Starting to lose motivation...

TwinThompson

So my life got busy and which ball did I decide to drop first.. the weight loss ball! I am still losing but I’m at about 1lb a week.
I’ve sort of abandoned the calorie counting, I’m just trying to be mindful about what I have. Unfortunately the next few months I can’t afford my gym or swimming classes so I know a mindful diet will only work for so long....
But, I have YouTube!! So I’m after recommendations, what type of exercises would be good to find and tone up with?? Any movements good movement so I’m thinking if I get back on track with the food choices I’ll be alright. I’m thinking find some Pilates videos?? Start trying to tone up because I’m noticing some more saggy bits on my upper thighs and arms.
I feel like I’m back where I was a year ago, the fact I’m 3.5st (49lbs) lighter means nothing at the minute because I’m feeling like I’ve failed and it’ll all go back on *sigh*

tinkerbellang83

You most definitely have not failed! That's a fabulous achievement so far.

If you've been losing for some time, a diet break might do you good, maybe focus on maintaining your current weight for a few weeks. Being in a deficit for long periods of time can stress the body (and more importantly the mind) out and it's good to take a break now and again.

In terms of exercise, strength training is always a good idea when losing weight as it helps maintain muscle mass whilst you're losing weight, there are a lot of good workouts you can do at home without any equipments or with some dumbbells. Additionally it's a good plan for women as it improves bone density and we are more prone to osteoporosis than men.

I like HASFIT and Fitness Blender (both have their own websites and free to view Youtube videos).

In terms of motivation, this is a very good thread to read: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/818701/the-myth-of-motivation-and-what-you-need-instead/p1

and in terms of diet breaks: https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10604863/of-refeeds-and-diet-breaks/p1

The only way the weight will go back on is if you go back to old habits, you have the power to choose not to.

88olds

No human undertaking beyond short term happens on a straight line. Don’t kick yourself for struggling. Push back. Log your next meal. Better yet, log your last meal. Calculate your maintenance number and aim at that for a week. You can adjust the numbers when you have your hands on the wheel again.

Read these boards much and its pretty clear that the potential for regaining is real. But that doesn’t make it inevitable. Act.

ConfidentRaven

First, congratulations on having lost 49 pounds so far. Next, a 1lb a week weight loss is nothing to be ashamed of, good for you to keeping to any sort of plan during a rough stretch. I do agree that a couple of weeks of maintanence may be in order and could do you a lot of good.

While a gym and exercise is nice they aren't needed for weight loss. It does help though in that you can have a little more to eat in a day and helps with your overall health. So don't worry that your lack of gym access automatically leads to a gain. It only will if you don't either a) eat less to account for being less active or b) find some activity to take the place of the gym.

Since you have access to your gym currently (if I'm reading correctly) see if someone can show you how to do a few dumbell or kettlebell exercises, yoga, or even pilates exercises that you can do at home. Buying any needed equipment for your home will be far cheaper than the gym. Also even just a walk is awesome, I pace my living room and kitchen for up to 30 minutes at a time. I wish I had some Youtube links for you but I haven't found any that I've liked and I've been happiest just doing my own thing. Good luck to you and hang in there.

Jackie9003

If you've "taken your eye off the ball" yet still losing 1lb a week then you're obviously doing something right so well done!
Keep this at the back of your mind and just keep doing what you're doing without any additional self inflicted pressure.
Don't worry about the gym, I lost 4st and my only exercise was walking to work.

NovusDies

You don't fail because you stop your process. You do put yourself in a vulnerable position if you have no plan B. Even if unplanned you seem to have a plan B, at least for now, because you are still creating a calorie deficit.

Logging is a safety net for me. I do believe I could lose weight for a period of time without logging but it is not a theory I have any interest in testing. Some people when they feel mentally taxed let the logging slide but I believe it would tax me more not to do it. So I have to ask is not logging adding to your stress or relieving it? I am in your corner either way.

When someone brings up the motivation word the first thing I wonder is if there is anything that can be done to simplify or ease their process. There is a post around here somewhere in which I said something like if you are climbing a hill don't load up your backpack with bricks. Are there any bricks in your backpack that is requiring you to feel more motivated to keep climbing? Is there anything you can do to ease your burden and require less motivation to continue your process?

If you are feeling fatigued and you need a break from it all I support that too. You tell us how you believe you can get through the next month and we will help you in any way we can.

maiomaio71

I found that I was relying on the scale for all my motivation. Not a good thing when it stops moving. I've found that writing down targets for each day eg 5+ vegetables, 7k steps, a new food, a specific calorie target has really helped. I've done a different target each day and ticked them all off. So today's target is a game of tennis. Might sound weird but I'm really excited about it! I'm still tracking along with my calories but this has helped change the focus. The other day I randomly chose a calorie target that was exactly 12 less than my allowance and made sure I hit it exactly. It meant I finished the day with 31 grams of yoghurt but I did it! I also ate okra for the first time. Hated it but tried it. It changes the focus, gives you some variation, gameifies the process a bit, and has helped me mentally.

TwinThompson

The not logging my meals or tracking calories actually doesn’t have me too stressed, but the lack of exercise does. I don’t know if maybe taking a break from calories counting and just making sure I stick to healthier options for a while might get me back on track.
I think the real test will be Christmas! There’s a lot of family meals planned and people gift sweets etc, I’m going to have to really keep myself right.

jim_pipkin

TwinThompson wrote: »

So my life got busy and which ball did I decide to drop first.. the weight loss ball! I am still losing but I’m at about 1lb a week.
I’ve sort of abandoned the calorie counting, I’m just trying to be mindful about what I have. Unfortunately the next few months I can’t afford my gym or swimming classes so I know a mindful diet will only work for so long....
But, I have YouTube!! So I’m after recommendations, what type of exercises would be good to find and tone up with?? Any movements good movement so I’m thinking if I get back on track with the food choices I’ll be alright. I’m thinking find some Pilates videos?? Start trying to tone up because I’m noticing some more saggy bits on my upper thighs and arms.
I feel like I’m back where I was a year ago, the fact I’m 3.5st (49lbs) lighter means nothing at the minute because I’m feeling like I’ve failed and it’ll all go back on *sigh*

Motivation is temporary. Only discipline wins out in a fight like this one. Establish your personal discipline and then stick to it, keep those promises to yourself.

You have NOT failed - only if you QUIT, and it seems like you don't want to quit. Look up Aadam Ali online, he has great diet and exercise advice on fat loss --- you DO NOT NEED A GYM to burn fat, just the right set of exercises for you. My advice would be to continue counting calories on an app like MyFitnessPal, my theory is what we really care about, we count - but this is of course up to you. Wishing you continued success.

conniewilkins56

When you start losing motivation, think of all the reasons you began your weight loss journey...look in the mirror and see if you are really where you want to be!...think about your goals, your health,your looks, your family...whatever it is, eating is not the answer!