What do you do to stay motivated?

You are acceptable and loveable right where you are. There is more than weight and foods. It's about choices we assume will help us get what we want. Either you be content to look and feel however a sedentary lifestyle full of junk food makes you, or you make a choice to feel good and look good, and eat a diet that supports that lifestyle.

I switched and decided to eat healthier and exercise. I wanted more energy and my wife to find me more attractive, again. I also want to be promoted at work. I am getting these things through exercising, eating the right foods, burning the fat off, and it just makes me want to do more.

Don't beat yourself up over grabbing some junk food - get your butt back in the gym or get out and exercise. Give your tomorrow's self something to thank you for.

Gosh, yes- that first 15 seemed to take forever! But it eventually came off as did another 80. Be patient with yourself; long-term results don't happen overnight. Celebrate that 20 pounds!

I pick a mantra and stick with it for the day. When I need motivation or I am at a weak moment, I remember that mantra. It helps - even through the long and rough times. My mantra today is: Don't quit when you're tired, quit when you're done.

What motivates me is just knowing eventually I will die. And I don't want to die not living my life to the fullest. I spent most of my life up until 2 years ago thinking I was invincible even at 410 lbs. Maybe it was just getting closer to age 30 and my health taking a very sudden (or so it seemed to me) downward spiral that put things in perspective for me. There are things I want to do, a "bucket list" if you will, that I just can't do at my weight. I'm already lucky enough to be able to say I've visited another Continent, not many people in my life who aren't in the military can say that and it was a big triumph for me. Among other things I wanna do:

1) Ride in an airplane without a seat belt extender
2) Sky dive
3) Shop in the "cute" section of a store. The "women's plus" sections always look like a floral curtain exploded in them
4) Decrease the risk of getting sick. I already have degenerative disc disease (10 years now) from my mom's side of the family.
5) Park anywhere I want, not end spaces because I'm always afraid someone will park so close to the driver's side that I can't squeeze back in my car
6) I want my SO to be able to pick me up when they want. I've NEVER experienced that squealing-as-you're-being-lifted-off-the-ground type feeling. Ever.
7) I want my doctors to treat me based off my illness and not based off my weight. Yes this happens. It's a real thing. The only way around it is to be stern with them.
8) I want to fit into smaller shoes! Apparently this happens? I started at 11 wide, now I'm 10 wide. I've seen people lose multiple shoe sizes as they lost a lot of weight. That'd be nice.
9) Less discrimination in general. Yep, that's a real thing too.
10) TAKE A BATH! Omg. I've -always- taken showers because honestly I just can't fit in a standard bath tub. I've taken a bath TWICE. Once at a friend's when he got an apartment that had this huuuuge almost jacuzzi style bath tub. It was amazing, the most relaxing thing I'd experienced in a long time LOL. The second time was at a bath house in Japan. Which was slightly uncomfortable just because I was not used to that kind of environment and was still not comfortable with my body.

Before I started losing weight, I spent nearly 2 years just learning how to love and respect myself. I decided to filter out bad people. I decided if someone was going to fat shame me I wouldn't stay quiet any longer. And then I decided to focus on myself and become healthy so that I can be the best version of myself I can be, inside and out. I realize that for me this is a complete lifestyle change. It is not going to end once I'm at my goal weight. I have had a bad relationship with food for almost 30 years, so I'm just going to expect that I'll be spending at least another 30 re-wiring myself. It's ok, there are going to be bad days/weeks, but I enjoy the challenge now.

Absolutely! It's a-ok to have a terrible horrible no good very bad day. I suggest that you forgive yourself and move on. you've made amazing progress. I read on here once that there's no such thing as motivation. Only discipline and dedication. One day won't break you. Hope you feel better!

melaniebhowes wrote: »

My mantra today is: Don't quit when you're tired, quit when you're done.

Love this!

KameHameHaaaa wrote: »

What motivates me is just knowing eventually I will die. And I don't want to die not living my life to the fullest. I spent most of my life up until 2 years ago thinking I was invincible even at 410 lbs. Maybe it was just getting closer to age 30 and my health taking a very sudden (or so it seemed to me) downward spiral that put things in perspective for me. There are things I want to do, a "bucket list" if you will, that I just can't do at my weight. I'm already lucky enough to be able to say I've visited another Continent, not many people in my life who aren't in the military can say that and it was a big triumph for me. Among other things I wanna do:

1) Ride in an airplane without a seat belt extender
2) Sky dive
3) Shop in the "cute" section of a store. The "women's plus" sections always look like a floral curtain exploded in them
4) Decrease the risk of getting sick. I already have degenerative disc disease (10 years now) from my mom's side of the family.
5) Park anywhere I want, not end spaces because I'm always afraid someone will park so close to the driver's side that I can't squeeze back in my car
6) I want my SO to be able to pick me up when they want. I've NEVER experienced that squealing-as-you're-being-lifted-off-the-ground type feeling. Ever.
7) I want my doctors to treat me based off my illness and not based off my weight. Yes this happens. It's a real thing. The only way around it is to be stern with them.
8) I want to fit into smaller shoes! Apparently this happens? I started at 11 wide, now I'm 10 wide. I've seen people lose multiple shoe sizes as they lost a lot of weight. That'd be nice.
9) Less discrimination in general. Yep, that's a real thing too.
10) TAKE A BATH! Omg. I've -always- taken showers because honestly I just can't fit in a standard bath tub. I've taken a bath TWICE. Once at a friend's when he got an apartment that had this huuuuge almost jacuzzi style bath tub. It was amazing, the most relaxing thing I'd experienced in a long time LOL. The second time was at a bath house in Japan. Which was slightly uncomfortable just because I was not used to that kind of environment and was still not comfortable with my body.

Before I started losing weight, I spent nearly 2 years just learning how to love and respect myself. I decided to filter out bad people. I decided if someone was going to fat shame me I wouldn't stay quiet any longer. And then I decided to focus on myself and become healthy so that I can be the best version of myself I can be, inside and out. I realize that for me this is a complete lifestyle change. It is not going to end once I'm at my goal weight. I have had a bad relationship with food for almost 30 years, so I'm just going to expect that I'll be spending at least another 30 re-wiring myself. It's ok, there are going to be bad days/weeks, but I enjoy the challenge now.

This is VERY motivational. Thank you!

Progress pics!

AOdell79 wrote: »

Grumpycat that post was amazing.

Thank you

Everyone has those days and it's ok. It's ok to feel that way. I know I do, and I find myself arguing with myself to "DO" just get up and do something...so I trick myself by saying...ok I'm just going to do 5 minutes of activity to get my blood moving...then 5 minutes goes by and I'm already feeling better in my mind and with the activity so I do 5 more...usually turns into 20. But really, just know that we all do this, no-one can be motivated every single day and every single minute!