How did you do it?

slansdown
slansdown Posts: 94
edited September 22 in Motivation and Support
I don't mean: what were your actions?

I do mean: How did you get and keep the motivation to lose weight?
What keeps you going?

I have struggled on here for about three months and lost 6 pounds, and have now gained it back. I need motivation. I also need support.

Maybe some more friends?

Replies

  • Nurse_Christy
    Nurse_Christy Posts: 276 Member
    For me, it's really hard to get started. If I can stick with it for a couple weeks, I'm usually ok, but I have such a hard time getting off to a good start. This site has really helped me be accountable since I document everything I eat and my activities. It's also really good to have friends on here that encourage me! I will send you a friend request!
  • mallorybriann
    mallorybriann Posts: 1,380 Member
    Once I started seeing results, it motivated me even more. I have been struggling with my weight for a long time, since high school (so 10 years). I just came to a point where I was way over it and was sick of living and being the way I was.
    I enjoy "budgeting" my calories, it may seem weird, but it gets kind of fun. I dont look at food like I used to anymore. I dont crave all that junk I used to eat. The more I lose the more amazing I feel. It feels so rewarding to conquer this and be in control!
    Stay with it. You will feel so much better than if you gave up. Good luck!
  • mem50
    mem50 Posts: 1,384 Member
    For me, it's really hard to get started. If I can stick with it for a couple weeks, I'm usually ok, but I have such a hard time getting off to a good start. This site has really helped me be accountable since I document everything I eat and my activities. It's also really good to have friends on here that encourage me! I will send you a friend request!

    I'm the same. Once I get going I do pretty good. My body likes to stall out and normally that's when I give up and put it back on. Still stalling out but my friends won't let me give up here. Friend request sent!
  • Scorpiomom222
    Scorpiomom222 Posts: 1,462 Member
    I've been pretty good about sticking to it until lately. My energy is GONE! I don't know where it went to. I'm getting enough calories and enough sleep.
  • lotusfromthemud
    lotusfromthemud Posts: 5,335 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/viviakay/view/my-brutally-honest-answer-to-the-how-did-you-do-it-question-27981

    I wrote a lot of words about this a while back.

    Short answer: keep going, no matter what. Just keep moving forward.:flowerforyou:
  • ChellieIrish
    ChellieIrish Posts: 593 Member
    Hi there :flowerforyou:

    I just peeked back at your diary btw Happy Birthday :heart: the first thing I would say is you really need to track everything that you eat even on the bad days and everyday :wink:

    I started back in June 09 and really struggled with this journey but then I was trying to do this without the support and advice of the friends I have made since then :grumble: I'm now down 39lbs still a bit to go but honestly I believe I couldn't have done it without some changes to my lifestyle ie Sodium levels and drinking my water I barely used to get in 2 glasses a day :blushing:

    I find the support on here priceless and so motivating :bigsmile: sent you a FR if you want to add me I am here 99% of the time :drinker: and will try and help you along the way :heart:
  • vandy29
    vandy29 Posts: 39 Member
    One day at a time....and don't punish yourself when you have a bad day....it is a life long journey not a destination.....so you might as well enjoy the scenery along the way.....
  • PJilly
    PJilly Posts: 22,176 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/viviakay/view/my-brutally-honest-answer-to-the-how-did-you-do-it-question-27981

    I wrote a lot of words about this a while back.

    Short answer: keep going, no matter what. Just keep moving forward.:flowerforyou:
    A lot of awesome words, I might add. That blog of yours should be required reading.
  • billylindsay
    billylindsay Posts: 102 Member
    Stay strong and get a good solid supportive group of friends
  • ErinMarie25
    ErinMarie25 Posts: 733 Member
    Sticking to a fitness program I really enjoy. Eventually it just actually BECAME that lifestyle change and there is no looking back.
  • NeuroticVirgo
    NeuroticVirgo Posts: 3,671 Member
    I definitely have my ups and downs. I'm only 3 months in, and I did really good the first, gained the 2nd, and now working my way back on the third!

    I seem to do good until real life gets in the way (which is not a good thing). The more time I have to focus on eating right & exercise etc, the better I do. But when its crunch time, work piling up, kids to be taken care of, house a mess....all that healthy living goes out the window and is replaced with ordering pizza! :o/

    I think just being on here, and see everyone else's progress and optimism has kept me pretty motivated. I'm a pretty negative person...and I can get on myself pretty bad, so having other people who are super supportive to counter act that is awesome!

    Being completely honest is helpful to me too. I'm naturally a venty person, but I blog a lot. When I'm happy I blog, When I'm sad I blog, When I'm pissed off I REALLY blog. Getting that all out helps me a lot...even if I do end up looking like a big whiner. I'm also honest about my logging. I've logged a 6000 calorie day before, and my diary is open for everyone to see. Its weird, but I think it helps to get over the SHAME I associate with having a bad day. Is it embarrassing for everyone one MFP AND facebook to know I ate a weeks worth of calories in one day? Yes...but only at first. Eventually you know your going to do better tomorrow, so it didn't matter that today sucked.

