Need a tiny bit of motivation

The same almost happened to me. I moved to the US from India and then to Germany from the US -- moving to Germany was hard - same things you mention, the language, colder, feeling emotionally drained really. This was 2 years ago.

Things change, I've picked up my exercise and started to walk more (not having a car helped ) and I feel great!

I used to be on anti-depressants when I was in the US, and just getting up and moving has helped me so much, I am off the meds now.

That for me is enough motivation and the extra exercise also helps with the "low feeling"

PM me if you want to talk more!

Cheers

I can only imagine that making a move like that would have a pretty big impact on your lifestyle. So you slacked off because you had a lot of other stuff going on in your life - big deal! Everyone is allowed to have those moments, you can't be 'perfect' all the time.

My advice is to forgive yourself for the slight slide backwards and begin by making better food choices again and easing yourself back into the physical activity. Instead of trying to jump right back in to your old schedule - perhaps start with a couple days a week, shorter periods until you can build yourself back up a bit. Maybe a slight loss on the scale will be enough to perk up that motivated side of yourself so you can continue on the path to your goal?

Regardless, don't let yourself feel like a failure! You had your reasons for taking a break from things and what I'm hearing is that you are ready to start again!

LilyandO wrote: »

Yes, I think I am ready to get back. I dont like being lazy (no matter how great it feels). And thats a good point, Im trying to get myself back to 5 days a week..which is what I was used to..but perhaps 2 times in the first week is the way to go and gradually build it up. DAMN! Why didnt I think of that! Simple because Im over stretching myself all in one go. Thank you so much, you helped me see a simple solution to getting back to my usual self

Glad to help. Sometimes I find myself getting into that 'all or nothing' mindset but that can be setting ourselves up for failure if we just don't have it in us at the time. Start out with something manageable and you will be proud of yourself and motivated to do more. Cheers!

GoldenOctober wrote: »

No pro at weight loss or moving overseas, so I can't say if it works, but maybe try to make the new country your "hobby" ...? Like, find out what (healthy) foods are traditional there, start walking, biking, running around to explore the area. Start taking pictures and blog about your experiences. Stuff like that.
The reason I'm saying this is because it sounds as if you need to fall in love with the place you live in. It may be hard, but there's probably *something* good about it, even to you.
I know what it feels like to not be happy with your surroundings and how that tarnishes everything, even the way you feel about yourself.

Remember that you already know how to work out regularly, log food and get fit. That's not the problem. Just focus on the beauty of the new place you're in now. (It's not all bad, is it? At least a bit exciting because it's foreign, right?)

Good luck!

I know the OP had already replied to this- but I just wanted to comment- this is so AWESOME! What a great idea! I'm not sure where the OP lives now, but what a great opportunity for her to get out and make exercise and adventure. Like, maybe, take her camera with her, and everyday, have a goal to photograph 5 things she finds interesting on her walk, and blog about them. Would be something to look forward to, as well as make it an adventure!

OP, I've never been in your situation, as I've only moved a whole 5 miles from one house to another (my family home to my aunt's Aunt's home that we bought in town, and she even still lives with us) But, I'm rooting for you, and wish you the best! This idea that GoldenOctober posted is amazing! Please keep us posted! If you decide to do this, please let us know! I'd like to see some pictures!

I've been there before...moving overseas to somewhere you weren't exactly in love with. But I did find there are always some interesting things if you just look. Getting out is the first step. I never would have thought about it when I first got to Kuwait, but there's a bit of feeling of accomplishment running a half marathon when it's a "cold" 95F out.

But seriously that's the best way. Get outside and see stuff. You'll get used to the weather faster than you think, and you'll find at least one thing you'll like! And a year or two down the road, you can always go home. Good luck!

OP, you can call me a creeper, because I just totally checked out your profile, curious as to where abouts you might be! I'm kinda special sometimes, so bear with me-- but if I'm correct in what your profile said, and you're in Munich, I has a TOTAL envy! Going to Germany is on "mah bukkit list!" My family MANY years ago came from Germany! (to anyone reading this- NO, NO, NO we are NOT, and I repeat NOT Nazis! We WERE in America during WWI and needless to say, my grandfathers were in WWII serving in the Army and Marines)

Anyway, from all of the pictures I've seen of Munich it is an absolutely GORGEOUS place! Expensive, yeah, then again, I've always been told I've got "champagne taste and a beer pocketbook." Knowing you're a vegetarian does make things a little harder in Germany, as meat IS the meal with just about every dish, but not always. I don't know if you enjoy beer at all, but my husband says they have some of the best in the world there.

I will tell you this, and it's not true of *all* people, so please, I mean ZERO offense to anyone in saying this- Many people of German ancestry, or who are German, period, tend to be a little more cold or closed off. My husband's family is German (both sides), and have only been over here for three generations. They're extremely cold, very quiet, and standoffish. They will come off as rude when not meaning to be. They in fact are kind people, they love their friends and family very much, BUT they aren't open, warm, or loving/affection by any means. Many people you may meet, may be like this, so it might take a little while for people to get to know you or warm up, so to speak. Being a Southerner, we love EVERYONE! We hug complete strangers, will talk to anyone, and show genuine concern. It's hard for us to fathom people being cold and closed off, but it's just how different people, in different parts of the country/world interact or their personalities. Now, obviously, not *every* Southerner is the same way, but in general, most are known for being very warm and friendly- you get the picture.

I know this has ZERO to do with eating and losing weight, but I wondered if maybe the new place might have you down a little because I know for me, if I moved somewhere, where, the climate was the complete opposite, people were the complete opposite of what I was used to, and I didn't know how to interact with these people, or I tried my best to be friends/make friends, and I was getting nowhere, not to mention, I didn't know their language, I'd feel awful defeated, and not feel motivated to do anything, either.

I do know a lot of Germans do speak English, even though that's *not* their first language. I know that you're overwhelmed, in general, as this has been a tough move for you- so get yourself together, and get focused on getting settled in. There have been SO many good suggestions. GoldenOctobers is still my favorite! I'm hoping we'll see a lot of pictures from your adventures! Please keep us posted on how you're doing!

Ha! Just looked at this thread again, and saw that I wrote "crispy" instead of "crisp". I wonder what brought that on.