how do you motivate yourself to stick with it
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ask yourself how much do you wanna improve? and go from there0
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Looks like we are in the same boat homie, I started at 211 and I am finally down to 185 as of this morning...feeling confident however it has taken since October, we are in a society where we want the fast results with the least amount of effort and the least amount of time "instant gratification" I had to change the way I think....I need my health to prolong my life for myself and my family. no matter how long it takes DONT GIVE UP! instead go for a walk when you feel that way : ) I also watch youtube videos for inspiration, check out misspinkmeltsaway she blew my mind and shes so inspirational0
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I walked to work, and I worked in a busy shop, running around, up and down stairs. Lo is 11 months old but its no where near as active as work was. I am just impatient and cant imagine it working, I need to just focs on one week at a time I think, but im finding ithard already. Just need a kick. Xxx
Use your child as your motivation. Make it your mission to show her that healthy eating and regular exercise is the norm.
My children don't bat an eyelid anymore, when they see me exercising in the kitchen (youtube, fitnesblender.com, exercise dvds...) and for them a bowl of fresh berries is the ultimate treat. Don't get me wrong, they like their chocolate and pyjama days as much as anyone else does, but the basis is regular exercise and healthy eating.0 -
As others have said, after the first few weeks it just becomes a habit, so it's easier. Just stick with it one week at a time!0
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2 words:
Lifestyle change.
If you want it... you'll go after it. And you'll stay after it... period. Of course it is gonna take time, and of course you're gonna have days you want to give up. In fact, you just MAY give up, but its the getting back in the game that's important. Fad diets do NOT work long term.
As far as motivation... I lost 86 lbs about 3 years ago now... and I motivated myself by putting sticky notes all over the place. The fridge, the mirror in the bathroom, my bedroom mirror... you get the point. Where ever I was the most, was where I seen these notes. AND... I was always watching inspirational videos uploaded on Youtube.
Sweetheart, you can do it. We all can do it... it is how BAD do you want it? No one can get it for you... only YOU can push forth and grab it. It is hard work... but it will be worth it.
I wish you much luck on this journey. :flowerforyou:0 -
It has become a challenge to me and I love a challenge. I log into My Fitness Pal every morning and start my food log. I have a calorie limit and it's fun planning to stay within it. I also weigh each morning and record. My aim is to see it go down. I record on a calendar which has days and then I can look back to see where I've come from. Also I plan to reward myself along the way. I love to shop for clothes, skincare, costume jewelry, books and it makes me feel good to have earned them. (in my book) :happy:0
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Set small, short term goals and take it one day at a time. Building on one good day to the next and sooner than you know you will be at your first goal.
You can do this but it is also not a temporary change if you want your results to last. Make changes that you know you can continue and don't deprive yourself. For example, I love coffee, I have coffee everyday but I have changed what I put in it and have learned to enjoy it differently.
You got this! YOU CAN DO ANYTHING!!!!0 -
Looks like we are in the same boat homie, I started at 211 and I am finally down to 185 as of this morning...feeling confident however it has taken since October, we are in a society where we want the fast results with the least amount of effort and the least amount of time "instant gratification" I had to change the way I think....I need my health to prolong my life for myself and my family. no matter how long it takes DONT GIVE UP! instead go for a walk when you feel that way : ) I also watch youtube videos for inspiration, check out misspinkmeltsaway she blew my mind and shes so inspirational
Totally this! ^^^0 -
The first few weeks are the toughest. If you can get through them, you'll find yourself not craving junk food like you did, and looking forward to exercising. I went from being an ice cream junkie to eating it only on special occasions, so it's possible lol! Exercising is a huge key, because the better shape you get in, the better you'll feel about yourself and want to push yourself. I've found that on the days I do the hardest workouts/runs, I feel more motivated to eat healthy and not ruin my day with junk food.
Yeah, losing weight takes awhile unfortunately. But think about it, if you throw in the towel a week after starting, what will you think a month from now? Two months? In that time, you could have lost some weight! Try to put it in that perspective, cause I've screwed myself up too with the waiting being "too long." It's a daily thing - focus on your singular successes. Don't take all that weight on in one day, concentrate on what you can do right NOW. If you can lose up to 5 pounds in one week, let that be your goal! Setting smaller goals within reach, make you WANT to keep going! Don't think about your end weight, think about the journey. You'll be feeling better and looking better every day. We tend to be our harshest judges, so other people will be more likely to notice that positive change than you might.
