I’ve been reading a few of your Q&A’s and it sounds like you can help me. I have struggled with weight for as long as I can remember. I have tried many diets but nothing seems to stick. I eat relatively healthy: fresh vegetables, fruits and lean proteins. The thing I struggle with most is staying motivated in exercising. I usually end up feeling depressed and upset that I can’t finish the workout. I’m curious if you have any suggestions on how to turn my depression into motivation and change.

I've been reading a few of your Q&A's and it sounds like you can help me. I have struggled with weight for as long as I can remember. I have tried many diets but nothing seems to stick. I eat relatively healthy: fresh vegetables, fruits and lean proteins. The thing I struggle with most is staying motivated in exercising. I usually end up feeling depressed and upset that I can't finish the workout. I'm curious if you have any suggestions on how to turn my depression into motivation and change.

Answer - Permalink

hellothereandeverywhere-deactiv

Hi! It may surprise you but I actually think that there is no reason not to finish a workout no matter how ‘unfit’ a person may be. You can always take short breaks and get right back into it, or do easier versions of the moves.

It sounds very mean and too extreme but as Jillian Michaels puts it: “unless you puke, faint or die, keep going!”. Just do it even if you suck. Just finish the damn workout. It’s all about the attitude, it’s not about being good at it. It’s about bulldozing through the nagging “I can’t” and “I don’t feel like it” thoughts! It’s about being mentally strong and finishing what you just started.

Stop convincing yourself you can’t… It’s exhausting (you say you usually end up upset) and the only person that cares is you. Just going for it, failing, learning and trying again is still a whole lot better than giving up.

It sounds super cliché but motivation has to come from within. I cannot give you motivation. You have to find for yourself why working out and being fit is important for you.

Not sticking with it may be the biggest problem of all. It’s a personal journey of trials and errors to find out which diet and workout program works best for you. The best program in the truest sense is not the most effective program, but rather the program that’ll make you stick with it long term.