HOW DO YOU DO IT?!
mrsbiscotti
Posts: 31 Member
How do you maintain motivation with so many lbs to lose? I have about 30-40... seems to daunting. What keeps you going, and what's your best advise to stay on TRACK!
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Replies
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I had a lot more than that. I kept my motivation up by seeing the pounds drop, and by planning ahead.
Good luck, you can do it.0 -
I had help. I had 4 weddings to attend during my weight loss journey and all the showers/bachelorette parties and such along the way.
That said, what worked for me was tiny rewards. I bought myself a day planner and got a sticker for every day that I stuck to my diet. Yes, it's a stupid reward, but it helped me see how often I'd gone off track and gave me some instant gratification. Plus, I like stickers!
Everyone is different, but I recommend finding little things to reward yourself with along the way. Set small goals along the way so that you feel like you're achieving something and, most importantly, try to remember to have fun. No system will help you stick to a diet you hate.
I know you can find something that works for you!0 -
Ya - I think the secret is to not look too far ahead.
It's great to have a goal in mind, but it shouldn't just be about the destination. Personally, I've learned to love the journey. I enjoy my working out, my eating well, my discussions with people on here. I've learned to love reading studies about nutirition and health.
I know I'm not where I want to be yet, but I know that if I keep it up, I'll get there.
As Dianne said, it's also nice to reward yourself along the way for reaching certain milestones.0 -
If I didn't lose the weight, I was going to go on meds for high blood pressure and cholesterol for the rest of my life. I knew once I started with the pharmaceuticals, it'd be over.
In 2.5 years I have lost 40lbs down to 170lbs. My BMI is 165lbs. My blood pressure now is 120/78 from 145/100.
I am doing blood work in a few weeks to see my numbers
My motivation? To stay alive.0 -
I think a really important point is to HAVE FUN! It is really easy to stop a new fitness plan if it's miserable. The key for me is food. I LOVE FOOD. So I had to accept that If I want to eat certain foods, I have to put in the exercise. Planning out my whole day's worth of food after my morning workout works the best, because I am in a healthy state of mind. Everyday is not perfect, but as long as I don't beat myself up over missing a workout or going over calories, I get right back on the wagon.0
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I think a really important point is to HAVE FUN! It is really easy to stop a new fitness plan if it's miserable. The key for me is food. I LOVE FOOD. So I had to accept that If I want to eat certain foods, I have to put in the exercise. Planning out my whole day's worth of food after my morning workout works the best, because I am in a healthy state of mind. Everyday is not perfect, but as long as I don't beat myself up over missing a workout or going over calories, I get right back on the wagon.
Good point. I joined MFP, made some friends, keep my mind off the numbers and don't have a goal date. It's about changing my lifestyle and fitting into my skinny clothes again, but it's also about not getting on my back about my progress.
Also, support. In addition to MFP, I have a nutritionist that I see every week who helps me with my nutrition and moods.0 -
Mental shift - Something snapped and now I want it more than at any other time.0
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I handle it in short chunks. I work in IT and sometimes our projects can last months if not years. We take a chunk approach to projects (We only focus on 2 week chunks) so we don't get overwhelmed. I have taken the same approach to my weight loss. I set short two week or so goals and go from there. That keeps me from being overwhelmed by what still remains.0
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Mental shift - Something snapped and now I want it more than at any other time.
THIS! And mini-goals
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When I started I had 100 lbs. I'm down almost 30 now and I'm getting through it by setting smaller goals. My first goal was to lose 30 lbs. by September 15th and I'm so happy to see myself almost there now! My second goal is 50 lbs.(in total) by Christmas and then I'm halfway there already. I think if you break it down into smaller goals it doesn't seem as daunting. I also plan on rewarding myself when I reach my mini-goals. 0
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Focus on the 5 pound marks. I want to get below 185 right now, but my ultimate goal is 145. But my focus is 185. I don't care about anything else. Once I get below 185 then I will focus on 180. Eventually I will be focusing on 145.0
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Make it fun, make it an adventure. See into the future, look how proud you will be of yourself for going through such an epic journey. And think how much better you will feel about yourself.
Think fun, think future That's how I keep going. I am just excited to see what I will look like with a small stomach, can't wait
Put your game face on, and your war paint on. YOU CAN DO THIS.0 -
Agreed! Mini goals! For me I don't focus on pounds lost, I focus on "Can I eat completely clean for 2 weeks straight?" "Can I workout X amount of time this week?" Give yourself new challenges each week and own it! You can do it
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The easiest and best advice is to think of this as a LIFESTYLE and nothing else... There is no time limits, no diets.... You just make it part of your everyday life. I started my new life May 2009 and 37 months later and 311 lbs. lost and I am taking it one day at a time. I get up everyday and do everything I can to be as successful as I possible can and when I go to bed each night I have no regrets, then I get up tomorrow and do it all over again..... Best of Luck.....0
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what keeps me on track, and i have 86 more pounds to lose, is that if i give up now, by this time next year i coudlve been there already, so i dont give up, because i want to be there by this time next year!0
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Mental shift - Something snapped and now I want it more than at any other time.
