SERIOUS lack of motivation.

So lately I've been under a lot stress due to various things and when I stress, I tend to eat...a lot. I mean, ridiculous amounts of food in one sitting. I can go through an entire Costco jar of Peanut Butter in two days. I've also signed up for the gym but stopped going because I'm always too damn tired after getting home and finishing up any work I have. I walk on the weekends and go to the gym when I can, but working out two days a week compared to the amount of food I eat isn't nearly enough. I've gained about seven pounds in a few weeks and that's just even more discouraging, even if I did expect it. This has been going on for a few months and every time I try to kick start again it only lasts a few days because I either binge or break down. I'm constantly surrounded by all this crap and I can't even get rid of it because everyone else actually eats the stuff. I just feel really stuck and don't know what to do to SERIOUSLY get back on track.

How do you guys get out of a really bad rut?

Replies

  • JJordon
    JJordon Posts: 857 Member
    This is a do, or do not situation. You will either do it, because you want it for yourself, or you won't because of some mental barrier, excuse, etc.

    You have to want it, then do more than want it, and make it happen.
  • pavingnewpaths
    pavingnewpaths Posts: 367 Member
    Nobody can do it for you. If you don't have the determination and self-control, it won't happen. In which case you have nobody to blame but yourself.

    I wasn't blaming anyone, I know it's my own fault. It's not unheard of to fall off the wagon though. I'm not asking for sympathy or pity, I asked how you pull yourself out of rut because it's advice I need right now.
  • sem41278
    sem41278 Posts: 89 Member
    Don't be me- I was done 38 lbs last year and I'm back trying to get off the regain of 25 plus get to my goal. Its hard work all over again. Baby steps- make your workout enjoyable. I tried zumba and love it even after a long day. Exercise helps me make better food choices too.
  • wfrank4
    wfrank4 Posts: 3 Member
    Change up what you're doing, at least in terms of exercise. Sign up with a personal trainer or schedule workouts with friends; maybe you need someone to hold you accountable. Sign up with Earndit and enter a paid challenge. Find something that helps you get through these ruts. Doing the same thing day-in-day-out or week-in-week-out gets boring; make it new and exciting.
  • AztecKermit
    AztecKermit Posts: 27 Member
    Been there and I understand that sometimes when you find yourself stuck in a rut it can seem like there's no way out of it.
    Whenever I find myself in a situation like that I write down how I'm feeling and why on a fresh note page in my diary. I accept what has happened and then draw a line under it.
    Then on the next page I write down what I choose to do in the next few days to turn things around, how those things will make me feel and why I am choosing to do them.
    It's all about accepting that you can't change what has already happened and then choosing to do things differently from then on.
    I don't have a To Do list I have a list of choices that I have made, then a TaDa! list at the end of the day of my accomplishments.

    The other thing I have updated regularly is a vision board, something to remind you regularly of what you are aiming for and why.
    http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Vision-Board

    I hope you find something that works for you. x
  • Like many of us, you have developed bad eating habits. It doesn't matter how many times and how long you stay at the gym. If you eat more than your body needs you will gain weight. I think you need to develop good eating habits gradually.

    First start by monitoring your current caloric intake for a week or two using myfitnesspal.
    Even it that means putting on few pounds.
    Start decreasing this number say by 200 calories.
    Stick for that number for a week or two. (You might still be gaining weight at that level by the idea here is developing a habit and sticking to it)
    When you feel somewhat comfortable decrease the calories even more and repeat.

    Good luck.
  • retiree2006
    retiree2006 Posts: 951 Member
    Maybe write down some of your realistic goals that you can read through when you need a reason to continue. Realize you won't hit your target 100% of the time and don't get down on yourself when you have a bad day. Admit that it isn't easy but you deserve to reach those goals. Post some inspirational sayings on the fridge...One of my favorites was: "One year from now you'll wish you had started today." Another with a picture was: "It doesn't get easier, you just get better." Set up mini-rewards for certain weight losses, maybe every 10 lbs.

