I cannot find the right mindset.

benmarcum

I, like many others, have struggled with weight. I have gone up and down many times.
The problem I am having now is I cannot get into the correct mindset to pick up and go. "I'm going to hit the program hard starting Monday." I say over and over and over.

Truth is, I cannot seem to make any of my goals seem "real". I know what i want my body to look like but that is not tangible. I know I should set small goals and celebrate little victories, but the small goals always seem so small, there is still the spare tire or whatever.

Most exercise I do not like. I don't like lifting weights (which i need to do anyway), I don't like hard cardio, I get bored easily...

So i dunno. I find myself just not being able to "flip the switch" to get "excited" about this. I am self employed and almost all my time is dedicated to trying to make the business work....
So what was it for you that got you going?

beachlover317

I doubt any of us that have been here a while will tell you that we get all excited about getting up every day and doing what needs to be done.

So my advice to you: Figure out what you want & how badly you want it. For me, I chose to get healthy. Every decision I make is based on my health. When you decide that you want to be healthy - nothing will get in your way. You will quit making excuses.

This is the course I take every day for the rest of my life. It's not a short term fix. No one is going to have a magic solution.

lynnymcc

I am very similar in trying to get jump started and stay "jump started"!
First of all...no one is going to do this for you....YOU have to do it...all you.
And second...what are you afraid of? Fear seems to be holding you back?
I would suggest figuring out your daily alloted calories and just try and get through the
first day...DON"T even worry about exercise at this point.
Then once you have made it through your first day...get through the second...and only focus on THAT day.
I haven't set any "exact" goal weight yet...I kinda have an idea, but right now I am setting myself small goals
ie). get to ONEDERLAND by Christmas (that's about 13 lbs...and a total realistic goal).
Then after Christmas, another 20 in 6 months...sorta thing.
Slow and steady.
Go look at the success stories and view the pics and think how that could be you one day if you apply yourself.
You can do this...stop telling your self you can't!

happycauseIride

You can't sit around and wait for motivation to appear. It rarely happens. You have to be disciplined enough and want it bad enough to do it whether you're in the mood or not. As you get going the motivation will come.

Stop thinking about it and just do it. Give it 2 weeks, then you will want to do it.

SuperCrsa

I also struggled for quite a while to get back into it was also a mind thing.
Eventually I saw a photo of myself, I was huge and looked terrible! I've been logging faithfully for the last 40 days since!

I guess we all either dont do it or reach a point and JUST DO IT.

Good luck! Do it for you!

crazybookworm

I hear ya! And I run my own business as well(A pet spa) so I can relate to the time consuming days!

You just have to do it! Find a workout program(or create your own) that you like and that you can stick with. And amp it up/change it up every 4-5 workouts to prevent yourself from getting bored. Start with a half hour jog/power walk around your neighbourhood. Stop every 5 minutes to break out some lunges, squats and push-ups. Who cares how you look! You are working on your health, so don't let what others think stop you.

Do you have access to gym classes or classes at a Y? I participate in BodyPump and BodyAttack once a week. They are both FANTASTIC at toning and strengthening, and the class atmosphere makes it nearly impossible to get bored.

I know the mini goals may seem small, but try to stick with them, they really do work and help with the big picture. Each time you achieve a mini goal, reward yourself with a new workout outfit, or exercise DVD, or running shoes. Something that will contribute to your new healthy lifestyle.

Portion Control, Moderation, Substitution, Healthier Eating and Excercise.

You can do this!!

EvgeniZyntx

Fake it until you make it. Habits drive success.

Might look here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1102508-mfp-fitspiration

Your question is answered there.
Good luck.

eAddict

I was the same way. Bored with the gym, tired of walks, etc. I used to ride bikes so I figured I would give it a go. Got a decent ride and some nice accessories and I have yet to look back. For me, it was getting the right tool to do the job. My old bike was a lot of work. My new one is fun. I also recently got a REAL pair of running shoes. I hated running. My knees hated running. Know what? With the right shoes and inserts I find it enjoyable!

So just like a home improvement project, or heck, any project, having the right tools makes the job easier and better. Look at why you don't like certain exercises and maybe a change in the equipment might be the jump start you need. It was for me.

Just my $0.02

CantonMan1234

I, like many others, have struggled with weight. I have gone up and down many times.
The problem I am having now is I cannot get into the correct mindset to pick up and go. "I'm going to hit the program hard starting Monday." I say over and over and over.

Truth is, I cannot seem to make any of my goals seem "real". I know what i want my body to look like but that is not tangible. I know I should set small goals and celebrate little victories, but the small goals always seem so small, there is still the spare tire or whatever.

Most exercise I do not like. I don't like lifting weights (which i need to do anyway), I don't like hard cardio, I get bored easily...

So i dunno. I find myself just not being able to "flip the switch" to get "excited" about this. I am self employed and almost all my time is dedicated to trying to make the business work....
So what was it for you that got you going?

What keeps me going when motivation is hiding in some unknown corner of my psyche is who I am when I don’t exercise and who I will become if I stop exercising altogether. I like who I am and who I am becoming and part of that transformation is exercise.
The overall goal is to find what “trips your trigger” and stick with it; whether it be running, jogging, walking, swimming, cardio or weight lifting . Do your best to get out of the mindset that if one exercise is boring then all exercise is boring. Put the effort into trying everything you heard of and if none of those suffice then ask for suggestions from others.
This is YOUR journey, find a way to enjoy it; even the parts that make you sweat.

Lizzy622

My son was telling me about a survey that was discussed in health class. It asked people what the hardest thing about working out was. The most common answer by far was "getting started". Do you have a community pool or center that offers exercise class? This is the cheapest way to find new fun things to do.

jeffpettis

There's no secret to motivation. It has to come from you. You either want it or you don't. In other words, everyone wants to look better but most people don't want it bad enough to do something about it. Not sure what anyone is going to be able to tell you that you aren't already telling yourself. When you get to the point that you want it bad enough, you'll find the motivation to do it...

mercurysfire

i wish i could tell you it's easy. we've all been there. sometimes i give myself a choice. exercise or do something I don't want to. (a chore, or something i've been putting off) sometimes it works. the other times, i give myself a mental slap to the back of the head. "quitcher*****in and put on those trainers." i find that if i just get started i the inertia will carry me through. don't everthink it. the more you think about something the bigger and nastier the obstacle gets. just start. once you get past that part, you'll find it gets easier to keep going. give yourself a break if you really really need it, but think about it. is it the lazy lizard brain trying to tempt you with primetime tv and cheetos? or does it really hurt that bad? how big of a chunk of time is 30 minutes to you really?