Posts: 1,339
2/13/13 12:34 A

Spark coach helped me slow down and focus. And I met some great buddies through it. I'm going to try and be my own coach for a while, see how it goes. I wish I had something similar for my housekeeping. Before you say FlyLady, I've tried it.

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2/12/13 10:57 A

I, too, tried the SparkCoach thing, but it wasn't really anything I didn't already know and I found that it was repeating alot of tasks that tied me to the computer and onto my butt more that I needed to be. I, personally, know that I need to get myself motivated and find more time to do the kind of fitness things that will burn some calories and that I will enjoy so that I will stay consistent.

current weight: 1.2  over

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2/11/13 11:17 P

Word, NELLJONES on discipline/consistency.

While motivation is great for getting me to a new level, maintenance has been all about having rules that I follow nearly all of the time. I personally do make room for "special" things -- but they're relatively rare, and I do try to plan them in advance (including deciding whether it's worth deviating from the routine in the first place).

I've got way too much going on in my life to have to think too hard about day-to-day eating and exercise. So I don't think about it -- I just follow my usual plan most days, and that's that. So far, it's worked out great -- including getting me through some major upheavals in my life. THis is not to say I've done the exact same thing every day -- that would not have even been possible at times these last couple of years. But I create a routine that both fits within my rules, and works within my current situation (such as, on travel, in the middle of a trial, sick loved one, infertility treatments, etc.).

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2/11/13 5:02 P

Hi all, I think you going online to talk about this is very helpful. So you should be mindful of the exercise and the eating healthier food by writing it down or using the trackers. The motivation part is helpful if you have a friend, partner or buddy to exercise with. I exercise with my doggie Dusty I walk him four times a day for about 15 to 30 minutes each time. I also shoveled out from the blizzard for two days. Best wishes, Linda from bean town

Posts: 6,194
2/11/13 10:24 A

It was habit before and I think if it was habit to go exercise than it wouldn't be a question..

current weight: 169.0

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2/11/13 10:18 A

I rely on discipline more than on Motivation. Motivation changes, discipline doesn't.

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2/11/13 9:34 A

I'm trying SparkCoach, and I elected consistency and motivation. Some days there's nothing for me there; other days a message or mini-challenge seems to be just the thing I need at the moment. YMMV.

current weight: 1.0  over

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2/11/13 9:20 A

Personally, I've found lack of motivation can be distilled into one thing. Lack of meaningful goals. The meaningful part is critical. No one can inject you with motivation. If you want it, you'll find a way to get it. You already have the tools. Your goals are lacking.

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2/11/13 6:53 A

Some great suggestions here already. I think many of us have experienced what you're going through as maintainers. Maintenance doesn't have the same highly visible rewards as weight loss, so you need to find more creative ways of keeping your motivation up. Some here find it helpful to revisit the "whys" of maintaining your weight. Others like participating in our maintenance challenges (hurray for staying the same!). Others visit our daily check-in thread for extra accountability and support. And still others find frequent blogging helpful. Experiment, find what works best for you and don't be afraid to continue to reach out for support. You'll find lots of it here!

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2/10/13 10:54 P

I would look at what the goals are for the rest of your life and work around that. Maybe taking the focus onto something totally different, a volunteer activity of some kind, would work well.

Birgit

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2/10/13 7:27 P

I've not used Spark Coach. I seem to be ding fine on my own and my high school daughters help! Maybe I'll have to check it out.

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2/10/13 6:56 P

Yeah, I skipped SparkCoach too. Might help, but, well, regular Spark works for me. The rest is me being sure to be consistent.

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2/10/13 6:46 P

I tried it out today. It was okay. Nothing I didn't already know, ya know?

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2/10/13 6:44 P

Just like in weight loss, you have to try things to figure out what works in maintenance. Pick one or two of the suggestions people have made, and try for a week or two...

Maybe spark coach will help you. You won't know unless you try, and what have you got to lose?

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Posts: 6,194
2/10/13 5:28 P

To be honest, since meeting my goal, I feel I have been lost and not sure how to get back on track...

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2/10/13 5:15 P

Perhaps you can find a way to focus on those reasons and keep them in mind. Write your thoughts about it, or make a picture frame with all those people in it, etc.

In general I find I have to cycle through strategies to keep going. Or do a reset by trying to get a streak going for a week of doing a good habit or avoiding a bad one.

Challenges can be helpful too, like this one:

docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formk
ey=dGNudFJQOGY3LWxNdjRrQVB6ZjNPaVE6MQ

Keep us posted on how it goes. I find reignighting the why one of the more complicated and difficult aspects of maintenance!

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2/10/13 5:11 P

I don't find enough in Sparkcoach to be worth paying for. I get enough from regular Spark. In the end it's up to me in any case.

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2/10/13 4:53 P

With my Grandma's passing, I think my why has changed yet at the same time stayed the same. I want to grow old. I want to run marathons - full and half - with my children. I want to my children to be healthy. All that MUST start with ME!

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2/10/13 4:50 P

I don't know anything about spark coach but when my motivation seems to wane its usually because I've lost sight of the WHY.

Revisiting where I came from and making a new vision collage are some ways to revisit the 'why.'

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2/10/13 4:34 P

I have reached goal so I don't think I am learning anything new. But maybe it will make me do things I don't want do right now. I am not sure if that makes sense.

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2/10/13 4:23 P

If you need motivation, then I'd say go with the consistency and motivation part - because you want to break the bad habits, right? So maybe this will give you the motivation to be consistent about that part of it. (Don't you love how I worked that in, LOL?)

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2/10/13 4:03 P

Recently, I was looking at the tips of success and one suggest using the Spark Coach. They gave me three options and I don't feel like I fit any of the three - Spark Diet, Plateau Busting, Consistency & Motivation. I have the lifestyle habits but I also still have the bad habits and my motivation seem to be missing.

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