You can do this!0 -
I'm sorry... let me add that I also only look at losing 10 lbs at a time. When I see the over-all amount I need to lose, I get jittery and not want to do it at all. When you set smaller goals, it seems to work well for some of us.0
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the time is going to pass regardless. Where do you want to be in 4 years? The same place you are right now or with a whole new body and life? Don't question it, don't let yourself sabotage your own happiness. Just stick to it and think about something else.0
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I personally live my life by this quote, it helps me remember that as long as I continue to try I can succeed...
"Fall down 7 times, stand up 8 times."
Take one day at a time, acknowledge that there are going to be hard days but also good days.....never look at yourself as a failure if you go wrong one day start again the next....believe in yourself and surround yourself with positive people..each small thing that you achieve is an accomplishment whether it be cutting something specific out of your diet or even just drinking more water...set small goals and reward yourself when you hit them....
I believe in you
~Charlie0 -
All or nothing, that decribes me to a t, I want it now lol, I am going to do this this time around, and if it means reading success stories every day, well I gues I will. I love reading what gets people going, and what pulls them back, somethung will stick to me and ill just keep going xxxI understand where your coming from, I was always someone who wanted fast solutions. When I think back on all the diets I started which lasted a few months and were tough going, I am filled with regret. If I had taken on board the good advice I read on here and another forum I would have all my weight lost and be in maintainance for years. I have been losing and gaining for the past 5 years because I had an all or nothing attitude. I've changed my attitude, set my goal to lose 1 pound per week, got a fitbit and now consider this to be a life style change. I'm eating between 1500 and 2000 calories a day, eating what I want and enjoying it. For some reason the cravings that plagued me before are gone, I think it's because all my meals are satisfying, I'm not substituting real food for "diet" foods and I'm eating more protein.
You can't be a perfectionist and expect to stay on track. You WILL make mistakes. You WILL fall off the wagon, so to speak. But, if you're willing to make changes that you can live with, you'll see progress over time. I lost 35 lbs. through diet alone (the first 25 lbs. came off in the first few months), and ENJOYED it! I stopped eating low-fat, diet, faux-foods, and started eating whole foods, and just ate a tad less than I did before, when I plateaued, I cut back a little more. For example, don't drink your calories. If you drink 2-3 cokes/day, you'll save hundreds of calories/day by doing that alone. If that's you, start with cutting out cokes. When you feel good about that, cut back on volume of food. Ex: If you normally eat everything on your plate at a restaurant, divide it when you get it, and only eat 2/3 of it. Box the rest and save it for your next meal. It's all about baby steps and changes YOU can live with for the rest of your life. If you love cake, don't cut it out completely, just only eat it on special occasions, OR eat 1-2 bites (or 1/2 what you would've before) and push the rest aside. You can lose weight by implementing ONE of these changes every periodically (when weight loss slows). Also, make sure you weight loss expectations are realistic. While you might lose 5-7 lbs. the first week, you'll see it slow down the next week. I was 163 lbs. and lost 5 lbs. the first week, then 1 lb. each week for the next few weeks, then .5 lbs. each week for the next month, or so. When your weight loss slows down (to less than .5 lbs. per week), then, implement a new change.
Making small, gradual changes is the ONLY way that I found that I could lose weight, and keep it off. It's all about progress, not perfection.
Good luck!0 -
I started much like you. I was 5'4 and had lost noticeable weight before I even stepped on a scale which read 189. This was over a year ago!!! It's been slow for me, slow changes, slow loss... I tell myself that as long as I make progress I can keep going. Especially when I notice the small changes, like the way a shirt fits, or not having to suck it in to button my pants. I've been able to lose about 40 pounds and although i'm about 20lbs to goal I still feel much better than I did 40lbs ago. Keep chucking day by day small victories over large ones.
