What's Your Motivation?

My eldest is now back at Preschool this morning and hubby is at work. We are officially back into our routine. It's Monday once again and a fresh week. This is when my motivation is at its highest for the week, I'm sure some of you are the same. But it got me thinking last night, what does keep me motivated? My motivation has been pretty high since I started Slimming World but if I am doing a diet on my own at home, it's normally the weekend where it starts to wilt before it's flown out the window completely and I'm "starting again" the next Monday. So, what's so different this time?

When I first started, my husband and I decided I would keep a pretty little money box in our living room. For every pound or half pound I lost, I would put a pound or 50p in it as a reward. If I gained, I wouldn't take money out, but simply "pause" until that weight came off and I could start adding again. This is still going strong. Every now and then I think about what I will do with that money. Whether it'll go to a "new me" hairstyle in a posh salon, a bracelet with a gold star charm to remind me every time I wear it how far I've come to be a target member, or even my much desired fitted biker jacket which will go with everything in my wardrobe. Heck, I even think about how many pairs of high heeled shoes I can buy with the money as right now, my ankles are just not up to the job of holding my weight any higher than about an inch. Obviously I change my mind on nearly a daily basis as to what I will get, but that's the beauty of it. I've got plenty of time to think about my little shopping spree as the pounds add up (and melt away!)

I also noticed on Instagram people were taking pictures of their "countdown to Christmas" graphs. Lots of pictures of festive trees, filled with baubles representing (usually) about a stone to lose in time for Christmas day. As the weeks went by, each bauble was filled in so that by the end of the year, it would be filled in completely  Mine was two baubles away to being complete but that's fine! I enjoyed colouring it in and it kept me going and gave me more drive to keep things like my "body magic" up.

I've actually done another countdown for the run up to Easter which again on Instagram, seems to be quite popular and I know a few people who have made their own version. The more of you the merrier! I'm aiming again to lose a stone and hope this time I can hit the magic 14th pound mark. It will mean that not only have I lost stone in the first few months of the new year, but I will only have just over another stone to go till target. Having it broken up into three parts like this again really helps. Instead of thinking "I will never lose THREE stone!" Losing it a stone at a time seems to be a more realistic task. And motivating.

The other motivation for me is my two boys who are three and one. With Summer just around the corner (hurrah!) there will be alot of visits the park, the beach and generally outside enjoying the fresh air. I want to be able to chase my eldest and play football without feeling conscious of people watching me from a distance. It will be nice not to get so hot and flushed in the face with the heat when I've only walked down the road for a pint of milk. Also, skirts! I'm not a skirt person at all, and have spent many summers in my jeans. It can be hot and sticky, but at least my thighs didn't rub. This year, I want to be one of those ladies who can wear a nice long maxi skirt with sandals and not look ridiculous! (I might even feel comfortable in sleeveless tops this year... might)

But getting back to my boys. The thought of leading a bad example diet wise worries me, as well as the thought of them realising or worst still, being teased that they have a "fat Mum" I don't want to be a supermodel at the end of this, stood there in the playground stick thin wearing nothing but designer wear (not that there is anything wrong with that, but it's just not me) I just want to be normal. To fit in. To not stick out like a sore thumb. True, I probably wasn't that big right now, but if I hadn't of dealt with it, I could of been. I want my boys to be active, to love being outdoors, to love having fun. I have to do this for them.

This time of year, there is always something on TV to keep me motivated. This week we have Supersize v Superskinny as well as Embarrassing Fat Bodies on Channel 4. It's important to think that it is not only appearance we slim down for, but our health too. These programs remind me that if I don't keep on top of  my weight, it can lead onto lots of health problems. I don't want to die young or worst still, have to rely on other people to get me through life.

Last but by no means least, people keep me motivated. The love and support from my husband and family (I have two other family members who do SW too), the lovely people at SW group and even the lovely people I have met through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter all help me keep going. Staying to Image Therapy at group is one of the best things I've done for myself. I have done lots of diets where you go and get weighed, and always used to leave straight away back to the safety of my home. Now, I don't feel like I could ever do that! I've met some lovely ladies who are fast becoming firm friends, staying has become a bit of a social life for me. I leave the boys with Daddy, go and get weighed and then sit with a cuppa and chat about the week I've had, good or bad and listen to how they've been. We all then discuss our losses and gains, have a few laughs and leave feeling great. That first week I was determined to stay despite my shyness once again kicking in. Then I thought sod it, I'm here on my own, no kids, and there's hot coffee! So, I sat there and smiled, spoke to some lovely ladies that first week and I haven't looked back. I'm sure if I left after weigh in, I would eventually think I will start doing it on my own and save the money and I would soon be back at square one. But staying has kept me going.  I'd recommend it to anyone!

Have a wonderful week!

The Synful Baker x