The Secret To Rediscovering Your Motivation
Do you remember when you first started your journey towards having weight loss surgery? You might have been filled with excitement, fear, overwhelm, and hope.
Do you remember what you pictured your life to be once you reached your goal? Maybe you imagined being a smaller size, running around with your pets or children, feeling more confident and comfortable, or no longer using medications.
When you visualized this goal before surgery, how did it make you feel? Like...truly, deep down, how did you feel?
I bet pretty darn good.
The thought of reaching your goals probably brought a big glowing smile to your face and jump with joy.
So...
Where are you now? Have you reached the goals you set out for yourself? Have you faced some challenges? Have you veered off track? Do you still feel just as motivated as that first day on your journey? If not, it's time to get it back!
“PEOPLE SAY THAT MOTIVATION DOESN’T LAST, WELL NEITHER DOES BATHING, THAT’S WHY WE RECOMMEND IT DAILY”
The first thing to know when it comes to motivation is that...it can't be given to you by someone else. It's needs to come from within yourself. Motivation is 99% self talk and mental reinforcement and it takes practice. Lots of practice!
So, how do you get your MOJO (motivation + joy) back?
Define what you want
What are your goals? What do they mean to you? Go beyond saying "I want to lose 20 pounds" and go a bit deeper. What will reaching this goal bring you?
Ex. Losing 20 pounds will make me feel more confident, allow me to fit into a smaller size, and allow me to be more comfortable when I'm active.
Now, this may sound cheesy but I want you to go along with it...
Close your eyes and visualize yourself reaching your goal. Where are you? What are you wearing? What are people saying to you? What are you able to do? How do you feel?
This goal should bring so much joy and excitement that you can't wait to achieve it. This feeling should be worth fighting for each day.
Believe in yourself
“In order to succeed we must first believe that we can”
Do you ever get in your own way and doubt your abilities? If that's the case, now is the time to fake it until you make it. That's right.... you need to actually tell yourself that you can do it. Say it out loud, right it on paper and post it on your mirror, tell someone close to you. Negative thoughts are bound to jump into your head every now and again, but you have to challenge them and replace them with positive thoughts.
“Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today” – Unknown
Fight the negative thoughts
All or Nothing- “there’s no point if I’m not 100% in shape”
Overgeneralizing- “I’ll never lose weight”
Minimizing or Magnifying- “I ate too more carbs than I was supposed to! That means I'll gain all my weight back and never reach my goals!”
Shoulds- I should have meal prepped this weekend.
Labelling- “I had a bite of birthday cake, I’m such a failure!”
Jumping to conclusions:
Mind reading- “She thinks I'm ugly”
Fortune telling- “I won’t be able to have bariatric surgery and I’ll be stuck in the same situation forever”
Discounting the positive- “That doesn’t count, anyone could have done it”
Blame & Personalization- “If only I was thinner, I would have got the job”
Emotional reasoning- “I feel stupid, therefore I am”
Mental Filter- “I had a great evening having my friends over for dinner but I undercooked the chicken at first and that ruined the WHOLE evening”
Focus and clear goals
In order to be successful, we need to set ourselves up for success. Success is not the result of luck, but rather preparation.
Consider what you have done before. What worked? What didn’t? How do you need to prepare yourself? What are the steps you need to take to get to where you want to go?
A motivating environment
Surround yourself with people and resources that will remind you of your goals, and help your internal motivation. Consider any additional resources or tools you might need to help yourself move forward.
Commitment and Persistence
No matter the challenges or set-backs you face, commit to yourself that you'll keep fighting for what you want. Prepare yourself for roadblocks and barriers and mentally work through possible challenges that you might face. And when you're ever feeling discouraged, remember why you started. Visualize yourself in that moment of WHY and keep on fighting for your goal. Remember, it will be hard work, but just imagine what will happen if you never give up!
