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“Remember Your Why: Staying Strong When the Going Gets Tough”
“You Won’t Always See It… But It’s Working: Remember Your WHY”
“Hey friends, and welcome back to the Inspiration2Grow Podcast. I’m your host, Lisa Oberbichler—a woman just like you who has walked through hard seasons, overcome big obstacles, and continues to rise strong through the process of transformation. Whether you’re on a weight loss journey, rebuilding your strength, reclaiming your health, or simply trying to put yourself back on your own priority list—you are so welcome here.
Today’s episode is a raw and real one, and I want to speak directly to your heart. It’s called ‘You Won’t Always See It… But It’s Working: Remember Your WHY.’ Because let’s be honest—there are days where the scale doesn’t move, the mirror feels cruel, or motivation disappears. And in those moments, the only thing that keeps you going… is your WHY.”
The Honest Truth About Progress
Here’s the thing we don’t talk about enough—transformation doesn’t always show up the way you expect it to. It’s not always a number on the scale or a smaller pant size. Sometimes progress is waking up with more energy. Sometimes it’s choosing water instead of wine. Sometimes it’s saying “no” to the food that’s sabotaged you in the past. Those moments might seem small—but they are everything.
I remember one woman in my transformation program—let’s call her Susan. She was 52, a mother of three, and had tried every diet under the sun. When she joined, she told me, “Lisa, I’m so tired of starting over. But I know I need to change.” In Week 3, she messaged me in tears. “I haven’t lost a pound. Is this even working?” But I reminded her of all the wins she wasn’t seeing: she had stopped emotional eating, she was sleeping through the night for the first time in years, and she was actually enjoying her workouts. Two weeks later, everything started shifting. Her clothes felt different. Her skin looked brighter. And the scale? It finally caught up. But the real transformation had started weeks before—inside.
This is what I want you to understand: progress is layered. It’s quiet before it’s loud. And if you only measure success by numbers, you’ll miss the real change happening.
💪My Own Journey – And What It Took to Keep Going
I know this because I’ve lived it too. When I first made the commitment to change my body and compete in a transformation category, I had no idea how hard it would get. I wasn’t in my 20s or 30s—I was pushing 60. My body didn’t respond the way it used to. My metabolism wasn’t what it once was. And the cravings? They were intense.
But I remembered my WHY.
I wasn’t doing this just for a number on the scale—I was doing this to prove to myself that I could. I wanted to show other women that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. I wanted to be an example of strength, commitment, and possibility. And in those moments when I wanted to give up—when I cried through workouts or felt like the changes weren’t showing—I’d return to that WHY.
I taped it to my fridge. I wrote it in my journal. I repeated it in my mind like a mantra: “You are capable. You are strong. You are doing this for more than just a body—you’re doing it to become the woman you were meant to be.”
And guess what? That daily decision to keep going is what got me on the stage. It’s what got me featured in STRONG Magazine. It’s what made me the coach I am now. Because I didn’t quit. And you won’t either.
👭You’re Not Alone – Stories from the Sisterhood
There’s power in hearing the stories of other women who stayed the course. Take Natalie, a 47-year-old mom who was juggling work, caring for her aging parents, and trying to reclaim her health after years of burnout. She started off strong, but Week 4 hit hard—her energy dropped, she wanted to binge, and her kids’ snacks looked more tempting than ever. She messaged me and said, “I just want to eat chips and cry.” But instead, we reminded her of her WHY—“You said you want to hike that trail in BC next summer. You said you want to feel good in your skin again.” So, she didn’t quit. She took a walk, made a protein smoothie, and journaled. And guess what? One choice at a time, her whole life started changing.
Then there was Carla, 61, who hated exercise. She called herself “the queen of quitting.” But this time, she joined our community and made a promise—not to be perfect, but to keep showing up. She’s now lifting weights confidently, eating to fuel her body, and says she feels younger than she has in decades.
These women didn’t get magical results overnight. They got them because they stayed committed to their WHY—even when it was hard.
The Power of Your WHY
Let’s get one thing straight—motivation fades. That’s normal. What keeps you going isn’t hype… it’s your why. That deep-rooted reason you started this journey in the first place.
The power of your WHY is what fuels you when motivation fades, when cravings hit, and when the results aren’t showing up as quickly as you’d like. It’s the deep, personal reason you started this journey—whether it’s to feel confident in your skin again, to have the energy to play with your grandkids, or to finally prioritize your own health after years of putting others first. Your WHY is more than just a goal—it’s an emotional anchor. It reminds you of the version of yourself you’re fighting for, the future you’re building, and the freedom you’re reclaiming. When you feel like giving up, reconnecting to your WHY can shift your mindset from frustration to focus, from doubt to determination. It’s your strongest source of purpose—and when you lead with purpose, you become unstoppable.
Examples of a WHY:
- “I want to feel strong, not exhausted.”
- “I want to be active with my grandkids.”
- “I’m tired of feeling uncomfortable in my skin.”
- “I’m done putting myself last.”
🧠 Questions to Reflect On:
- Why did I start this journey?
- How do I want to feel in 6 months?
- What will I gain by staying consistent?
- What am I losing by quitting?
“Your WHY is your anchor—it pulls you back when your excuses try to drift you off course.”
