Having Trouble Actually Starting

Well you might as well record your calories. Having a complete food diary to bring with you in July wouldn't be a bad thing even if all you do is track.

You are absolutely normal. Psychological studies say that your have to get ready to get ready. One thing you can do for yourself right now is set a baseline. Use the bar code scanner function in MFP and record what you are eating. Don't worry about counting calories, just record them.

I specialize in motivating the unmotivated. Please feel free to friend me.
Ruth J Princess

Well you might as well record your calories. Having a complete food diary to bring with you in July wouldn't be a bad thing even if all you do is track.

this. plus it's good to develop the habit of being aware of what you eat.

If you wait until July to start, you will wish you had started today.

When you want it bad enough, you'll start.

I agree with this. When you want to do something about your weight, you'll start doing something about it. This may come across has harsh but only you can do something about your weight. You only achieve when you don't make excuses. It's a lesson we've all had to learn.

Tracking is important, I found i wasn't eating enough! Do it just fo get an idea of where your at. Log all you eat and break down of some foods will surprise you. It is work but gets easier. i use quick tools on breakfast because it is mostly the same each day. One step at a time!

Too often we look at things and they look really BIG and scary but if you break it down it really isn't that bad. I started by coming on here and just logging my food. I didn't change anything, I just logged it in. I started measuring to make sure I logged the right amount. I realized the portions I was eating were huge and then started to cut back a little. Take small steps and before you know it you have a much healthier and happier you. Also "There is NO finish line." Never stop improving yourself.

You need a picture too.

I don't take anyone seriously if they haven't even committed to a picture here.

Start now! Feel free to add me on here if you want to check what I'm eating and exercising etc. it's easier than you think. The beginning is tough, then you get used to it. The changes in your body will keep on motivating you.

I think there are more procrastinators on here than would care to admit, otherwise no one would be on here because we wouldn't have let ourselves get into the situation where we needed MFP!

Took me a long time to get to grips with the weight I'd put back on after having my daughter, but I don't beat myself up about it. It wasn't years that I wasted, I did a whole lot of stuff, just not about my weight, and, right now, I'm spending time sorting that out.

I waited until my husband was on a long (3 week) business trip, got on MFP, worked out my calories and then just got on with with measuring, weighing, tracking, but I waited until I was ready. I haven't looked back.

Don't beat yourself up that you're not "perfect", just move on and do it when you're ready (although it sounds like you are if you're posting on here...).

So yesterday, I signed up with MFP and made a profile. I haven't done much else except talk to people after that. I haven't measured myself. I'm not counting calories or logging my food or walks. I'm just WRITING about doing all this stuff but not actually doing it!

Part of me wonders if it's because I'm in a holding pattern with the weight loss plan our local hospital has. I called them yesterday and they gave me an appointment for July 2. I tell myself that I want to do stuff before that date, but I keep putting it off.

Anyone else have trouble taking the first real step? How did you get off your behind and actually work the program?

You've already started. You're already making decisions about your eating and your activity level.

If you want to make different decisions in order to achieve a goal, you need to know what you are doing now and then be able to see that you have made a consistent change. The question is how disciplined you want to be with it. MFP is a great tool. A wall calendar is a great tool. A notebook is a great tool.

If you don't make different decisions, you'll keep going on the same trajectory.

No. you just need to stop with the excuses and just do it.

This ... but it did take me 3-4 years to get to this point. I do not believe you can just turn on and off the desire and motivation like a switch. It comes from within. This is why Jan 1st people and their resolutions fail so often.

Dear Universe, you know what I'm ready to learn, cause it's been so long I forgot. Please make my teacher smart and smokin hot. Thanks!

What did it for me was I was Sick and Tired of being Sick and Tired !! STOP putting it off and get started.. I was always one who knew I would hate counting calories but when it's as easy as hitting a key on your phone there is no more excuses... It's like anything else, you have to want it for yourself.. None of us can convince you to get started until you are ready.. However I will say once you start, and then start seeing results, you'll be glad you didn't put it off any longer.. If you can't exercise yet, don't worry about it. You are not going to lose weight by exercising, you are going to lose weight by maintaining a Calorie Deficit !!! Find a few friends for support and encouragement, When You Are Ready and Serious and Just Do It !!!

Having a scale has been a real eye-opener for me.

Before I started here, I was the sort of person that would be eating a big ol' jumbo burrito from Taco Del Mar while reading blogs and websites about health and fitness.

I agree with the posters who say you might need to get ready to get ready.

I also agree with tracking your normal eating, but be honest and log completely. It will give you a good record and be helpful with the weight loss program at the hospital to see what kinds of things you normally eat and help make a better new meal plan for you. You'll also get your eyes opened to how many calories are really in the food you eat and will probably help you to start making some changes now.

Also, go outside every day and at least walk if you're not working out. If nothing else getting out and moving is good for you mentally.