I'm curious to know what kind of techniques everyone uses to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle? For the most part (80%) of the time, I keep diet clean and maintain workout schedule, but there's times when all I want to do is grab the biggest piece of cake or bowl of cereal and chow down.
How do you stay motivated at times like this? do you walk away? go to sleep? drink water? honestly, sometimes I feel like all I can do IS cave.
How do YOU stay motivated?
Moderators: Boss Man, cassiegose
The thing is to think about what you're losing.
When you're old, do you want to be in any pain, thinking, you could have been in less pain and / or better health, if you'd been more dedicated, or not been so slack with your diet needs, or training needs.
This is your chance to get your old age right. You might not have full control about family and work stresses, taking their toll in life, but the week affords you much time, to train and eat like you think you should.
It's about being strong, and thinking about what a deliberately missed workout, or a deliberately eaten Pizza, piece of Cake etc etc, will do to you, or what it represents as sign of your mental capabilities, and then you learn to realise that you might get 100% result, if you give 100%, but you give 95%, you can almost never get 100% result, unless you're a genetic fluke.
When you're old, do you want to be in any pain, thinking, you could have been in less pain and / or better health, if you'd been more dedicated, or not been so slack with your diet needs, or training needs.
This is your chance to get your old age right. You might not have full control about family and work stresses, taking their toll in life, but the week affords you much time, to train and eat like you think you should.
It's about being strong, and thinking about what a deliberately missed workout, or a deliberately eaten Pizza, piece of Cake etc etc, will do to you, or what it represents as sign of your mental capabilities, and then you learn to realise that you might get 100% result, if you give 100%, but you give 95%, you can almost never get 100% result, unless you're a genetic fluke.
Last edited by Boss Man on Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
you need to have a goal in mind and work towards it than evaluate will what you do bring you closer or take you further away from your goal...simply follow the 90/10 rule...90% of your meals HAVE to be according to your plan (i hope you have one) so that the 10% that isn't won't have an effect on yopur body and will even be psycologically pleasing
For me 2 things work: one is that I'm a fitness/nutrition pro, so I have to be a good example. The second thing is that I very set goals. Not just vague goals. But very specific goals with all the steps laid out. I'm pretty goal oriented, so if I have a plan I will stick to it.
You've got to find what it takes for you. It may be working with a fitness pro, having a long term goal that really excites you, or finding a group of fellow fitness people to communicate with on a regular basis.
Sarah
You've got to find what it takes for you. It may be working with a fitness pro, having a long term goal that really excites you, or finding a group of fellow fitness people to communicate with on a regular basis.
Sarah
I see where you are coming from. It tends to take a lot for me to be motivated some days... I use a lot of examples of others who I can see clearly look very healthy and very fit... that worked for a long time... wanting to look good is a great motivator!
Now, as I am pretty happy with what I see in the mirror, it's become more shorter term goals.. for example- vacations coming up, try to look that much better than the last vacation... or setting small milestones, like being able to up by weights from 15 lbs to 20 lbs, running that extra minute every week, (I'm aiming for being able to have the stamina to run for long periods)... fitting into a pair of pants I buy, which are accidently a half size too small etc... it has worked for me, and trust me, when you reach that small goal, it feels amazing, you'll be on cloud nine for a long time...
Health is the ultimate goal, but sometimes it just isn't short term enough for me to keep motivated to take that extra step everyday... personally, I feel a lot better when I keep routine going... a couple months ago I suffered from very minor whiplash and was told to stay away from the gym for a little while, and honestly, I felt horrible... I felt bloated, and disgusting... to be completely honest, though sometimes you feel like you don't want to go to the gym, and just take a break, sometimes just the avoidance of that 'fat' feeling is motivation enough...
Now, as I am pretty happy with what I see in the mirror, it's become more shorter term goals.. for example- vacations coming up, try to look that much better than the last vacation... or setting small milestones, like being able to up by weights from 15 lbs to 20 lbs, running that extra minute every week, (I'm aiming for being able to have the stamina to run for long periods)... fitting into a pair of pants I buy, which are accidently a half size too small etc... it has worked for me, and trust me, when you reach that small goal, it feels amazing, you'll be on cloud nine for a long time...
Health is the ultimate goal, but sometimes it just isn't short term enough for me to keep motivated to take that extra step everyday... personally, I feel a lot better when I keep routine going... a couple months ago I suffered from very minor whiplash and was told to stay away from the gym for a little while, and honestly, I felt horrible... I felt bloated, and disgusting... to be completely honest, though sometimes you feel like you don't want to go to the gym, and just take a break, sometimes just the avoidance of that 'fat' feeling is motivation enough...
oh and in terms of that crazy craving for a slice chocolate cheesecake or a ice cream covered brownie (I'm a chocolate lover)... if the water trick doesn't do it (many times, just drinking water crushes the craving!), eat the cake! I've found, and been told so many times, when you deny yourself a little indulgence, you end up feeling worse about it later, and doing something worse, like binging on an entire cake later!
there's nothing wrong with enjoying your favorite snacks every so often, just don't overdo it!
there's nothing wrong with enjoying your favorite snacks every so often, just don't overdo it!
Short-term goals are fine.
However often they become peoples undoing.
It's okay to be looking to do something like run a race, or be part of some 12 week weightloss challenge, if you need something solid to keep you putting the effort in, but when it's over, people can lose that will to put effort in when there seems no point.
Then you get things like bad eating habits creeping in, and / or exercise gets reduced.
So that's when a long term goal always helps.
goal as stipulated earlier is to be old and not feel it too much.
It's a simple goal, but that means having a reasonable diet, to reduce things like Bone and digestive problems, and doing good measured exercise, not 40 set workouts 5 times a week, that might make you look and feel hulkish, but may give you Bone and joint problems later in life, from long sustained stresses and strains on the bodies biophysics.
So although I have no short term goals, you still can and do, but you could have a simple one, which is to take eahc day at a time, and try to do at least 1 positive thing, whether it's get meals nailed, water nailed, Cardio nailed, or Weights nailed.
Even on non-training days, your food and water can still be worked on, to achieve a daily positive.
So you can have short term goals, if you want, just remember they are short term, and when they're done, have another, or some long-term alternative, to keep you constantly firing on all cylinders.
However often they become peoples undoing.
It's okay to be looking to do something like run a race, or be part of some 12 week weightloss challenge, if you need something solid to keep you putting the effort in, but when it's over, people can lose that will to put effort in when there seems no point.
Then you get things like bad eating habits creeping in, and / or exercise gets reduced.
So that's when a long term goal always helps.
goal as stipulated earlier is to be old and not feel it too much.
It's a simple goal, but that means having a reasonable diet, to reduce things like Bone and digestive problems, and doing good measured exercise, not 40 set workouts 5 times a week, that might make you look and feel hulkish, but may give you Bone and joint problems later in life, from long sustained stresses and strains on the bodies biophysics.
So although I have no short term goals, you still can and do, but you could have a simple one, which is to take eahc day at a time, and try to do at least 1 positive thing, whether it's get meals nailed, water nailed, Cardio nailed, or Weights nailed.
Even on non-training days, your food and water can still be worked on, to achieve a daily positive.
So you can have short term goals, if you want, just remember they are short term, and when they're done, have another, or some long-term alternative, to keep you constantly firing on all cylinders.
everything that you said makes sense..For me I look at it as a lifestyle. If I want a hamburger here and there, I'll usually have it. That's not to say that I dont feel "gross" or slightyly guilty later, but in the scheme of things I eat healthy 90% of the time. main concern is to feel healthy and lead a lifestyle that's sustainable in the long-run. Kind of parallel to what you have said. I never really understood people who are extreme with either their diet or workouts who later run into a slew of problems. I think the problem these days is people expect immediate results and will go to any lengths to get there..oh well, I'm glad with the way I approach eating habits and overall lifestyle. Although it's sometimes frustrating when people dont understand why you do things the way you do. I mean, I've been accused of having an 'eating disorder" when that would be the LAST thing I have..I eat 6 x's a day and couldn't survive any other way. Does anyone else encounter this behaviour from friends or family? maybe it's a way of sabotage for them? I dont know
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Dolphindrmin
- STARTING OUT
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 5:38 pm
Hi, new to this site (well message board area anyways), but key to keeping motivated is honestly kids.