    If your household is one where there is junk food, set up a cupboard or shelf in the fridge with that stuff and another where you put lots of good choices that are for you. Include a few "goodies" that you can have every now and then, IF they fit into your daily allowance. Set yourself up for success rather than find an excuse for why you can't...because if that's how you feel...you'll be right.
    Good luck.

    As far as the gym...go before work if you can. It will begin to actually energize you for the day.
  • michellewong699
    michellewong699 Posts: 98 Member
    I know that most people will tell you to just push yourself to do it.
    However, when I am very stressed out, I really just can't make myself. I have not learned to love exercise yet so I have not associated working out with decreasing stress levels.
    If it is really that difficult for you, just recognize that you are having a hard time and do what you can to destress yourself first. It will make the exercise more enjoyable and you'll be able to see its immediate benefits more easily.

    As for food, that is something that is purely self-control. Why don't you try to replace emotional eating with another hobby? It may feel really silly and difficult at first, but in the long-run, you'll see that you just traded one habit for another one (hopefully a healthier one!!)

    Also, don't ever forget to see the progress you've already made, even if you backtracked! It helps you retain your hope, and everything becomes easier to do once you just believe in yourself (sounds cliche haha). Don't expect an immediate change, some people adjust faster than others. Good luck with everything (:
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    What's it gonna take? A life threatening health scare? Unfortunately, it's up to you to decide on the motivation. Rah, rah works for inspiration, but unless you're really motivated by your own convictions, it's not gonna matter much.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • 2FatToRun
    2FatToRun Posts: 810 Member
    First off (positive reinforcement)......You can fix this it is not the end of the world. So what you regained 7 lbs....you can lose it again if you DO NOT give up.Correcting your eating will help you with the tiredness, depression and stress you can do this. If you didnt care you wouldnt have posted this and gave up but you didnt and that says alot! Do not let your mind discourage you from what you know to be true you are stronger than you are giving yourself credit for.

    Spend 10 dollars get a workout dvd you can use in your bedroom or tv room. I use Biggest Loser Boot Camp because it has the options to choose your workouts and adding or not warm up and cool down. It also has fellow fatties in it so I dont feel like such a loser. Takes a whole 30 minutes out of my day. As I progress it will be longer so its up to you how long you go for.

    Second(get ready for brutal honesty).......STOP! Stop making excuses, stop being lazy ( I am the queen of lazy), START taking accountability. My house has crap in it too I have 2 kids that eat non stop, doesnt make it okay for me to feed my face with their crap. Stress will kill you. Find another way to deal with it like working out for 30 mins in your bedroom or tv room. Take a walk.
    If you want to eat more that can be dealt with if you exercise and workout more. Make it a goal to exercise more so you can splurge or eat more. There is always a solution but giving up should not be an option, YOU GOT THIS!
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
    When I found myself where you are, I had to make this journey THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN MY LIFE. For me, that meant I had to think about it all day, every day. It was first on my mind as soon as I woke up and last thing before bed. When I didn't feel like doing it, I did it anyway. You have to retrain yourself to stop self-sabotage. It can be done and it is so worth it, but you can only motivate yourself. Best of luck to you.
  • underwater77
    underwater77 Posts: 331 Member
    Try to focus on how AMAZING you feel after a good workout, or how well you sleep, or how many nutrients you feed your body when you take the time, effort, and CONCERN for your body that it deserves! We all have our moments, but all you can do when you have one is recognize it as bump in the road and forge ahead. As simple as it sounds and as cliche as it may be, it comes down to mind over matter. How badly to want this? How badly to want to improve your health day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. Don't focus on your long term goals, focus on today. Focus on NOW. Focus on really being in your body and taking the time to understand how it works and what it needs to survive for many years to come.

    Endorphins are a hell of a drug. I have never been happier in MY ENTIRE LIFE as I have been the last 12 months of getting to the gym or pool every single day. Take those feelings and build upon them. This isn't easy, and this isn't overnight. It's a day to day process. Staying present in the now is vital to success.

