Someone asked me earlier what kept me on track when I feel incredibly like giving up-something that comes to us all, particularly if it is a prolonged journey. Of course, I thought of all the rational answers: keeping in mind my short term goals, looking at clothes I want to fit into, the support of all my Sparkpeeps (who help more than they will ever know!) and the ever popular 'Look at the picture that made you want to change.'
Firstly, I don't do short term goals. If you told me to build up a five day streak, I would look at you like you had fallen out of a tree and tell you I'd do no less than fifty. Longer goals give me more satisfaction when I reach them...short term goals make me feel like there is no point. It's probably not helpful, but it's just the way it works.
I also don't have a picture that made me decide to mend my ways. I've always been honest enough to admit that one evening at 11pm I just randomly thought I'd log on to see if my password still worked. And it's still one of the best things I have ever done...even if I'm not quite sure why I did it!
The answer, for me, doesn't come from things that made me want to change. It comes from the end result I want to reach by *making* those changes.
I would say that I find that looking into the future is one of the most important things, especially during the hardest of nutritional days. Not looking back thinking 'Remember how horrible it was after you ate blah blah blah...how much you wish you hadn't.' But actual...'Keep going and the future is as rosy as that apple you're going to choose instead of the cake!'
Looking back isn't helpful for me. Looking forward is. So while I find it difficult to pinpoint when I first became aware of my health or when my favourite jeans didn't fit as I'd like, I find it easy and motivating to think of the level I can get my health to and all the clothes I will finally feel comfortable in...I've already bought them! I don't want to punish myself for bad decisions in the past- last weeks over-eating, the day you skipped your workout, it doesn't matter in the long run. The goal is what matters, keep focussed on that and everything else might just fall into place. Find the way that works for you, and just go for it. And then tell other people.
You'll never know what motivates *you* until you get on with it.