I want to be able to run and play with kids, watch them grow and be active with them, not sit around and "wish" I could run.
I have always been very athletic, but becoming a mom, I admit I slacked off. It's hard when you are chasing a child around all day. Then add another, even tougher. I started to not like the pounds coming on, the clothing sizes getting bigger etc. and realized I needed to start NOW before it was too late. So I pretty much started an overnight diet program cutting out all sweets, refined sugers, sodas (which were enemy) and just alot of processed foods. Little did I know what portion control really was about.
Since then, I've completely re-hauled kitchen restocking only the healthiest of foods. I exercise 5 days a week in the gym. I do have a personal trainer and that has helped me alot to learn the right techniques of doing strength/resistance and core training. Someone had to kick can once in a while to keep me going.
I started on Weight Watchers doing the Flex program and dropped the lbs. I needed in only 13 weeks. Now I've switched to the Core plan and it's been working very well for me. Honestly, I don't miss all those sodas and high fat/sugared foods anymore. Seeing the "point" values some of the foods I was once eating and how high they were was a true eye opener for me.
Now, I feel great doing what I can to keep the weight where I want it and continue to tone and build muscle. I have more energy and stamina than I ever had before. Everyone has noticed. Especially kids because now I can run with them and not get winded.
I want to be able to run and play with kids, watch them grow and be active with them, not sit around and "wish" I could run.
I have always been very athletic, but becoming a mom, I admit I slacked off. It's hard when you are chasing a child around all day. Then add another, even tougher. I started to not like the pounds coming on, the clothing sizes getting bigger etc. and realized I needed to start NOW before it was too late. So I pretty much started an overnight diet program cutting out all sweets, refined sugers, sodas (which were enemy) and just alot of processed foods. Little did I know what portion control really was about.
Since then, I've completely re-hauled kitchen restocking only the healthiest of foods. I exercise 5 days a week in the gym. I do have a personal trainer and that has helped me alot to learn the right techniques of doing strength/resistance and core training. Someone had to kick can once in a while to keep me going.
I started on Weight Watchers doing the Flex program and dropped the lbs. I needed in only 13 weeks. Now I've switched to the Core plan and it's been working very well for me. Honestly, I don't miss all those sodas and high fat/sugared foods anymore. Seeing the "point" values some of the foods I was once eating and how high they were was a true eye opener for me.
Now, I feel great doing what I can to keep the weight where I want it and continue to tone and build muscle. I have more energy and stamina than I ever had before. Everyone has noticed. Especially kids because now I can run with them and not get winded.
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Christopheel
- REGULAR
- Posts: 931
- Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2007 9:23 pm
What keeps motivated ?
Good question, you know what, in fact i don't really need any tricks because I like to workout, and I like what I eat is in the diet i've set, and it satisfy me, so I have no problems with controling myself or finding motivation during workout. I tihnk that when it becames an routine or almost you don't care anymore about fries and fatty bigmac
Another things is, you already know when you woke up the morning exectly (or almost) what your gonna eat and what's your today workout, so stick with that and control yourself.
Good question, you know what, in fact i don't really need any tricks because I like to workout, and I like what I eat is in the diet i've set, and it satisfy me, so I have no problems with controling myself or finding motivation during workout. I tihnk that when it becames an routine or almost you don't care anymore about fries and fatty bigmac
Another things is, you already know when you woke up the morning exectly (or almost) what your gonna eat and what's your today workout, so stick with that and control yourself.
Exactly. I already know what I'm going to eat because it's planned in advance, and nothing's going to change that, so I know I won't eat crappy food. I find when I have meals planned out, it's a lot easier to stick to the good stuff.Christopheel wrote:Another things is, you already know when you woke up the morning exectly (or almost) what your gonna eat and what's your today workout, so stick with that and control yourself.