Also realize what 5lbs is, sometimes we think oh 5lbs thats nothing! Well hell strap a 5lb dumbell to you and realize how annoying it is.0 -
You and I have the exact height and weight! I have always bounced between 170 and my heaviest was 210. I have a really hard time feeling motivated, I don't eat excessively, but I don't work out. So whatever I do eat sticks to me. Tracking everyday helps, I always enter in my meals before I eat them, so I am less likely to add a sweet or something that I haven't planned on. Packing a lunch everyday is not only cheaper, but it allows me the control. I also focus on how I feel, not how I look. This was a difficult shift, since looking better is a huge motivator for me. But I focus on the little things, like how I feel after I have climbed a flight of stairs, how my jeans fit and how I am sleeping. I hope this helps, it's nice to know there is someone out there like me!0
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You can start with a little changes and goals. Don't ever go with the attitude "I can't do this". YOU CAN! It's not impossible if you want it really bad. Just try to imagine how good you will feel when you reach your goals. And also don't think of it as for just a diet or exersize, it's a lifestyle.0
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I agree with making a lifestyle change and to stop thinking about how long it will take. As long as you are moving forward, who cares how long it takes? You are going to have days when you are not motivated, but every day is a new day to keep moving forward.
I myself am starting over again too. Last year I did well, but the holidays got to me. And that's okay. It took a long time to put the weight on and will take a long time to take it off. I think what kept me motivated the most last year was when I had to get new clothes. I honestly didn't think I had lost that much, but apparently my body did and my clothes didn't fit well. Buying new clothes and discovering I could get smaller sizes was really fun. And then people were complimenting my clothes and noticing I lost weight. I started having fun shopping and took an interest in how I looked.
There are lots of things you can do at home while your baby is napping or independently playing near you while you lunge across the dining room. I can't justify joining a gym right now, so I started by doing arm- exercises with hand weights, squats, lunges, jumping jacks, sit ups and other things like that while I watched TV after the kids were in bed. Eventually I dragged myself up early in the morning and did a work-out DVD. When the weather was nice and my kids wanted to go outside and play or take a walk, I always said yes no matter how many dirty dishes there were. Time spent with them and doing something physical is more important that dishes!
I am not sure where you live and if it snowing or cold, but maybe you could invest in a jogging stroller for when the weather is nice and take your LO out for walks, working up to jogging?
Good luck! You got this!0 -
It's a marathon not a sprint0
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Instead of thinking how you cant do something think about how you can do something. Give yourself a reward if you make it through a week of working out and sticking to your new diet. For me I am not a runner but I signed up for the Shamrock Run on March 1st. i want to run the 8k in 50 minutes. I have a clan of friends going to cheer me on so I don't want to look like the fool . Training for this will knock off the pounds . One week in to it and i feel better already. For obtaining that goal I don't know what I am going to do yet aside from gloat ,boast and brag0
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For me surprisingly all the cooking i'm doing keeps me motivated. I've always enjoyed learning new recipes but I didn't realize all the tasty yet healthy things I could make. It really helps me stay on track with my calories and macros and with some meal prep eating properly has become a lot easier.
When I do feel a little discouraged I just think about the fact that i'm better than what I use to be, I try not to let one bad day keep me down. Accept the fact I probably ate some things I shouldn't have and get right back on the ball the next day, one bad day won't ruin countless days of discipline.0 -
I felt that way in the beginning when I looked at it as having over 90lbs to lose and that seeming impossible.(SW234/GW134) I could not really even walk a good 1.5 miles without being winded if there were any hills involved.
I had to change it to small goals and then it got better each time I hit one of. My first goal was 20lbs and to get in 2 miles a day of walking every day. I hit that and then got up to 8 miles a day after 2 months and switched to 60lbs and hit that after 5 months. Eventually I looked at how far I had come rather than how far I had left to go.
It is really great to find an exercise program that you love so that you will not hate doing it. It was kickboxing, then running and weight lifting for me....but find what you have a passion for and it will get easier. It really does get better, just hang in there for a good month and it will become more like a habit....you are not taking something away from yourself in regards to food, you are working towards better health.0 -
I am trying to break down my weight loss by the month. I figure if I can lose at least 5 pounds a month I will be down to my goal weight within a year. Although, even setting this goal I don't want to set myself up for failure, but I think that it is normal to have feelings of being unsure if it is possible to lose all of the weight. I like to break it down into one day, one week, and one month at a time. We are similar with our height and weight. I'm 5'3 and weigh 197.8.0
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Take it one day at a time. I read a thread yesterday that said just for today I will... Best wishes for success! BTW you have one of the most important jobs in the world!0
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Iv read sucess posts and am amazed, but when I think its going to take 1 year? 4 months? However long, I think to myself, nope, not possible, I cant do this, I cant think that ill ever be slim, its only week one, and I have negative feelings. Im 5 foot 3 and 194 pounds, so huge for my height, its gotta change, byt the lowest iv ever been is 170lb which is still big, I dont feel its possible, especially as I have now become a sahm and activity has dropped loads since I left work,
help please, how do you stay focused knowing you have such a long road ahead xxx
My 2 cents - While you're thinking negative, get on the treadmill, brisk walk, or just sit and stand vigorously (burns a lot by the way)! When we live in our heads we need to externalize our thoughts! Burn all that NEGATIVE energy. You will feel good after that! That is one thing out of the millions you can do. Then use myfitnesspal to set your goals and maintain your caloric intake! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!0 -
I use past pictures of myself as my motivation. I know its hard and takes work, dedication, discipline, willpower, but, to me, its worth it.
