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Do you often find yourself wondering where your motivation went? Do you suddenly revert back to your “old ways” without really understanding why? If this sounds familiar, you may have some basic misconceptions about motivation: what it is, where it comes from, and what you can do to hang on to it. Well get ready to understand all those things and learn what it takes to become your own best motivator! What is Motivation? Many people seem to think that "being motivated" means not having to struggle with opposing desires. Not so. It is our nature as human beings to pursue both the gratification of our senses (eating what we like when we want it) and the psychological gratification of achieving meaningful but more abstract goals (being healthy, fit or attractive). Both of these pursuits are necessary for our survival, both as individuals and as societies, and both are worthy of your loyalty. Judging one of these pursuits as superior to the other is to deny half of what and who you are, and set yourself up for endless inner conflict and turmoil. At the same time, your loyalty cannot be blind or unthinking. In the realm of eating and food choices, the modern world (and often your own kitchen) is full of well-marketed, tasty foods that appeal to your innate desires (a sweet tooth and fondness for rich foods) but are also nutritional nightmares. As long as you and the world remain less than perfect, you will have to struggle with this conflict between immediate and long-term gratification. No amount of motivation will make it go away. Viewing motivation as the ability to resist the lure of "bad" foods or overcome the appeal of lying on the couch will only lead to frustration and self-blame. Things go much better when you see motivation as the ability to give yourself the chance to make conscious decisions and take responsibility for these choices. Therefore, the main "enemy" of motivation is the tendency to see yourself as the hapless victim of forces (or urges) over which you have no control. Your motivation will be as strong as the amount of effort you put into making your own decisions (regardless of what they might be) with conscious awareness. Your motivation will be weak when you consider yourself to be helpless against your own urges, feelings and desires, or a victim of circumstances beyond your control. So what causes you to lose motivation in the first place? You may start a new nutrition or exercise program with excitement and full force, ready to succeed and reach new goals. At what point does that enthusiasm die? Here are two common patterns that will kill your motivation: Continued › |
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Motivation Articles › Staying MotivatedMastering the Mysteries of Motivation - Part 1Understanding Motivation-- By Dean Anderson, Behavioral Psychology ExpertSparkPeople advertisers help keep the site free! Learn more
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About The Author
Dean Anderson
Dean Anderson has master's degrees in human services (behavioral psychology/stress management) and liberal studies. His interest in healthy living began at the age of 50 when he confronted his own morbid obesity and health issues. He joined SparkPeople and lost 150 pounds and regained his health. Dean has earned a personal training certification from ACE and received training as a lifestyle and weight management consultant. See all of Dean's articles. |
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Member Comments
I was happy with my weight loss, size, energy, motivation until I was referred to the ER w/dangerously high blood pressure which began a change in and beginning of existing and new medications to lower the BP. Now I have re-gained all my weight and then some. I have no energy, no motivation and I hate the way I no longer fit in the CUTE (tho inexpensive) clothing I purchased at my lower weight. I have no desire to exercise, let alone get out of bed. My depression has returned, the weather is lousy and I know longer care about what I eat or drink. There is no hope of discontinuing new meds or losing gained weight. I have no desire to go out in the cold and run, walk or any other physical activity. My house is no warmer than outside; it is not practical for me to spend outrageous $$ to heat a house w/very little insulation, no floor insulation and single pane, aluminum frame windows. Facing family and financial crises that go hand-in-hand. Selling items to meet cost of special education and moving to reduce expenses. Yes, I know depression plays a huge part in how I feel, and I know not to trust 'feelings'. Weight loss isn't even really an issue right now. Would be nice and may help w/motivation and outlook, however, it will not change the 'big picture' I am looking at. No need for platitudes, gotta have something more for this one. - 12/27/2012 3:06:39 PM
- Viva - 12/3/2012 2:25:43 PM
- 4/2/2012 4:50:02 PM