Want to change, no motivation, need HELP

Hello and welcome! You've come to the right place for advice and motivation. 20 lbs ago, I was in the same place you are. My pants convinced me to change. They were the largest size I ever had and then they were too tight. I've been at this for a year and a month. I look at myself in the mirror and know that I still have a ways to go, but I feel great! All my clothes are too big for me and slowly I am buying new clothes in smaller sizes. You can do this, but you have to take the first step. Baby steps, one day at a time! I'm on here everyday, you can add me if you like. Good luck to ya! :flowerforyou:

I hear ya. I've gone back and forth several times. A few years ago I found the motivation while I was training for a fit test. I was a bit obsessed back then, but I exercised and ate well. I stuck with it for about 18 months. After that the weight slowly crept back on. Now I am right back to where I started. For the last several weeks I have been trying to keep track. I am much more accountable for the things I ate when I write it down. And I feel great when I work out. I am trying to find that motivation and laser like focus I once had. I just can't seem to figure it out. Like you I say, 'Eh... I'm not that bad,'' even though I know I am. I went to the doctor the other day and my blood pressure had skyrocketed. I'm guessing this is the lack of exercise and 10lbs since the last visit. I have started over this week, and I am still down from where I was it's not where I want to be. Hopefully I can find some motivation.

I need help! I don't like the way I look, but I have accepted it and don't hate it enough to do something about it! Part of me wants to lose weight and feel better, look better, but another part of me says who cares, I'm not "that big"! And yet another part of me knows that no matter how much weight I lose, I always see myself too heavy in the mirror anyway! I need friends who understand this, maybe feel the same way, friends that we can help hold each other accountable and do this thing with a healthy mind!

If looking better isn't motivation then how about this: diabetes, high blood pressure, loss of mobility, aching joints, lack of self-esteem, low energy...those are just some of the consequences of carrying the extra weight around...and they get worse as we age. It doesn't have to be about vanity...it's about quality of life.

May I suggest you start with something simple like walking (outdoors if you can) for 20- 30 mins. The reason is that it's not a huge commitment. You'll quickly see improvement in how you feel physically and emotionally and it will create a desire for more changes. Then just gradually build new healthy habits. If you are gentle with yourself, consistent and gradually increase the challenge you will improve. Once you feel emotionally ready, then start making adjustments to your diet. The changes in diet will bring about weight loss. Concentrate on making the experience positive for yourself. To be cliched, focus more on the journey than the goal.

I've spent many years being complacent about my weight. It usually takes some sort of event like a disastrous shopping trip, or a family vacation where nothing fits me or seeing a horrible picture of myself before I get the motivation to tackle dieting. This last time it took all three events that led to my total meltdown that gave me the determination to change.

Might I suggest that if you're not ready to tackle this yet, then perhaps just start by taking a week to just log your food. Every bite that you put in your mouth, just to see how far off you are on calorie consumption. Then start by making small changes to your eating habits. Like eliminating all the calories you took in via fluids. Pop, milk, juice etc. and look for healthier alternatives. Then the next week take a look at your food and look for ways to save more calories like having a 1/2 cup of rice instead of a full cup, etc etc etc.

If that doesn't sound like something that would work for you then go to plan B. Put a bikini on and stand in front of a mirror!! I'm at goal right now and that just motivated me to tack on another 10 lbs to my weight loss. Darn bikinis!:laugh: