Ladies in the 200+ range..how'd you stay motivated?

AshinAms

Agree you have to find motivation to do it yourself but there are two things I do:

1. I ask myself before I eat anything whether the 'price is right'. ie. is the cost worth the pleasure? If it is then I should eat that thing guilt free, if not I need to think if I could eat something else that might have a better price-benefit ratio.
2. Every day is a new day. Think AA and pick yourself up when you fall off the wagon.

Hope that helps.

joydayval

I started at 440# now down to 358 and falling. I had to join a twelve step program b/c I truly have an addiction. I have been working that program for 5 mos, but have only been on here for about 6 weeks. I am motivated by prayer, my twelve-step program and the tools on this program.

I have been morbidly obese since I was a young girl and have never lost more weight than 40 lbs on any program because I haven't been able to stick to anything for longer than a few mos. So far so good...!

lrichardson2360

I'm 37, 6'1" and when I started 3 years ago I was 297. I am 228 now, but am trying to get to 175. I have days when I think, "I've still got so far to go," but then I remind myself, "Look how far I've come." Even if I never lose another pound, I know that I've changed my life and I am healther now than I have been in many years. I look better and feel better. Sure I'm still 50+ lbs overweight, but i know it's going to continue to get better because I'm dedicated to eating healthy and getting lots of excercise. I may only lose a pound a month, but it's still better than gaining. Good luck to you and try top remember that being healthy is the most important thing!

raeleek

I am convinced that small goals are the way to go.....I have one hundres pounds to lose...but I am breaking it up into smaller goals which I am achieving one by one.....never give up, find a friend to help you with this journey...it makes all the difference

This, in my opinion, is exactly right! I look at all the weight I would like to lose and rather than focus on that I focus on the next 10 lbs. This is a lifestyle change not a race to the finish. I am having to tell myself that DAILY. Even when the scale doesn't move I am still making the right health choices! I don't want to live forever but I want to live the best quality of life I can with the time I've been given. I realize you may not see the numbers you like and THAT is hard but think about the inside. Each time you workout, each time you make the right food choice, each time you take the quiet moment to relieve stress (I have a 15 minute leave mommy alone to deep breath and clear stress time in the evening) you are making a POSITIVE impact on your health. Keep up the fight! You are worth your good health!

dawnjessfit

I love the expression "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!" Don't look at how far you have to go; look at how far you've come. Rejoice in your accomplishment! Then, take each day as it comes. Weaknesses and plateaus are going to happen. I believe that when I start feeling deprived I am setting myself up for failure. So, if I need a "free day" every 10 days of so I take it. But just because I fall off, or willingly go off, for one day doesn't mean forever. Think of your free day as your mental health day from work. Take a break; It's good for the soul. The next day, go back to work.

laulyn

I started at 231 back in January. Since then I've lost the same five pounds four or five times always getting excited about being under 230 only to end up back on the other side. After gaining a whopping six pounds while some friends were in town for a long weekend, I had had enough. Since they have left I lost all that i had put on plus an additional four pounds!! this time around i decided to set specific short term goals for myself. I start back to school at the end of August. My goal is to be down to 220 by then and im already over half way there. Other goals include birthdays, anniversaries, etc. and I am setting a realistic expectation for the given time frame to allow for slip-ups so i don't get discouraged if i gain a little. You also have to commit for the long haul. I've mapped out the next 18 months for weightloss. You cant just lose 100 pounds over night! Lasty, try to approach it as lifestyle change. After all, once you do reach your ultimate weight loss goal, you cant go back to what you were doing that made you gain all that weight in the first place. ive tried so many diets, exercise routines, and grand plans and they have all failed. however, keeping up with your calories and staying active are lifestyle choices. if you can change the way you think about losing weight it can make all the difference. as far as staying active, i have been quite a klutz this summer and hurt both my knee and ankle making it difficult to stick to a strict exercise routine so i just turn on my pandora disney station and dance around my house to it. seems to be working fine for now!! You can do this, just keep at it!

