Achieve Your Goals Without Motivation

A note from a fellow bariatric patient...

Stop waiting, you don't need motivation.

I was talking to a friend recently who said, “I'm rarely motivated to go to the gym, but I exercise because I know that I feel better and sleep better when I do it.” 

This conversation made me stop and think; I do a lot of things every day that I am not motivated to do, but I do them because they are good for me.

I brush my teeth, go to work, walk the dog, and do laundry—not because I’m motivated to do them, but because they’re the right thing to do. It’s a different mindset, “just do it.”

Start now and start small—without motivation.

We simply just have to start, and the momentum (and motivation) will come over time. I promise—it worked for me, and it can work for you too.

Just do one small thing. Why small? It’s less overwhelming. When you do it, you’ll feel good because you didn’t procrastinate, and you instantly build confidence.

Just decide on one small thing you want to do. For example, if you want to exercise, set a timer for five minutes and start walking (either outside or inside). Walk only five minutes. Good for you! You have exercised. In a day or two, try again. 

Here’s my second tip: Pair your new habit with something you like. Do you enjoy watching television, listening to podcasts, or talking to friends and family members? Personally, I like television, so I never watch my favorite programs unless I’m exercising on the treadmill, elliptical, or rowing machine. 

This provides a big incentive to get my body moving. Maybe your pleasure is chatting with friends. If so, call someone while walking or doing other exercise. You could even work out “together” from afar. I did that this morning with my best friend, and time flew by.

So don’t wait. When you get done reading this, just start. Pick something small; you don’t have to love it. In fact, you might not even like it yet, and that’s perfectly fine. Just keep in mind that it’s the right thing to do.

Just do something—and do it now. In just five minutes, you will have reached your goal. You have the power to change your life. You don’t need motivation; all you need to do is get up and take action now.

—Your bariatric friend