I am curious about what phrases or other things people do to motivate themselves to stay on progrm.
I have 2 visualization boards over my desk, where I glued positive phrases i cut out of magazines, and I read them when I feel as if I need a little "kick in the pants"
Every time I get discouraged (which isn't often) I take the tape measure, put it around my waist and add 21 inches to it - that's how many inches I have lost from my waist since starting IP. Great visual and very motivating.
I haven't needed any motivation until today - PMS is hitting me hard and I have cravings and aches and I wanna cry! I felt a little better when I realized it's probably the reason the scale moved up a pound since Saturday...
Normally I stuff my face but commited to losing and want to stay on plan....it's only a few days and I should fell better
No particular phrase or visualization. However THIS BOARD has been immensely helpful! Even today, just for a moment, the thought slipped into my head that I could "just have..."
These thoughts never totally go away but we DO NOT need to act on them. And, since I've been a slower loser, I do picture the tortoise winning the race, rather than the hare.
Seeing my weight go down on the scales and getting comments on how much I've lost keeps me motivated, plus the fear of falling back into old habits and gaining it all back.
For me, it's knowing that I lose about 4 or 5 days of progress with a cheat ... and then you have to go through those awful carb withdrawl symptoms. Nothing is worth that!!! Plus I want to get thin as soon as possible! Is a cheat worth delaying getting thin and healthy? Not for me.
I look, really look, at myself in the mirror. I've spent years looking, but NOT seeing who I had become. My mind saw me as young & at a normal weight. Somehow the unreal track in my brain superimposed itself over the fat, unhealthy person that was reflected in the mirror.
I'm working everyday to become that reflection from the past...just with a few wrinkles and grey hair.
Every time I get discouraged (which isn't often) I take the tape measure, put it around my waist and add 21 inches to it - that's how many inches I have lost from my waist since starting IP. Great visual and very motivating.
That actually sounds like a great way to keep yourself motivated
I have been taking pictures of myself all through out the process so I can see the progress I have made. When I am feeling weak I go through these pictures to remind myself where I was. Even when I was ten pounds heavier I can tell the difference.