What are your motivations?

[jeepgirl06]

I would love to hear what everyone's motivations are!!!! What is driving you and what keeps you on track?

[BunnyD]

Re: What are your motivations?

Aside from just wanting to feel better about myself, a huge motivation was my wedding (just got married 3 weeks ago!). Overall I managed to lose 40 pounds before my wedding and felt great. After a little stumble during the honeymoon (being blissfully in love and having access to all you can eat buffet on a cruise ship is a dangerous combination) I'm ready to continue. For me having small goals works, ie. I'd like to be a certain weight by my birthday - this doesn't work for everyone but for me it helps keep me on track, but numbers aren't everything and all in all I just want to feel happy with myself.

[BabyDreamer]

Re: What are your motivations?

I used to have all kinds of motivation, but right now I have none. I am slipping and sliding into carbland and I am not sure how to stop. I would love to read some good motivations to help get me back on track.

Deb

[Mary-chan]

Re: What are your motivations?

Aside from just wanting to feel better about myself, a huge motivation was my wedding (just got married 3 weeks ago!). Overall I managed to lose 40 pounds before my wedding and felt great. After a little stumble during the honeymoon (being blissfully in love and having access to all you can eat buffet on a cruise ship is a dangerous combination) I'm ready to continue. For me having small goals works, ie. I'd like to be a certain weight by my birthday - this doesn't work for everyone but for me it helps keep me on track, but numbers aren't everything and all in all I just want to feel happy with myself.

Congratulations on your wedding and the 40 pound loss!!! I'm working hard to feel good at my wedding too. 4 months and 3 weeks left to lose weight!!


So my wedding is DEFINITELY the biggest motivator for me!! But it's weird because I was engaged for 3 years and kept putting it off because I wanted to lose weight first. I think what happened this year that was different then the other years was a few things... First, I could feel myself getting sicker and sicker of being overweight, I kept trying low-cal diets and wasted a bunch of money at Jenny Craig but those wouldn't last long because I felt starved... Anyway, then in April, my grandmother was dying and I flew back home to michigan to see her. Seeing me get married was important to her, so I told her I'd get married as soon as she was out of the hospital (and I meant it). Unfortunately, she passed away, but it really got me thinking about how SHORT life is, and I've been so busy wasting my life the past years just getting bigger and bigger and not living! I didn't want another loved one or family member to die before I got married. To top it off, that same week my mom used her diabetes blood sugar testing kit on me, and low and behold my sugar levels were WAYYY too high.. So I also knew if I didn't do something soon I would become diabetic. I had also been having chronic foot pain the past 6 months in my life at this point and I was really getting sick of hobbling around..

So I think that all that combined set things into motion. After my grandmother's funeral and when I came back to California, I researched for a while and thought long and hard about what my best option for losing weight and getting healthy would be. I realized things like Jenny Craig weren't working. Having more then a hundred pounds to lose... low-cal was simply too hard to maintain long term. I knew from past experiences it would be doomed to failure. I had done Atkins once before for a few weeks, but hadn't really given it my all or read the book or anything. I had lost weight on it and it seemed like the easiest plan to stick to, so I read up more about it and found this website. I read the book completely and started on May 1st. I was COMPLETELY determined, I KNEW this just absolutely HAD to work!! May 6th was my birthday - instead of cake I had steak . No more excuses for myself to let myself down.. I focused on goal to goal!! I thought about how I might look in a wedding dress. I just couldn't stand the thought of wearing a wedding dress at my then current weight of 262. The fear of how bad I might look really really motivated me!! In September I went on an alaskan cruise - I survived and didn't cheat, and even exercised in their gym!!! I couldn't believe it, I actually survived the tons and tons of free food readily available on the cruise ship.. I just really really want to look good in that wedding dress!!

Everytime I wanted to cheat, I thought about how the food would be gone in less then a minute and would leave nothing behind but a memory and guilt. I found that if I pretended that I had just had that food to eat a few hours ago, it actually helped me get past the cravings.. I know it sounds strange, but I would just tell myself "well I had some of that a little while ago.. boy was it good!!" And then I would want it less.. Probably sounds crazy,, but whatever works lol!! I also thought about how I had 25 years of gluttony and it never brought me any closer to happiness. Food just doesn't provide happiness!! It tastes good for a moment but then it is gone.. I just kept reminding myself of those things.

I never told myself I had 100 pounds to lose or 120 pounds to lose. At the beginning, I said "I need to get healthy and be more active." When I saw that I was actually losing weight and not torturing myself, I went mini-goal to mini-goal. Fitting into pants,, getting down another two or three pounds.. Mini-goals are the keys to success!!

Whenever I feel ANY temptation to lay down and quit or to cheat, I come here to the ADBB and read posts or post my frustrations somewhere - IT HELPS!!!

Lastly, I have a long list of individual motivations that all add up. I wrote them down in my e-journal and will paste them here...

