is there anyone like me?

Timshel_ · October 2014

I want to lose weight but I don't want to put in the work.

There is why the phoney diet pills and exercise gimmicks are a billion dollar industry. And none of them work.

So I will tell you like I tell my kids. Life is choices. Each choice has certain benefits or consequences, or a bit of both. You know what they are most of the time and you make the choice, good or bad.

So you want to lose weight. If you chose to tackle that it requires consistent exercise and healthy eating. That is work. If you don't do the work you are choosing to remain overweight and out of shape. There is no other way around it.

Best of luck.

Snip8241 · October 2014

When you want it you will do the work.

Until you want it you will be where you are....

No one can give you anything that will make you want it enough to do it. You must give that one thing to yourself. Only you know what it is.......

Wenchiness · October 2014

I spent most of my adult life being fat, trying diets and failing miserably. Then my "Fat Dr." put me on MFP strictly for the calorie counting feature. Once I was told I could eat mounds of food (very honestly more than I usually ate until I binged) I found that losing weight wasn't really that hard, and I have quit failing. Once I was capable of doing a little bit of exercise (and when I started I needed pain pills to do that) I longed to do more and get fit. This time I have no fear of failing because I'm doing it right. I'm eating far better, but I still treat myself daily with something I have the calories for. I will be honest and say I don't love walking, the elliptical or weight training, however I do love what it has done to my once morbidly obese body and continue to do it for the great results. I sincerely wish I had done this at a much younger age, but we all start where we start. I've got this now. I'm not afraid of failure returning to the agenda.

waltcote · October 2014

If you find reason enough to get it done then the work won't be as hard as you make it. If looking pretty is your reason that's one thing but being healthy and getting a better functioning body that doesn't rely on meds or the like to be well. I always knew I needed to lose weight but it was always someday. Being put on blood sugar meds was my wake up. having diabetes in my family history was good enough motivation for me. Just trying to extend my expiration date out a few more years if I can help it. I feel better and yes do look better.The work was and is worth it to me. :bigsmile:

Annabear3 · October 2014

I've been there. So many times over the years I've said "this is it!" but never really made any long term changes. I totally want a quick fix and get a little freaked out if I don't see instant results. Personally, I had to hit a point where I just knew I had to change. That was seeing myself as I really was, pushing 300 lbs. I made the decision to do this and it started off pretty good. I've had plenty of low moments where I didn't want to eat my veggies, I wanted a piece of cake! I've had to teach myself what food is supposed to be.

As for working out, I do a lot of walking. My husband and I have turned it into an adventure and have explored the neighborhoods around us in detail. We critique houses and get ideas for what to do next in our yard. We found hidden playgrounds and will take the kids there for some play time. Just moving and eating better really go a long way. But it won't work if you don't want to do it. I think you really want to do this, but are a little lost on how to make the change. You can totally do this and I'll be rooting for you!

LifeOfBrian78 · October 2014

I lost 70 + pounds without doing any exercise or weight lifting. I did it through diet alone. But I realize now that it was the wrong way to go. You should at least do some weight lifting so that you don't lose muscle mass while you lose weight. Please learn from someone who learned the hard way.

Also:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

Edited to add: Yes, my ticker says 60 pounds lost. I have gained some back due to quitting smoking.

_HeartsOnFire_ · October 2014

llUndecidedll · October 2014

As you can tell by looking at my ticker and date joined, I just started myself, so I'm right there with you.

I did start my weight loss at the beginning of August and since then have lost 45 lbs (last weigh-in was 266 something), though.

What has helped me somewhat has been

-eating non-cream based soups (lots of sodium, though).
-drinking calorie-free drinks
-having things like celery, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, kale, etc around to snack on between meals.
-replacing oils/butter with cooking spray
-using something "similar" to the "My Plate" method: eating: 50% veggies/fruit, 25% protein, 25% grains for each non-takeout meal.
-trying, trying, trying to limit fast food consumption. If I do get something, I only get the sandwich with a diet pop, or maybe a small chili in place of the fries.
-having healthier low-calorie easy to cook foods like eggs, tuna fish, microwavable frozen veggies, etc.