    I wish you the best of luck! You can do ANYTHING you set your mind to if you simply never give up!
  • You have to try and go to that moment in time where you've felt really low and at the end of the rope and where you've said to yourself, enough is enough, I'm tired of looking and feeling the way I do, I don't have much time and I need to make the change NOW.

    When you comfort eat, the feelings of satiety and comfort overcome you almost. You block out any other emotions because once you start on that binge of carbs and fat, it makes you feel so good in that moment. But you've been there so many times before and you've come out the other side feeling rotten and disgusting. Your body doesn't want to be treated that way and neither does your mind. But like any addiction, it takes many attempts to build the strength to overcome those feelings of want for satiety and comfort.

    Try and go to that place and time that happens after the binge before you start doing it. That really low moment when you've looked at your unhappy self and thought, enough is enough, I dont' just want to survive on these moments of comfort eating anymore, I want to break free.

    You also need to take back control of other things in your life that you might not be happy with. Access to food is too easy in society for us now. We think that it's ok to comfort ourselves when we're in a job we don't like or when something happens in our life that we don't like. If you can change something you don't like, try and do it. Then you can't blame yourself or your circumstances and you'll stop feeling sorry for yourself. You can't control every situation but there are ways to handle it when something comes along. You need to learn these mechanisms too. For example, seeing the bigger picture and getting extra support if you need to talk to someone about things.

    Also remember that every little bit counts. It's like money. If you put away £10 every month in a savings account, you wouldn't even notice it. Things can build up. Over a couple of years, you would look to find a pot of cash you didn't know was there. Yes, you might have eaten a bag of crisps but if you can stop short of what you would normally pack away in a binge fest and keep building up the walking, and trying to control things, over time it will make a real difference. It takes time to build habits. Not only do making small changes really add up but you start feeling some more control over the occurrence. Positive actions accumulate positive thoughts about yourself which over time helps your self esteem and your ability to control binges.

    I also find that eating something fresh with something junk (although it adds to the calories initially) really helps me to stop eating so much junk in the long run. There's something about the taste of the goodness (for example in a few slices of mango) that makes eating the junk food taste kind of wrong. I usually try and make sure I have chunks of fresh pineapple or mango in the fridge so I can eat that and then if I have some chocolate, I don't want as much.

    That's my two cents.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    If you have no motivation I don't think there's any miracle solution.

    But I agree with the poster above, if not having time for the gym is a bit issue, buy some DVDs or look online for some videos.
  • auteurfille22
    auteurfille22 Posts: 251 Member
    A few ways. First, pictures. I have my lock screen and background on my phone set to pictures of bodies that I want to have one day, and that I know I can if I work hard. Seeing them every time I use my phone always reminds me what I need to do. That helps. It's also kind of embarrassing when others see my phone or use it and then find it funny that I need to have a picture of a girl in a bikini on it, but it pushes me in the sense that the harder I work, the sooner I'll get there and won't need to have the picture any more, because my own body will be there for motivation :) Alternatively, I also have a picture of "what a pound of fat looks like" that I look at often. It doubly serves the purpose of making me not want to have another cookie and reminding me what is in my body that should not be there and that I can make go away.

    Also, try and find exercise that is enjoyable for you. You won't stick to something you don't enjoy. Even for an exercise you don't feel you'd like, you could try something like the Zombies Run! app to train yourself to run a 5K. I personally haven't used it but know others who find it very motivating.

    Finally, have a good support system on here. Feel free to add me if you want. Whenever you feel like binging completely, try to post on your feed first. Your friends, if they are supportive, will try to get you out of that mentality in the moment. It's really helped me in the past.

