Weight Loss Motivation: Short versus Long Term Success and Goal Setting Part 1

So far I have been talking about the difference between being motivated by feeling a sense of urgency triggered by an event or condition.  This is motivation to solve a problem and the focus is only there as long as the problem seems urgent.  We all have had time when diet and exercise feels tedious, repetitive and just plain boring.  We start to lose our resolve to stay on target.  That is because we are shooting at the wrong target.

Lets talk about problem solving versus a desired outcome.  We have already identified problem solving approach as a failed motivator because when the problem lessens the motivation goes down with it.  Desired outcome however is a destination.  It is not over till it is over kind of thing.

Let’s take weight for example.  You have two ways to think about losing weight.  The first one is you are going to fix your bad habits.   You are going to do better.  Hmm, that would be eat less, maybe even attempt to create a food log, watch the actual calories you take in each day, etc. etc. etc.  So you do it for a few days, weeks, maybe even months, and you feel better about the problem.  You slack off and give yourself a break.  Maybe you even pat yourself on the back a bit.

The second way to look at it would be to create a healthy body.  Now what are you looking at?  Ok, lets start with reaching an ideal weight for your age, height and sex.  Noticed I said ideal weight not just dropping a few pounds.  But we aren’t done yet if we are talking about health.  Along with ideal weight lets add physical fitness, and overall healthy body.  No more high blood pressure or high cholesterol.  Let throw in some endurance and muscle growth, perhaps even a body model you feel would fit for you.  Oh and to get there we can’t forget maintaining healthy eating and proper diet.  After all it just takes a few days to take the body down.  Don’t believe me go rent “Supersize Me!”

See the difference?  One says I will give this a shot until it doesn’t feel urgent anymore.  The other says it isn’t over till I reach the finish line.  It is orientated to the outcome not releasing the pressure of an short term emergency.  When the outcome becomes the focus, it will help create the structure to get there.  The behavior changes and the steps in between start to develop and there is some structural tension pulling you towards the outcome.

I will continue this more tomorrow as we apply this idea to weight loss and exercise over the long term.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.