I *attempt* to focus on moderation and including cleaner foods in my diet.

I'm not giving advice, just sharing some changes I've made. I have a history of depression and bingeing, so I have some ground to cover.

I'm sure once you find what works best for you, you'll be on your way to success.

jayscionz · October 2014

1st off you do not want to put in the work? 2nd your diet not on point for sometime sorry but you cannot reach a goal like this honestly.

At least if you had your diet on point and not put in work just being in a caloric deficit would make you loose some weight.

If you have both together you can achieve the impossible if dedication is there.

kaseyr1505 · October 2014

Last year, I really wanted to start running. I didn't want to work for it, but I wanted to be a runner. In February, I started working for it. The first few months were boring, and I wanted to quit. Then, one day, I reached a goal.

Do you know how good it feels to reach a goal you never thought you'd reach?

That feeling made it all worth it. I kept up. I kept walking, and now I'm running. I keep making those mini goals, because reaching those mini goals makes me feel so unbelievably good.

Now? I wonder why I didn't start sooner. I wish I would have forced myself to put in the work.6 months from now, you'll wish you started to day. So put in the work, force yourself. Because the work is worth it.

likitisplit · October 2014

Four words:
Macros
Micros
Moderation
Movement.

SezxyStef · October 2014

what work?

Seriously...logging food takes what 5-10mins? staying in a reasonable deficit doesn't mean being hungry all the time...it means not being uncomfortably full all the time. Eating what you want but in moderation.

That isn't work....

Work is digging a ditch, running a marathon, Deadlifting 330lbs, squatting your BW + 40lbs...waiting tables, being a power engineer, being a welder, a dog walker

That's work...this psh this is a cake walk compared to a lot of things.

jkal1979 · October 2014

Anything worth having is going to take some work on your end.

I think part of the problem along with not wanting to put in the work is there may be some fear from thinking that you have to give up or cut back on the things that you have been eating. You don't have to give up everything completely, but you do have to put in some time to prep food and exercise. You do need to make some changes if you want to see the scale moving in the right direction.

Find your determination.

brenn24179 · October 2014

Suck it up buttercup. That is what the teenager told me when I was having a hard time with my cell phone. Yes, losing weight is work. It is like spending too much money and getting broke and in debt and miserable. Eating too much and we get fat and miserable. Who does want to do the work? Yes, we have to work at change or we get the consequences. I use to have a lot of bills and had to work on that and now I am debt free. I use to weigh 208 lbs and I had to work at that and now I weigh 155 and fit in my clothes.

I just got to the point where I was miserable and felt so disrespected. Like others have said you have to get there also. It was also a lot easier to eat than deal with emotions and figure out why I overate. I would go to food for comfort instead of figuring out the problem. I would eat and have 2 problems, fat and the problem. Again I was miserable. Not to mention, you might want a husband, a better job and people respect you if you don't let yourself go.

I have friends my age 60 and they have knee problems, high blood pressure and like you they don't want to do the work. They walk with a cane and cant hardly get up steps. I don't want their life. Someone told me today, you are so energetic, spunky. I said yes I guess I am, I feel good and I have a hubby 7 yrs younger than me, I need to be spunky. We have MFP to help us, there is so much support here.

_KitKat_ · October 2014

I don't think anyone is excited about any work that is needed to accomplish their goals BUT I will say the work is what keeps me going. I love the results and they are definitely a driving force but the work that I put in is what I take pride in and if I was to slack off I would be letting myself down and disregarding the work I have done. I also now enjoy the work, a quick fix would (if possible) would give me results but not a way to maintain the results or respect for the work. Anything worth having is worth working for and true appreciation for an accomplishment is only possible when earned.

PrizePopple · October 2014

I get it. I've spent a lot of time not wanting to put the effort in. But at the end of the day I have to be aware of what I'm putting into my face and how I'm moving my body. I'm sick of being fat. I'm sick of being sick. I'm sick of struggling to button pants. I'm sick of seeing the little beam at the doctors office creeping upwards. I'm sick of having to go to so many doctors to figure out why my body is so broken. My kids see this. The kids that I am supposed to be setting an example for, and yet here I am still in the "obese" category even after dropping 11 pounds.