    In the end, though, you have to push yourself. Reminding yourself why you are doing this will help, as will fun exercise and others pushing you forward. But you're not going to be able to do this unless YOU commit to it. And that takes self-discipline and willpower.
  • CrazyTrackLady
    CrazyTrackLady Posts: 1,337 Member
    First off (positive reinforcement)......You can fix this it is not the end of the world. So what you regained 7 lbs....you can lose it again if you DO NOT give up.Correcting your eating will help you with the tiredness, depression and stress you can do this. If you didnt care you wouldnt have posted this and gave up but you didnt and that says alot! Do not let your mind discourage you from what you know to be true you are stronger than you are giving yourself credit for.

    Spend 10 dollars get a workout dvd you can use in your bedroom or tv room. I use Biggest Loser Boot Camp because it has the options to choose your workouts and adding or not warm up and cool down. It also has fellow fatties in it so I dont feel like such a loser. Takes a whole 30 minutes out of my day. As I progress it will be longer so its up to you how long you go for.

    Second(get ready for brutal honesty).......STOP! Stop making excuses, stop being lazy ( I am the queen of lazy), START taking accountability. My house has crap in it too I have 2 kids that eat non stop, doesnt make it okay for me to feed my face with their crap. Stress will kill you. Find another way to deal with it like working out for 30 mins in your bedroom or tv room. Take a walk.
    If you want to eat more that can be dealt with if you exercise and workout more. Make it a goal to exercise more so you can splurge or eat more. There is always a solution but giving up should not be an option, YOU GOT THIS!

    ^^^^This, plus STOP BUYING CRAP FOOD THAT IS BAD FOR YOU. You're in charge of what you put in your mouth, so start making better choices and stop filling your cart up with food you WANT versus food you NEED. Put the boxed and plastic bags of crap food back, OR avoid those aisles in the first place. Spend more time in the produce section loading up on brightly colored fruits and veggies. Don't go out and get fast food. TAKE CHARGE of your eating and don't give into temptation all the time. It is OK to have a little treat now and then, but learn to recognize when you are no longer hungry versus full.

    And get to the root of why you eat so poorly.
  • pavingnewpaths
    pavingnewpaths Posts: 367 Member
    First and foremost I just want to thank you guys for taking the time to reply to this, and for all the messages I received. You're all right. Aside from the suggestions, your approach to this entire situation (in regards to mindset) is why you're all doing well. I think that's my main issue - changing my mindset. I tend to associate happiness with food and relaxation with staying in bed all day. Which is a major issue for me that I need to change mentally before I can change physically.

    Anyway, I think I'm going to go with the home video idea and vision board. I'm going to start today. I'm also going to clean out the cupboards and just avoid all the unhealthy crap. I really do need to learn to just say no.

    Thanks so much guys. These were all really encouraging responses and I appreciate it a lot. My motivation may not be at its all time high at the moment, but I'm going to get back on track and hopefully the genuine desire to want to continue this journey will come back after some positive results.
  • pavingnewpaths
    pavingnewpaths Posts: 367 Member
    You have to try and go to that moment in time where you've felt really low and at the end of the rope and where you've said to yourself, enough is enough, I'm tired of looking and feeling the way I do, I don't have much time and I need to make the change NOW.

    When you comfort eat, the feelings of satiety and comfort overcome you almost. You block out any other emotions because once you start on that binge of carbs and fat, it makes you feel so good in that moment. But you've been there so many times before and you've come out the other side feeling rotten and disgusting. Your body doesn't want to be treated that way and neither does your mind. But like any addiction, it takes many attempts to build the strength to overcome those feelings of want for satiety and comfort.

    Try and go to that place and time that happens after the binge before you start doing it. That really low moment when you've looked at your unhappy self and thought, enough is enough, I dont' just want to survive on these moments of comfort eating anymore, I want to break free.

    You also need to take back control of other things in your life that you might not be happy with. Access to food is too easy in society for us now. We think that it's ok to comfort ourselves when we're in a job we don't like or when something happens in our life that we don't like. If you can change something you don't like, try and do it. Then you can't blame yourself or your circumstances and you'll stop feeling sorry for yourself. You can't control every situation but there are ways to handle it when something comes along. You need to learn these mechanisms too. For example, seeing the bigger picture and getting extra support if you need to talk to someone about things.

