I know this will seem like a crazy complaint.. but here goes. About 2 years ago I lost about 50 lbs doing Atkins. I stayed motivated by watching my size go from a 14 to a 10 to an 8 and finally a 6. I even own a pair of 4's that fit great! Watching people's reaction to my weight loss motivated me even more (There is nothing better than seeing the shock on someone's face who has not seen you in awhile). Pulling out old clothes that I had been dying to fit into and finding them too big was yet another motivator. I spent the first year of my weight loss shopping for clothes. It never ceased to amaze me when I would try on clothes right off the rack in a small size and they fit - and looked good! Well, it's been 2 years now. My closet is full and everything in my closet is the smaller size stuff and it all still fits. What I am having trouble with is that at this point everyone has seen the new me and the pictures around the house are of the new me and the clothes I own are the new sizes. How do I stay excited and motivated? I am really having a hard time - when it was constantly being reinforced it was a no brainer, but the excitement has died down. I would like to lose another 15 lbs to get to my goal, but cannot seem to get myself motivated to do it - especially building the excitement that I had the first time around.... Has anyone else experienced this sort of stagnant way of thinking?

charmed-motivation can't be simply about other people's reactions, which as you mentioned fade. if you want to lose weight and maintain, however, you have to be interested in doing it for yourself, for all the reasons you do decide to lose it.

however, i'm wondering: what weight are you at? you mention you wear a size 6 and sometimes 4, and you still feel like you need to lose more? are you sure the lack of motivation isn't maybe about not needing to lose anymore weight?...of course, it's always an individual choice about goal weights. it's just hard for me to imagine someone who is overweight wearing a 4-6. if your original goal does not fit your needs anymore, then dump the goal, not the needs.

best of luck to you.

__________________

right now I am at 140 - I am 5'5" tall. I would like to weigh 125. There are days when I feel huge and yet when I look in the mirror I don't look any different than I have for the past 2 years. I think you are right - the goal is just not as large as it used to be and frankly, I don't know how to just be happy where I am at! I think what I need to do is change my mindset from losing to being ok where I am and realizing that most of the work is behind me. I have been running for the past year or so and have worked my way up to 5.5 miles about 3 times a week. That was also a large challenge. Once I figured out I could do it and got to the point where I could do it easily, that too lost it's excitement. Maybe taking up sky diving??!!

Greetings Charmed:

Congratulations on maintaining your awesome weight loss. Know what you mean about the motivation once the excitement dies down. However, I found that once my physical appearance changed, I was so much more receptive to taking risks with the other aspects of my life. Went back to school to finish my degree, started interviewing for positions outside of my comfort zone (and got them), and really found my voice in my personal relationships. It wasn't just the body that changed with the weight loss...it's the whole package...the triumvarte of body, mind, and spirit. Trying to keep them in synch helps to maintain the motivation factor. Really helped when I added in the other stuff to know that I had the eating and exercise routine on autopilot so that I could focus on the new challenges. Sounds to me as though you're ready to take on some new challenges as well. You are doing GREAT!...keep the faith...and keep me posted.

I have to agree with Goddess. You wear a 4/6 and want to be thinner? You may not be able to find anything small enough to fit you if you do get down to 125! How many size 0's and 2's do you see in the stores? Also, I have a hunch your body is probably very happy where it's at now, even if you are not. You have done a tremendous job keeping your weight off for those two years. You obviously have the lower carb way of eating down pat! But mind-set is probably the hardest thing to change. You sound like you like a challenge. You mention sky-diving. Even though you were probably kidding, perhaps that's not a bad idea . . . not necessarily the sky-diving, but finding another challenge. And this challenge does not have to be centered around your body or your weight. Some type of hobby that you may enjoy but cannot do now . . . learn to knit, sew, or even take some classes in a subject you may enjoy (think adult-ed classes). Or even perhaps a new form of exercise, yoga, pilates, or kick boxing!

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

See my post above "So worth it!"

My major weight loss (50 lbs) is ten years in the past. Nobody remembers the really fat me but me. Since 2004, I've mainly been dealing with the residual 25 lbs or so, which are now gone, thanks to Atkins. And I'm thrilled to slip on size 10 jeans without busting the zipper.

Like you, I'm deeply goal-oriented. Without a "weight loss" target, how do I stay focused? For one thing, I started running again--and have entered a few 5K races. Looking forward to a race makes the running more intentional. And in my age group, I have a chance of collecting a prize. Right now, I'm training for a 10K in October, and thinking seriously about a half-marathon next summer. How about racing for motivation?

I also enjoy weight training at home, and set various goals for strength and endurance.

For me now, it's all about feeling as healthy and looking as young as I can for as long as I can. The anti-aging effects of healthy habits are not as dramatic as the appearance of weight loss, but they are huge over the long term.

And if you're not one already, be a redhead.:gorgeous:

Best wishes!

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

I agree with Goddess that the motivation must come from you. As someone who was on a weight roller coaster for over 30 years, it is such a pleasure to have found a way to not only lose weight but to control my weight by eating great food. I have set a "goal" weight. I may or may not reach that "goal", or I may change my "goal" weight as I progress. However, that "goal", whatever it is or turns out to be, is artificial and is not the only goal I have. My real goal, now that my blood pressure is normal, is to not gain back any of the weight I have lost. That is my motivation and it is all the motivation I need, whether or not I lose any more weight.

That's it, spot on.
I read somewhere, that 95% of people who lose weight gain it back? Yikes! Losing is evidently the easy part! I definitely want to be one of the 5% that keeps it off, and it's an entirely different battle.
And I'm still having fun buying clothes... there's a huge motivation for me!

Stacie
Future Editor-in-Chief of Vogue
(Anna Wintour, beware!)

LOL, Stacie!!! You go, girl!!!

Dittos from me for all the advice Charmed. I'm 10 lbs away from where my "goal" is. Whether or not I reach that "goal" is not nearly as important to me now. I work on feeling good and not gaining. I'm healthier now at 61 years young than I have been in my life!

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young

You are not the only one dealing with the issues of staying motivated. We all have that problem after reaching goal. Just like most things, the honeymoon period slowly wears off. Check this article from the sticky on the Vet's forum. http://www.lowcarbeating.com/bb/showthread.php?t=13463 And most of all, remember, you are not alone. Keep hanging out here for the support that is a key to maintenance. (And, note my thoughts on the whole thing in my sig line.)

__________________
Judy
All time highest = 180, Goal = 140, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more fooling myself!

Thanks so much for all the encouragement! Instead of sitting around trying to figure it out I took out my bicycle (a birthday present from my boyfriend) and we rode 15 miles on Friday night... It was a good reminder that just 2 years ago I could not have dreamed of doing that without killing myself! I think putting the focus on the amazing things I am now able to do is what I should be doing! This board has been so helpful lately - you guys are great and have been a source of encouragement for me. Just knowing that other people go through the same thing makes it seem not so bad!