Major Motivation

Hello Beauties....

Can I just say how cool it is to see you guys helping each other out, offering advice, and challenging each other to look deeper. You rock!!

So....as we inch closer to the holidays and more specifically to the iLose It For Good Community Challenge - I wanted to make sure that we talked about a very important word...motivation!

Everyone's motivation for the Challenge is different. Some want to lose weight, some want to run a 5K, some want improved health or a better sex life. All of us are going to have unique motivations for wanting to change our lives. And I want you to be flexible with these motivations. It is OK if some of them change throughout the 6 weeks. Goals, dreams, and desires are meant to be flexible items. Often times we look at them as set in stone, unmovable and that can really trip us up. Life is not rigid. Life is fluid. And your dreams for your weight loss or life change must remain open and flexible in order to ensure that you will keep these new habits for life.

I have mentioned before that I am a veteran of a zillion diets and for anyone else out there who had done the diet merry-go-round before you likely know they don't work. What works is when you change your life from the inside out. Small steps of change and action that continue everyday until it becomes your new way of life. There is no quick fix. If there was I am sure we would have purchased it by now and there wouldn't be a need for this board. Any change worth making in life must come from a solid intention within.

So I want you to really think about what is motivating you to take part in this Challenge. What vision do you hold in your mind? Are you comfortable making changes to that vision? Are you motivated by fear, anger, or punishment? Or are you motivated by joy, inspiration, and hope? Have you faced what sabotages you in the past and are you ready to begin a new future? Are you comfortable with failure? Because unless we embrace the fact that most of us will stumble and fall down on our journey, you can't really move through your fear toward success.

Sometimes visual reminders make for great motivation. Check out the Motivate Me photo gallery at http://photos.ivillage.com/diet/motivateme/
There you will see what motivates other women and you can add your own photos of inspiration.

No matter what the official outcome of the 6 weeks together brings just know that you have chosen to focus on yourself in a healthy and loving way. You have chosen to be a part of a community that supports you. And you have chosen to work on both your outter and INNER you.

What more can we ask for, really?

I'd love to hear from you on this blog -what is motivating you to do this Challenge and if you haven't signed up already - there is still time to do so at http://diet.ivillage.com/plans/ilose/0,,9wjzpfjm,00.html

Here's to a FLEXIBLE goal and achieving it lovingly!!

:)

Comments

My motivation is living. I've reached a point where I'm finally scared --- scared that I won't be around to see my stepchildren and their kids grow older and that the quality of life will get increasingly worse the longer I allow myself to exist this way. I get long-winded on fast walks or stairs. I can't fit easily in amusement park rides, planes or stadium seats. I never want to be in family photographs. And I get the occasional chest pain. I know that just tolerating is not the answer. I'm leading a really limited life and I've let it happen. I know that with the right tools and especially support, I can undo it, too. I have to find ways every day to remind myself of the long-term goal. Sure, I have certain numbers in mind (pants size, inches lost, pounds lost, etc.) But I know for me, it's a much longer road and I could use suggestions for how to reinforce those REAL, DEEP-ROOTED reasons every day for making these big life changes. Do you have any advice to offer to help people like me do that?

My motivation is simply that I want to live a healthier lifestyle. I don't like the way my current diet of sugar and processed food makes me feel, and even though I know how I should be eating, I am hoping that with community support I'll actually find the strength to make the changes that I know I need. I'm still young, but I worry about what I am doing to my body for the future. I also love to exercise, and I want to fuel my body more effectively for my physical endeavors and to fuel my body in such a way that others can look at me and see that I actually like to exercise. Right now, any muscle I have is covered in layers of fat from my junk food consumption.

My motivation is getting back physically fit, being active and feeling good about myself. I have to say I am definately in need of changing my whole mind set, and all the negative talk to myself. I have gained 55lbs over the course of 4 years, and do not like seeing those added lbs or feel good about myself. I am one who needs other people to keep me motivated and I am luving all the posts and interaction on here. It is so important to know someone else is dealing with the same issues or similar issues. I am looking forward to the weeks ahead...We Can DO it.....I will be sharing my challenge experience on my personal blog..

I want to be healthier so I can be around for my daughter. I have become very lazy and we eat whatever is quick and easy. I don't like the way my clothes fit and really don't want to buy bigger clothes. I just want to feel better about myself.

My motivation is to live longer and healthier. I have high blood pressure now and I need to get it under control. I want to live long enough to drive my husband nuts and see my kids grow up to have kids of their own that are just like them...lol I'm tired of hating the way I look and the clothing choices that we don't have. I'm tired of running out of breath just walking up a flight of stairs. I'm tired of my joints hurting all the time. It's time for me to take care of me and this is how I need to start.

yes - to chris k - and all the others who are posting their motivations....my advice is...keep an open mind and heart on how you are going to get there. often times we are so brainwashed by what we see in the media that we think of losing weight as a linear and quick process. or think that's how it should be. and most of all keep in your mind's eye the vision of what it will feel like and look like to move your body more easily, play longer and harder with your kids, and love looking at yourself in the mirror.

ok - i know for some the last one is a stretch...but a vision worth working towards none the less!! :)

wow, these comments are deep...i'm in my last couple of semesters of college, and all I can think about is how I can't afford fat clothes...I don't really mind the being fat part, but I mind the thought of having to be naked...

