Last week I talked about how I have a long history with difficult weigh-ins (weigh-ins which I didn't truly feel reflected the level of effort I put in) and that for years, the process of losing weight, stalling, and gaining again had always completely derailed me. I never stopped working out or started eating like crazy but I worked out only for enjoyment (that's not a bad thing!) and ate healthy because usually I think it tastes better and I know I feel better, but I would always abandon the macro-nutrient and calorie counting.
After the disappointing weigh-in last week, I reached out for help instead of feeling defeated. Well I felt defeated but instead of allowing that to end my focus, I asked my personal trainer for help. I asked her for motivation and encouragement and I posted publicly here asking for support (and got it!). I was honest that I was afraid of being defeated by this pattern again, but with the support I received by reaching out, I pushed through the last week and had a very successful week (within my goal calories all week, with my macros in the right ratios for me and...a 2.2lb loss!).
I admit that I struggle with where I am. I have tons of muscle, I have good cardiovascular fitness and I eat well. My body size is fairly small and compact and so while I am fit and even thin by American standards, I am not where I personally want to be. My clothes always fit, I feel comfortable in a bikini and I never feel like the fat girl in the room. But...I know I could be better. I have long terms fitness and health goals, that combined with my career goals require more of me health wise. I am training as nutritionist, and will be doing my personal training diploma soon. For me to feel fully confident in this career choice, I need to be even fitter, even healthier.
So, after pushing through last week and being rewarded for my hard work with loss, I have to stay committed and focused this week. I read my personal trainer's Monday email which was about discipline and I will remind myself of that all week. I will remind myself how many people pulled for me to get through last week and how great I feel when I did. And I won't be afraid to seek other sources of motivation if I feel myself waning at all.
How do you stay motivated? Do you have a mantra for when the going gets tough? Where are your sources of support and encouragement in this health journey?
Staying motivated is so hard when you think you aren't getting the results you should. Ahhhh, that should word. Should makes you feel like you're a failure if you don't or can't. Failure never makes you feel good. For a few people, failure can be a motivator, but for most it's just a downer.
ReplyDeleteTake should out of the equation and think about what you did accomplish. Was it healthy eating? Was doing a harder exercise? Was it learning something new about you? Did you have some fun this week laughing with a friend, singing out loud or just sharing a long conversation with a family and friends. Yes, it might have been even better if you lost a pound or two, but that will happen if stay focused and know you are doing your best.
Keep it up and don't let should's get in the way.