Struggling to take the first step.

Shily81

I am 5'3..... I have been struggling for years. 2 yrs ago I was at 228lbs and I lost 30lbs after some health issues came about I gained all the weight back plus 12 more lbs. I am now at 240 lbs and miserable. I can not seem to find the motivation or the mind set to get started and stay on track. Short-term goal is 40lbs but I would like to lose a total of 80 to 90 lbs. I know what to do and how to do it but I can't seem to get it to click in my head that it needs to be done. I procrastinate, I say oh well I will just start over tomorrow.... which is what lead me to now. I now have thyroid issues and there's times when I don't want to leave my house bc I am embarrassed of how I look. Is there anyone that can provide some inspiration or suggestions on how to get motivated?

Jeff_is_Mr_Incredible

Choose motivating friends. Try to be accountable on MFP if you can't do it with someone at home. Start telling yourself that everything you do matters. Don't start tomorrow, start now. I just ate a cookie for breakfast, stupid I know, but I logged it and will account for it.

MsAmandaNJ

If you're struggling to dig deep and stay dedicated to losing 40 pounds, I'd like to suggest breaking that 40 up into smaller goals. Make your goal 5 pounds, recognize that success and let it drive you to lose another 5. At that point, you're down 10 pounds, maybe you'll find it easier to stay committed doing it that way. Tomorrow always sounds like a good time to start, but tomorrow never comes...make changes TODAY, that's the only day you can do anything about.

vikinglander

MsAmandaNJ wrote: »

If you're struggling to dig deep and stay dedicated to losing 40 pounds, I'd like to suggest breaking that 40 up into smaller goals. Make your goal 5 pounds, recognize that success and let it drive you to lose another 5. At that point, you're down 10 pounds, maybe you'll find it easier to stay committed doing it that way. Tomorrow always sounds like a good time to start, but tomorrow never comes...make changes TODAY, that's the only day you can do anything about.

THIS^^^...

Think of losing 1 pound...next week you can worry about losing another one. I've been at this since February and I have managed to lose just about 1 pound per week for most of that time. I have stalled here and there, but I keep going.

I would suggest that a way to start is to log everything you eat. EVERYTHING. Down to the gram. It will give you a baseline to see where you're at, and it will help you see what really needs to change.

If I can help in any way, feel free to add me...

TarahByte

If it makes ya feel any better, it gets easier because the healthier you are, the better you feel, and more energy you have. Plus, losing a few lbs the first week or two makes you happy and you want to continue that feeling.

quiksylver296

Baby steps! Commit to changing ONE THING! Just one thing! Say you'll drink one less soda a day, and replace it with water (or whatever mini-goal fits your situation). Once you've made that an automatic habit, then change one other thing, like committing to eating three vegetables a day. And so on, and so on.

It will take slower, but you have a much better shot at success. Good luck!

gordon1chip

working out and eating healthy just feels soooo good!

trigden1991

If you can't motivate yourself then noone else can. You need to change for you! Think of all the things you can't do now and have a look at the long term health impact of being obese. Then set MFP, eat a calorie deficit and start your journey to a healthier better you.

MichelleS08

I was 210lbs got to 145lbs after a year and a half and now a year later I'm up to 170.. I know how hard it is gaining back what you've lost. But now I'm more determined than ever. I did it once and I
Can do it again. It's not happening very fast but that's okay. You've got this.

beginforthelasttime16

Feel free to add me and we can do this together! Motivation is like a roller coaster some times but you've got this!

simonc14

Feel free to add me, I started at 235 and got to 186, but I've had a bad year and am about 205, so I've been through the ups and downs of the journey! Just getting my focus back and these boards are great inspiration! You absolutely can do it!

caregetsfit

You can add me. I just started and would love some accountability partners for encouragement and to encourage!

fruitystix

What I'm doing- 3 normal sensibly sized meals, no snacking. Rocket science stuff

fruitystix

Sorry but the drinking one less soda a day suggestion...is like telling an alcoholic have one less drink per day and slowly taper off.. haha

Outdoors505

I'm no nutritional expert by any stretch of the imagination. I have done a bit of research since learned I am pre-diabetic. It can be very overwhelming and confusing. There are sooooo many "experts" with conflicting advice. Where I stand now is there is no magic bullet. The only way to get it done is to commit and just start. Sweeping changes will not work for me. Lots of little changes add up to big changes over time. I recommend watching the you tube videos by Dr Lustig and reading the books by Dr Hyman. Good luck! Slow and steady wins the race.....

daisybelle84

I am in your exact shoes. Started out at 250, now down to 238. I always put everything off to tomorrow, but it has to start today! I stopped smoking, and now have to have my gallbladder removed thanks to years of crappy eating. But I am on a mission now and won't be stopped! I will still treat myself to my family's holiday meals, but other than that I am totally changing up my every day eating and going to start moving more! Feel free to add me for encouragement!

kristalparmer

I was 305... Used this app and worked out.. I got to 155 and felt better but could not get any lower.. Then I hurt my knee and really gave up.. Now I'm 310 lbs and I'm starting over.. One day and pound at s time.

BootyShakingBadAss

I hear you! I made it my goal to just do better than the day before then once I started seeing results that fire was lit again! Feel free to add me!!

leanjogreen18

May I suggest that the only thing you "start" is eating within your calorie goal? That way there is nothing to "fall off of". You are only eating less than you normally would.

Just continue to eat the things you like to eat. After a few months you will begin to learn what keeps you satisfied longer and whats not worth the calories to eat often.

I have a mantra that I repeat several times a day "make up your mind and your body will follow" this helps me focus on the fact that I'm in control of my food - not the other way around.

dejavuohlala

Shily81 wrote: »

I am 5'3..... I have been struggling for years. 2 yrs ago I was at 228lbs and I lost 30lbs after some health issues came about I gained all the weight back plus 12 more lbs. I am now at 240 lbs and miserable. I can not seem to find the motivation or the mind set to get started and stay on track. Short-term goal is 40lbs but I would like to lose a total of 80 to 90 lbs. I know what to do and how to do it but I can't seem to get it to click in my head that it needs to be done. I procrastinate, I say oh well I will just start over tomorrow.... which is what lead me to now. I now have thyroid issues and there's times when I don't want to leave my house bc I am embarrassed of how I look. Is there anyone that can provide some inspiration or suggestions on how to get motivated?

Please don't be afraid take one day at a time. Get supportive and motivating friends on MFP. If you mutually support each other you can get great tips about different aspects of the journey, you need to make lifelong changes it is not a quick fix. Good luck I'm sure you will do great

kristikitter

MsAmandaNJ wrote: »

make changes TODAY, that's the only day you can do anything about.

This should be this site's motto! I love it.

Morgaen73

What everybody else said, start with small manageable changes