Thought I was fat before, how to stay motivated?
UrbanLotus
Posts: 1,163 Member
So I'm happy with my loss so far, but I still have a ways to go. I've always been chubby but have slowly put on weight over the years - and all along I've thought I was fat/needed to lose (I've always been a yo-yo dieter, putting an end to that now!).
Like I remember the time when I weighed 5lbs less than now and that was my highest weight ever and I was miserable, started a diet plan and lost a bit. And before that, I had a breast reduction and weighed about 15lbs less than I do now and thought yes, this is it, working out became easier so I was finally going to be thin, so I lost a little and then put it back and then some. And before that, in high school when I weighed about 35-40 lbs less than I do now and thought I was fat...you see where this is going.
How do I keep up my motivation when thinking about these things? Sometimes I'll be happy about how much I've lost so far, but then I'm like well, I thought I was fat even 40lbs less than this! Does anyone else think like this?
Like I remember the time when I weighed 5lbs less than now and that was my highest weight ever and I was miserable, started a diet plan and lost a bit. And before that, I had a breast reduction and weighed about 15lbs less than I do now and thought yes, this is it, working out became easier so I was finally going to be thin, so I lost a little and then put it back and then some. And before that, in high school when I weighed about 35-40 lbs less than I do now and thought I was fat...you see where this is going.
How do I keep up my motivation when thinking about these things? Sometimes I'll be happy about how much I've lost so far, but then I'm like well, I thought I was fat even 40lbs less than this! Does anyone else think like this?
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Replies
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Anyone...?0
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I'm sure a lot of people think this way.
I can remember thinking I was very overweight as a teenager. Looking back, I would kill for that body now. I had abs. ABS! Lol!
Honestly, motivation is overrated. There will be days that you just don't want to track calories and days when you don't want to exercise. Habit is what will keep you going, even when you don't want to. Practice your efforts every day and eventually it will be easier and easier to do them. Also, remember that the time is going to pass anyway so you might as well be working towards a goal.0 -
I understand you. When I started this journey I was thinking about my highschool weight and how I thought I was fat(about 40pounds difference, like you). I was upset with myself for not enjoying those thin years more. My goal was to get close to that weight and now I am exactly at it. My grown up self no longer sees that as weight fat, but as 'kind of skinny fat' and I'm ok with it because I now enjoy doing sports. I knew that if I wouldn't go to that LW I would continue to see myself as fat forever and not be happy enough. At least I solved that mistery: I wasn't fat, just skinny fat!0
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It is hard to stay motivated. I've changed my outlook on this. I'm not dieting. This is a lifestyle now. I think I've been eating healthier long enough now that I can't imagine going back to my old eating habits. There are going to be days occasionally that my eating is higher than normal but I'm OK with that. It's real life.
Today I wasn't motivated to go bike riding this morning so I decided not to. I'm going tonight instead or I'm going to find another way to get moving today. I just keep reminding myself I'm doing it for my health, my family and my children.0 -
I have this problem too, I was doing quite well in the diet a while back but then I stopped and I've put quite a bit back on. Now I feel really chubby and it's so hard to work to gain that ground back. Try not to look at the big picture; take baby steps! It's all about small victories, congratulate yourself on healthy lunches and finishing your work out and just take it day by day. Make sure you have a good goal though, wanting to fit in some old clothes works brilliantly (: Best of luck girl, you can do it!0
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I posted this earlier in reply to someone else who needed motivation - so here it is again!
I am replying as a woman who gave up in her 30's, 40's 50's 60's - and finally in my 70's I have realized if I give up all I will do is gain weight. I have finally listened to my body - am eating right - and if am lucky I lose about 2 - 3 pounds a MONTH! At that rate it will take me 2 years to get to the weight I can live with! No - it is not easy! Yes - it gets very frustrating! But in the long run it is worth it! It has taken me since Oct 2011 to lose 28 pounds. Not very promising results - but I fit into some clothes I have not worn in 20 years - people are beginning to notice the difference - I feel 100% better - I have incredible energy - and the best part of it is - I really feel good about my progress - be it slow! DON'T GIVE UP! Be honest and think what will happen if you give up! Good luck to you - and if you need a friend to motivate you sign me up!0 -
Honey, I want to get to the weight I had when I was 16 and thought I was a disgusting fat cow.
At that time I was a model for magazines. I was offered parts in movies too but was scared because I was sooooooooooo fat.
Stupid me.So I'm happy with my loss so far, but I still have a ways to go. I've always been chubby but have slowly put on weight over the years - and all along I've thought I was fat/needed to lose (I've always been a yo-yo dieter, putting an end to that now!).
Like I remember the time when I weighed 5lbs less than now and that was my highest weight ever and I was miserable, started a diet plan and lost a bit. And before that, I had a breast reduction and weighed about 15lbs less than I do now and thought yes, this is it, working out became easier so I was finally going to be thin, so I lost a little and then put it back and then some. And before that, in high school when I weighed about 35-40 lbs less than I do now and thought I was fat...you see where this is going.
How do I keep up my motivation when thinking about these things? Sometimes I'll be happy about how much I've lost so far, but then I'm like well, I thought I was fat even 40lbs less than this! Does anyone else think like this?0 -
I thought I was fat 10 years ago when I weighed 10 lbs less than I do now.... Teenage perspective. Now I know a bit better - I had fat then, and I have more fat than I want to have now, but I'm certainly not fat. On top of that, I'm in way better shape now than I've ever been... 10 years ago, I could barely run a lap or curl 10 lbs. Now I can do 6+ miles and lift really heavy things. My success isn't just a number on the scale or even how I look anymore. Becoming more fit and athletic is the most important thing to me, and if I do things right, my body will eventually match my physical ability. You should find motivation to keep going from all measures of progress, not just the scale.0
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I'm sure a lot of people think this way.
I can remember thinking I was very overweight as a teenager. Looking back, I would kill for that body now. I had abs. ABS! Lol!
Honestly, motivation is overrated. There will be days that you just don't want to track calories and days when you don't want to exercise. Habit is what will keep you going, even when you don't want to. Practice your efforts every day and eventually it will be easier and easier to do them. Also, remember that the time is going to pass anyway so you might as well be working towards a goal.
Very wise words here. I thought I was fat at 20 - little did I know. :laugh: But yes, motivation is a fickle lover. Don't rely on her. And the time will pass anyways - make it count for something, even if it's just one little healthy thing every day.0 -
signing up for races helps keep me on track and focused on a goal. its nice to have something physical to accomplish, instead of just hoping for the scale to go down.0
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I think many of us can relate to your story. But don’t think of this as “another try at this weigh loss thing”…. Take one week at a time; add two or 3 more workout days into your week, start counting calories, EVEN if you go over. We all have days that we eat over our daily calorie allowance, but we’re human and that will happen. Don’t lower your calorie intake to so little that you’re starving yourself either and try small substitutes for your meals. For example, if you use to have a muffin for breakfast, try some wheat toast with an egg, or some peanut butter.0
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Thank you for the wise words everyone! Glad to see I'm not the only one who feels this way - you all are right, this needs to be a lifestyle change and the time is going to pass anyway so I might as well do this. I've stuck with it for 6 months now - longer than ever before so I am trying to view it as a permanent lifestyle change and it's working so far, I'm just afraid of giving up like I've done before. But seeing it as habit rather than needing motivation is a good mindset!0
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