds us this is a LIFE STYLE CHANGE - & if you experience a gain - "THAT'S OK, YOU'RE BACK-FOCUSED".
What feels good, is feeling good. I am not 1 of them folks who eagerly says "gosh, I can't wait to exercise" - not me, lol. Rather, 1 day @ a time(not next week, next month, or next year) - right here & right now, I tell myself: "I choose to get more active/physical/exercise & I choose to eat healthy - cause if I give my body these gifts of good food & exercise, my body & mind & emotional self will GIVE BACK TO ME. I take it 1 day at at time, so as not to overwhelm myself or give up b/4 I started.
Now, what's my motivator to keep on track w/ healthy eating & exercise? I think back to 3 yrs ago when anxiety disorder triggered: I was dianosed w/ anxiety disorder, panic attack & PTSD - i was forced to not work, took anx med 3x per day & 2 sleep aids: was averaging 1-2 hrs per 24 hrs. It was bad. I went thru 20 mths of very intensive therapy - having to face & feel the most painful things. Here I am now, 3 yrs later - having done Lucinda's program(along w/ therapy) RECOVERED FR ANXIETY DISORDER. For me, it was the literal experience of feeling the diff exercising & eating healthy made for me. The motivation comes fr remembering how bad it was 3 yrs ago & how bad it felt & what state I was in. Motivation for me, was NOW, I KNOW BETTER.
Maya Angelou says, "when you know better, you do better". I know better: feeling good & healthy & empowered & pos, FEELS GOOD - feeling weak, tired, anxiety filled to the max, out of shape, & heavy DON'T.
LENORE
I want you to PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK - derservingly. You are here - reaching out & you yourself recognized not maintaining the SKILLS of the program. Remember, this is a journey - not a sprint race. Each & every one of us, @ 1 point in time(many to be fair) - has "gotten off the train" so to speak. We're all human! Life, as is recovery, a JOURNEY. What you did then, is done the past: DON'T SWEAT IT SWEETIE. you have right now.
Last June-2007, I joined Weight Watchers - as part of my journey & a part of me facing myself(weight & various issues w/ food). In each meeting(1x per wk) you are weighed: to see any increase of weight or preferable:D a LOSS, lol. As is life, NOT EVERY WEEK you have a loss. This "gain" can be due any # of reasons: over indulging, lack of exercise, or in my case as a woman: hormonal or chemical things going on internally, that can impact weight loss. Each week, the MEETING LEADER reminds us this is a LIFE STYLE CHANGE - & if you experience a gain - "THAT'S OK, YOU'RE BACK-FOCUSED".
What feels good, is feeling good. I am not 1 of them folks who eagerly says "gosh, I can't wait to exercise" - not me, lol. Rather, 1 day @ a time(not next week, next month, or next year) - right here & right now, I tell myself: "I choose to get more active/physical/exercise & I choose to eat healthy - cause if I give my body these gifts of good food & exercise, my body & mind & emotional self will GIVE BACK TO ME. I take it 1 day at at time, so as not to overwhelm myself or give up b/4 I started.
Now, what's my motivator to keep on track w/ healthy eating & exercise? I think back to 3 yrs ago when anxiety disorder triggered: I was dianosed w/ anxiety disorder, panic attack & PTSD - i was forced to not work, took anx med 3x per day & 2 sleep aids: was averaging 1-2 hrs per 24 hrs. It was bad. I went thru 20 mths of very intensive therapy - having to face & feel the most painful things. Here I am now, 3 yrs later - having done Lucinda's program(along w/ therapy) RECOVERED FR ANXIETY DISORDER. For me, it was the literal experience of feeling the diff exercising & eating healthy made for me. The motivation comes fr remembering how bad it was 3 yrs ago & how bad it felt & what state I was in. Motivation for me, was NOW, I KNOW BETTER.
Maya Angelou says, "when you know better, you do better". I know better: feeling good & healthy & empowered & pos, FEELS GOOD - feeling weak, tired, anxiety filled to the max, out of shape, & heavy DON'T.
LENORE
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Guest
Thank you both for your words of encouragement. I am finding out that as I progress in the program, I am still going to have bad days that I am concerned about. But don't all "normal" folks have bad days as well? I guess I just need to let my self feel things, both old and new, without analyzing EVERYTHING. I try to keep my self busy, but not too busy. I try to stay positive even when I feel like crap, and some days when I think I can't go through with it, somehow I do. I work the program as best I can and move forward "one day at a time".
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Guest
:ptygah, I am one of those that if I don't see results immediately, I quit. I also am trying to keep myself on track. I let my headvoice tell me what to do. Its gotta be one day at a time. We are worth the time and effort. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and its not a train. The prize at the end of this will "normality" for me and to be a mom and wife that my family won't have to walk on eggshell around. You can do this and you are worth it.