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But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Thoughts on Motivation

So, I lost track of all the eating I did over the weekend. It wasn't super bad (though not that great either!), but I just didn't keep track.

I missed weigh-in, too.

I've found myself saying a lot lately that I've lost my motivation.

I've lost "that lovin' feelin..." so to speak.

But you know, I've spent a lot of time studying my Bible lately (I've got a lot more time on my hands now that my youngest is in kindergarten!!), and I've come to believe that this thing we call "motivation" is, in many ways, no different from love or faith.

They're not feelings; they're decisions.

Waiting to FEEL motivated is a fatal flaw in weight-loss efforts or any other goal-setting exercise. If we base motivation on feelings, it's only temporary ~ and often won't be there at all!! But if we base motivation on knowledge, and decide to persevere regardless of how we feel, that's when we'll continually experience success.

I can choose to wait to feel like turning down snacks, or I can choose to turn them down because I know it's smarter, healthier, and more character-building than the alternative. The former might happen every now and again, but the latter is a conscious decision which is the basis for a permanent lifestyle change.

One is completely within our control. The other is just wishful thinking. (Seriously, who can honestly claim they feel like NOT snacking??!!)

What are you choosing today? To practice what you know is good, wise, and healthy; or wait until the motivation to do so strikes again?






4 comments:

Brooke said...

its not an easy choice to make either. but i'm certain that if you tell yourself you can't, you're right!

Andrea said...

Boy, I think you nailed that one right on the head!! As soon as you said "this thing we call motivation is, in many ways, no different from love"...I thought "aha! she's right -- it's a DECISION."

And you know what? Just an hour ago, I DECIDED to do a 40 minute Turbo Jam work-out even though I WANTED to use my sore foot as an excuse.

Kristi said...

Found your blog today. I wish you the best in your weight loss journey! I have just recently made the commitment to myself and the Lord to lose all 58 lbs that I need to lose. I'm 8 down and 50 more to go.

I do agree that it is a decision. You can't wait for the "feeling" of motivation. I've done that way to many times and it's left me overweight for 8 of the 9 years that I've had children. It's caused me to gain back all the weight I had lost, or put off losing it again. I am determined to make this a life long commitment now, and surrender my eating habits to God and let the Holy Spirit guide my choices instead of will power. (or lack thereof!) I'll keep checking in with you, and I'm doing Weight Loss Wednesday posts, if you want to check in with me!

Tammy said...

Right you are my friend, right you are!