**********
So people in public will stop going out of their way to avoid eye contact with me and stop treating me like I’m invisible

So I might actually hear once in a while that I’m pretty, instead of just having “a pretty face”

So the first thing people think about when they meet me isn’t my size

So people stop treating me like I’m five years old because “I’m that cute chubby girl” or something

So I can buy clothes in a regular store, or at a souvenir stand, or wherever, and not have to buy clothes in a specialty store.

So when I travel overseas I’m not the stereotypical overweight American!

So my ankles and knees stop hurting and getting swollen, and my feet problems will continue to get better

I never want to have to worry about seat belts fitting again, or lap-bars on rollercoasters, or the tradetable on airplanes not being able to go down over my big belly

So people don’t groan when they see they have to sit next to me on airplanes

So at my wedding, I can actually be and feel beautiful, instead of people just telling me I look “so cute!” or something condescending

So I can walk and be active without my weight dragging me down, making my feet tired, and not being able to go very far. I want to be able to keep up with myself!!

So the first thing I think about when in a new situation isn’t if I’ll fit into the chair or not. So I can actually try new things and not have my weight be the biggest concern.

So when I am at a restaurant I’m not self conscious about what I’m eating because people won’t be watching to see what the fat girl eats

So I don’t get diabetes or any other weight related health problems

So people don’t feel sorry for me

So people don’t sorry for Jim having to “stick by me”

So people might actually think Jim has a sexy girlfriend and maybe be jealous of him!!

So I don’t have to “play the part” of the fat girl – quiet, self conscious, extra sweet, non-intimidating – but can say what I really feel.

So I can stop missing out on things because I’m afraid I can’t do it because I’m overweight!!

[Mary-chan]

Re: What are your motivations?

I used to have all kinds of motivation, but right now I have none. I am slipping and sliding into carbland and I am not sure how to stop. I would love to read some good motivations to help get me back on track.

Deb

I sent you a PM, but here's another cyberhug for you in the meantime

[jeepgirl06]

Re: What are your motivations?

"quote: Mary-Chan:
Everytime I wanted to cheat, I thought about how the food would be gone in less then a minute and would leave nothing behind but a memory and guilt. I found that if I pretended that I had just had that food to eat a few hours ago, it actually helped me get past the cravings.."

That's an awesome thought! I think I'll be using that in my mind...

My motivation:
1.) Well, duh, my jeep, piece by piece.
2.) Losing the weight and keeping it off this time. ( I used to just not eat to lose weight, I'd drop down like 110 pounds and be okay for a while, but BAM, as soon as I ate pizza I would be a non-stop binger and couldn't stop it till it piled back on.
3.) My mother-in-law is like 5'10 and 100 pounds, she rock climbs and they all walk 3 miles a day... they want me to join them when I move down there and I wouldn't last 15 minutes.
4.) I don't like looking like I do... I've been up and down all my life and I love my body even when I'm 20 pounds overweight... ( which is why my goal is 160, not 140) I'm unhappy how I look and I keep myself closed up inside, and I miss my vibrant self.

[RunAwayMichelle]

Re: What are your motivations?

Right now my motivation is chairs with arms. They are everywhere and I can't sit in them. Last spring I have finally reached a point where I could sit in some arm-chairs then I blew it this summer. I hate having to perch on the edge of a seat I can barely squeeze one cheek into.

[jeepgirl06]

Re: What are your motivations?

Right now my motivation is chairs with arms. They are everywhere and I can't sit in them. Last spring I have finally reached a point where I could sit in some arm-chairs then I blew it this summer. I hate having to perch on the edge of a seat I can barely squeeze one cheek into.

Oh my, I know sooooo much what you're talking about! I hate it too!!!!!
I swear, when I lose this, as a treat, you know those white resin/plastic patio chairs that people sit on outside? I'm gonna take one of those out "Office Space" style...

My DH and I loved our old town theatre, cuz the arm rests went up and they were so comfortable. When we moved, they don't have them here and I hate it... I feel like I have to throw my arm back over his shoulder just so I'm not spilling out over both arm rests....

Airplanes are the worst... UGH... I know exactly what you're talking about.

[dreamof145]

Re: What are your motivations?

I think you hit on the most important part of losing the weight. Keeping yourself motivated. We always ask ourselves why someone would quit Atkins after having success or give up when they have US (ADBBers) to support them. We all have our own reasons for wanting to lose weight, long-term and short-term goals. I really think that when we first start, we are so inspired and revved up to do it. But, as we are doing it, we get less excited. The weight loss slows down, the compliments become less (because the people that have noticed our weight loss previously - have already voiced it and don't keep repeating it daily (as we'd like to hear! lolol). So, we slowly let the 'inner failure voice that everyone has' interrfer with our plans.