Real Talk – When It Gets Hard
“There will be days when your brain tells you: skip the workout, eat the junk, or throw in the towel. But in those moments, you need to lead yourself. You’re not always going to feel like it, but you’ll never regret choosing yourself.”
💡 Strategies for the Tough Days:
- Pause + Breathe: Don’t react emotionally—respond intentionally.
- 5-Minute Rule: Commit to just 5 minutes of movement or prep. Often, you’ll keep going.
- Ask ‘Will this choice get me closer or further from my goals?’
- Revisit your WHY card: (Keep a written WHY in your phone, wallet, mirror)
- Play the tape forward: Imagine how you’ll feel after you give in… and if you don’t.
- Set micro-goals for the day: Small wins build big momentum.
Daily Tools to Stay Aligned
✅ Morning Grounding Ritual:
- 2 minutes of deep breathing
- Visualize your healthiest self
- Affirmation: “I am a woman of strength, discipline, and purpose.”
✅ Nightly Reflection Questions:
- Did I honor my body today?
- What did I do well?
- Where can I improve without guilt?
✅ Anchor Habits:
- Always drink 500ml water upon waking
- Lay out workout clothes the night before
- Plan your next day’s meals in your notes app
MOTIVATIONAL AFFIRMATIONS
“Say them with me—or write them down when you feel weak.”
- “I don’t break promises to myself.”
- “Discipline is a form of self-respect.”
- “Cravings are temporary. My goals are bigger.”
- “I am becoming the woman I’ve always wanted to be.”
- “This journey is mine—and I am worth the effort.”
JOURNAL PROMPTS TO STAY CENTERED
What is my big WHY and how has it evolved?
- What would I tell my best friend if she wanted to quit?
- What would future me say to me right now?
- What’s one thing I can do today to feel proud before bed?
Strategies to Reconnect to Your Why
Let’s get practical for a moment. Here are some things you can do daily to remind yourself of your WHY and stay focused:
1. Write a Mission Statement
Example: “I’m doing this to be stronger, more energized, and proud of myself again.”
Post it where you can see it—bathroom mirror, kitchen cupboard, car dashboard.
2. Visualize Your Future Self
Close your eyes and imagine how you’ll feel 3 months from now if you stay consistent. How will your clothes fit? How will your body move? How will you carry yourself?
3. Play the Tape Forward
When you’re tempted to quit or indulge in cravings, ask: “How will I feel after this choice?” vs. “How will I feel if I say no and stick to my plan?”
4. Stop “Tweaking” Your Plan
This is tough love time. Many of you are adjusting, skipping steps, or loosely following the plan. But change doesn’t happen with halfway effort. You need to stick to the structure. There’s a method behind every meal, every workout, and every rest day. Don’t self-sabotage by thinking you know better. Trust the process.
💬 More Journal Prompts for Self-Connection
- What is my WHY, and how does it light a fire in me?
- What will it cost me to quit now?
- How will my life improve when I reach my goals?
- What can I do today to stay aligned?
Recipes to Stay On Track When Cravings Hit
I know cravings and boredom with meals can derail the best intentions. So here are some protein-packed options and a clean salty snack to keep you on track:
🍴 Zucchini Chips (for salty snackers)
- Slice zucchini thinly
- Spray with avocado oil, sprinkle with sea salt + garlic powder
- Bake at 250°F for 2 hours, flipping halfway
- Crispy, clean, satisfying.
🍳 Egg White Muffins
- 1 cup egg whites + 2 whole eggs
- ½ cup finely chopped red pepper
- ½ cup finely chopped broccoli
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder
- Mix and pour into muffin tins
- Bake at 375°F for 20–22 minutes
- Makes 6 muffins
Macros per muffin: 55 cal, 9g protein, 2g carbs, 1g fat
🍫 Protein Brownie Bites
- ½ cup oat flour
- 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 egg
- Splash of almond milk
- Bake at 350°F for 12–15 min in mini muffin tin
Macros per bite: 65 cal, 7g protein, 6g carbs, 1.5g fat
🥜 Greek Yogurt Peanut Butter Cups
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tsp honey
- Mix and spoon into mini silicone molds
- Freeze for 1–2 hours
Macros per cup: 90 cal, 9g protein, 4g fat, 3g carbs
🎧 FINAL WORDS
Listen, if this journey were easy, everyone would do it. But you? You’re here for more. You’re here because something inside you knows there’s a stronger, healthier, more empowered version of you waiting to emerge.
So when it’s hard, remember your WHY. When you’re tired, lean into the vision of who you’re becoming. And when you want to quit—go look in the mirror and remind yourself: “I’ve come too far to stop now.”
You’re changing. You might not always see it in the mirror or on the scale—but you are changing. And it’s beautiful.
CLOSING COACHING NOTE
“There’s no magic pill, no quick fix. The change you want is earned through consistency, not perfection. Your WHY is powerful—but only if you reconnect to it often. So the next time you feel like caving in or calling it quits, I want you to close your eyes and remember: you are no longer the woman who chooses comfort over growth. You are the woman who gets back up, who honors her word, and who finishes what she starts. Stay the course. Trust the process. And love yourself fiercely along the way.”