I have to find motivation every single time I press level 20 on the elliptical. I have to find the motivation to order a salad as an appetizer over cheese fries. Every minute of every day I’m constantly trying to find the motivation to change the old, unhealthy habits that have become the norm for the past 20 years.
Here’s how I find my motivation.
The list. I keep a list of reasons of why I’m losing weight on a piece of paper in my home office. I wrote it when I started the blog and look at it when I have a hard time finding motivation. I recommend making a list of your own, something you can refer to when you don’t feel like going to the gym on a Monday afternoon, or when you have to choose a salad over a plate of hot wings.
It’s most of the things found on this list, but I’ve since added a few more.
My word. When I started this some three months ago, I told you, family, friends, and strangers alike that I didn’t want to die. I sent out an e-mail with a link to this blog to everyone I knew. I told you in that e-mail that I was going to lose 100+ pounds and make sure I was able to see my daughter get married (she can’t date until she’s 22, by the way).
If you’re not a trustworthy person or if you’re the type of person people can’t count on (just being honest here), this isn’t good motivation for you. While I’m no saint, I don’t like to lie to people. I told you I was going to lose 100 pounds, and dammit, that’s what you’re going to sit back and watch me do.
Role models. You need to know it’s possible to lose weight. An old friend of mine from high school, James, used to be extremely overweight like me. Years ago, we used to be regulars of Flowertown, a restaurant in my hometown of Summerville. We’d always go about 3 AM (after playing video games all night) and order all kinds of ridiculously unhealthy things. One such meal in particular was a platter of large gravy fries (exactly as it sounds).
His unhealthy habits stopped long before mine, as he lost a great deal of weight (75+ pounds) about two years ago. He did it by going to the gym and playing in a basketball league, while still drinking alcohol and eating junk (college) food.
While it hurts to say it, considering how inferior he is to me in every other aspect of our lives (sorry, I can’t actually be nice to you, James), he’s a role model.
Antagonists. On the flip side, we have the antagonists. These are the family members, students, co-workers, and strangers who have dished out the rude comments about your weight throughout your life. 6 years ago, I was sitting in Geometry class when a girl sitting next to me saw me laughing (hey, geometry was a good time) — she viciously cautioned, “You better calm down or you’re going to have a heart attack.” This wasn’t a warning out of kindness.
While I should say that it’s never good to dwell on the negative things other people say about you (as if their opinion mattered), it’s always great to hand out some warm slices of freshly baked humble pie.
Short, attainable goals. I have some personal goals for my family. A large, long-term goal includes buying a piece of land, preferably this one, and build a large house and a pond on it. We could have geese, too, and my dogs (boxer and cocker spaniel) could chase them around all day.
Short term goal? Pay the electricity bill next month.
Fixating on the larger and harder to accomplish goal will make you discouraged and depressed. Hopefully, some day, I’ll be able to put down $900,000 cash for the 26-acres above, a house, and pond. But, until then, I’m more than happy putting food on the table, keeping electricity flowing through our walls, and putting down $18 once a month to go to the zoo with my wife and daughter.
You need goals like this when it comes to losing weight. My first goal started with getting under 340 pounds — my next goal is to get under 274. If my first goal had started and ended with “lose 100 pounds,” I wouldn’t have accomplished anything yet. Instead, I’ll be hitting the gym tomorrow knowing that I’m so close to reaching my goal of 274 pounds with a just a little bit more effort.
Then, it’s onto 269 pounds. And some day, maybe the day I get my 26-acres with a pond, I’ll be at the gym working toward 220 pounds.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you. My own weight issues aside, I appreciate your perspective on goals, and I’m glad you shared them.
You need to write a book on all of this. Honest.
And I know this blog isn’t to make money or to gain fame, but writing a book might be a path to get to all that land.
As someone who has recently re-embarked on a quest to lose some serious pounds, I really enjoyed reading about some of your motivators. Motivation needs constant replenishing, I find, and reasons such as these are the fuel for the fire!
Great post! Small, achievable goals are powerful things.
I like the goal for the land. I’ve had a similar one like that too. Always thought it would be cool to be away from the clutter of the city. Would be nice if the pond was large enough to have some fun on a jet ski. Seasonal would be nice too, where it could freeze over in the winter.
I always imagine it ending up like that movie Funny Farm though lol
My first goal is to get out of the “obese” category. Motivation? Dying. I don’t want to, so I eat better and exercise. It works for me, almost there!
Great post!
The area that I really need to work on is the short term goals. Right now, I’m working on getting to 350. Only 18 more pounds to go!
But today… for some reason… I keep thinking about how much total weight I have to lose. And I’ve been feeling a bit discouraged. I’m glad I read your post… because knowing that I’m not the only one that feels this way from time to time is comforting.
Thanks for the pep talk! I really needed it! :)
Hey man, this is pretty awesome. The short-term goals thing is a pretty great way to keep yourself motivated, indeed. I’m working on getting down to 245 so I can reward myself with delicious ice cream. I’ve got about 5 pounds to go on that one, but I’m sure I can reach it within the next two weeks. I’ve delayed it a bit because I started weight training last week and gained a bit o’ muscle mass. At least, I hope it’s muscle mass.
Re: the zoo trips:
Many attractions like zoos and museums offer annual memberships. If you plan to frequently visit such places with your daughter, a membership may prove to be less expensive than paying as you visit.
Also, many such attractions have a day each month or week where admission is free for local residents. Worth checking out!