My motivation is two-fold. One is a bit narcissistic..I'm getting married in April and I'd like to look good for it. In the way I looked good about 3 or 4 years ago. The second is about health. I used to work out and eat much more healthily, but I moved to England and lost some of that. I want the old me back in some ways...and so I plan on doing it.

my motivation is my mum, she and i both want to look great for the summer and shes been trying really hard for a long time. im hoping this community challenge will be the boost she needs. i want to see her happy.

There are so many things that are motivating me to become a healthier me. First and foremost is my own health...I have fibromalagia and hurt all of the time, excercising regularly will ease some of that pain. Second motivation...I am getting married in April and want to look my best on my wedding day even if that just means a healthier plus size for now. And lastly, I have been overwieght all of my life and honestly I am tired of being the fat friend.

I am doing this for my kids--I need a healthier lifestyle and they need a better role model. When I see the statistics regarding obese children, I cringe. I will not let my children become statistics--and that means giving up fast food and sodas, and learning to cook healthy meals myself. I am still working on losing the weight from my second child (3 mos. old) and my husband could stand to lose a few pounds too. In fact, my determination to lose the extra weight has inspired him to quit smoking. We could be in for a tense couple of months--but it will be worth it :)

barbara - we'll be with you every step of the way!! :)

My motivation is my family. I really want to be able to be around for my kids as they grow up. I feel extremely guilty that I have forced my children to enjoy life without the benefits of a healthy mother. I'm sure that you mothers know what I mean. I could have played with them more, and I could have had tons more fun with them. Instead, I opted to sit on the sidelines as their father and the girls passed me by. Now it is my turn to play and I intend to achieve my goals. I want my kids to be proud of me and follow my example instead of them hearing "do as mommy says, not as mommy does"

As vain as this is going to sound, I say this in the most modest way I can : IT'S ALL ABOUT ME!
My motivation is to be a happier and healthier human being. I want the energy back I used to have when I was working out, I want to feel better about myself (I went through a very painful break up and I lost my motivation), I want to live healthier; I am trying to cook more and not eat so much junk.
Because, when the end of each day closes, the only opinion that matters is mine. Not the person who judges me from the outside, hurts my feelings by making rude remarks. Because, that person isn't me. That person doesn't live my life. And, that person doesn't know what is really inside of me. ...only I know.

I too am all about ME! I have rationalized previous failures and blamed them on everything under the sun, but at the end of it all is ME. That is only common demoninator. So I am finally ready to hold myself accountable and am looking forward to the support of the challenge, to get healthy once and for all, for ME! I deserve it!

my main goal is to live healthy and to live longer, i am 53 years old and i've pretty well waisted the majority of my life on the wrong men, the wrong diet, and the wrong way to get up every day and live...i'm thinking that what i have not destroyed, i can refix. i stopped smoking last year (after 30 years of smoking), so this year i will take on my weight and exercise issue. it alawys amazes me that we feel so so much better after we do exercise...but yet we make it such a big deal to do it. i'm pumped up and i'm ready to go.

I want to lose weight for myself.I know i can do it this time. come on 2007

My motivation is I am addicted to sugar. I eat a very healthy diet, workout consistently, my weight is right on for my height and I feel good, but I eat way too much sugar and would like to get get it under control.

I am an emotional eater. I eat alone and often to take the feelings of loneliness away. I'm in a catch 22 with the whole thing. I'm depressed so I eat and then I am depressed with the weight. I hope this challenge can get me on the right track.

Just discovered Jess's wonderful blog and the brave, inspiring words of the rest of you. I can particularly relate to what Chris K. wrote about hating to be in family photographs and not fitting easily into stadium or plane seats - that completely describes me. I don't have kids nor am I married but I don't want to develop health problems at the young age of 33 either,and I can feel that I'm sliding down that slope. Your guys' words have given me additional inspiration to keep going with my exercise and changing my eating habits. It's so true that it takes small changes over time, but that's what life's about. Go girls, all of you. I'll be sending you lots of love and happy, positive energy. We can all do it. Thanks for sharing your inspiration with me and everyone else.

I need to focus, get back on track, and lose this weight for good!

Happy New Year everyone! My motivation. I too am an emotional eater and a sugar addict (which is bad as I have Type II diabetes due to my weight). I desparately need to gain control of myself and need all the help I can get.I am so tired of crying. Tired of being depressed and ashamed. My family means well, but they really don't help much. I guess it's hard to help if you've never been in these shoes. I really hope this challenge is the beginning of my success in conquering my weight with the help of all of you.

I want to look in the mirror and see a friend who I accept and embrace.