My motivation went down hill

Your husband can express his concerns but he can't stop you. Where do you live? Beirut?

Your motivation is right there - you're not happy but you absolutely can do something about it. It won't be easy but when it starts paying off (i.e. you start losing weight and see the results), it will all be worth it. I don't want to come across as preachy but to give you the context of my advice, at my heaviest I was 12st 4lbs and I am now maintaining between 8st 7lbs and 8st 11bls (I’m 5’’3). I have never had a gym membership, I don't do "classes" and I work 9am - 6pm with a 1 hour 30 min commute either side. If I can do it anyone can! First of all, MyFitnessPal is one of the best tools I've ever found, set yourself your weekly goal (aim for 2lbs per week) and stick to your recommended daily calorie allowance. Use your diary every day - plan your meals in advance so you don't even have to think about what you're going to eat, you just know and it’s recorded. It's actually a great way of eating guilt free and not having to wonder if you're having a bad meal or not. I don’t believe in any of the rubbish about cutting out whole food groups or avoiding fats etc etc, just eat whatever you want… within your calorie limit (you will naturally make healthier choices not to go over it anyway).
In combination with this reduced calorie intake, aim for 30 mins of cardio a day. I know this sounds daunting but 30 mins really isn’t much – my advice is go into Argos or just go onto their website and order one of these: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9102844.htm ... It’s which is about 2 months gym membership and then you don’t ever have to spend that again! I used to do mine in front of the TV, there is not one person who doesn’t have 30 mins a day spare, especially if you can exercise in your own home. 30 mins a day on that with your reduced calorie plan, the weight will start to fall off, I promise you. Eventually you’ll find that the stepper no longer challenges your body (I can’t even work up a sweat on mine anymore) but by this point you’ll have lost so much weight, be so much happier, healthier, more motivated and making much better food choices that you’ll find something else that works.
I hope this helps (and doesn’t come across as patronising, that’s far from my intention). Happy to help if you would like further advice and support.

Start with your husband problem. He can only stop you from leaving if you allow him to. If my husband told me I wasn't allowed to be driving after 8 pm, I'd wonder what alien lifeform acquired his body.

As for the working out, go after you get off of work. Go before work. Workout at home in the morning. Work out at home in the evening. If you want to do it, you'll make it work. The only time when I can work out is at 5 am. That's what works for my schedule.

Go at 5 a.m.

You Tube exercise is great. You can do it at home anytime that suits. I am the same I start work at 8:30 and finish 1:30 but I then have to go and collect the kids from school and then get back home. Hubby isn't in till later so can't go to a class so I find doing exercises from You Tube is the only thing that fits in with my life. Also I try and get lots of walking in. Sometimes I walk from work to school to collect the kids, which takes just over an hour and on the days I have the car I park it a bit further way and walk to it.

Someone's marriage is not anyone else's business. Some people will not understand how cultures can be different and how a person can be happy without adhering to a foreign culture, so I'm not going to comment regarding your husband's opinion.

Now for motivation. Nothing motivates more than goals. You do not have to go to gym to set up fitness goals for yourself. The internet is full of free workout videos, workout programs and ways to get moving.

Here are some suggestions:
Try the 30 day yoga challenge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wJtQjQ4HI8

Try Jillian Michaels programs on youtube.

Try body weight strength training like "convict conditioning" or "you are your own gym"

Try some sort of high intensity training program if you are short on time like this one: http://neilarey.com/programs/30-days-of-hiit.html

Take a look at fitness blender: http://www.fitnessblender.com/

Buy dumbbells and find a dumbbell program.

Try exercises and porgrams on hasfit: http://hasfit.com/

You get the idea.. a lot of fitness resources out there that don't require leaving the house.


For food, look around for low calorie recipes you think you will like and experiment. This will bring new life into your eating if you are eager to try something.

SophNewts wrote: »

Your motivation is right there - you're not happy but you absolutely can do something about it. .

I like what she said. It is true.. And if you need any outside support, use the community here! I am a newbie (two weeks here) but one month of diet and exercise.. I have different goals than most everyone, but the goals are true and just as hard to achieve. If you need a friend... let us know!

As has already been said, the best way to lose weight is through diet. (I see exercise for health, and a handy way of earning a few extra calories to eat).