I've watched and logged nearly every morsel that touched my lips in the last 6 weeks. I've gotten up off my *kitten* and gone for a walk/run despite having zero desire to do so. It's because I know I need to do it. For myself. For my husband. More than anything else for my two daughters, because I am their first role model, and frankly I was doing a s**tty job at it.

Do I want to sit down and eat a bag of popcorn and watch a movie? Yep. Do I want to make a tuna pita pocket for dinner, log it, and then go for a run? Not especially. But those 11 pounds didn't just hop off me in the middle of the night when I wasn't looking. I've spent years half assing it, and I'm done with that. I'd rather work some chicken strips into my day than spend my morning trying to work myself into my pants.

My oldest daughter just slapped on sneakers and her "exercise clothes", and plugged in in her iPod, so she could go on my "run" with me. If that's not some motivation to get moving, I'm not sure what is.

MadDogManor · October 2014

I don't want to do the work either. I don't want to. I hate working out, I hate eating smaller amounts.

But, you just do it - because - it's either work - or hating yourself - at least for me.

I still mess up - I think I was over my calories every day this week - but I still do it - I still log and go to the gym and just do it, and hate every single second of it.

It's just what you got to do if you want anything to change.

I also hate my job, its soul sucking, depressing, and horrible. But I do it, because I have to. i kind of think of logging food and losing weight the same way. Except at least the weight loss will pay off and make me happy in the end :-)

Omg, I could have written every word of this!

newhealthykim · October 2014

Wait till you have health problems. That's a motivator. My motto is "Losing weight is hard. Maintaining weight is hard. Living heavy is hard. Choose your hard." I log in every morning before I've even had breakfast. I think that helps. My 5Ks give me goals that nothing else had done before. It took years to figure out exercise had to come first for me, or I would never follow a diet. Don't know if any of that helps, but that's what I know.

psmd · October 2014

Why do you want to lose weight? You never really said. I think answering that question would be the first step in finding your motivation.

brightresolve · October 2014

You are not alone! Great advice about small changes. And just go gentle with yourself as you go through the process of WANTING to WANT to commit to the work it takes to make a healthier you.

shai74 · October 2014

I want to lose weight but I don't want to put in the work. I know what you all are thinking after reading that first sentence but before you judge me at least give me credit for being honest. I mean whats the point in me lying about it? I gotta be honest with myself and you all if I want the help and trust me I do want help. I just don't know how to remain consistent. I always start a plan and never finish it. im not afraid of working out or sweating. im 31 years old and has no health issues other than some stomach problems. theres no reason why I cant do this. I just don't want to. well I do but I want more of a quick fix and I know that's not the route to go.

im open to whatever anyone has to say good or bad. I don't care what you say or how you say it.....JUST SAY IT! I really need the motivation. help me get this started again. im begging for any advice. my diary is open. its a mess, but im not embarrassed. please tell me what I need to change. share your stories, workout plans, eating plans, whatever. im open to anything at this point. thanks

Serious? Since when in life do you get ANYTHING worthwhile without any effort? Unless you are a spoilt child who is always given what they want, and even then you'll eventually be disappointed when you realise the real world doesn't work that way. You sound like a child I know (not mine) who is never told off, never asked to help out around the house, given everything she wants. And wonders why she doesn't have any friends, because kids in the real world don't want to know someone who wants everything their own way and is not capable of effort or compromise. Same goes for relationships, employment, everything. You get out of things what you put in. Sorry, but you did say you wanted to hear it. You think I wouldn't like to eat and eat and sit on the couch and be thin and beautiful and happy? I'm sure alot of people would. How likely are they to achieve it? LOL. If you want to lose weight, put in the work. If you don't want it bad enough, don't bother. Or put it off 10 years and then think about how much you want it when you weight 400lbs from all the self indulgence.

Alatariel75 · October 2014

I don't want to go to work.

I don't want to do the dishes.

I don't want to do the laundry.

I don't want to clean my house.

I don't want to scoop the cat litter.