    Don't get me wrong, I'm still struggling...a lot. So those are my baby steps, hopefully in a few months I'll be less of a roller coaster ride.
  • Gershwyn
    Gershwyn Posts: 88
    http://zenhabits.net/how-to-make-exercise-a-daily-habit-with-a-may-challenge/
  • lotusfromthemud
    lotusfromthemud Posts: 5,335 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/viviakay/view/my-brutally-honest-answer-to-the-how-did-you-do-it-question-27981

    I wrote a lot of words about this a while back.

    Short answer: keep going, no matter what. Just keep moving forward.:flowerforyou:
    A lot of awesome words, I might add. That blog of yours should be required reading.

    :blushing: aw, thanks.
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/viviakay/view/my-brutally-honest-answer-to-the-how-did-you-do-it-question-27981

    I wrote a lot of words about this a while back.

    Short answer: keep going, no matter what. Just keep moving forward.:flowerforyou:

    VIV won't brag but she has lost 76 pounds and has some wonderful words of wisdom. Please check out her link............she has inspired me often :flowerforyou:
  • PJilly
    PJilly Posts: 22,176 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/viviakay/view/my-brutally-honest-answer-to-the-how-did-you-do-it-question-27981

    I wrote a lot of words about this a while back.

    Short answer: keep going, no matter what. Just keep moving forward.:flowerforyou:
    A lot of awesome words, I might add. That blog of yours should be required reading.

    :blushing: aw, thanks.
    You're welcome. I found myself repeatedly saying to myself, "Yep, that's right," all the way through it. It's good stuff written in a way that's easy to understand. You have a gift. :flowerforyou:
  • meggonkgonk
    meggonkgonk Posts: 2,066 Member
    One word: PLANNING. I am all about making the week days as easy as possible for myself so I take sundays to plan things out for myself as much as possible. I plan my workouts each sunday and when I go grocery shopping I buy almost all healthy food and 1-2 "bad" or just nutritionally empty but generally delicious snacks. I know what my food "plan" for the day is, without sitting down to plan out all my meals because i have a basic criteria for each day:

    Breakfast: Protein Focused 2-400 cals
    Mid morning snack: Veggie or Fruit- Up to 150 cals
    Lunch: Sandwich, Salad or Soup- with Veggie or Fruit 3-400 cals
    Mid afternoon Snack: Greek Yogurt or Cliff/Luna Bar 150-250 cals
    Dinner: Meat/Fish, Veggie(or 2), Pasta or Rice 400-700 cals
    After dinner Treat: If I have any cals left, little splurge

    With this in mind, its easy to know what I am going to eat and plan it out, which knowing just makes me feel so confident and secure all day and lets me turn down snacking opportunities but it also allows me flexibility to move/change things as my life needs it. So I guess its not "motivating" in and of it self, but it makes needing motivation less relevant, because it's actually easier to just follow this plan I have set for myself.

    Hope this helps!
  • dkimbriel
    dkimbriel Posts: 17 Member
    I went from walking to running. Each pound I lose makes the running that much easier. So, I think the secret is to find some other motivation than just how you look. It can be Zumba (my sis loves that), ballroom dancing, weight lifting, swimming, roller skating, bowling.... anything you like to do that is physical. Then, you are losing weight to be better at something you like to do, not just to see how you look in the mirror.
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    I set small goals. I gained back 8 pounds (12 from the lowest of low I ever was on here........) and started up again this month.

    I set a goal to stop carry out and log everything. Period. No choice. I didn't change anything else but I am getting back into the logging game. After nearly 3 years on here I was amazed at EggNog last week :noway:

    I find the more I log and learn, the less I want to eat the crap. Today I am cooking good wholesome food to have for the week. Homemade roast beef, chicken and a Marinara sauce will keep me from the excuse of time...............and then chicken wings:sick:

    You can do this! I lost a total off 36 pounds or so and I was the last person I thought could do it.

    Good luck!:flowerforyou:
  • jjustjo
    jjustjo Posts: 285 Member
    I hate exercise. I hate being accountable for what I eat.I hate when I get stuck and all my hard work doesn't seem to be paying off. Dieting is the pits. BUT....I love the way I feel after exercise. I love that my knees feel looser and my body feels younger and lighter. I love the feeling of pride I get by accomplishing a goal. I love the slimmer me and the bit of self esteem I get by fitting into smaller clothes. I don't want to go back to the old me. I am changing my life. This IS my new life, not a diet. I HATE diets! haha That is how I do it....
  • dkimbriel
    dkimbriel Posts: 17 Member
    I started running. Running races. I have a goal and a plan to get to it, so I have to eat accordingly. I don't mean that you need to run. You need a goal and plan. Choose a goal that will repeat itself. Not a family wedding, but something like "looking better every time the family sees me" which is Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving. Just some goal that comes up every few months. Set small steps that you can accomplish - 5 pounds in 6 months, not 50. If I weren't running, I think I might try ballroom dance or zumba classes. Anything that you enjoy.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Health. Or rather the fear of poor health. I come from a history of disease (heart, vascular, diabetes) on both my mother and fathers side of the family, most of which I suspect is from poor eating and lack of exercise. I don't want to spend my coming years with one those plastic pill boxes timing out all the meds I have to take just to keep my organs working.
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