Well said! In addition to that, here is my "safety net":

So here is what I have done.... I have recognized, (since I am a social worker) I NEED the people around me who love me. I NEED accountability. I NEED support. I feel like my problem is bigger than what I can handle on my own. I know i must commit to a lifetime of health. So, just like any recovering addict (ugh, I hate using that to describe myself), I need an action plan. Just like an alcoholic needs a plan. An alcoholic may meditate and call their sponsor to stay on their road to recovery. I have created my own action plan. I wrote my action plan in a journal. It is my go to when the *kitten* hits the fan or I have a case of the"I don't wanna's" or the "What is the point anyway?". My personal action plan is #1-When I begin to struggle I will check out before and after stories, I find them inspiring. Before and afters light some sort of intrinsic motivation for me. #2- I will be accountable to people I love and feel safe with. My best friend and my long term boyfriend are on duty. If they see me beginning to slip, they can come to me in a loving manner to speak to me about it in a kind considerate manner. We even have a "safe word". When they come to me with the "safe word", I know it means they are concerned and they know I want to be fit for life and they are committed to helping me, by holding me accountable. #3- If i can not manage the motivation to eat healthy or work out, I will log on to MFP and do exactly what you just did. I will get on a forum and i will ask for help from a community of people I feel have walked 4,000 miles in my shoes and know my struggles. I know if I am slipping I will log on. No matter how sh*tty I feel, I can pick up the computer.

msmindylee

About six years ago I had reached my highest weight ever, 257. Joined WW and lost about 40 lbs in a year, then about 15 the next year, and 10 the next year... and then I had an injury that first sidetracked my exercise and then physical therapy that completely messed with my psyche. Gained back a little bit, and was just starting to get it back under control when my mom passed away and everything went to heck in a handbasket. I didn't gain back everything, but a lot of it.

Tried WW again and honestly, they were flogging the WW products (so processed!) and artificial sweeteners and stuff so much - plus I got absolutely nowhere with weight loss - and finally I just said, no, this is not the way for me any more.

Since then I am trying a new approach. I'm ramping up my cardio exercise, and will soon be adding resistance. And I'm focusing on eating real, unprocessed (or minimally processed) food, and continuing to track calories here.

I don't own a scale (probably will get one soon) but my focus is NOT on that number right now anyway. But there are other ways to track progress - today on my walk I could tell that I was definitely going faster and feeling less tired than I have before. And yesterday I put on a pair of shorts that barely buttoned six weeks ago - and they FIT. By the way, that six weeks included two weeks in the Caribbean eating and drinking myself silly, so the rest of the time I had to have been doing something right, you know?

And THAT is what keeps me motivated. The trick is to keep finding those "little things" that mean so much more than the number (for me, anyway - I know everyone is different).

caroluherek

My starting weight last June using another program was 246, I'm now down to 213.5. It's not been an easy road, take a look at what your doing and see if you can implement a few small changes to your day. I had been stuck @ 220 for a long time, I'm an emotional eater and turn to breads, crackers, baked chips whatever was at hand so a few weeks ago I cut those things from my daily eating and it seems to have helped. I'm a big believer in exercise, you don't have to work out for 2+ hours a day. Find something you enjoy and if possible have some variety. Last summer I started by taking a zumba class, had to pay for 8 weeks up front, that kept me motivated to keep going and I met some new friends who are really supportive and best of all the class was super fun. I've since joined a gym and kept up with the zumba but I've added some weight training, and it helps. When the scale doesn't move I pull out the measuring tape and can see the changes there. I used to weigh myself daily and have cut back to once per week. It's not any one big thing that will make the difference it's all the little things along the way. Good luck, stay strong

jordanreddick

I started a year ago at 270 and am now as of this morning 183.4 My utter motivation was to see a 1 in front of my number, now it is to see my goal, you can do it!