    Also remember that every little bit counts. It's like money. If you put away £10 every month in a savings account, you wouldn't even notice it. Things can build up. Over a couple of years, you would look to find a pot of cash you didn't know was there. Yes, you might have eaten a bag of crisps but if you can stop short of what you would normally pack away in a binge fest and keep building up the walking, and trying to control things, over time it will make a real difference. It takes time to build habits. Not only do making small changes really add up but you start feeling some more control over the occurrence. Positive actions accumulate positive thoughts about yourself which over time helps your self esteem and your ability to control binges.

    I also find that eating something fresh with something junk (although it adds to the calories initially) really helps me to stop eating so much junk in the long run. There's something about the taste of the goodness (for example in a few slices of mango) that makes eating the junk food taste kind of wrong. I usually try and make sure I have chunks of fresh pineapple or mango in the fridge so I can eat that and then if I have some chocolate, I don't want as much.

    That's my two cents.

    "Also remember that every little bit counts. It's like money. If you put away £10 every month in a savings account, you wouldn't even notice it. Things can build up. Over a couple of years, you would look to find a pot of cash you didn't know was there. Yes, you might have eaten a bag of crisps but if you can stop short of what you would normally pack away in a binge fest and keep building up the walking, and trying to control things, over time it will make a real difference. It takes time to build habits. Not only do making small changes really add up but you start feeling some more control over the occurrence. Positive actions accumulate positive thoughts about yourself which over time helps your self esteem and your ability to control binges. "

    I really, really loved that. Thank you.
  • 007FatSlayer
    007FatSlayer Posts: 132 Member
    Don't work out in the afternoon after work because then you have the excuse that "you're too tired." I was like that in the beginning, but I've really changed my path by working out in the morning-- first thing. Eat an apple or something similar and a protein shake and then off to the gym you go! You'll get used to getting up early and it will be easier down the road.

    If you're "too tired" when you get up in the mornings, sleep in your workout clothes and have your shoes by the bed. The hardest part is just getting started.

    You can...and YOU WILL do this! In my Chris Tucker voice..."You know thiiiis, mmaaaaaaannnnnnn"
  • CrazyTrackLady
    CrazyTrackLady Posts: 1,337 Member
    Excellent!! feel free to add me after you've read my profile. I have specific instructions in there for how to become my friend, along with a warning about who I do and do not accept. Harsh? Naw, just weeding out those folks who would just end up annoying me anyways.

    :laugh: :wink: :smile:
  • 007FatSlayer
    007FatSlayer Posts: 132 Member
    Also, working out helps manage stress. So, it's going to be a vicious cycle if you don't break it, now.
  • 2FatToRun
    2FatToRun Posts: 810 Member
    First and foremost I just want to thank you guys for taking the time to reply to this, and for all the messages I received. You're all right. Aside from the suggestions, your approach to this entire situation (in regards to mindset) is why you're all doing well. I think that's my main issue - changing my mindset. I tend to associate happiness with food and relaxation with staying in bed all day. Which is a major issue for me that I need to change mentally before I can change physically.

    Anyway, I think I'm going to go with the home video idea and vision board. I'm going to start today. I'm also going to clean out the cupboards and just avoid all the unhealthy crap. I really do need to learn to just say no.

    Thanks so much guys. These were all really encouraging responses and I appreciate it a lot. My motivation may not be at its all time high at the moment, but I'm going to get back on track and hopefully the genuine desire to want to continue this journey will come back after some positive results.

