I only lack motivation

gumpfanatic

Hey all, I'm brand new to MFP and looking for support!
I've been trying to lose weight with diet and exercise for many years, and for many years have been unsuccessful. I've tried several dvd programs, tried running outside, tried bootcamp, and did a trial membership at a gym. Nothing is working, and I'm certain that it is because I've been doing all of these alone. I have no motivation to look and feel better, therefore I don't.

Please add me if you feel the same, or even if you don't. I need the motivation, and I promise to return it!

bcerz811

Nobody here can give you motivation--just support and encouragement! I almost never have motivation. At least, not consistently. Motivation, I think, is an emotion, and emotions change all the time. You have to just DO it. Whether you feel like it or not, whether you want to or not, whether you're excited to or not, whether you're comfortable or not. You just have to have your one big goal (be fit for my kids, get to a healthy BMI, build muscle, loset 30lbs whatever), and then just GO whether you feel like doing it from day to day or not. It's the hardest thing in the world, but i've found for me at least, getting healthy is 90% discipline and 10% motivation (or "feeling like it").

Pick something that means a lot to you that you can't do now, but you could do if you got healthy. Then, with that in mind, just DO it. You'll get there!

SongDragon

Feel free to add me. I can tell you where I get my motivation, though it's not really the type I can "give". I am fairly competitive. I think it runs in the family, honestly. My boyfriend and two of my closest friends stay thin without conscious effort. I think if they didn't eat a two thousand calorie diet they'd be in real trouble. I'll clarify now that none of them have ever made me feel bad about how I look, nor would they, but I admire their more svelte looks. Then, my twin sister went and took a very active job, and I'm proud of her, but it feels really odd weighing twenty or so pounds more than her. Before this we've rarely had ten pounds of difference between us, despite being fraternal (not identical) twins. Then there's Nana. She's active, and in her seventies, and if she realizes she needs to drop a few pounds she walks the dog a little further, and I admire how active she is and how she looks even in her seventies. So, I got motivated, because I want to be that active and healthy later. I also like being able to trade clothes with my sister at a whim. There's a variety of other reasons lurking around, but my competitive spirit is sort of bound up in the heart of it.

I don't have any MFP friends, and I probably wouldn't be competitive with you (you're not family, there's no comparison). I could try to keep you inspired if you would help me get inspired. I have been doing okay so far, but I know winter is on its way. When I go to work and it's dark and I come home and it's still dark, I know I'll have a harder time pressuring myself. Also, my hands frequently hurt in the cold. Then there are the holidays, and my family has some amazing cooks in it. I'm going to really feel the pinch being on a one thousand, two hundred calorie diet then.

So, err, send a note if you think we could maybe offer each other a little encouragement?

wolfehound22

Unfortunittly if you don't have the motivation or drive to make changes and lose weight, then there isn't a lot that other people can help with. The drive had to start from within, we are just here to keep you going when your having a rough day. If you really feel this is what you want to do, and that you want to make a change, then I am all about helping with motivation. Feel free to add me.

gumpfanatic

Hey all! Thanks for the replies!

I'm realizing that I might have used the word "motivation" in the wrong sense. I have plenty of motivation for losing weight. I want to look good for my wife, who is the healthiest woman alive! i also want to live as long as her, and be a good example for my future kids and family.

I was trying to say that I need be motivated to keep going with nutrition and exercise, in the same sense that a personal trainer would be encouraging/motivating you during a one on one workout with him/her. I guess I chose the wrong word. I'm here for the support and encouragement that a strong community provides. I hate to brand myself a "quitter," but it appears that's what I've been. I start a diet, experience success, and then quit before reaching my goals. Same goes for exercise. I need the support to keep going.

Sorry for my word misusage. My wife was an English linguistic major in college, so she would kick my butt for making that mistake.