To keep the motivation alive...we must give ourselves a daily dose of SELF CONFIDENCE. To do this, we use inspirational phrases, quotes, photos or whatever it is that makes us want to succeed. If your force is to be healthy and active with your kids or grand-kids, then you need to post their pictures by an affirmation that will give you the drive to MAKE IT HAPPEN. If it is to run a marathon, then post some photos and quotes or phrases from Marathon runners in view. Live it, feel it, breath it and don't let one day go by that you aren't reminded why you NEED to succeed. I have about 50 reasons written down in my journal that I read from time to time, but I have my quotes and photos and favorite songs (that motivate me) right in view everyday!!

In order to be successful, we need to educate ourselves and motivate ourselves. The ADBB helps, the WOE helps and the excitement of wearing smaller clothes definitely helps, but we have to work on our MENTAL ATTITUDE as much as the other things. Its like having a well-running car. You can use high octane fuel, the best wax, and have a lot of compliments, but if you don't keep the engine in good working order, then it won't continue to go. (I know a lame comparison, but it works for me. I compare my mind with the engine of the car).

Does this make any sense to anyone? What I mean is to find a deep passion reason for wanting to succeed, something that really means a lot to you. What drives you to really want to get healthy and look better?? It has to be something for yourself, not so that others think you look good, but because you want to look good for you, feel better about yourself and have confidence to achieve things that you want to do and haven't because you hide behind the FAT WALL that you've built between you and life.

[cruiser gal]

Re: What are your motivations?

My biggest motivator has been my before pictures. I carry 1 around with me, so that I have it just in case I am tempted outside of the home. I have that picture on the fridge as well, and of course everday I see it when I am writing on this board! It is a reminder of what I looked like, and will never go there again!!!! My DH is a wonderful motivator, he encourages me constantly, and tells me how wonderful I look, and the way he looks at me, keeps me motivated too. Constant compliments from people, smaller and more fashionable clothing, also keep my motivation levels high! But most importantly, it is ME who is the best motivator, because I am doing this for ME ultimately!

[jeepgirl06]

Re: What are your motivations?

I'm gonna keep a picture photo album of the jeep as it's being built as my reminder to keep going... that's my thing. When it's done, I'll keep it in the glove box. lol! I'm dying to know how long it will take to lose the first 20 pounds.....

I've been debating on maybe only weighing every 3 weeks, so that I have a better observation of what I've lost instead of the getting mad if I only lost 1 pound one week, but maybe lost 3 pounds the next, still averaging 2 per week, you know?

[jeepgirl06]

Re: What are your motivations?

Aside from just wanting to feel better about myself, a huge motivation was my wedding (just got married 3 weeks ago!). Overall I managed to lose 40 pounds before my wedding and felt great. After a little stumble during the honeymoon (being blissfully in love and having access to all you can eat buffet on a cruise ship is a dangerous combination) I'm ready to continue. For me having small goals works, ie. I'd like to be a certain weight by my birthday - this doesn't work for everyone but for me it helps keep me on track, but numbers aren't everything and all in all I just want to feel happy with myself.

Is that you in your wedding dress? You're such a cutey!!!!! I have to give props to all you guys who lost weight for your weddings... I wasn't able to, I had the intention to but I was stressed out and let it interfere... kudo's to you guys.

[softnred]

Re: What are your motivations?

When I first began this WOE, my seemingly-unreachable goal was just to get my size-26 body back to a size 18. I did that this spring, and was very close to a size 16 when I hopped off the wagon to attend a conference. Unfortunately, it took most of the summer (and too much weight gain) for me to get myself together enough to hop back on plan. My size 18 has slipped away, and I'm back in size 20. At that point, my motivation was to be as skinny as I could for Christopher's return from deployment. Since then, his unwavering "I accept and love you no matter what size you are" stance has been amazing, but hasn't done a lot to motivate me to get back to an 18, then go from there.

But now that I've read all these excellent posts, it's helping to restore my size 18 thirst and my size 16 and 14 thirst. I really can't look to Christopher, our wedding, my son or anything else for motivation. It has to come from ME.

Thank you SO much for the mindset adjustment!!

~JoAnne

[BunnyD]

Re: What are your motivations?

Is that you in your wedding dress? You're such a cutey!!!!! I have to give props to all you guys who lost weight for your weddings... I wasn't able to, I had the intention to but I was stressed out and let it interfere... kudo's to you guys.

Hey Jeepgirl! Yes, that's me on my wedding day, holding our newly signed marriage certificate and being corny in general. Thanks so much for the compliment!

I wasn't able to lose as much as I wanted to, but it felt great to lose what I did. Man, those wedding dresses are brutal. I still think it's completely unfair that the guys get to hide behind nice flattering black tuxes and we get wrapped up in a white sausage casing!

[jeepgirl06]

Re: What are your motivations?

I so totally agree... I keep telling my DH that when I lose the weight, I'm having my dress re-done and we're re-taking our pictures. hahahah!