What gets you going? i got nothing.

Just got to do it.

That's it.

I started back in November with this summer(my July holiday) in mind and that has been the inspiration all along. Set smaller goals if you are feeling overwhelmed.

Try making one change at a time.

Weight loss will happen if you stick consistently to your calorie target. That's it. You can do that by eating pizza or kale or whatever, just get MFP set up correctly, log your food, stay on target.

Once you see yourself losing, maybe you'll feel inspired to start changing your food choices a bit. Or maybe you'll have to, because you'll find some of your usual foods don't really get you full once you control the portions. Or maybe you'll feel inspired to add in exercise.

Take steps towards your goals, always. Even when you are not feeling like it. Even if they are small. Even if it is damage control -- you ate 500 cals over maintenance? Fine. But don't make it 1500 over. This is not "oh well no point now", that's a lie we tell ourselves when we're feeling bad. There is always a point. A walk around the block is better than nothing. Take small steps and they will add up and help you get ready to take bigger ones.

As for body negativity: This is a tough thing to deal with. My best advice is to try to address it separately. Don't try to fix it by losing weight -- because actually, that is unlikely to fix it. And don't hang all your motivation off of it. Don't lose weight because of hate. I mean, you even said it -- it isn't enough to get you going. Hate, disgust, shame, guilt, all that negativity is not going to inspire you to shape positive things in your life. It's just going to bring you down.

So think of body image as a separate goal. Don't hang your other stuff in with it. If you start exercise, set fitness goals. Decide you want to be able to do 1 pushup, to run for 10 minutes, etc. When you hit that, up it. Maybe someday you could do a headstand or the splits. You'll be able to accomplish what you work towards, so find things that interest you and would make you feel awesome. Do this, in contrast to thinking "I have to be on this elliptical because oh my god summer is coming and people will SEE ME".

You may also want to do research on ways to be more positive, to have better self talk. The more you can learn to bring yourself up, or at least not knock yourself down, the better you'll do.

jkwolly wrote: »

Just got to do it.

That's it.

Yes. It is really that simple, like what jkwolly said. In the begining it is hard to get out of that comfort zone. Little by little going out for a walk or going to the gym or working out at home will become a habit that you regularly. do. Do NOT make excuses anymore. You have 3 and a half months until summer and 3 and a half months to make the changes you want to see. It's not easy but it's doable. You don't need special motivation, you just have to get yourself out there and moving. Don't think about it, just do it.

If you don't do anything about it, you are going to regret not putting in the work come June.

I know I sound harsh, it just sounds like you need tough love.

What made you interested in getting healthier initially? Was it so others could appreciate your body? Was it personal? Was it a sort of F-You to someone/somepersons? General fitness?

Usually when you hit this point, it is suggested that whatever your initial goal is 1. Not enough OR 2. You've become disconnected from it OR 3. Your body/mind is rejecting the behavior change (sort of like a brain tempertantrum to keep you from developing new positive habits. This is super super common).

It might be time to reevaluate your motivation. If you have NO motivation, then trick yourself; get friends, set yourself up as if you are actually a friend you are supporting ( a lazy/sad/depressed friend, potentially). Would you be a jerk to a friend with severe depression to get them to jog? no, at least not initially. You might try being gentle, then giving lots of reminders, then motivational images/speeches, THEN tough love. Guilt and shame are awful, awful motivators in the long term.

Also, music. If you can, find a way to exercise that you can disengage your brain from. Yoga, jogging, running, walking, whatever it is that you can fall into after the initial effort of getting to it/starting. Music and podcasts help me mentally disengage; this makes exercise tolerable, to me. Stationary cycling is good for this too. The goal is to get yourself moving, changing your diet, without fretting over it.

Use as much (metaphorical) salt as necessary with my advice though.

The time is going to pass whether you do it or not, so it's up to you to decide how you want to spend that time: miserable or at least trying. Do you want to hide forever?

FORGIVE yourself... and LOVE yourself... then stop feeling sorry for yourself...once you get that little business out of the way... get up and start doing what you know needs to be done.

Baby steps is better than no steps...start small...once you see the progress over a month or more -- you might just find yourself inspired.

BZAH10 wrote: »

ayannabayer wrote: »

I haven't been working out within the last week. Nor have I been eating healthy. This beautiful weather has been making me feel even more miserable bc I know soon it will be summer and I will be hiding my body inside.....AGAIN. I have pretty much lost hope that I will lose any. Weight at this rate and its really depressing.

This. This right here IS your motivation! If you don't want to have to hide your body then take steps now to nourish it properly, not over load it unnecessarily with stuff it doesn't need or can't handle and use it to get you moving. If you care for it in those ways, it will "pay you back" by responding with a lighter, healthier version of itself. Hang in there - I know it's hard.

I agree with this^ I didn't make changes until I had a reason to.

Motivation is temporary.

Make it a habit.

It takes 21 days or so of something for it to become a habit. Even if you don't have the motivation, you'll end up working out. Trust me, after it becomes a habit to work out 4-5 times a week, a week without exercise just feels weird. And you feel the NEED to work out rather than needing the motivation.

Just keep at it.