Motivation or the right mindset?

 

I have felt great the last few days.  Not just physically, but mentally as well.  I am, once again, in control around food.  I feel like I could tackle any food challenge or temptation put in front of me. 

This feeling worries me...

mo·ti·va·tion

noun

•  

  the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.
•  
  the general desire or willingness of someone to do something.

My motivation comes and goes quickly.  My reasons for losing weight and maintaining my weight have not changed over the years, but my desire and willingness to continue on this journey sometimes leaves me.  I get tired of all it;  I just don't want to worry about what I'm eating, how much I'm eating, and if I should be eating.  That is when I gain weight, stop walking and running, and I tell myself I just don't care.  What follows is days (or weeks) of being moody, frustrated, and depressed.  It's a cycle that I have repeated often over the years.

Losing motivation is normal.  I have yet to met someone (especially someone with a lot of weight to lose) that hasn't lost their motivation at some point during their weight loss journey.  When you look at how much weight you have to lose and the reality of how long it will take to lose it, it's easy to lose the desire to continue.

Eventually my motivation kicks back in.  The desire to get back on track creeps into my life and I am more willing to do what I need to get the weight off. 

I have a lot of ways that I get re-motivated.  Through the Weight Watcher meetings, reading articles about weight loss and people who have had success with their weight loss, listening to podcasts that discuss weight loss and healthy living, trying new recipes, tweaking my weight loss plan and trying something new, or just my desire to feel better again.

mindset

noun

1. the established set of attitudes held by someone.

Motivation is a great thing, when you have it.  But I think what has kept me going all these years is the right mindset.  I started this journey with one thing in mind, to stick with it no matter how long it took.  Even if I didn't get to goal, I was going to keep trying.  I went into this with the attitude that this is for life.  Any changes I made in my diet or exercise had to be something I was willing to do for the rest of my life. 

To me, motivation can often be short term, fleeting.  The right mindset is what is needed to continue, day in and day out. 

I need to continue with the right mindset.  I can continue with this feeling of being in control.  I don't need to worry that my motivation may fade, as long as I have the right attitude when facing any temptation or challenge.  I've come this far, so there's no reason to stop now.