I’ve become pretty good at starting new endeavors. Especially health and fitness. I do a lot of research, I pre-plan, I follow others who have gone before me, and by the time I start, I feel motivated and confident.
Even after seeing great results and feeling better, after a while, it’s still so easy to slip back into old habits. It happens so slowly. It’s so sneaky. One treat here. Skip one gym day there. I tell myself that small changes here and there won’t make a difference. Before I know it, I’m kind of closer to where I started than where I ended up. Lesson learned: small changes make ALL the difference. For better or for worse.
Some days I’m 100% motivated, and other days I feel like I’m pulled in so many directions that any free time should be spent doing nothing but eating donuts and browsing Pinterest. The truth is that as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that I value long-term more. It’s hard to not quit. It’s so easy to slip out of the good habits.
My method now? I can’t think about motivation anymore. I’ve really wasted a lot of time lately hyper-analyzing whether I’m motivated, why I’m motivated or unmotivated…I need to redirect my focus on action. This is how I approach everything else anyway – laundry, cleaning…It’s not a matter of being motivated, I just choose to do it. Just lace up and go to the gym. Set myself up to make good choices. Make those good choices every time. Maintenance is always more of a struggle for me than the beginning. Anyone else feel this way?
Great article! I too struggle in this area. Health and Fitness was the perfect example. Yes, I continue to struggle with it, but what works for me is having a personal trainer – someone to hold me accountable and working out right away in the morning; even if its at 5am! It sets me up to make better choices throughout the day. If I were to workout at night, it would be too easy for me to come up with reasons/excuses not to work out, especially after a long day at work.
Thanks for your continued motivation and keeping it real!
Nike slogan seems very fitting for your article – Just Do It.
I can totally relate. A couple of different scenarios come to mind, but right now, I’m feeling this way about a “business endeavor” I’m going to be starting soon. It’s a huge investment financially, and I’ll be leaving behind a business I’ve done for 4+ years. I feel motivated and excited, and I’m planning right now, but I’m scared of it fizzling out the way it has with the other business. I need to remember to keep active with it and keep momentum instead of letting the excitement die down and coasting…I tend to do that with things. :-\
OMG, maintenance is sooo much harder. I’ll bet I’ve lost a thousand pounds over my lifetime only to regain it. Right now I’m 15 pounds away from regaining the last 45 pound loss. I just don’t know why I let myself do this.
I absolutely love this! I always focus on the motivation, which is so hard on the days when it’s lacking. But thinking of it as an action… That is genius!