victoriaegypt's Journal, 23 July 2015

I have many, many years under my belt (if you're 20 I could be your Granny.) I lost over 100 lbs more than 35 years ago and have sustained a healthy weight since. Not the same weight, but a healthy weight. Right now I am working on getting rid of 10 post-menopausal pounds (which is REAL slow going.) Can I suggest a little switch? Rather than focus on "motivators" - give some real thought as to what I call a "meaningful why." Motivators can be great for the short haul, but when we do something it is usually because there is some meaning in it for us to "do the thing." Think of it this way: How you do it = The METHOD you are using. For instance, your “diet” (meaning what/when/how much you eat) and your activities (exercise.) Your incentive for doing it = Your MOTIVATION. For instance, you want to look really good at an upcoming event. Let’s say a high school reunion, or maybe a vacation, or perhaps a wedding (after all those pics will be around forever!) Both method and motivation have worked for all of us at one time or another - but more often than not, they work for the short haul, not the long haul. And here’s the reason: Whether you knew it or not, the only reason your method and/or motivation worked was because it was meaningful to you at the time. We might be motivated for a few years, a few months - or even just a couple days. However at the moment, at the very least, they aren’t quite so meaningful to you now. The underlying purpose for doing it = MEANING Human beings tend to do things for a purpose. We go to work for the purpose of supporting ourselves and our families. But, as anyone who has ever had “just a job” and then found work that was meaningful to them will tell you – it’s much easier to pull yourself out of bed to go do something that’s meaningful than a job you couldn’t care less about. At the same time, I know I kept going to my "just a job" because it was REALLY meaningful to me to take care of my children and that meaning stayed with me until they were grown - but now that they are adults, well that "just a job" isn't all that meaningful anymore. To my way of thinking a meaningful why trumps motivation and method every time because if it isn’t meaningful you lose your motivation to stay with your method. A quick way to "discover" your meaningful why is to think about what might motivate you (anything from going to a wedding to wanting to hike the Grand Canyon) - and then simply ask yourself WHY that motivates you. Write down your answer. And then ask WHY that answer motivates you. Do that a few times and you'll drill down to your personal "meaningful why." I hope this helps. Hang in there :) 

thank you.... i will defiantly take this advice.... :) 

I am thankful for the struggle.... Means I'm still breathing lol 

Just try to keep focused and start small. You can do it! 

You know the principles and rules and have proven that you can do it....I agree with FP, we all need to discover the real "why" of what we are trying to accomplish. I remember in one of your first entries it was about your husband coming to America...has the long process detoured your efforts? My "why's" over the years have been too short in purpose...as I have gotten older, I have realized that my why must be "forever."  

Gwen, i just love you.... thank you <3....  

I know that even the simplest of things can seem so difficult at times. I will be praying for you. <3 

Great weight loss! Keep going! :) 

YOU have a REASON.. for yourself... :) you are doing a great job Vickie...  

Understand what you are saying....Hang in there....Keep Climbing...Keep talking...You got this...:) 

Great work!