I do these things because if I didn't, I wouldn't have any money and I'd live in a stinky gross house and wear stinky gross clothes.

Stop looking at weight loss as something thats a 'might be nice' or a 'I should' and start looking at it as a neccesity. Take it from being optional, and make it mandatory. Stop looking for motivation and start cultivating some dedication, and dare I say it, resignation.

Losing weight isn't all rainbow farts and bunnies, and if you only go for it when the mood is right and you're in the perfect headspace and your excited and motivated, you'll just crap out as soon as the mood changes, your headspace shifts, you get less excited or your motivation takes a knock.

I don't want to live in a crappy house - why should I stay in a crappy body?

mom3over40 · October 2014

Honestly, you sounded like me 10 years ago!

I'm 43 years old now. Only just started working on losing weight April this year, joined MFP in August. My original goal was to lose 20 lbs but it just seems like I could do better than that, I moved my goal to lose 25 lbs! I want you to know that it can be done, once you put your heart to it.

Just like you, I knew that quick fixes wouldn't work. I am not good at committing to a diet change. (I thought) I don't care how I look and I don't like shopping for new clothes. I am afraid to get started and not being able to finish. I'm afraid that I would just gain back what I lose, even if I could lose weight. I am afraid of the yo-yo diet. But then, in the past two years, my physical started to show warning signs of borderline high cholesterol, triglycerides , and A1C. Unless I want to live with high cholesterol, heart disease or diabetes later on and die early, I will have to make life-style change. I know you don't have any health issue right now, but I didn't either, ten years ago... Why not start sooner and look and feel good sooner?

After I made intentional diet change (keeping track of the ratio of protein, carbs, fiber, fat), my constipation went away. Right now, I have only lost 2 inches off my waist but I suddenly likes shopping for clothes. I never thought I'd run. But I signed up to run a local 5k in the coming Thanksgiving to motivate myself to exercise. I used the couch to 5k program which begins with walk/run exercise. I couldn't have imagine how happy that "run" makes me. What they say about exercise and endorphin must be true. Besides, no one could rub you of the joy of accomplish something new. And now, my sons want to sign up the 5k race with me!!

Try to think about what motivates you and see if you can get yourself motivated. For me, I need to feel that it can be done. I like to see the before after pictures, especially someone my size. I did not need to lose a lot of weight but more of my waistline. I always thought that I could never lose my big belly. I had it even when I was a teenager. I just thought this is my body type. But no. I have searched and seen pictures of 40+ years old women losing their big belly. Their before pictures look just like me. But their after pictures have flat tummies. Every single one says weight training is important for flat belly, I haven't done much of it yet. They also says enough sleep in important. I still need more of zzzz. So, even though I only lost 2 inches off my waist, I remain hopeful. There are still more things to try. More that I can work on.

In the earlier years of my life, not even once had I thought of wearing bikini. But now I think, maybe someday I'd look good in it!

KEAVES13 · October 2014

I don't want to go to work.

I don't want to do the dishes.

I don't want to do the laundry.

I don't want to clean my house.

I don't want to scoop the cat litter.

I do these things because if I didn't, I wouldn't have any money and I'd live in a stinky gross house and wear stinky gross clothes.

Stop looking at weight loss as something thats a 'might be nice' or a 'I should' and start looking at it as a neccesity.

I don't want to live in a crappy house - why should I stay in a crappy body?

I have to say this is a "light bulb" moment for me, and definitely a new way of thinking when approaching many things in my life, especially my weight & weight related issues. Thank you!!!!

