New motivation help - anyone in the same boat?

cdwilson2003
cdwilson2003 Posts: 143
in Motivation and Support
I've just started MFP needing to know that I wasn't alone. I am a 40-year-old mother of two, happily married (lucky I know), and I work full-time with an hour commute to and from. I just need friends that are in the same boat as me. I guess I've about 72 lbs or more to lose and I'm tired. Can anyone tell me if it helps to have before, during, and after photos?

Replies

  • demorelli
    demorelli Posts: 508 Member
    The photos definately help. That way if you end up getting discouraged you can look back and see how far you've come.
  • minkakross
    minkakross Posts: 687 Member
    41 year old mom of two girls ages 6 and 2, working full time with a 1 hour commute each way. I've been in your boat, though my weight loss journey is winding down. I wish more than anything that I had some better pictures of me in the before stage, but I hated the way I looked so much there are few to compare. I have a few pics from along the way (like my avatar) but most are upper body and head shots, full body pics would have been best. I am no longer camera shy and got called hot just yesterday which made my day! bottom line is that I really think if you don't have pics you should take some now.
  • CBolliger
    CBolliger Posts: 15
    I think the before and after photos are nice for some people I, however, am not one to take them - I think the eye is so critical that even when you are achieving your weight goals you may still tear yourself apart, if it’s not the weight its stretch marks, if it’s not stretch marks its cellulite - looking at yourself, at least for me, is going to always be full of critical comments and not just about my weight. There is a great story, you can probably find it on the internet, about a girl who was a year away from getting married and she covered all of the mirrors in her house - she said her self-esteem was never better. I wouldn’t go to that extreme, but when it comes to my weight loss I want to see results that aren’t marred by perception e.g. using a scale, taking measurements or how cloths fit.

    What has been encouraging for me is measuring myself. The scale varies depending on a lot of factors from day to day, but measurements are pretty solid and it is really amazing to think you've lost inches! I like to measure myself once every week, I try to do it in the morning at the same time so the variables are the more the same. Another thing that always makes me smile is I have a belt that has a indent on the notch where I use to wear it at and now I am up to a smaller notch and in all honesty this has been the most rewarding piece of weight loss evidence in my entire house!
  • fightininggirl
    fightininggirl Posts: 792 Member
    what I do is on my fridge I hang my picture of when I weighed my heaviest weight 250= pounds. looking at that girl gives me even more push to kick butt and not want to go back to her.
  • workinprogress12_2
    workinprogress12_2 Posts: 110 Member
    Mine wasn't pictures. Mine was just pounds on a pad on the fridge. I've kept 65 pounds off for over a year and just recently took that pad down. Now there's a new one with inches on it. Out with the old in with the new.
    What ever motivates you. I think I might go put a pair of my fat pants on and run around the house in them to remind myself of how far I've gotten! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
  • rudarbe
    rudarbe Posts: 164 Member
    It definitely helps, and you'll feel especially better if you start posting them and people praising you. It's wonderful support and encouragement :) Good luck!!

Categories