    :love: You are an inspiration for the simple fact you make the choice to not give up and correct the issues Good Luck to you!
  • I read about a woman who used to be an emotional eater and became an emotional exerciser. She kept athletic shoes in her car so when she normally would eat, she could stop and exercise instead. I bought a jump rope at Wal Mart for $12 and it is a really great one! Plastic covered metal rope and weighted handles (weights are removable). You should see just how many calories you can burn jumping rope! When I started, I could only jump 6 times in a row and kept hitting my toes. Now, 2 months later, I can jump 50 times in a row on the first try!
    Last time I was having what we call "Black Monday" (actually sugar withdrawal), feeling like the Wicked Witch of the Southeast, I jumped rope as long as I could (off and on for 5 minutes) and then did a 10 minute workout, and I felt SO much better. Exercising changes your mood because it makes changes in your body, and your body is connected to your brain. Happy body = happy brain.
    I get motivation by reading books and getting my hands involved; just putting on workout clothes makes me motivated. I wear skirts, so I made a pair of leggings into legging/skorts so I feel covered enough. If I can just get my hands to touch a project, that is enough to get me going.

    CIRCLE OF SUCCESS (from a book called Complete Conditioning for Martial Arts)

    STEP ONE: MOTIVATION IS HOW THE MIND PREPARES THE BODY
    Understand that motivation is not a feeling, it is the result of an action.

    STEP TWO: MOTIVATION IS PLANNED PREPARATION
    Prepare for success by gathering the materials you will need - workout clothes, stretch resistance bands, weights, workout mat, jumprope, proper shoes, etc. Being on this website is preparation for success!! You have already been successful!! :)

    STEP THREE: PREPARATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY
    After you prepare, get ready to put your preparation into action.

    STEP FOUR: OPPORTUNITY A L W A Y S COMES DISGUISED AS HARD WORK.
    Embrace this. Use this to learn to recognize that opportunity when it peeks its head out and looks at you! This should trigger your excitement that success is about to happen. Be grateful; the end of this road is exactly where you want to go.
    Climb the stairs, run that last distance to your destination, jump rope when you have a few minutes or need to warm up for another activity, clean house when you feel bad (housecleaning burns calories!)

    STEP FIVE: HARD WORK IS SOMETHING THE BODY MUST BE MOTIVATED TO DO
    Remember that motivation is the result of preparing for this very opportunity, NOT a feeling. You are not at the mercy of your feelings; feelings are a result of how you respond to your circumstances. You shape your feelings by deciding ahead of time what your response to a given situation is going to be, and when you stick to the plan, you will have joy (not always happiness, but better). So when you do what you planned to do, you build a good habit. When the habit is strong enough (30 times), you no longer have to think about it and the habit takes over and you are on cruise control!

    I pack my jumprope on trips, take it to ballet class, etc. It helps me afford extra calories and improves my mood and my health. I highly recommend getting one! You can jump in a house if you keep your hands low and practice a little.
    Hope this helps! Keep with it! You can do it! :smile:
  • Flowers4Julia
    Flowers4Julia Posts: 521 Member
    I hear you about the rut, it happens!

    My only way ever has been to sit with myself and just soul-search, soul-search and more soul-searching.....I love the vision boards, etc. Decide what you really want, as they say and then let all else fall by the wayside..... then just keep plugging away.

    finding new hobbies, things to do, etc. has also been a life saver for me earlier in my weight loss...

    All the Best!
  • Darrell916
    Darrell916 Posts: 110 Member
    I understand what you are saying about being stressed and eating high amounts of food. What I have learned from doing this is the more that I eat and stress the more medication the doctor is going to give you for high blood pressure diabetes closterol and even doing insulin shots. I just had to force myself to stop eating and doing the fast food crap. The benefits from this is you can start throwing some of that medication away and you have more money in your bank account. As for going to the gym I was just like you. What I have discovered is that if you pack a gym bag and put it in your car and go to the gym right after work instead of going home your going to have to do it and once you get the hang of it your going to start going to the gym more often and also using the gym and your workouts for stress instead of food.
  • lcn1220
    lcn1220 Posts: 124 Member
    So lately I've been under a lot stress due to various things and when I stress, I tend to eat...a lot. I mean, ridiculous amounts of food in one sitting. I can go through an entire Costco jar of Peanut Butter in two days. I've also signed up for the gym but stopped going because I'm always too damn tired after getting home and finishing up any work I have. I walk on the weekends and go to the gym when I can, but working out two days a week compared to the amount of food I eat isn't nearly enough. I've gained about seven pounds in a few weeks and that's just even more discouraging, even if I did expect it. This has been going on for a few months and every time I try to kick start again it only lasts a few days because I either binge or break down. I'm constantly surrounded by all this crap and I can't even get rid of it because everyone else actually eats the stuff. I just feel really stuck and don't know what to do to SERIOUSLY get back on track.