Tishy78

I make sure to acknowledge/celebrate all of the small victories. Needing smaller cloths, changing BMI categories, killing another 10 lbs, not getting winded taking the stairs, working out longer, burning more calories, etc. ANY thing that will help you focus on the positive in your journey.

I'm doing this very slow. Started in May of 2011 at 255. I am down to 187. It would feel like nothing was happening at times until I started to really notice these types of things and give myself credit for them.

PonyTailedLoser

Looking in the mirror when I was over 200 motivated me. It's sad to say but sometimes hating the way you look is the motivation to change.

jpuderbaugh

I have trouble remembering my motivation when temptation hits, but my motivation is that I want kids. My husband has waited long enough and with each year that i put off losing weight, he is just getting older, as am I. I don't want him to be in his 60's when our kids graduate. It's not fair to him. He will make an amazing dad. I have given myself 10 lb rewards to look forward to. So when I lost my first 10 lbs, I got myself some scrapbooking supplies free of guilt (we don't have much money to spare right now and I scrapbooking, so much so I believe I have an addiction to it). When I reach my next 10 lbs lost, I am getting myself 2 novels that I want. When I reach the next 10 lbs, I am going to get myself a new cookbook that I want. and so on and so on. All together, I will have 16 rewards, the biggest being a Caribbean cruise and new wardrobe. Talk about motivation!! (btw, I hope nobody thinks that I want kids just because of my husband. believe me, I have the clock ticking and it is getting louder and louder. I want to be a mommy)

tammi42

I have a cute dress I REALLLY want to wear again so I keep it visible in my closet and try it on from time to time to see my progress. As I lose weight and inches, it fits me a little better every time.

StarvingDiva

I'm looking for some advice. I started trying to lose weight about 18 months ago and did great...at first. After I lost my first 20 lbs or so (I started at 227), I totally lost motivation and quit just about all of the good habits that I had started. No more exercise, eating bad foods ALL of the time, etc. I'm now back to where I started, around 227.

My question is, with having some much weight to lose, how did you stay motivated to succeed? When the scale stopped moving, I gave up and I have no idea how to work through it when it happens this time around... When I plan ahead and see that I won't possibly reach my final goal weight for quite some time, I start to doubt myself and give up.

Thanks so much for your advice!

I started hitting a wall around 30 lbs lost, I would lose 1 lb, next week gain .5, then lose 1 lb, gain 1 lb. By the end of the month I managed to probably go back and forth so often that the total lost for the month would be like 1/2 a lb. So I started researching different ways of eating and I started on Leangains and I am now pulling 1.5-2 lbs a week (except the week before my period I always just maintain) however, before leangains I'd always gain about 3 lbs that week, now I'm just even the week of my pms.

I love this way of eating and I think it's really helped with a lot of hormone issues. I'm still over 200. I'm right at 206 right now. Not too long before I am in Onederland. Also I measure every week when I do my weekly weigh in, I almost always see inches lost even if the scale doesn't move, so it always keeps me motivated, I also pay attention to how my clothes feel, my sizes on clothing. Sometimes the scale doesn't want to move especially if you are lifting weights. But the body composition changes and that's what you want, after all people don't see your weight, they see your body, so if you are working out, losing inches, that's the dedication that is going to be seen by you in the mirror and everyone else in the world.

Songtothesiren

Hi.

I've been up and down on the weigh front all of my adult life. With me I've finally realised that as soon as people start making positive commenting on my weight loss, something happens in my thought process and I somehow believe that I've "done it" and just stop trying. For me it's like the moment someone else recognises my slimmer appearance, my motivation and focus say "bye bye" and I start eating. The weight goes back on.

I've grown older (matured???), I've come to realise that there are good days and bad days and ..... inbetween days when you're not sure where your motivation went but you just keep going. This time I'm finding the mobile app is helping, I'm trying to ignore any positive comments about how well I've doing and I just keep, keeping on.

The thing is you've returned, ready to carry on with your weight loss.

So I'd say, remember all the good habits you had and bring them back. Accept all the different motivation fluctuations and each morning start anew.

