16 weeks and 40lbs

heathersmilez

If you are feeling snacky especially in the evenings or there is a treat around that you don't have the spare cals to eat, put on a bikini and hang out in your house like that. Your imperfections being so obvious will keep you in check

D_squareG

For me, what keeps me motivated is knowing that I will spend more time worrying about my weight and whether or not my clothes fit than I do weighing and logging my food. (1)

(2). Wanting to look like I belong with my slim, attractive husband.

(3). Knowing that if I don't work at this I will wind up diabetic and handicapped like my mother, aunts, cousins and sisters.

These motivators are constant whether summer is coming or I'm bundled up in sweaters. When I fall off the wagon, which I do, I don't consider getting back on as "starting". It just is getting back on.

I'm sorry that you felt attacked. Many of us who are "old" have been down the path before. We are trying to save you some frustration, not criticize you.

Good luck with your goals, sincerely.

SDB210

My 3 things which kept me motivated...

1. I picked out some old photos of myself over the years of key changes in my weight. A bit like they do in gossip mags with the photos lined up with dates and weights. I then realised I have basically just gradually gained over the last 10-12 years but around 4 years ago was the point I started feeling ' uncomfortable ' with my weight. I then used this as my backwards timeline for little mini targets and along the way I have been ticking them off and it's like going back in time! Haha. Very motivating considering I just turned the big 3 ...0...

2. Looking at other people's success stories! Very motivating.

3. I never throw away clothes! So I have a whole load of things which I used to love which I got too big for and I'm fitting back into them. I also try on the things I was wearing a couple months ago and amaze myself at how ridiculous I look in them now that they're baggy! :-)

By the way I have lost 22 pounds in 10 weeks this averages at 2.2 pounds per week which all the 'experts' frown upon, but in reality I lost 7 pounds the first week, 3 pounds the next couple, then 2 for the next couple and now I'm at 0.5-1 a week.

As soon as anyone puts a weight target with a week target, everyone seems to just do the maths and then jump on you for being aggressive. I know why it came off me 'aggressively'. It's because I am no longer filling myself with fast food twice a day, of course it's going to come off fast. But after 10 weeks it has slowed down and I'm fine with that too. Just like you I had a target weight and a target date, but if I get there and I'm a few pounds behind, I'm not gonna think " oh I failed, I only lost 28 pounds instead of 34 so I'm going to give up and eat McDonald's "

Good luck with your aims , give it all you've got!

CathReese33

I have lost 24lb in 10 weeks so far. Still have another 5 weeks until holiday and am on a mission to lose 10lb in that time. I started off 180 lb, so not that much heavier, but I must admit I am struggling to get more than 1lb off a week at the moment.

My problems occur when my weight loss does not equal my expectations. This can be really demotivating and is usually the point I fall off the wagon - I believe this is also why many other posters are discouraging 'grande' goals as they have probably experienced the negative effect of not reaching goals/set targets. However, if you have a really focussed mind and a strong will - and a plan for when you do see a stall, then push on with your goals. Someone once told me that if your dreams don't scare you then they are not big enough - I live by this in all aspects of life now - great fun!
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An end date is great for motivation. I use a daily ticker that tells me how many days are left until holiday. Each day on track and exercise is a day closer to my goal. Really motivating.

Another great tool I use to stay on track is to pre-log my day before it happens. I know what I will be eating for lunch and dinner. I also pre log exercise as this makes sure I get off my *kitten* and do it. Most days I try and beat the caloric burn I have pre logged and adjust afterwards for a nice bonus.

I was not eating my exercise calories until very recently. I had a couple of hungry days and rather than deprive myself and 'fall off the wagon' I just ate (within reason - 3 cookies) and burned extra in exercise.

Hope this helps?

Feel free to add me as a friend, I log everyday and my diary is open :-)

Good luck, Cat x