Is this weird? Kind of venting a bit

i am working out now (or trying to stay dedicated, really), so that i can look good for summer. I want to finally be comfortable in shorts and a tank top. I keep thinking (as motivation) that everyone is going to "wow" when they see that im toned and healthy.
Reality Check: Most people wont notice b/c they have never seen me on shorts and a real tank top!
So, then , why keep at i??. I had a not the greatest 2 weeks (last and the week before). I didnt eat REALLY bad, just not as good as a normaly do.
This week, im totallly on track. I have ebbs and waves in motivation but have yet to completely give up on myself, which I had done previously, so i think im in a different mind set now....
Is this due to my having a "fake"goal? Do i need a truly deep goal in order to succeed at looking and feeling greaT??
Any thoughts are appreciated!
Thanks,
~Workout25

Wed. Feb 22, 10:49am

I think you should stick with it cause you will notice, in a way that is the ultimate goal...doing it for you, not for others.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006, 10:58 AM

I think your motivation for working out - to feel great in shorts and a tank top this summer - is by no means a "fake goal". Next summer when you walk around proudly in your shorts and tank top, others will notice a change in your attitude and confidence. Your smiling face will be motivation for others - not just motivation for them to become healthier but motivation for them to do things for themselves and others that make them happier and more fulfilled. By accomplishing your goal not only do you change yourself, but you have the opportunity to influence others around you. It's a great goal!

Read the thread on motivation threshold. It's a great article and relates to this immensely.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006, 10:58 AM

Imagine yourself looking great in everything you wear, all the time, for the rest of your life and being proud of your health and your body.

Setting a goal for the summer is great motivation, but think ahead to your next goal. It doesn't have to be related to clothes you can wear, either. Maybe you want to lift more weight or do a walking charity event.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006, 11:02 AM

A charity event..........OP here

Thanks!
I am scared that i might fail..................i know, i know its DUMB! I would LOVE to do a charity event! LOVE IT! but...........im scared! LOL, i feel so stupid saying this.....I feel like if its just me doing it for me, i can back down but if its for charity event, what if i dont do it? Now only am i letting myself down, im letting them down! And i would feel awful........
What about those Teams in training? Are they really as supportive as they claim?
Thanks!

Wednesday, February 22, 2006, 11:18 AM

Scared of failing too

I can't respond to the charity events, but I can say that I am scared of failing too. I have a big goal of losing 50 lbs, but have set small goals. My first one was to lose 5 lbs by the end of this month and I had 3 weeks to do it. I lost 3 lbs then PMS struck, which put me 2 lbs heavier than when I started. Now the PMS is winding down, I now have 3lbs to lose by the 28th. I've logged, eaten healthy meals, exercised most days of the week, but am really afraid to fail my first goal...makes me think I will fail the rest. My old self creeps up alot...telling me to give up and accept myself the way I am...my new self tells me that the weight loss will come with the hard work and dedication (eventually).

I work hard to stay positive, but negativity seems to find it's way to me at the worse of times.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006, 2:08 PM

scared of failing too

i definitely get feeling like it's not worth bothering. but every time i get in that frame of mind i realize that i really don't accept myself at this weight--that it makes me feel unhappy. i don't like feeling like i don't look good in shorts because every time it's 80 degrees and i want to wear shorts, i'm going to have to remind myself why i feel bad pulling on those shorts. i want to get to place where looking at myself in the mirror results in positive or at least neutral comments.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006, 2:45 PM

I don't think any reason that you can get motivated is bad or "fake." Some might argue with me, but it's good to realize that our reasons for getting in shape and staying motivated changes. And it should. If you can get motivated to get in shape because you just got a divorce, or you want to make an ex jealous, or you want to show off for a high school reunion, or you have diabetes, or want to be healthy, or whatever - then it is a good reason. If it keeps you motivated, if it is a mantra that gives you DRIVE, then stay with it. But if your mantra loses the motivational thrust, you need to find another reason. You don't have to get rid of your first reason, just try on some other motivators until you find one that helps you get your rear in gear.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006, 7:44 PM

Keep at it

I hope you continue with your goal. I didn't make any announcement that I was losing weight, but as I lost it my whole attitude changed. I am happier and more confident, and have tons more energy. And when I had to buy smaller size clothes all kinds of people noticed. It's a wonderfull feeling when others notice, but I wouldn't trade how much better I feel for all of the compliments in the world. Do it for yourself and the complements will be the "gravy."

Wednesday, February 22, 2006, 11:51 PM

I have heard that the Team in Training folks really are supportive. You could always start with the goal of doing a 5k, an 8k, or something like that. Once that goes well, you could then do a bigger event with Team in Training. Think how great it would feel to ride a bike 100 miles or complete a triathlon! Any training schedule will prepare you one step at a time, but Team in Training has lots of tips and support mechanisms built just to help get you past being scared you might not do it. They might hook you up with other people to train with, too, which can be fun in itself and extra motivation!

Regardless of whether you try doing an event for charity, remember that stepping outside your comfort zone can be a healthy thing. You'll be surprised at how much you can accomplish. Keep up the good work.

betty

Thursday, February 23, 2006, 8:42 AM

To the OP,
I'm doing the Breast Cancer 3-Day-- there are walks all over the country--
Last year I did it for the 1st time and put together a team of 11 women... We tried to encourage each other as much as we could. :-) They have lots of support out there! :-)

I did it in part to help out a good cause (my best friend's mom had it, as well as my hubby's grandma), and in part to get fit....

As others have mentioned, though, you need to find your own motivation goal...don't rely on "outside influences" to be your goal, or you may be disappointed...

One thing I find is that if I make my goal a smaller one at first, it's easier to see "the light at the end of the tunnel.

For instance, in your case, maybe a goal could be "I will do X minutes of exercise a day" and try to keep on task with that small goal until you've made it routine, move onto a different goal such as, "I will fit into the next smaller size." or whatever your goal may be.
Give yourself a timeline and a specific goal to accomplish along with a "reward" and you'll find yourself more excited to reach that task. :-)

Thursday, February 23, 2006, 10:05 AM

Hey hey!
Its important to remember that along witht excercise you need to eat a really balanced diet, and count calories. Probably no more then 1,200 a day. As long as your eating a good diet and keeping track off calories you'll do great and feel fabu!

Thursday, February 23, 2006, 10:17 AM

To the poster who made the goal of losing 5lbs in 3 weeks -

It is healthy to lose weight at 1-2 lbs per week. The people who keep the weight off the longest are the people who lose slowly. It may be frusterating, but it's true. Most people can't lose consitently more than 1lb per week. You said you have 3lbs left to go, with about a week left. So, in the 3 weeks, you'll likely lose about 3lbs. That's PERFECT!!!

I advise setting goals that are equivalent to losing 1lb per week. If you exceed your goal, you're happy! If you make your goal, you're happy! If you make a goal of losing closer to 2lbs a week, and you can only maintain losing 1lb per week, you're still losing and getting healthier - sooo important - but you may get frusterated b/c you're not reaching the goal that you set. Be sure to set yourself very reasonable goals, and then reward yourself when you reach them!

Good luck!!!

Thursday, February 23, 2006, 10:21 AM

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