You've done really well and you WILL do really well again.

Mavis

islandnutshel

I started at 227, in may this year, I am now 201 and still dropping. After 26 pounds people are noticing. Even though I have another 50 to lose, I don't feel fat. I have new muscle, I can hike for hours. My cloths fit better.

Biggest way to stay committed. Celebrate all the victories along the way. I could moan about how I lost these ssame pounds 2 years ago. Instead I am using my old stats to compete with.

Reward yourself, set goals you can reach. I am shopping today for my hiking sandals, as I am breaking that 200 barrier.

Keep positive, consider your past attempts as educational. You are learning how to stay committed.

Katanthus

Last year I injured my knee (cartilage damage) through a fall, and every step was pure agony... couldn't walk without crutches. I was determined to get the weight off my knees. I saw the orthopaedic surgeon, and started physio in about October last year, still in agony. On March 31st of this year, I started MFP...105 days ago, today. I was 238.6lb, and a size 22. I started swimming each day, knee pain permitting, and I started hobbling a few steps each day... continuing with my physio exercises. Each day, I added a few more steps.

I now walk about 4-6 miles a day. I still have some pain, but hopefully it will get better as more weight comes off. I have lost 34lb and 60". I now can fit in a size 14 jeans.

You CAN DO IT. Just log every single day..every morsel that passes your lips. Drink plenty of water, and choose quality MFPs over quantity! It does make a difference.

Good luck

jen_bd6

I struggle with motivation every single day... It's something that you just have to figure out how to keep going... Find something that motivates you... For me, my motivation comes from wanting my knee pain to stop... and be around for my nieces and nephews. I'm tired of being out of breath walking up stairs and I'm sick of not being able to fit in roller coaster seats. That's what keeps me packing healthy lunches, watching what I eat everyday and exercising 5-6xs/wk. Just keep going! You will get there. It will take time, but you have support here Feel free to add me, if you wish!

jmorrisof2

Wow, I feel like I am in your exact same shoes. I have been thinking the same thing. I am so glad that you posted this question. I am pretty sure that there are loads of people who feel the same way. I do. I have been on this weight loss roller coaster forever it seems. I have been on every diet imaginable. I realize now that the only thing that works is tracking calories and exercising and planning. I have been in a funk lately because I had gotten down to 190 (the lowest I had been at in years) before spring break and while on spring break with the kids I ate out 3 meals a day. Needless to say, all that hard work went out the window. I even had stopped going to Curves and walking. I knew it was bad a few weeks ago when my clothes felt really tight. It makes me wanna cry because all my work pants I have to leave them unbuttoned and put a longer shirt on to cover it. I just feel so disgusted with myself like how did I let myself get up to 230 pounds. I don't ever recall being at this weight. So I am guessing this is my AHA moment where I feel so gross. I also feel the side effects of not eating right and not exercising. For instance: I am starting to have lower back pain (never had that before), my stomach gets in the way while working out at Curves (to the point I feel I can't breathe), I am easily winded. So these are the motivations for me to lose weight this time. I guess you have to finally decide this is it. I feel like my weight is holding me back from living. I want to date. I want to get married again. I want to be happy....So I guess what is motivating me right now is all these things because I am so uncomfortable. They say pain is the best teacher...I guess I am hard headed. Lol. We can do it. It isn't easy. It isn't fun. But it is so worth it in the end.

acawle00

Also, I'd like to add something I just did. Using a photo editor app I did a side by side of me looking good about three years ago and one from about three months ago. The difference is incredible. I set it as my background on my iPad and I'm considering printing and taping it to the fridge/pantry.

sunnymel126

bump for motivation

Kerri_is_so_very

I started around the same place as you. And my attitude is I'm not doing this short term, these changes need to stick. So stopping is not an option for me....even if the scale doesn't move for over a month, I'm going to keep on doing what I am doing. Whole foods, exercise. Good luck to you. Oh and having to keep buying smaller clothes motivates me and feeling happier and being healthier motivate me

Soltari675

I am working through the 200's now. For the last two weeks I hovered around 226 and only in the last couple days has it broke and I am at about 224. For me, it was a scare. I checked my blood pressure one day and was one stage short of a heart attack and scared myself. Like you, I had tried to lose before, did great, and then somewhere I fell off the wagon and was back to old habits.