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I totally agree. thats exactly what happend for me. i just got sick and tired of being sick and tired. don't look at the big picture. take it in baby steps . say five pound goals . and reward yourself with something other than food. thats what keeps me going and the fact i am 45 pounds down since feb! i have a class Reunion comming up and i will confess, i'd love to turn a few heads and give them the "how do you like me now " look. lol I know , i know it should only be about doing it to be healthy. don't judge me lol0 -
It does seem daunting at first. Starting is the hardest part. Have a plan for everyday, week month (both for food and exercise). Update the plan as you get stronger and learn what foods you like. Take it one day at a time, and be patient. Soon your new eating and exercise routine will become habits, and when that happens you have a new lifestyle.0
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When I first started dieting & had alot to lose my motivation was my grandson being born. I want to be alive & healthy enough to take him to Disneyworld/Land, fishing in Tampa & anywhere he wants to go. I also want to be alive to see him graduate & have kids!
Atkins gave me that extra UMPH I needed by allowing me to see quick results
) so when the numbers on the scale drop, THAT IS MOTIVATION 0 -
I compete with my Mom.0
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If I didn't lose the weight, I was going to go on meds for high blood pressure and cholesterol for the rest of my life. I knew once I started with the pharmaceuticals, it'd be over.
In 2.5 years I have lost 40lbs down to 170lbs. My BMI is 165lbs. My blood pressure now is 120/78 from 145/100.
I am doing blood work in a few weeks to see my numbers
My motivation? To stay alive.
This is my story.0 -
Mental shift - Something snapped and now I want it more than at any other time.
This^^^^nobody else can make you do this. There is no amount of outside bullying or cheering that will take you and your body down this road...it has to come from within--one day at a time.0 -
By trial.
When I fail one day, it motivates me to to way better. To accept it, learn from it and move on.
The shedding pounds is soooo rewarding and u feel so good about urself, not only cuz ur dropping weight but also because ur learning self control. Which has been the best for because ive learned self-control not only with food, but with my life.0 -
One day at a time for me. And think about what you're eating. I was amazed at my food log. You'll see how really bad some of your favorite things are. Keep those for your treats along the way. If you have a bad day, accept it. Wake up the next day with a new vigor -- take a walk, clear your head and keep plugging along. We're all here for you when you need us!
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It motivates me to work out a date where I'll be at my goal weight. If I lose 1lb a week, it'll be Jan 1st. If I lose 2lb a week, it'll be Nov 1st or whatever. Time flies so quickly that it can sometimes be a massive motivator that in no time at all, I'll be where I want to be. If it helps, you can split your weight loss into smaller goal dates as well.0
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I have approx 110lbs to lose and that is daunting. So, I focus only on 5lb goals at a time and every 10lbs I reward myself either with something I've been wanting to taste or a purchase.
Plus I have a size 18 pair of jeans I keep close to remind me that if I can make it to that size...I can finally own a sexy pair of leather pants. 0 -
how DO *I* do it?
well as I said to the guv'nor
Flat on me back I was....0 -
Focus on the 5 pound marks. I want to get below 185 right now, but my ultimate goal is 145. But my focus is 185. I don't care about anything else. Once I get below 185 then I will focus on 180. Eventually I will be focusing on 145.
THIS! It is working for me thus far. When I hit the upper 170s, I was so excited! And when I maintained that through a vacation, I was even more ecstatic. Now I'm so close to 175 which is one of my slightly bigger goals....it will put me at 20 lbs down and the point where I gave up this time last year. This time, I HAVE to keep this up!0 -
My sister came to visit!
She made me try on ALL my clothes and took photos of me wearing them - even the ones where the button didn't do up! Then she 'made' me order them from largest to smallest AND organise my clothes for the week. Friday outfits were always a little snug so if I went off the wagon during the week I would have trouble on the Friday... The deal was that I HAD to wear what we'd set aside.
She came for a few weeks but then couldn't manage always. I maintained the regime.
Since then I've started buying clothes from the charity shop - not a lot of money to spend on new!
I am VERY target driven - until it wears off anyway... so:
logging calories is good for me
logging food before I ate it
I had a cheapo HRM that I used for months - again it was all about calories and trying to beat what I'd done before 9 since bought a better one but have no idea what it can do... need to research!)
Set gym days where there was nothing else 'more important' to do.
A few months ago I stopped being so strict with myself, stopped logging, went on holiday... ... ...
Reading all this back again is reminding me about what worked then and there's no reason why I can't make it work again! (I'd still like to lose 25lbs or so!!!) Thanks OP!0 -
Maybe find a hobby or an interest in which you might need to be more in shape for? Maybe a 5k run? triathalon? A boot camp class? For me, I have a BIG interest in belly dancing. I started taking classes last year, but then lost confidence because of my size so I quit. Starting again this August. Although I have only lost 5 lbs since the 1st class, I FEEL a lot healthier, and that has boosted my confidence. You can do it! Many people have given such GREAT suggestions. It just takes the right mind set.... good luck!!!0
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Well, this site has been a huge help to me. Logging in here everyday helps keep me motivated since I see everyone else going through the same things.. I also like to look at success stories and pictures as much as possible. Really helps me, especially when I feel like giving up. I also constantly remind myself how very much I want to lose this weight.. If I don't keep trying now, in a year from now I will still be fat and unhappy with myself... That's not what I want.. In a year from now, I want to be at a comfortable weight. Life is too short not to be happy.0
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