Hi everyone, I've been super busy and haven't had a chance to reply to this thread. I just want to thank every one of you who replied with your awesome suggestions and those who shared your stories.

I am putting together a program that will talk about motivation and commitment. I think after reading your replies and doing my own soul searching that it takes both to see the goal of successful weight-loss

While typing up my program in WORD I checked out the synonyms and was facinated by what I saw.

Commitment

• promise
• pledge
• vow
• obligation
• assurance
• word
• guarantee

Motivation

• incentive
• inspiration
• drive
• enthusiasm
• impetus
• stimulus
• impulse

I plan to use these list of words in a group discussion that I hope will inspire those who are doing so well and to jump start those struggling.

Thanks again everyone! :hug:

This is a tough topic for me. I feel I have plenty of reasons to be motivated, some more important than others. I'm ashamed to admit it, but an upcoming couple of reunions are what really forced me to make a commitment to lose weight. I know, I'm rolling my eyes at this. Especially since I'm 57 years old and it's ridiculous for me to be so vain. But, it is what tis. Anyway, as Emaline mentioned, that thing about getting obsessed about what you eat: Well, that's me. And that's probably not unusual. But for some strange reason, I have found myself the past few years simply DREADING starting on a weight-loss journey (or, as I like to call it, a diet) because I DREADED the whole obsession-with-what-I-eat thing. I don't know why, but I did dread it. So I decided I'd try to minimize the obession but somehow remain mindful at all times of what I'm eating. Like today, I had to go to a birthday lunch. I was scared to go! Because I thought, "Oh,no. No one expects fat, frumpy, fifty-ish Aunt Bea to be on a diet. How will they react when I decline the cake and other goodies?" Well, it turned out okay. I just didn't give a sh*t what they thought or sad. I stared at the cake, and yes it looked good. But I just didn't care enough about it to eat any. Not now. And to be honest, not in front of everyone. I mean, I wouldn't trust myself to have cake in the house while I'm here alone. Because I can't be sure I'd not eat it. But you know what? I'm now almost 3 weeks in and by gum, my COMMITMENT to my plan to lose weight is taking hold and becoming important to me. I keep thinking how I don't want to unravel my progress (6 pounds and maybe a smidge more?). So I guess for me what has proven to be the strongest tool in my toolbox is my commitment to "staying on point."

This was long-winded, so my apologies for being such a bore.

This is such a good topic, though. I've asked myself a million times why all the legitimate, even scary (health scare) motivators have not gotten me off my duff. I still don't know.

I'm really enjoying this thread, I hope people keep posting.

For me motivation gets you started and commitment keep you going.

That said, I'm off to do my workout, 3rd day in a row!:carrot: