Need to lose 80lbs and lack motivation

What got me started was not thinking of losing weight as a chore. Giving up some foods can be tough but you can try and find healthier replacements.

Soda/pop is a huge source of calories and sugar so you could swap that for tea,coffee, water or a diet version of that soda.

Replacing snacks like candy bars, chocolate and crisps/chips for fruit helps a lot and can also help you towards your 5 a day. It doesn't have to be fresh fruit either. You can use tinned, fresh, frozen and even a snack pack of dried fruit.

Opting for fast food or takeaway can be easy but instead you could have a family cooking night where you get the kids to help you make dinner and give them something to help with.

Try to get in extra exercise at points in the day if you don't have time to visit the gym because of your kids. Like short journeys to the store; instead of taking the car, walk there. Instead of taking an elevator, walk up a few floors before getting in.

Set milestones for yourself like 10lbs markers. And whenever you hit one of those markers, treat yourself to something you really want to eat. Giving up some foods doesn't mean giving them up forever after all.

Those are just a few tips that I could think of. Hope they help!

I think to find your motivation, you have to really ask yourself the reasons you want to lose weight. What makes you think you should lose weight? Do you feel miserable? Do you feel like you look miserable? Are you having health problems that need addressing (diabetes, hypertension)? Only when you really dig deep down to the root of your desire for change, will you find a way to do it! And keep reminding yourself of those reasons and tell yourself it WILL happen come hell or high water! You have to WANT this BADLY.

It may be challenging at first, but as most of us can say here, once you get into a groove and the lbs start falling off, you will be so PROUD of yourself! Good luck!!!!

I agree with mojoman. Going into it you have to ask yourself WHY you are doing this; for what reasons? If its for you (best choice) then you should attempt to take care of YOU. EXAMPLE--If its because you see yourself in the mirror and hate your body, then let that be your motivation--to change your body because YOU HATE IT, not because of what you think others think of it. (we are our biggest critiques so dont be so bad on yourself).

Now, not everyone has the ability to tackle motivation mentally, ONLY. Some need the visual motivation. Maybe if you had some old pics of what YOU consider your best weight/size, and can recall how you felt in that size, you can post those pics on the fridge, or around the house.

In the end, you have to wrap your mind around of what YOU want and go for it. Also, it is important to be realistic--tell yourself it will be hard work and there is not room for regret.

Think of it this way--in 6 months do you want to say to yourself "Damn, I feel and look good too" or say, "Damn, I would have lost 50lbs by now if I would have started 6 months ago!"

One day at a time. Forget 80lbs the goal always changes anyway, you might lose 50 and feel great and only shoot for 10 more or you might decide 90lbs is reachable either way break it down into 5 or 10lb increments ( short attainable goals) that will keep you going. Give yourself a big pat on the back each time you reach your mini goal and move on to the next one. Throw in some fitness goals along with it and track your calories, don't get overwhelmed with macro targets that will come as you dive further into it and begin having success.

Good for you, I'm a dad of 4 boys and it's okay to take some time to focus on yourself. You will be setting a great example for your kids and they will admire your strength and dedication for sure.

Good luck

Hey, me too! Well, a little less than 80 now, but at this time last year I needed to lose 100 pounds.

I set small goals. I don't look at the big picture. Like I'm 250 now (hooray!!). A couple weeks ago, I was 256. I said "I want to be 250." A small loss is much more obtainable and feels more real than a huge loss. Now that I've reached my goal, my next goal is 245.

I take it one day at a time. I don't think "I want to be 175 by the end of the year." Nope, that's too much for me. It's more like "Let's just do good this week." Again, small goals.

I also have a pair of shorts that are one size smaller than what I wear now. I try them on now and then. That's one of my short term goals, I want to fit into those shorts. I'm not even sure I'll wear them when the weather gets nicer, but I'm glad they're still there lol.