Do you remember a few years back when every Monday, on Instagram and Facebook, there would be a FLOOD of #motivationmonday posts? These ranged from someone yelling into their phone to get out of bed and start your day, to quotes about motivation that you could screenshot and share. Whatever they were posting, they claimed it was weight loss motivation.
It's no joke that Mondays tend to be the day most people start their diet, lifestyle change, or even life change. The same thing goes for new months and new years. Why is that?
The fresh start or the feeling of a new chapter makes us feel like there's a clean slate. In reality, it is a new start or a fresh state, but there is an issue with the idea that Mondays will magically motivate us or that when we wake up on January 1, our lives, motivation, and determination will be drastically different from the days, weeks, months, or years before.
Motivation doesn't work like that.
Motivation doesn't come out of nowhere, doesn't just happen overnight, and surely doesn't appear simply because we set goals. We set goals or decide to reach out to Nourished with Emily when we want change and are too uncomfortable or in pain to continue down the path we are on. No one reaches out to us when everything is going great with their body image, health, nutrition, or routine. You reach out because you don't feel like yourself anymore. You know you have to make a change because you feel lousy, your clothes don't fit anymore, and you're sick and tired of feeling exhausted.
We remind clients of this often in our Signature Nutrition Coaching program: motivation does not come from outside sources. Sure, reading a quote can inspire you, but it won't change your mindset on the days when you don't want to get up and go to the gym.
Motivation comes AFTER two other things in this process. First, it's taking action. Deciding that you can't continue living as you have been and that you need to change is the first step. You build momentum by showing up for yourself consistently, and then you see results. The results serve as reassurance that you're on the right path for success. Motivation is the desire to keep going because you see and know that you can achieve your goals.
Determination is a bigger piece of the motivation puzzle. Believing in yourself and your goals is much more powerful than merely having or wanting motivation. Determination is the difference-maker.
Motivation must come from within, and we know that motivation will fluctuate depending on our schedules, routines, lifestyles, and focus. Motivation doesn't carry you to the finish line.
Determination does.
Determination to reach our goals, determination to work through the downward slumps and hard times, and determination to push through.
Motivation isn't something we can always rely on, but when your goals are strong, your "why" is clear, and you're determined, you will get there.
If you're ready to take the leap and start taking action, Nourished with Emily is here to help you with all your nutrition and health goals—whether it's losing weight sustainably, balancing your diet, beating IBS, or more. Let us support you on your journey!
Where can you start? Consider our Nourished Membership as a great way to get your feet wet with small, consistent changes. Our membership includes food tracking with RD feedback, monthly group call trainings, Q&A, a community group chat, recipes and resources to make change easier, and video trainings to answer all your questions. Click here to learn more about our $29/month membership!
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