Motivation. Do You Really Need It?

  A quick check on the internet this morning gave me the below definitions of what motivation is:     

1. The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.
2. The general desire or willingness of someone to do something.
   
   Reading these definitions tends it seems to fit in with what we have traditionally known as the definitions for motivation, but I beg to differ on this point.  When I started the 12WBT I would have said that my motivation for doing so was to lose weight, become healthy and generally happier.  This would fit in with the majority of those people in the program.  But is that really motivation?  Is motivation only used for positive actions?  This may sound a little askew but stick with me.

 

During my first round, one of Michelle’s weekly clips was about motivation and how she believed it was not what it was made out to be and it all comes down to mindset (I am paraphrasing here) which I listened to at the time but never really allowed to sink in.  This may have been due to the fact that I was in a really good headspace and flying with my weight loss.  So why am I thinking about it now?  As I have mentioned in numerous posts this round, I am in a funk, not travelling as well as I had hoped or expected and I have been trying to ascertain why.  Normally I would have said (in the past, the old me) that I was lacking motivation, but that is not true.  Surely after losing 24.5kgs in the first round and being on stage at finale I need no further motivation.  Seeing the results and receiving all the positive feedback should have spurred me on to continue.  That is exactly what happened and I came home from Perth determined to mash round 2 fulfilling both of the requirements above and obviously motivated.

This is where I believe Michelle’s words come true.  If motivation is a reason for acting or behaving in a particular way, why would I be motivated to take my foot off the pedal?  Whilst I have still managed to lose weight this round, albeit a third of what I did last round, I have still seen some old habits creeping back in which I am not happy about.  Why would I be motivated to allow this to happen?  I am not and don’t want it to be the case.  My point here is, that it is not motivation that makes us choose a certain path, whether it be to lose weight or to sabotage ourselves.  The reasons for acting in a particular way or supposedly our desire or willingness to do something or not do it are not down to motivation, it is down to the most powerful tool we have to correct these choices and behaviours.  This is probably the hardest battle in losing weight and staying on the right path.  This is all about MINDSET!!!! 

This in my opinion is what sets Michelle and her program apart from all other weight loss programs and this is what I am battling with at the moment.  Michelle frequently touches on how we need to work on our excuses, willpower, goals, robot mode, JFDI and why?  No other program makes you face your demons, understand why you are in this position.  They give you the food, the ethos and the books, but they don’t address why you are there in the first place.  If I had not heard this from Michelle I would still be making some excuse and stating that I lacked motivation.  Whilst I am aware of my issues and how they have hindered me this round, I am still trying to work out how to overcome them and get back to the ME from last round.  One of the biggest pluses for me has been surrounding myself with a lot of other 12WBTers whom are all amazing individuals and there as a huge support.  People like Dayna Manser and Bec Green that have been training with us and remaining positive even when I have openly told them I am struggling have helped me realise that it can and will be done and that I can get passed this.  On Saturday we had a workout out that was far from brilliant, but we still had a workout.  It was one step ahead of where I would have been if the old me had been there.  Then I see the encouragement and support I have had from online friends on the forums and facebook with words of encouragement after my 200km bike ride and I know I am heading in the right direction.  Add to this, I was totally blown away by some kind words and an entry in her vlog last week from Heidi Wilson (aka ToughMudder) who said I was one of support people and rocks in this program.  Surely not!!!  This lady is a true champion of this program, a role model for everyone and a winner in all sense of the word, but for some reason she has found me a help in the last 6 months.  Even when I am not travelling well I am somehow helping others, but now I need to make sure that I am doing the same for me.

This has been me the last few weeks

After speaking to my wife yesterday and our recent blow out after our holiday, I want my mojo back.  I don’t need to be motivated as the definitions above explain, I just need to get off my arse and JFDI as I don’t need reasons for my behaviour to define who I am.  I have changed that mindset where I need a light at the end of the tunnel, now I know I can get up and take action, I just need to stop with all the excuses, and that is all they are and get back on the non fat wagon.

Look out round 4, I am going to smash you to pieces.  I want to be back on stage with a swagger and my mojo well and truly in tact.



Milestones……What a week?



It has been a big week for me for a couple of reasons.  Yesterday saw me exit one decade and enter a new one.  Yes that is right it was my birthday and I hit the big 4….0 that is right, I am now in the naughty forties as I have been told.  Not sure it will be any different to the dirty thirties, but we will see, I can only hope it is a little more on the naughty side.  I would also like to point out that according to my 4 year old, I am old now and nearly dead.  Isn’t it wonderful how children perceive things.  The benefit of this though is that I will be a fitter healthier person in my 40’s than I was in my 20’s or 30’s.  Something to look forward to and keep the grim reaper away for a little bit longer.

Weigh in this week saw me lose 1.7kgs which was a nice surprise.  I was not sure how much I would lose but I had hoped after the weekend’s ride it would sizeable, so to have almost dropped all of the weight gained on holiday is a bonus.  Actually, since the ride I have been buzzing.  Not because of what I have achieved, well partly because of that, but more in anticipation of what we will achieve for next year as Julie and I have committed to do the ride again.  I am also thinking about doing the Sydney ride a fortnight before the Melbourne one.  Our team which consisted of 6 riders this year has already doubled and is going to get bigger.  I have been overwhelmed by the kind words of congratulations and also encouragement that have flowed in from people whom consider what we have done to be some superhuman feat.

There have also been those that have commented on how much it means to them that we have done this as they have been impacted in their family by cancer.  This is why I chose to do the ride.  As much as it was a personal achievement and something that allowed me to focus on some physical activity and getting healthier, it was all about the cause and making money.  It is also part of the reason the new team members have joined.  I have been very lucky that we have a few people that have joined this week which are my 12WBT family.  These ladies are all new to riding, just like I was 6 months ago, but they will all be joining our super supportive team for this ride and I am sure they will be over the moon with their achievement in 12 months just like I am.

Our bikes after the ride

I have mentioned in the past how much I have been enjoying exercise since I started this new phase of my life.  Well it became even more apparent to me this week when I found myself wishing I could be outside enjoying the nice weather on my bike when Julie told me she was going for a ride.  Who would have thought that after just having completed 200 kilometres I would want to be sitting on that bike again.  Getting on my bike is a new release for me.  It allows me to get out and go as fast as I choose and not have to worry about anything except the crazy people walking dogs in front of me and thankfully no more magpies.  I have also found myself planning next year’s ride and discussing plans for fundraising and training. 

So in my 40^th year I am planning on becoming the lightest I have been in 20+ years.  I am also planning on riding my bike a lot and raising a lot of money for Peter Mac.  This year will be the biggest of my life in so far as achieving what I need to do so I can be healthy, happy and the best version of me.  I believe they say that life begins at 40 so I am looking forward to tackling it head on and if I am going to have a mid life crisis it may mean I have to buy a new bike and not a sports car.  Call me boring, but that will suit me just fine.