Some days are better than others.
Today I can’t wrap my head around positive thoughts. I can’t make myself believe I can do it. I can’t fathom how I will ever weigh less than 200 pounds. I feel doomed.
I’m still drinking water today. I’m still eating my fruits and veggies today. I’m still going to the gym for an hour today. But I’ve got a black cloud following me as I do it. I’ve got a little scantily clad skinny girl demon on my shoulder telling me I can’t do it. I’ve lost the pretty angel on the other side. This is a day sans my normal positivity.
I’m not even sure why this is. (Lemme guess, hormonal?)
But here is one thing I’m learning: motivation is nothing compared to determination.
You can be motivated to eat right and go to the gym. For a while you will be excited and think about all those reasons why you are doing it. For a while it will feel like nothing can stop you.
And then you will hit a wall. It might be a mental wall. It might be a motivational wall. It might be a laziness wall. It might be a lack of time wall. It might be a “wrong number on the scale induced angriness” wall. Whatever causes it you will eventually hit a wall. You won’t want to keep doing the same things. You won’t want to eat healthy or get your workout in. You won’t be motivated to keep going.
Well too bad. If you want to succeed you have to keep doing the things that work whether you are motivated or not. You have to continue to go to the gym even if you don’t feel like it. You have to be DETERMINED to lose weight, not motivated. Motivation is nothing. It might get you started but determination keeps you going and makes things happen.
I’m definitely not feeling motivated today. But I’m determined to make this happen. You?
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{ 22 comments }
You did say a cottonpickin’ mouthfull there.
And I was all ready to agree wholeheartedly with you. But ………..there is this nagging feeling that motivation is the inspiration for determination. Can we actually be determined to do something if the motivation, the reasons for it are non existant, weak or even wrong?
So would I be determined to lose weight, if I do not feel motivated, i.e. if my logical analytical brain (clears throat to fit that notion into my thought process) does not get enough valid and intellectually sound reasons to lose weight? Or is that not what motivation is?
Is it a non rational process which as a result is easy to influence by whatever silly thing we allow it to be influenced by? An as such it is fragile, more fragile than determination?
Or am I rambling? Probably!
In answer to your question: YES,I WILL MAKE IT WORK!
Willow Martin’s last blog post..Dag 147 – 20 bedels & 9 spacers (afgevallen 2,0 kg)
@Willow
I don’t even know. Motivation is the starting point. You have to be motivated to be determined, but motivation doesn’t last. To be honest I’m having trouble wrapping my brain around anything today. This may be too much. But I’m glad your answer (after both of our ramblings) is YES. That’s really all that is needed.
I agree with you… You can definitely lack motivation but still be determined to lose, be active etc. I often lack the motivation to work out especially after a long work day BUT then I begin to feel guilty and then my determination to not let the lack of motivation keep me down kicks in. Everyone is different, what motivates some doesn’t motivates others. It’s ok to have days like these, you’re human and can’t be on your game 100% every day!
Good luck with getting your motivation back! If you are determined and with a few bumps in the road you will still succeed!
Christina’s last blog post..Laaaaaazy
That is so true….I’ve been focused on motivation and I’ve been so motivated yet so discouraged and frustrated because it makes no sense how one can be so motivated yet fail so miserably. I’ve lacked the determination!!!
MaryFran Stotler’s last blog post..
I think you hit this right on the nose and brought me to an aha moment. Last week wasn’t feeling motivated at all but for some reason keep doing what I was doing I thought it was a hint of motivation No it was determination I just realized. You blog made perfect sence thanks. I know realize that I don’t have to be happy or motivated to lose weight but determined and that is exactly what I am determinded.
Vanessa
http://www.thefitmission.com
Interesting distinction! Am determined right along there with you.
