I absolutely HATE dieting/exercise...

Join Netflix. I'm serious! I pay $8/month and have the app on my iphone. I watch the worst TV ever at the gym and it makes the minutes go by like that, so much so that sometimes, i stay on the elliptical longer to finish an episode. I've watched The Hills, The City, 90210, Felicity, and the list keeps going. There is never an end to the content you can consume and it kind of makes the pain of the gym go away until it becomes a habit. Try it, it might just make it more bearable.

Maybe try working out before work? That way, you won't have to dread it after work and will be free to do whatever you want, once you get out of the office!

Or, maybe try some classes at the gym or rec sports leagues? I started playing hockey a couple of years ago and LOVE IT (and usually burn at least 500 calories in 60 minutes of playing). Another idea is trying something like the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred -- it's only a 20 minute workout but I think it's pretty effective!

I didn't like exercising. But now, I look forward to it, so that I can input it onto MFP and see how many calories I'm burning.

I think you need to change your attitude towards it. Don't see it as 'dieting and working out' view it as losing the fat, looking better. You're one step closer to wearing those jeans, or dress or something.

I find exercising makes me feel good, which is really helping with my depression too.

I also agree to the 30 Day Shred - I'm doing this. It's only 20 minutes of work out (a little intense though) but it's a great feeling when you finish it.

Here is my .02. I subscribe to the IIFYM (if it fits your macros). I eat whatever I want (this includes ice cream) but I make sure that it fits into my daily cals and try to hit my macro levels (carbs, fat, protein). This way I never feel like I am not "allowed" to eat something, because as with most things, when someone tells you that you *can't* have something you want it that much more.

Also you should be looking at this as a lifestyle change and not a diet. Diets are extreme and not sustainable. At some point your going to eat carbs again, going to eat over 500 calories, eat something besides a juice/shake drink- and all the weight comes back. Temporary fixes do not work. Changing how you eat, how much you eat (portion control) and what you eat will have the biggest impact, and help you keep and maintain your weight loss.

So, do I try to eat more fruits, veggies, whole grains, and protein- you betcha. But do I allow myself to have chocolate, or cake, or ice cream when the need arises, yup! Perhaps looking at food this way as opposed to what you can;t have will make this whole step not seem so dreadful.

Also, exercise does get better/easier the more you do it. Find something that interests you whether its running, biking, Zumba, kick boxing, it will make working out seem less like a chore.

For weight loss you can eat whatever you want as long as you create a calorie deficit. So, I assume you are eating clean for health. You don't need to eat clean all the time to be healthy. You can still have fried cheese and ranch occasionally, just don't eat it every day. Losing / maintaining weight does not need to be all salads, raw veggies and fish.

Just eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins. If you stick to that for most meals, you occasionally splurge on things you love that may not be great from a health perspective. You can even eat until you just can't eat any more occasionally without gaining weight or ruining your health.

It's really not necessary to be so strict all the time. Enjoy food and enjoy life, because you never know how long it will last.

There are plenty of workout videos on youtube that go anywhere from quick 10 minute workouts to full out 50 minutes or so. You can find zumba, pilates, yoga, circuit training, even things like Insanity and P90X can be found for free. As long as you have internet and a little space to work in
As for dieting, that's my rough spot too. I actually love working out (I've always been active) but I love greasy fast food and everything else that isn't healthy. I try and plan my day around treats and if I'm really good during the week, I give myself leeway on the weekends. However, I don't have any weight that absolutely needs to be lost....

Hi sweetie...

Who says you cannot have steak! Eat that steak... cheese balls maybe not... you can enjoy great food... just do some research! Find a exercise you love. I've recently got into running, hilt, spinning and lifting. Get some good music for work outs too. You could try biking, walking, running, (c25k) make an outdoor boot camp course. Get I inventive, try new things... and it DOES get easier when you see results. Also I often get up at 5am to exercise, its tough but by 6.30am your all done, feel more energetic through the day and you get to enjoy your evenings... just a thought.

Good luck!

Can I be blunt?

You just need to get over it or accept the fact that you won't ever have the body or athletic performance you desire. When the psychological need for you to be healthy outrides the need for you to comfort yourself with food or an easy life you'll find it a lot easier and find creative solutions to your predicament.

