How do u stay motivated?

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Permalink Reply by Eve on February 3, 2008 at 6:52pm

It's fairly easy for me right now. I am motivated not to eat anything that will make me sick. That's a long list.

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Permalink Reply by David on February 3, 2008 at 7:15pm

Using the piece of cake in your story as a metaphor for life; I don't think we can ever stop being motivated. Whether it's because of physical, mental, money, psychological, material, family, society, age, you name it--we have to stay motivated to survive, IMO.

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Permalink Reply by Amelia on February 3, 2008 at 7:44pm

I dont know if I'd categorise it as 'stop being motivated' but certainly there are times in our lives when we lack motivation altogether. That in itself is a reason my weight has gotten to be this big a problem - there has been no motivation to do something about it earlier.

So what is it that motivates u to stick to the goal or rather the process.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Newton on February 3, 2008 at 8:24pm

I think each of us finds our motivation from different sources. For me, my motivation has always been my children, first as an example for them, then, because I want to live long enough to see my grandchildren. (Although, I think it will be several years before that happens..................:)

In the more practical sense, ShellBell's motivation is a blouse she bought which she can't fit into anymore. In the case of Debo Hobo, she wants to be thinner for her son's wedding. Different people, different motivations.

One thing all of these people have in common is Iowa Avenue. Here we're able to express our various motivations, and help each other remember our motivations. I smile everytime I think about it..............:)

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Permalink Reply by Metroknow on February 27, 2008 at 9:40am

I have to agree with LisaN as far as my own motivations (there are multiple, for me).

My children have probably been my biggest motivator. My goals with respect to my children are to:
- Help them to grow up with better habits than our culture encouraged when I was growing up so that they don't have the same obstacles to weight management that I do (less TV, little if any fast food, exercise for fun, etc.)
- Set the right example in eating well
- Be able to play with them on the living room floor, or run around with them outside without risking a heart attack
- Be physically comfortable with myself so that they don't pick up on my insecurities, and make them their own
- Be around long enough to see them find their own path, and hopefully be part of that.

The second part of my motivation, sad to say, is fear...I have diabetes on both sides of my family, heart disease on both sides, and a history of cancer on both sides. So far, I'm fine. But that will change if I don't.

The third part is more selfish -- I know that with a history of diabetes, I am doomed to have to give up the foods I love sooner or later if I don't adjust my habits. I think I can stave off the onset of diabetes with diet and exercise, at least for a while, which means I still get to eat those foods - but in moderation. So far so good.

Sorry for the long response - looks like I just wrote my morning's post! :)

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