I'm ready.

LaLaLandJaimie

Yesterday I decided to get on webcam with a friend back home (we are overseas) and as soon as I saw myself pop up I logged off and started crying. I don't know if I have been in denial, or just didn't care.. I looked up my BMI and used 3 different sites just to make sure it wasn't lying to me, just like my scale does every week, and I think that's what did it for me. I am considered obese. I look obese. Nothing fits. I am miserable. I don't want to be like this anymore.
This morning I pushed myself and "briskly" walked 30 minutes on the treadmill. (total of 2 miles! i couldn't believe I was able to do it.) I am determined to that every single day. I sweated more then I think I ever have in my life, and I'm from Arizona! lol
I am 5'6, and weight 193.. I would like to get back down to at least 140. (I was 130 before having my kids) 53 lbs...
I have started and stopped after 1 day so many times, the longest I have ever lasted with dieting and exercising was 6 days. If anybody has any advice on how to stay motivated I would appreciate it. Wish me luck..

melissa10666

good luck! it will be all worth it in the end xx

HeatherPH

Good on you for pushing yourself and walking for that long! An achievement is still an achievement, and it's about what's an improvement for you, not for anyone else. In terms of staying motivated, I've found that I'm much more motivated to eat well and exercise since I started talking part in the MFP community. I have been a member of this site for a while but never had any friends on here, wrote on the forums etc, so when I had a bad day or couldn't bring myself to go for a walk, I wasn't really motivated to do better as I wasn't accountable to anyone but me (nobody elsae could see my diary).
Over the last month I've put in the effort to add people on here whom I consider to be inspirational for one reason or another (whether it's because they're at the same stage in their weight loss as me, or are at the other end of the sphere and have lost a ton of weight), and my whole outlook has completely changed. I find that I now WANT to eat only healthy food throughout my day, partly because I know others will see my diary and partly because I want to do as well as everyone else, to be as committed. It's the same with exercise.
So, my advice to you would be don't be too hard on yourself, and be proud of your achievements, no matter how small. Most importantly, though, I'd say get involved in the community! Add friends who sound interesting/dedicated on the forums, and actively comment/pay attention to their diaries, exercise achievements and weight losses. It'll really inspire you and keep you accountable Plus it'll make you more inclined to log in every day, to see how everyone is doing (kind of like Facebook, but without the bulls*it!).

Feel free to add me, if you want some extra motivation!

impyimpyaj

Welcome! The biggest tips I can give you are to make small changes one at a time rather than a complete life overhaul all at once, to exercise without punishing your body (your workout yesterday was awesome!), and to not over-restrict your calories.

When you make small changes one at a time, it will feel like less of a shock to you, and you'll be more likely to stick with it. So your first step might be eating the same foods you're used to, but paying more attention to portion control. Then you'll replace an unhealthy snack with a healthy one, and then you'll start eating a better breakfast than you normally do. Slow and steady, because this is not a sprint to the finish line. This is a change you're making for life. There's no rush, and you're worth the time.

When I say not to punish your body, I mean there's no need to spend hours a day at the gym. Some people do that, and it's really hard to sustain that level of activity. 30 to 60 minutes of good activity per day is awesome. Try to throw in some bodyweight exercises or other strength training when you feel ready, so you can retain the muscle mass you have and burn more calories than cardio alone.

And about calories -- most people come to MFP and are given a 1200 calorie goal. For most people, that's simply not enough. If it works for you, then great! But if you notice that you're feeling tired or cranky or your weight loss stalls, don't be afraid to increase your calorie goal. And eat at least a portion of your exercise calories. Many people here don't, and that's their choice, but it seems to me that the ones who are successful at getting to their goal weight and staying there are the ones who fuel their bodies better.

You can do this! And you are so worth it. :flowerforyou:

kolakross

The biggest thing I've learned about staying motivated is to not do everything at once and not put to high goals. I think it's great that you want to exercise and have that as a goal, but don't let yourself down if you don't do it for one day. You are your worst enemy in this, and make sure you have people around you (be it here or in real life) that know what you are doing so they can ask you if you really need that extra cookie or if you should be working out.

Also be honest to yourself, in the end the only one you're cheating is yourself.

I've learned that the best way to stick with this was to throw the thinking about being on a diet. If I'm on a diet that means I can quit and go back to my old ways, or get to the goal, go back to my old ways and gain again. So no diet for me, this is a lifelong thing and I eat everything (and sometimes I go over on my calories, but that's life) but in moderation.
It keeps me motivated at least. Good luck!

justjenn1977

I always remember BABY STEPS!!! I didn't get fat in a day... and I won't get fit in a day...

I always make ONE MINOR change at a time... and something I can stick with... never drastic changes... I didn't get morbidly obese overnight... and won't get healthy overnight either


I can't stress enough... take it easy on yourself and make a lifestyleof it... if you make huge changes and don't keep them you will beat yourself up and then think what the hell I can't do this anyway I quit...


been there done that bought the teeshirt factory!

there are enough people out there who would gladly beat you up... don't do it for them

baby steps

hugs

coliema

You can do this! It will take time, and patience, but it will happen!

Don't get discouraged, you've got this!

LaLaLandJaimie

Thanks so much everyone. I'm going to try and stay active ob these forums too, I think that will help. That way I don;t try to weasel my way out of not logging in for 2 months straight again.. lol

anunley1

Hi! Congratulations on being ready for the journey... That is a big step to face those things like the camera and finding out your BMI and then deciding to make a change. I am coming up on my 1 year anniversary of the day I decided to change my life and I will tell you it has not only been the hardest year of my life, but the best! I initially lost 61 lbs in the first 7 months mostly due to running and logging my calories in MFP. I did gain about 10 lbs back but I'm back on it and working hard to meet my goal and then maintain it.

There are a couple of things that come to mind as I look back on my year... the first thing is no matter what you do to help you reach your goals - running, gym, videos at home, etc. and no matter how you change your eating habits, ask yourself everytime you make a decision, will I do this for life? I can pretty much guarantee you that if it is not something you will consider doing for the rest of your life, it will not work for the long haul. You will be able to lose weight, but your chances of keeping it off forever will not be good. I have many friends on different diet pills or using different companies like Nutri-system ... and I think to myself, are you going to have Nutri-system deliver you food forever?? So, what will happen when you have to start providing your own food?? It has to be a commitment to change your lifestyle.

Also, as far as motivation... there was a period in the beginning of the year when I started to slack on my running and my eating was getting out of control again. I've always been one to deal with stress with food and the beginning of the year brought a lot of stress. I was having a conversation with my sister about it and she looked at me and said - "don't you know how far you've come and what people think when they look at you now? You are inspiration to people. There are people struggling everywhere, in a lot of pain because they can't get a handle on it, and they see you and you inspire them. You have a chance to make that your story - one of inspiration." I will never forget that... From that point on - it became not only about me and my health, and how I feel and look, but about inspiring others to feel the same. Just remember that at some point, someone is going to see you and the progress that you are making or will make, and you just might inspire them to do the same.

Good luck!! I know you can do it!!!!!