It could be worse though.

You could have to walk over 20 miles just to get access to clean water and only have the luxury of eating one small meal a day.

That would truly suck.

^^ This

What about working out in the morning? I hate getting up early, but I love getting it out of the way ...

Pretty much what everyone else has said are good or vaild points. If it feels like punishment, it is because you have already made your mind up that it IS punishment. No one is making you do this. Focus on the reasons you chose to do it. Do I love this every day? No. Because sometimes it is easier to pretend I don't care and quit than put in the hard work. I try to remember that I started this because I wasn't happy. Is losing weight going to fix everything that I was/am unhappy about? Also no. But it is a start..

They offer a zumba class 30 minutes away (another small town) that I did enjoy and it's only $25 for 5 weeks/classes twice a week. I liked that. But she doesn't do the classes in the summer, which means I would have to wait until September to get back on track. Weight wise, I can't afford to do that. So I joined Curves. They are very nice. I understand the program. I believe it's working. Yes I do feel better. But I can't shake that feeling that it's just a thankless job. I count my calories all day. I try to aim for -500 a day. But at the end of my day I'm still hungry after my lean protein, serving of veggies, and either fruit/grains. I go to bed hungry. I wake up hungry. I repeat the process. I'm getting better at waking up earlier. So hopefully next week I can start getting up early enough to do my at home Zumba workout. But I'm far from thrilled.

ok - firstly - read this and went running to your diary - the -500/day is built into the math of MFP when you put in your info. so don't stay 500 below that. hit that number.

secondly, find something that will fill the trigger in a healthier way. i love moz sticks. but i've found that i can have a cheese stick then i'm ok. if that doesn't do it, dip it in skim, roll it in japanese bread crumbs and bake. i need chocolate in my life, so i have dark chocolate or one chocolate chip cookie. steak? i LOVE steak. i don't want to live in a world without it. so i get a leaner cut and eat w/ a giant salad or a mound of broccoli and squash.

if you hate what you're doing, mix it up. find a way to feel like you're not "on a diet". if you really want something, find a way to fit it in your macros and go to.

find a work out you like. you live in the boonies - i totally get that, i grew up in Amish country - but that also gives you an opportunity. you will have more hiking. your roads will be safer to bike. hell, grab your camera and go out on a walk for nature pics. get in the workout in a way you will like, and you will lose faster and be happier.

I completely understand the way that you feel. I hated having to exercise and watch what I ate in moderation.

Things only changed for me mentally when I realized that I hated being unhealthy and overweight more than actually exercising and eating well.

I still have a long way to go but if it gives you any hope at all, trust me, things do get better. I wake up in the morning now rawring to get to the gym and get in a great workout. Ignoring the cupcakes and candy at the office is easy now, cooking at home or eating healthier instead of driving through a fast food chain is easy now.

Keep at it.

I love the idea of Netflix--I have that and didn't even think of it!! I see you are in Illinois and I know the winters can get long and boring. Do you have a Wii or an XBox? Get some of those games they have on there and exercise with that instead of going to the gym. I love doing that and it is convenient. You can push yourself with them and do it along with your boyfriend. Another idea is dancing--I "clean dance" at home. I crank the tunes and act like an idiot while I clean my house. My kids are mortified by my moves, but it makes an ugly task much more fun!

Personally, I hate strength training, but I love cardio. When I am in the gym, I dread it, so I decided to give that up and just do what I like. I might do weights some day, but right now I have to do what I like to keep going!! So, my advice is to find something that you love and just do it!! Good luck and keep us posted!! Dee

i think you're seeing it as glass half empty. Instead think about it as burning fat, getting healthier inside and out and just releasing the stress and toxins in your body

this ^^ i used to be miserable when on a diet, i didnt work out or do much at all, at first when i changed my lifestyle i struggled but after a week or so i felt great, my skin was better, i was happier in life! and i love exersize now because ive seen the total difference in my body and lifestyle. Once you see results or find something you like its easy...Sticking with it at first is the hardest. Good Luck

Your not alone in your feelings. I just think we have to keep on doing it until we either like it or learn to love it lol. Seriously though I miss my old life and eating but I will die young and no food is worth that.