Home Q&A Wednesday Q&A Wednesday: How Can I Get Motivated?

Q&A Wednesday: How Can I Get Motivated?

by Erika Nicole Kendall

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3-20-ask-erika

Today, R asks, “How can I start?”

What’d you think?

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10 comments

Lekha March 20, 2013 - 1:24 PM

I think for me, it’s always an ongoing process. A VERY SLOW ONE. And honestly I have not lost one pound since last year when I started thinking about all of this.

I started by just logging my food in Jan 2012. Not calorie counting, just basically writing a list of my meals for the day in a very general manner. Then in May I started run/walking a few times a week irregularly, no more than a mile or so. Then I started doing a short run/walk plus a few extra miles of walking. In the fall school started and I got off track a little, but I’d probably go out an run once a week or so – still, slow run/walking but maybe like 2 or 3 miles by now. Then the weather got cold and I started doing some workout DVDs indoors.

In the past 6 weeks it’s really kicked up the most. I found a workout DVD I really liked and did it religiously, 30 min/ 6 days a week for a month. I also started tracking my calories online.

Recently I got bored of the workout and have moved on to a different DVD, but I still get 4-6 workouts in a week and have lowered my calorie allowance a bit. Still haven’t lost a single pound, but I am motivated because I can tell I am becoming stronger and more energetic. (However, if I don’t see some weight come off in the next few weeks I am definitely going to be sad.)

Anyway, it seems like for me it’s been a super long, super slow process, and I haven’t even begun to lose weight yet. It seems like it’s going to take the rest of my life for anything to really happen – but I guess that’s how it’s supposed to be? I don’t know, but I suppose I am happy that I am no longer gaining 10-15 lbs. per year like before, so at least that’s something.

Joi @ Rx Fitness Lady March 20, 2013 - 1:25 PM

It is difficult for all of us but all things work together to keep us motivated. I think it’s about figuring out what your specific barriers (main procrastinations) are and focusing on overcoming them one by one.

kami March 20, 2013 - 7:10 PM

In December i got fed up from trying all these low calorie dieting and buying frozen meals instead of cooking. I also hurt myself during workouts not using correct form before December. Afterwards I really been focusing on clean eating as a vegetarian. The pounds has been slowly dropping and much happier. Lately I been cooking all these recipes from my vegetarian cookbook not relying on processed vegan stuff but instead cooking from scratch. Now for my exercise I was doing bikram yoga but now I am doing cardio bosu training class and trx classes along with yoga. Motivation for me was achieving to live this healthy lifestyle as a long term goal.

Anny March 20, 2013 - 11:50 PM

My new office job requires me to sit full-time during the day because I mainly work on computer. Less active life has started for couple months now since I got this job, and I completely lost my abdominal muscle already, not even mention more fat in my stomach now. So weird for a skinny person having a belly!!! I told myself to get a little work out after work but as soon as I get home I keep procrastinating and saying “let’s do it tomorrow”. I really need this motivation, and some kind of imaginary brick to throw down this procrastinating wall I formed in my own brain.

Margaret@WellnessCircle March 21, 2013 - 10:37 AM

Self discipline would be the most important thing to consider. It would be difficult at first but when we think of weight loss as motivation, inspiration and also a challenge for us to become a more better person then I think it would be a good start. Plus, it will be a very long and rough road, but when it seems like you’re already on top then it will be all worth it. 🙂

Take things slow, there is no shortcuts here!

EB March 22, 2013 - 12:32 AM

I needed to see this. I’ve lost my motivation. Over 3 years ago I lost about 80 pounds and I’ve gained well over half of it back and I’m getting married in July. I’m soo overwhelmed. I scour the site daily for something to slap me back to reality, but nothing happens. I look at your Erika of your transition and then I look at mine and I get frustrated because I got comfortable and didn’t maintain it…. I’m determined to get back on track though… I just don’t know how.

Sonya May 16, 2013 - 10:22 AM

Erika, the motivation for me was I finally saw my side profile. I could not believe that it was actually me that was in the photo. I have complained about my lower back killing me. When I saw what I looked like from my side profile and really realized how much stomach weight that I was/am carrying on my lower back; I said enough. No more playing around for me. I have to be around for my husband and 3 children and be a better example to my 14 year old daughter. I loath working out, but I love the way I feel afterwards. Did I feel like doing it today! NOOOO! But I know that in order for me to reach my goals, I have to take this time for me and me only. Thanks for all that you do.

Eljae July 11, 2013 - 7:50 PM

Erika, I’ve been reading and looking at your site for a long time, and today while I am my lowest. I’m so down and depressed at my weight, I need a support system and friends to keep me going. My son is getting married in 2 months and I was so trying to look good in my dress, at this writing, I’m not at that point and if I don’t get out this slump, I feel I will totally embrass my son and myself. What can I do to get out of this mood and get busy?

Erika Nicole Kendall July 11, 2013 - 10:57 PM

Here’s my question: what’s holding you back?

And, if you don’t know the answer to that question just yet, do you really think you should wait UNTIL you have the answer to do what you need to do, or should you just start finding ways to incorporate changes into how you live while you ALSO do the emotional leg work?

marie September 5, 2013 - 4:06 AM

I think the “don’t make a big deal” motto is key.

THAT’s the key seriously!!

We tend to over think this come to fitness moment… and I’m talking to myself right now. I will stop the drama, and I mean today! It’s just adding un-necessary pressure like it’s going to revolutionate the world or something.. sigh. Getting out of this particular comfort zone is taking too gigantic proportions really…

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