Also, really stressing to those close to you how much this means to you helps. I love my fiance to death, but he really just doesn't get it. He buys me ice cream and fried foods all the time and I think he thinks I am just overreacting when I say I want to lose more weight. I had to sit down and have a serious talk, to the point of telling him he was literally killing me with that stuff. I can't resist it if it's here. He still doesn't believe me I don't think, but he does back off and take me serious now.

I also have my scuba diving. A hobby I absolutely love. I trained to become a rescue diver, and it was really hard! I was so out of shape! I am able to do it well now, but it was another motivation. I want to be good at diving, and safe. Which needs me to get in shape and lose some weight.

Look for little things around you. There is motivation if you seek it.

20shan08

Also, I'd like to add something I just did. Using a photo editor app I did a side by side of me looking good about three years ago and one from about three months ago. The difference is incredible. I set it as my background on my iPad and I'm considering printing and taping it to the fridge/pantry.

I do this too, my last summer/this summer photo is my iphone wallpaper Works great!

20shan08

Also, I'd like to add something I just did. Using a photo editor app I did a side by side of me looking good about three years ago and one from about three months ago. The difference is incredible. I set it as my background on my iPad and I'm considering printing and taping it to the fridge/pantry.

I do this too, my last summer/this summer photo is my iphone wallpaper Works great!

PS. Picstitch is a good app

espruell

you just made my day!

sammiliegh

"A year from now you will have wished you started today" - I think this every day...

That^^^^^ it's exactly what goes through my mind everyday!

mphlab

Hi - I started at 235 back in January - my loss has been about a pound a week and yes I get frustrated! So I am planning for a long haul! 7 montghs & 33 pounds.
1) Mini goals
such as:
under 200
Overweight instead of obese
etc!
2) I friended someone who is my height & starting weight and is now smoking hot & 2 pounds under my goal-for motivation. When I get down - I look at how far she has come & it is a more tangible way to see where I want to be (I will never be a size 2,4 or 6-I don't want to be!!). Of course genetics have something to do with it but my looking at her bigger self, there is no way to predict how beautiful she would get at a nice healthy weight. If she can do it...so can we! Hang in there!

keenamurphy

Hi there dont give up weight loss is always a challenge. I have started my weight loss goal of loosing 50 pounds plus. when I first started this site I weighed 220 I am now down to 205lbs. What is motivating for me is when I can feel the difference in my body and of course when I see the numbers drop on the scale the first set of pounds is always the hardest to loose and I dont pay to much attention to the scale because I lift weights as well and muscles add weight but muscle weight though. A few years ago I went from 200 to 150 and I am going to give it a go again I know I can do it I should of stuck to my plan the last time but with my diabeties and my blood sugars all over the place I lost focus. But now I am on a mission to achieve my goals with my health. So please keep at your weight loss goals you can do it!!!!!!!!

KBoddu

I started at 340 pounds October 2011. I fell off the wagon HARD after getting down to around 319 and I started back in January 2012 at 329. I am now down to 270 pounds as of today. There are weeks at a time that I won't lose anything and it is VERY frustrating, but I just sit back and think to myself that it's working. I may not see the scale moving, but it's working. Sometimes it takes your body time to catch up with your losses. I take measurements to keep me on track if I don't lose for a week or so and that seems to help a little. Also, I eat what I want to eat but in moderation. I still have pasta and I still have ice cream just not in mass quantities. Most importantly, don't think of it as a diet because when you think of it as a diet you feel more trapped and like you just can't do it anymore. I try to eat a portion size that is relative to the size that I want to become, but I still eat what I want. If you think of it that way it might help a little bit. Good luck honey!