Need a serious motivation boost!

[amcadam]

I don't know what is going on with me! I was so pumped the first and second weeks and now (in the beginning of the 3rd) I am feeling so "blah"!! Any good ideas on how to get re-motivated? Have any of you experienced this lull in motivation?

[parrothead]

I know I sound like a broken record, but have you read the women's book. It is about what intrinsicly motivates you (not about the weight, but about growth and accomplishment). That is what keeps me going. (This is from somebody that missed today's workout though)

[Anna]

what got me remotivated my 2nd week was when i took a pic of myself and saw changes already. but here i am going into my 4th week, unmotivated again. ugh. taking another pic tomorrow. im crossing my fingers for more changes. i NEED motivation!!

[lindsay]

Originally Posted by amcadam

I don't know what is going on with me! I was so pumped the first and second weeks and now (in the beginning of the 3rd) I am feeling so "blah"!! Any good ideas on how to get re-motivated? Have any of you experienced this lull in motivation?

I have been doing this now for 7 and a half weeks and I have now started to see some excellent results. Scale weight has only dropped around 6 kgs (13.2 lbs) but I have lost 9 cms (3.75 inches) from my waist and have gone from a 22.6% body fat to a 13.26% BF. I am so glad I have made it this far and I can't wait for the next 4-5 weeks as I'm told the physical transition in the last 4 weeks is amazing.
So please look forward to the results that will come if you properly follow the program and consider how excited you will be as I am at the transition that WILL happen!
Good luck

[Sunshine]

Hi Amcadan - focus on why you wanted this in the first place - to have energy to chase around your 11 month old and set an example? Your at a good weight so maybe the need isn't as strong as say me, who needs to lose almost 20lbs.

What I do to keep me focussed is 'wanting' to have a baby and not be strung down by fat and weight.

Another way is I put a picture of someone on Body for LIfe who has finished the challenge and what they look like. That motivates me every time I turn on the computer as she's on my desktop.

Also - my trip to Maui in 6 weeks.. and having super skinny asian friends... well that pushes me even more..

Don't be down - you'll get past that hump, overcome it and feel great. Just remember how great it feels each time you finish a day knowing you were clean!

[John]

Hi, Annie! Thanks for posting this question. It always encourages me to see people on this forum jump in to help each other out and share what motivates them. Everyone had some great ideas!

Sunshine pointed out what I've found to be my critical factor to staying motivated: staying focussed on why you started this in the first place. Was it just to lose weight, tone and get in better shape, or is there some deeper personal reason behind those great goals? Do you want more energy? Do feel like you're missing out on something by not being at your personal best level of fitness? Do you want more strength to tackle daily living? Maybe you want to inspire your family or other people in your life? Maybe you're already in good shape but you know you can do better... as Bill Phillips says "only you know the reasons."

If you can make a heartfelt connection with your reasons for wanting to change--real reasons that matter the most to you, reason that you connect with on a deep, personal level--they can empower you with the desire for transformation and the faith to look beyond the common doldrums of eating right and working out. Then, every time you workout or eat a healthy meal you won't be doing it for it's own sake, you'll be doing it as one more step toward a better, stronger, more vibrant life.

I really liked what Lindsay had to say about keeping track of results and focusing on progress made so far (good job!). Are you tracking what you're doing? Are you keeping a journal? If so are you pushing yourself a little bit more each time you workout? If you've kept a journal look back at your last workout... can you work a little harder next time and celebrate the progress of that accomplishment?

Personally I've found going up a couple pounds on some dumb bells or running .1 faster on a treadmill can feel like a fantastic accomplishment I can celebrate, but only if I plan ahead to do it and give myself permission to be proud of my progress.

I think dreaming of, wanting, planning, executing and celebrating your transformation progress is the key to why the BFL is so successful. We all have the power within us to do this. The fact that you posted here about wanting to stay motivated is proof of your own desire. Take some time to reconnect with your reasons and stay focussed on them as your catalyst for transformation.

Keep up the hard work, Annie. I know you are going to have a great success story!

[Doodlebug]

Great post John!

Personally, I just am tired of "exercising" and "dieting" and never seeing results. I just WILL NOT quit this time b/c I am so curious to see what will happen if I really put a sincere effort into achieving my goals and finishing this challenge. Hockeymom has a entry in her blog stating that the 3-6 weeks are super tough b/c people start to lose the initial motivation and see slower progress in changes.

Also, on the BFL website, there is a weekly challenge guide that has advice on each week from past winners. Body-for-LIFE Inspiration

I am in week 7 and no I don't see as much progress and I DID NOT want to wake up this morning for cardio but I did fit a pair of pants that I haven't in a while. Maybe there are small, tiny changes that you aren't seeing??

We all lose motivation at times!

[priorityone]

Yes, great post John. I am trying to get my head right so I can exercise in another 1/2 hr or so. I've been on the road since this a.m and just got in so I really feel like blah...turn on t.v and sit for the next few hours - but I know that 's not good. One of my motivations is too be able to fit my clothes (I'm bustin' loose). This is my first week and at the end I would like to see at least a 1 - 2lb drop as I am eating better. I know that I will see results, if not at the end of the week then the next. I am going to keep pushing. Now I must push away from this computer and get my workout in. Thanks for posting.

[amcadam]

Wow, you guys are GREAT!!!! Thanks so much for all of the encouraging words! I guess that I was feeling that the program is becoming more routine now and I wasn't quite as excited about it as I initially was. I agree that we need to keep a journal and celebrate little victories. You guys are the absolute best!! Thanks so much!!

[statona]

Lindsay - that is amazing the mount of weight loss you have achieved, - are you planning on submitting your pics and story for the "challenge"... If your last 4-5 weeks keeps going like that - you have a shot at placing I have to think.