Where Do I Get Motivation From????

Try this. instead of trying to eliminate what you might consider bad things, begin to ADD in positives. e.g... can you get pedometer and begin to measure how many steps you are taking each day (the recommended is around 10,000) sounds like a lot but that for me works out to be about 5 miles.. believe me, those steps add up.. By using the pedometer (which requires no effort) other than you walking around, this will allow you to begin to gage your "true" activity level.. Try using the stairs instead of an escalator or elevator.. park farther away from a store's entrance. again, the steps "movement" add up.. Next, add ONE more piece of fiber to your daily diet... the fiber of course will help you become more full and hence, perhaps not eat quite as much. Lastly, make sure you are drinking enough water.. water I consider to be the body's fuel.. and IF you aren't getting enough of it, your body can't be at its peak performance..
start out slow with what you can do right now.. it needn't be drastic, just decide you will do something..As you add in more of the good stuff, I think you will find that slowly, you want less of the bad.. good habits like bad, build on themselves.. try and make this a life change and not over-night change..... it needs to be done gradually ...

best of luck

One thing you could try is to challenge yourself to finish a certain number of tasks in a set amount of time and then reward yourself. Example: I will vacuum, clean the bathrooms, and fold the towels in one hour; then I will sit and read a magazine for fifteen minutes.

Another idea is to set a timer for 30 minutes and see how much you can do without stopping. Put distractions aside for after the timer goes off. Put a piece if paper and pen next to the timer so you can write down things that pop into your head, so you win't be afraid you'll forget and detour to do them instead of your original task. Ignire phone calls and texts until after the timer goes off.

After you find a new way to feel a sense of accomplishment, it might be easier to get started each time and stay on track.

Also making lists (or a check-list app) of all of the everyday things you need to do can feel very satisfying when you check them off as you get things done. Challenge yourself to do them faster each day.

From your description, it honestly sounds like you're bored and overwhelmed (and yes you can be both at the same time). You said that you worked before you had kids. I wonder if you need that sort of stimulation again. I had a very similar problem - went from a fairly high-powered job to SAHM. Even though the SAHM time was temporary, and I always planned to go back to work after a year, I only made it to 8 months, and even that was hard. And I had the same types of symptoms - stopped cleaning, didn't get properly dressed/made up in the morning, didn't play with the baby as much as I should have and just tried to get him to amuse himself or watch tv, etc.

For me, the solution was to put him in daycare and start a business. Now, since I don't have to see him and take care of him 24/7, the time I have with him is much more of a "blessing" rather than a chore. I enjoy him so much more, and as a bonus he's way better socialized with babies and adults now. And while I didn't gain weight during my SAHM period, I didn't lose very much baby weight either. Within a few months of starting work again, I went down about a size and a half.

Also, make sure your husband is helping out! So many women think that "SAHM" means they are exclusively responsible for the kids *and* the house, 100% of the time. Not true! SAHM is your job, just like your husband has his job, about 8 hours a day. Once he gets home, those kids belong to both of you, and the house belongs to both of you, and you are both responsible for it.

I think if you can set up a situation where you're getting away from the kids for extended periods of time (like several hours) on a regular, frequent basis, that will help a ton. I love my son to death, but I flat out get depressed when my entire existence is taking care of him. Some people just need something additional.

It sounds like you aren't completely willing to change yet, which is understandable. Changing a lifestyle is a commitment, and no one can motivate you but yourself. The day you wake up actually wanting to change is the day you will actually start changing. =)

You might be a bit depressed. Being a stay at home M. might not be your thing or you could just be bored and/or mentally tired.

Find the motivation by taking a bath in the morning as if you are headed to work. Sometimes fixing yourself up will get that "heavy morning" weight off you and get you energy to start.

If you're having a hard time with a schedule, it might mean you need to get something that will give you the adrenalin rush to do it. Like telling a friend or neighbor to come by without notice, that way mentally you will not know when they are coming and you will be forced to get up and do something.

Find something to get you outside for some fresh air. Eat a good breakfast.

I just read the book by Fly Lady "Sink Reflections " and found it VERY motivational! please read it! FLY stands for finally loving ourselves. she says it's not really laziness, it's being overwhelmed and not having a system or routine that gets us into this mess. and she can help you turn your attitude around. I remind myself how lucky I am to live where I can always get enough healthy food for myself and my kids how lucky we are to have nice homes when people around the country live in shacks without adequate heating and cooling and sanitation. We are so lucky and need to remember this when we clean our houses and choose our food. Dont feel like its hopeless and dont feel its all your fault.

A few things to look at medically, before you decide it's simply a lack of motivation...

Are you possibly depressed? Before you deny it, think hard. Depressed doesn't have to mean ready to jump off a bridge. One sign of depression is that normal everyday activities become a challenge, and it's harder to convince yourself to make the effort to do what must/needs to be done. Getting out of bed is hard. Getting dressed is hard. Feeding your kids is hard. Making an effort to do anything, even if it is something that benefits you, is hard. And it hasn't always been that way for you, right? If this sounds like you, get evaluated. Depression is treatable, and is worth treating. Treatment can give you your life back.

How's your thyroid? Weight gain and lack of energy are signs of a low thyroid.

How is your sleep? Sleep apnea can cause low energy and fatigue. If you're exhausted, it's hard to be motivated. And for many people with apnea, weight gain is a symptom. Your body tries to make up for the lack of energy by soaking up and storing all the calories it can. Carb cravings can be a part of this.

It might be a good idea to head to your doctor and get checked out - your lack of motivation may be a symptom, not the root problem.

I like what the others said about depression, it's a good thing to keep in mind. I have days to weeks where I have very little physical energy and sometimes I can push through and other days I don't get much done but what has to be taken care of. It must be something in my diet but not sure what it is because sometimes I am totally fine. I also get mentally tired a lot, especially in early afternoon. One thing thathelps me but also henders me is coffee. I became a coffee drinker within the last few months because it gives me both physical and mental energy. I now understand why people drink it. I buy the instant kind and put International Delight flavoring in to make it taste good without too much sugar. However, I only drink about 2/3 a cup and it gives me a bad coffee low about 5-6 hours later. Coffee also can make you feel full for a while but I always drink it after I have ate something of substance.