My coaching client, Natalie, rushed into my office and sank into my client chair. “Sorry I’m late,” she began. “I had a terrible week, and almost didn’t come in to see you today!”
“You look pretty stressed,” I responded. “So what’s going on with your weight-loss efforts?”
“I’m not getting anywhere,” Natalie replied. “I can’t figure out why I’m so LAZY! I start the week with good intentions but then I get tired or upset and I don’t feel like doing any of the things on my weight-loss plan.
For example, I take my healthy lunch to work, but at noon, I don’t feel like eating it, so I go out for fast food. After I get home, I glance at my workout clothes laid out on the bed, but I don’t feel like exercising, so I skip it.
In fact, I didn’t feel like coming to see you today either. But I pushed myself to show up because I really need some help.”
“Well, I’m glad you kept your appointment,” I said. “It takes extra effort when you don’t FEEL like being here. Let’s take a look at what has caused you to become so depleted and unmotivated.”
As Natalie and I talked, I assured her that she was not alone in her struggle. Most of us have times when we don’t FEEL like doing things.
And even if we’d been faithful with these areas in the past, we’ll have no idea why they are so hard right now.
Let’s take Natalie’s situation apart and see if we can figure out some solutions that will help anyone who shares this struggle of not FEELING like it.
You are NOT lazy
I often hear clients use this word to describe themselves. But generally, the people saying this are not sloth, unemployed couch potatoes.
Instead, this word is spoken by some of the most accomplished people I know.
I remember a client who labeled herself as lazy, yet every year raised a huge vegetable garden, then canned and froze her crops to feed her family during the winter.
Personally, I’ve raised a vegetable garden, and I know that it’s very hard work. It’s certainly not something a lazy person would do.
In my mind, lazy means avoiding anything that takes effort. No cleaning the house, going to work, singing in the church choir, driving the kids to ballgames, or cooking meals.
My client, Natalie, does all of these things on a regular basis. She certainly does not demonstrate the actions of a LAZY person.
I’m guessing most of you reading this have full, busy lives. So I challenge you to never again use the word LAZY to describe yourself. You can say you are tired, overwhelmed, or worn out. But never say you are LAZY!
Focus on the outcome
Of course, we all have times when we don’t feel like going to work, or changing a diaper, or cleaning the house. But somehow, we do these things anyway, whether we feel like it or not.
Usually, it’s because we prefer the outcomes we get as a result. We want a steady paycheck, a happy baby and a house that won’t horrify a mother-in-law.
When an outcome is important, you push yourself toward action, even when you don’t FEEL like it.
This fits with your weight-loss goals too. Suppose you want the outcomes of being at a healthy weight, having more energy, and feeling better.
If those goals are truly important to you, then push yourself to do the action steps that will make them happen.
In other words, do the things that will eventually give you those outcomes, even if you don’t FEEL like it.
Do it anyway!
If you wait until you FEEL like doing the steps required for losing weight, you’ll probably never do anything.
So instead of hoping you’ll feel motivated for exercise or healthy eating, tell yourself this phrase: Do it anyway!
When you make yourself go to work or handle other challenges in your life, you focus on actions, not your feelings.
So on days when you don’t feel like sticking with your diet or exercise plan, take action and “do it anyway!”
Take a few “do it anyway” actions each day. Over time, they will add up to a lot of changes.
You’ll also remember what it feels like to use your own power as a motivation tool, rather than hoping that one of these days, you might “feel” like sticking with your weight-loss plan.