    How do you guys get out of a really bad rut?

    Keep trying even if you fall down. The next time you sit down with a jar of whatever, force yourself to consider: "Am I really needing these calories? Or am I avoiding feeling/dealing with whatever's really bothering me?" Yeah, you're likely going to eat that jar, blow your calories for the day, but each time you make yourself go through that mental exercise you give yourself room for self awareness and to recognize the following: "I am hitting the self destruct button here. WHY? And is there anything I can do about the situation aside from eating my way into oblivion?" When you learn to give yourself that room between behavioral cue and self medicating through food, you eventually make room to insert a new behavior instead of following the old default and often self defeating behavior. And key here is to find a new strategy/ new routine to cope whenever you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed etc. If you've got 20 mins to shove a crapload of food in your face, then you've got 20 mins for a walk. Blunt, I know...but learn to think in those terms.

    As for motivation...if you're waiting for the right time, right words of encouragement, right whatever, you're going to be waiting a loooong time. Allow yourself to feel whatever you're feeling and then learn to ACT along side that feeling. Hardest part about going to the gym or sticking with a workout plan isn't doing the work, it's overcoming that whiny suck filled mental noise that keeps you from doing anything in the first place. Yeah, a lot of sticking to an exercise plan is telling your brain to shut up and get out of your way. You'll know your brain is getting in the way when you're confounded with a litany of excuses when you dare to think of the words: "work out" or "go to the gym." Create an alternate exercise plan that hits on the bare minimum of what would be acceptable to you i.e. push ups + sit ups + brisk walk outside of your house for 25 mins for the days you believe that noise in your head.

    A lot of times with weight loss people expect to flip a switch, buy xyz program and think the discipline and resolve needed to achieve these goals somehow magically *happens.* It's really easy to read those glowy success stories and think weight loss is a straight shot from A to B. Unless they were a contestant on the Biggest Loser, I am willing to bet that just about every single one of them had to figure out how to make things work in spite of themselves, life, career and familial obligations. People who fall down and stay down turn into a series of unhappy statistics. People who fall down, but find it in them to keep trying and pushing turn into success stories. Keep that in mind the next time you think about giving up.

    Accept that this whole thing is a process where you're going to have to replace bad habits with good ones. You're not going to get it perfect all the time. If you fall down, don't just give up on the day. Try and salvage it by the next meal, add a small workout, just do something however small that gets you closer to your goals. If you're taking center stage in your pity party with a box of oreos, ditch it and go get yourself some grit instead.

    Each time you fall down, don't excoriate yourself but ask the following (yes, this is the time you want your brain to work for you):

    1. Why did I fall down? What did I learn?
    2. What can I do better?
    3. What small changes can I enact instead of hitting the self destruct button?

    When you're successful even if it is for a day, ask yourself..."how do I keep this going?"

    Hope this helps. Best of luck to you.
  • Skinnymunkii
    Skinnymunkii Posts: 191 Member
    There's a lot of great advice here. Remember that the tools you need to succeed are right here in front of you, and all you have to do is use them...eyes on the prize. Focus on where you want your future to go, and then follow the path that takes you there. If you lose your way, retrace your steps and find your way back. Remember, this is not a race for speed but for endurance. And you WILL reach the finish line. I have faith in that. Keep running.
  • HSingMomto7Kids
    HSingMomto7Kids Posts: 345 Member
    Just tackle the support here!! If it wasn't for that I would not be where I was/am now.