Why do we do anything? There has to be something in it for us or we wouldn’t do it. Even if you do something for someone else you do it for that feeling of feeling good. Us humans are not that selfless as we might like to think. Another thing about humans are that we are pretty basic when it comes to motivation or getting motivated.
We really only do anything if the pay-off achieves one or both of the following:
Pleasure
Avoidance of pain
Stop and have a think about this. Think about whatever you do and what you have done and the motivation behind what you do and have done would have yielded either pleasure or avoidance of pain.
If you are ambitious you may want the pleasure of having nice things or security thus avoiding the pain of insecurity. If you are generous to the people around you you may do this for the pleasure you get from the feeling you get or the avoidance of the pain of the judgement that you may be selfish. If you buy a new car you may do this for the pleasure it gives you from driving a new car of the avoidance of the pain of the judgement that you are not doing well.
Ask yourself which motivates you more? Pleasure or avoidance of pain.
Have a look at these motivating reasons for losing weight and see which strikes a chord with you:
Pleasure | Avoidance Of Pain |
Healthy Longer life Attractive Role model Desired Popular Married Normal Lighter Sexy Confident Stylish Cool | Death Illness Stroke Disabled Unattractive Lonely Judgement from others Single Being stared out Shame Guilt Abnormal Unstylish |
You can keep adding to this list. It is actually better that you come up with you own list. Most will make sense to you but there should be one on the list that really resonates with you. If nothing above resonates then definitely do your list. You probably know it by now from reading this.
My one is death. There is nothing more motivating for me than avoiding death! You can find out more about this in my personal journey but I want to focus on you. What is that word, words or phrase that has brought you to wanting to lose weight? Maybe my 52 Step Program can help.
It is these word, words or phrase that will make sure you carry on reading this book, sticking to the plan and getting to your target. It has to be a word, words or phrase that really goes to the heart of why you are doing all this.
Here are some examples:
Word:
Death
Disability
Fit
Hot
Ugly
Fat
Words:
Judgement by others
Feeling like shit
Hate myself
Sexy Mama!
Phrase:
Being attractive means I am more confident so I can find a partner and stop being lonely
Being slimmer means a lower risk of heart attack or stroke so I can remain able
Being healthier means I can live longer so I can see, protect and provide for my family
Being skinny means I am hot, fit and sexy
I want to avoid death, illness and disability as I love the life I have
It has to really hit home. Choose your words very carefully. It is these choice of words that can determine your failure or success. Do not progress to the next chapter until you have found your motivating words.
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