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Iv read sucess posts and am amazed, but when I think its going to take 1 year? 4 months? However long, I think to myself, nope, not possible, I cant do this, I cant think that ill ever be slim, its only week one, and I have negative feelings. Im 5 foot 3 and 194 pounds, so huge for my height, its gotta change, byt the lowest iv ever been is 170lb which is still big, I dont feel its possible, especially as I have now become a sahm and activity has dropped loads since I left work,
help please, how do you stay focused knowing you have such a long road ahead xxx
The thing is, it doesn't take a year...or 4 months or whatever...true success comes over a lifetime of work. There is no finish line...yes...you might hit some arbitrary number you're shooting for on the scale, but then what? well, for most, they stop...they've reached the finish line and they're "done". then they're back here in about 6 months with an "I'm back thread" which is great because they should never give up...but the same thing will happen time and time again until the light bulb comes on and they realize that their nutrition, fitness, and overall health and well being are lifetime endeavors.
Once people start wrapping their brain around what it truly means to make a lifestyle change...and truly start to understand that there really is no "done"...no finish line....that's when they really start getting out of the minutia of day to day and really start to understand and see that much, much, much bigger picture. There is far more to all of this than some number on the scale.0 -
Iv read sucess posts and am amazed, but when I think its going to take 1 year? 4 months? However long, I think to myself, nope, not possible, I cant do this, I cant think that ill ever be slim, its only week one, and I have negative feelings. Im 5 foot 3 and 194 pounds, so huge for my height, its gotta change, byt the lowest iv ever been is 170lb which is still big, I dont feel its possible, especially as I have now become a sahm and activity has dropped loads since I left work,
help please, how do you stay focused knowing you have such a long road ahead xxx
Today was the first day of my free online accountability challenge! message me if you'd like details! the more the merrier
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I'd say set yourself goals; although maybe not 'number' based ones, like saying;
"If I log everything I eat/drink/do for a month, no matter what I do or don't lose, at the end I'm going to reward myself with XYZ"
Although make it something different from a food reward, so like new food scales or a new pair of walking shoes
Also, like some others have said, this is sort of my hobby now; I find it interesting to log and see how many cals things are, and if i can push myself to exercise and fit in that extra chocolate biscuit!
Plus, I don't deprive myself, so many times I say I'm not going to eat chocolate and within a couple of hours I've eaten share size bars!
You're doing well already, you've lost some weight and decided to change. Give yourself credit for what you've already achieved! Its a big step to come this far. xx0 -
I live by the quote that is my profile picture. I will be an active member of MFP for 2 years on April 15. That is when I got serious about my health. People ask me all the time what did it for me this time, as I was always talking about losing weight and never sticking with it. Even my daughter tells me she never thought I would actually do it because of all the times I talked about it before. The only thing i can think of is, I am doing this for ME!!! Not for my husband nor my children, not for my parents or my siblings, not because I was jealous of the "skinny people", not because my doctor told me "I really should lose that weight" in a stern voice. No, this time, it's all for me. For my health, for my psychology, for my mental outlook on both me and life. I just got tired of being tired and hating the way I look. Something had to give and finally, finally I was able to shut up that bratty ***** inside me who complained "If they can eat junk, why can't I? It isn't fair" or "I'm too tired to exercise and all of the other bull****. Because thats what ALL of the excuses are...bull****. When you are ready to dig your way out of the bull****, it won't be as difficult as you think it will be. You'll see. Meanwhile, if you would like to add me as a friend, I'm here all the time.0
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One of my biggest dreams was to hike to Machhu Pichu. So I booked the trip. And then worked my butt off to get in shape for it.0
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