These past few months I have struggled a lot with my weight. I haven't lost a single pound. I keep trying to figure out something new that would inspire me to keep motivated on the diet. I know I'm not the only one that has run out of ideas for inspiration. So I thought this thread would be great to share your motivational and inspirational ideas with others. This would serve as a great reference also.

I have a photo of me looking bloody AWFUL, just fatter than a fat thing (and it's in profile - no flattering angles, just, sweet heavens, a really disgustingly fat me), as the desktop on my laptop. It reminds me why I'm doing this, and what I DON'T want to accept.

Then I have a progress chart and some pictures to illustrate the shape I'm aiming for on my fridgefreezer - not having any pictures of myself unfat, I've gone for pictures of Drew Barrymore (and Gillian Anderson) as they're my height and around my age and they have curves - but in the right places!

Well for me, I have lost weight before...and I loved all of the flattery I'd get and people commenting how good I looked and noticing the weight I had lost. I remember these times, and they prove me to me exactly why I'm doing this, so I can feel good about myself and how good it makes me feel when people also notice.

You have lost alot of weight already therefore I'm sure you've received alot of attention! Just remember how good it feels

Christina-I've been at this since Feb. 23 and as you can see, I've lost a whopping 6 lbs. There is no question that I feel much better both physically and mentally when I am eating right and that is a big bonus for me. I've also decided I'm going to measure myself every month so even if there hasn't been much change on the scale, I can see if anything else is changing. I also have had borderline blood pressure and cholesterol issues. I'm planning to go back to see my doctor next month for a recheck and I bet both of those are doing much better.

You have lost a lot already, your body may need a little time to make metabolic adjustments. You need to try to look at this as a life long committment to your health.

I know motivation is very important and goodness knows - I look for ways to keep myself motivated every day. However, one thing that I've learned is that I need to do the things that will bring me health and fitness whether I feel motivated to do it or not. One thing that I read is that we never wake up and think to ourselves....I have such great motivation to brush my teeth. We just do it. A mother never thinks to herself that she is motivated to change her babies nappies - she just does it. I think that's a huge key in my quest for making lifestyle changes - I simply cannot rely on motivation to keep me going all the time. Sometimes I just have to do it in spite of not feeling motivated to do it.

I hope this doesn't sound harsh - it's certainly not meant to. And, it's more a reminder to myself than anyone else. Motivation is great and we certainly need it in our lives. But more than that, I think we (I) need to somehow find the strength within me to push past my moments of desire/compulsion or lack of motivation and do what I need to do. It's not easy. I've been trying to do it for 30 years and it's only been in the last year that I've had the 'click'.

OK, I think I'm rambling and probably not making sense....

Kris, I think you make a very good point. I know that introducing routines is VERY important for me, and that I've not got it sorted out yet. But I need to be in that mindset - where I do it, because it's what I do (whether the 'it' in question is making sure I take my supplements, making sure I pack my gym bag and get my *** to the gym, making sure I get up early enough to make a good breakfast, WHATEVER...) rather than because I'm particularly motivated on that particular day. It should be routine, like going to sleep and showering and putting on shoes. Yeah. Good thought.