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Saturday, January 23, 2010

BBB Round 2: Week 2 (Seven Ways To Stay Motivated).

January is winding down to a close. You know what that means, don't you? Most people who made New Year's Resolutions to lose weight and get fit are...losing their resolve.

Not me. I'm still going strong. And the scale rewarded me - I'm two pounds lighter today than I was this time last week (you can all clap now). Those descending numbers are, in and of themselves, motivating, but lord knows, they're not always enough to keep you going.

So I thought I'd take a few minutes to share some of the things that help me stay strong when I want to quit.

Take your measurements - The scale doesn't always give me the positive feedback I need. But that doesn't necessarily mean I'm not slimming down. That's why, at the start of any diet, I take all my measurements: bust, waist, hips, arms and thighs. Sure, the numbers make me want to cringe, but when I slide that tape measurement around my waist and see a smaller number peeking back at me, I can't help but smile.

Track your food - I know, this might seem counter-intuitive. After all, there's nothing more discouraging than realizing that you've blown your calorie budget five days in a row. But, if you keep it up, you'll notice that your habits are getting healthier. That you're learning how to eat better. So, even if you have to admit to eating three pieces of cheesecake, you'll have all that written proof that your dessert overload is an aberration, and not the beginning of a pattern. Sometimes, that's all it takes to stay strong.

Schedule workouts - and tell someone about it  - Penciling a workout in isn't enough for me. Because when I'm tired? I don't really care that my calendar says I'm supposed to get to the gym. My husband is my secret weapon. I tell him I'm going to go, and then I tell him to make me do it. Sometimes, this forces him to call me some fairly nasty names, but in the end, I go.

Every once in a while, slide on those skinny jeans - At first, you may not be able to get them over your thighs, let alone button them up. But over time, they'll get closer and closer to fitting. And that? Is sure to make you feel good.

Set mini-goals, and reward yourself when you reach them - Right now, I'm shooting for a 5 percent loss. When I get there? I'm going to treat myself to a salon color job (instead of reaching for a box). That gives me something to look forward to...and motivation to get there before my roots start showing (Tori's turned me gray!!! But that's a gripe for another post).

Put a picture of your skinny self on the fridge - I have this photo of me in a bikini. An honest to god string bikini. And I look good (which is hard to imagine right now). But proof that I can look that hot will (sometimes) keep me from reaching for the ice cream.

Give yourself a deadline - For me, that's Tori's first birthday. I'm hoping to fit into my pre-preggo jeans by then, but really, my goal is to just not look pregnant anymore. Because on her first birthday? There will be pictures. Lots of pictures. And I don't want to cringe every time I look at them.

Those are my tricks. But I'm sure you guys have your own. So spill it. What keeps you motivated to lose weight?

15 comments:

  1. Stopping by from follow me Friday. Good for you on sticking with it. I haven't even got started yet. Does that mean I won't? I don't know. I'm hosting a giveaway over at my place if you're interested.
    http://tallysplace.blogspot.com/2010/01/giveaway-finally.html

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  2. Great tips!!! I dont watch my intake on food though. I already eat pretty healthy and I absolutely refuse to count my calories. I found that when doing that it stressed me out so much that I would eat more because of stress. So I quit counting and worrying and stressing over foods and just ate what I knew was good for me when I got hungry. I still have sweets just in moderation and maybe once or twice a week.

    And YAY YOU!!! I read your first question "January is winding down to a close. You know what that means, don't you?" and said "YES SPRING WILL BE HERE SOON!" then kept reading and was like "oh, no that's not what she meant" haha

    I can't wait for spring and warmer air to run in!! I love running but this cold crap each morning will be my undoing I swear!!

    ~Autumn

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  3. My motivation is guilt. Over eating that 2nd (3rd, 4th, 5th) cookie. Over snacking all day long. Over the half bottle of wine I drank the night before.

    That, and the scale. Weekly (sometimes more) weigh ins remind me that I need to stay on track.

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  4. great post - i couldn't ahve said it better myself ;)

    congrats on the 2lbs, and i'm betting oyu'll have no problem meeting that goal of yours!

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  5. Guilt is a prime motivator...as is the promise of spring (and no more bulky sweaters!). I've got a long way to go though...

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  6. I've actually already noticed that the gym isn't as busy as it was two weeks ago. There isn't a wait for showers, parking it easier, and all the treadmills aren't taken. Good to you for sticking with it!

    Oh, and I think you covered all the main tricks. The only other one I'd add is calorie cycling. My body gets used to one level of intake and the metabolism slows down. When I confuse it by having higher and lower calorie days, it seems to make a difference.

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  7. This is GREAT! Its wonderful to have as many inspirational ways to keep you motivated. Thanks for sharing so the rest of us can as well

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  8. These sound like great tips! I'm following really late from Friday Follow! Please come follow my blog! Thanks! Have a great night!

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  9. great tips, i'm so needing them. i'm getting off to a slow start on my new year fitness routine due to the gift of a silly broken toe for christmas. congrats on your 2 pounds -- that's awesome. thanks for stopping by...

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  10. Great tips! One of my big struggles as a SAHM with a hubby that works 12 hour shifts is under eating - which can be worse than overeating. To combat that, I try to make bigger meals when he's home so that when I'm on my own I have leftovers that I can just pop into the microwave. He's out of town right now for 4 days, so before he left I had a huge cooking day and filled my fridge with healthy meals that just need to be heated up. Works for me!

    Congrats on the two pounds, and way to stick with it!!!

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  11. Those are excellent tips. The thing that's hardest for me to keep up with is food journaling. And it is so crucial. Maybe I'll make that a mini goal.

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  12. Great tips, I need all the motivation I can get. I'm following from Friday follwers (a little late). You can find me blogging here:

    http://www.couponclippinmommy.com

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  13. I know it's Sunday, but I'm here from the Friday Follow. Following you now! Come on over to the Southern Institute and follow along (if you like what you read)!

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  14. Oh! Congratulations on your weight loss!

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  15. I like the mini goals idea and the skinny picture on the fridge - genius!

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