2BeHappy2 · October 2014

I was just coming by to advise you on logging in correctly, meaning finding the right food (in the data base) that you actually ate!
Aside from what others have said about cutting this or that out or watering down your juice(s) etc, here are 2 examples of what "Im" talking about.
If youre cooking then you can look on the packaging to read all the info.
Yesterday you say you had 4 slices of Oscar Meyer Thick Sliced Bacon.
I eat turkey bacon which is 25 calories Each.
For your bacon you have it as 120 calories but when I did it, this is what I got:
This is based on: Calories Carbs Fiber Protein Sodium Sugar
Oscar Meyer - Bacon - Thick Sliced, 4 skillet cooked slices 240 0 20 16 0 0
I went as far back as Sept 21 and this is something else you had:
Sara Lee 100% Honey Wheat Bread - Two Slices, 2 Slices 80 30 1 6 220 4 (for Lunch)
Sara Lee- 1 Slice - Honey Wheat Bread (Corrected 25 Feb 13), 2 slice 140 26 2 4 190 4 (for dinner)
That's a big difference...especially when keeping on eye on cals, whether its per meal or as a whole day!
Don't "throw" away your cals on a simple error like this :frown:
Good Luck :flowerforyou: You can do it!!

jdt242 · October 2014

hard things take work.

being mediocre takes no effort at all.

I personally refuse to believe that I"m going to spend my time here on earth being a mediocre lump of lazy.
I hate being hungry all the time- but I want something more than I hate being hungry- so I deal with one to get the other.
You have to find what you are willing to do and what you are willing to be or not.

If you are okay with that the not part- then you don't need any validation or anything else, but if you want to make changes and be a better person- you're going to have be uncomfortable and push yourself.

No one got better without some pressure- change and good things come from pressure. All things in nature require a catalyst. You either come through the other side or you quit without ever starting.

That's on you. And no one can do anything- change anything- fix or motivate you to change that situation- you have to do it for yourself- with your own *kitten* kicking.

Love this!

VanillaGorillaUK · October 2014

Are you that new person I see every day at gym, who on their first day attempts to run on treadmils, only to
never be seen again?

Maybe your the person who talks to me about how, you tried every diet and couldnt stick to it?

Am I right?

eej2004 · October 2014

To be honest and not to sound too cheesy but i don't consider my workouts "work". I enjoy the time to myself, earbuds in and doing my own thing without my job or wife or kids bothering me. I get to clear my head and enjoy some alone time. I also get to look in a mirror and slowly see my abs pop so nope i don't consider it "work" at all.

I totally agree with this! The trick is finding an activity that you enjoy, so it doesn't feel like 'work'. If you hate the treadmill, don't use it! Maybe join a bootcamp class and see if you like that better. Once you find that special activity, you will crave it, and you'll want to do it more often. Another trick is to find someone else that has similar goals to yours, and commit to doing an activity with them. You're less likely to give up and make excuses when you've already committed to it and you risk letting your friend down. Best of luck!

sue_stef · October 2014

my first thought was a mean one it was "suck it up buttercup"
however
I have been and at times still am "you"
I don't wanna is often something I say
I don't wanna clean
I don't wanna cut up all the veggies for my meal
I don't wanna go for that long walk

but I do it
and I always feel better AFTER I have
it has gotten to the point now that I get upset if other things in life interfere with me taking a long walk
it is MY time
I NEED it
others gave you great advice and now I'm going to talk to you like I would talk to the 31 yr old me
DON'T WAIT
do it now while you are younger
do it NOW before health problems come into play
do it NOW while it is an "I want to look better" thing
rather than an "I need to do this to survive"
DO IT NOW before diabetes hits you
DO IT NOW before you are over 40 when it REALLY becomes hard
you can do this
set small goals so when you reach them you feel good about yourself and want to do more
do not set a huge one make it something simple like
Today I will go for a long walk
Today I will not eat ___
today I will drink ____ water
today I will take my vitamins

whatever your goals are break them up
yes you have that ultimate goal make yourself a path so getting there seems easier

Sweetvirgo63 · October 2014

I totally understand. The majority of us wish we could all be healthy and fit and have our "just and perfect weight" without having to do anything but the reality is that's not how it works. Let's face it, we don't obtain a driver's licence by buying one in a store so we can't expect to be healthy, fit, and toned by doing nothing.

I opted to walk to work this morning instead of taking the bus. By having installed an app on my phone, I found out that I walked 2.5 miles and burned 388 calories in 45 minutes - I don't consider the walk work or even a fitness session; I simply see it as going to work or going home. If I end up walking home as well after work today, these numbers gets doubled. Not too shabby for one day.

is there anyone like me?

Replies

Categories