Sagan’s last blog post..Guest Post: The Transformation to a Warped Body Image
I love this, and it’s so cool that you and MizFit blogged about essentially the same thing using different terms. I certainly think motivation helps a person get started, but like you said, eventually you will hit a wall, and then it becomes about willingness and determination and commitment.
erin’s last blog post..I Left My Heart in Orlando: Trip Highlights, Part 1
Well I was going to give you all this encouragement, but that last paragraph about being “DETERMINED” says it all! Sometimes you just have to encourage yourself, and you just accomplished that with flying colors!
Yum Yucky’s last blog post..Taste Test: Eggo Bake Shop Twists
I couldn’t agree more! determination is what counts. I spent a lot of time waiting for that motivation to come, saying to myself: when I have will power keeping a fit life wili be so much easier. well, it didn’t come yet, so I just had to give it all the DETERMINATION I got.
Well said! You really nailed it…
Hanlie’s last blog post..HYC Update
I’m having an off day. I think mine is because I still have a pulled muscle in my neck and it is effecting my ability to MOVE.
I feel bored at home with the kids and when I’m bored I eat.
Connie @ Fat2HotMommy’s last blog post..If The Shoe Fits….
Hmmm, much to think about here. (I love when that happens!)
To me, the two go hand in hand, feeding off one another. It’s not always an equal split, but when one lags, the other is there to fill the gap. And more than anything (again, for ME), there has to be desire. I have to WANT a thing so badly that nothing will get in the way. But that’s just me. There are, as we know, a million stories in the naked city. :)
Hope you find your mojo soon! (I suspect you will!)
Cammy@TippyToeDiet’s last blog post..Makeover Monday: Releasing Regrets
I lose my motivation daily, sometimes for weeks at a time. But you are so right that it is determination keeps you going. That and routine/habit.
Today was a fat day for me but I still managed to eat properly.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for you. :)
Steve
Steve@weightlossweapons.com’s last blog post..Win $250 and Follow me on Twitter
Motivation or not, you ate pretty well 1445 calories is no joke. Way to work through the malaise! Also, good job getting the workout in! Focus on the positive, some days we just have to go through the motions until the motivation comes.
MackAttack’s last blog post..Reality Check
@MackAttach
I know! I totally kicked ass calorie wise and with my workout. Apparently I don’t need motivation as much as I thought! Ok, well I do, but I felt like crap and today was a good day. WIN!
Thank you for this. My mom has been talking to me about the word “resolve”. It is a lot like determined. I am determined to do this. My friend Kat says, “you don’t have to want to, you just have to.”
Rebecca’s last blog post..
Some days I don’t even have determination. That’s when routine kicks in :)
FLG’s last blog post..Weekly Weigh-in: S.W.A.T.
YEP! You are so right. Motivation is fleeting. But when we aren’t feeling motivated, we can still be determined to make the choice to work out and eat healthy. It’s just like our relationships. Sometimes we don’t FEEL loving toward our spouse/child/sibling/parent/friend but when we ACT in a loving manner, the feelings often will come.
MamaBearJune’s last blog post..New show on Discovery Health TV
Willpower and doing the right things is the key to weight loss success.
Start a exercise program that you enjoy, change the workout frequently to stop it getting boring.
Start a diet plan that you can realistically stick to and try to eat foods that you enjoy. Eating a diet of rabbit food will quickly sap your motivation and you will quickly return to calorie laden food.
The hardest part of it all is sticking to it when your not seeing results and your mind is telling you to quit. It’s a long and slow journey that will have many ups and downs along the way, but if you keep at it YOU WILL SEE RESULTS. Good Luck!
Keith @ My Body Fat’s last blog post..The Ups And Downs Of A Weight Loss Blog
@Rebecca
Resolve is a great word.
@FLG
Routine/habit is another key to the success puzzle. It definitely steps in to keep you going when both motivation and determination are gone.
Just yesterday, I had the very same thought: Motivation is nothing compared to determination.
Well put!
Jo’s last blog post..Funk
You are right motivation and determination both are depend on each other. Because if you have firm determination to lose the weight but you can’t seek the goal without right motivation. So both are necessary to achieve the goal. Thanks for such nice topic.