To put it simply... I feel hopeless sometimes

We all see the before and after photos. The photo of someone with their clothes on showing how much weight they've lost. I can't tell you how happy I am for those people. Yet I can't seem to be that person myself. I hadn't weighed myself in awhile - several months. My friend and I decided to try to do this weightloss goal together - exercising and eating better. Yesterday was my first day, and I forgot to weigh myself. Today I was getting dressed and remembered in the middle. I thought to myself, "Ok. Prepare yourself. You've gained weight. But maybe 10-15 at the most. It won't be worse." However, I stepped on the scale only to find out that I had gained closer to 25. My stomach dropped (not on the floor or I wouldn't have to be writing this because it would be gone.) I had let myself go, even though I didn't feel like I had. I mean, I hadn't been watching my food intake, but I never expected that.

Anyway, I mainly wanted to write here because I miss having that support from people. I've been exercising more and trying to eat healthier. But I feel like it will never come. I'm a huge procrastinator - in college, in work, it's not my favorite, but I've been working on it. Weightloss is another thing I put off.

I am insulin resistant, which I know is because of my weight. There's a part of me that feels stuck. It's my choice, I know. Yet it seems so big. Have any of you have huge weight loss goals? What did you do? Did you take it one day at a time? How often do you weigh yourself?

I hate feeling like I am eating nasty food just to lose weight because then I won't do it. I have so many questions. Like how do I walk around my neighborhood without feeling insecure or like everyone is judging me? It's silly, I know...but it holds me back. My friend that is doing this with me, she lives in another state, else we would be doing it together even more, it just doesn't work.

I want to be healthy. I'm a 19 year old girl in college with good friends, good family, and a good job. I feel like being obese really holds me back. I went to Rome last year and I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have. I decided to figure out why - it was mainly because I'm overweight. I couldn't walk as much as I wanted. I couldn't dress in my most comfortable clothes because I looked bad in them. The airplane was uncomfortable because my hips disagreed with the seats.

Recently I've noticed being overweight is something people have began to stick up for and be proud of. At first I was like, "Woohoo! That's the spirit." Then I realized being overweight isn't something to be proud of if it means you're unhealthy.

I need support. If you want to be friends, please add me. I need that motivation I can't seem to give myself. I'm not a needy person in general, but for this, I am.

I need that confidence I never had. I have a desk job. I like food (who doesn't?). But it holds me back. Everyone thinks I have confidence because of the way I carry myself, but the mirror (and now scale!) seems to be my enemy.

Anyway, I'm done venting. If you have suggestions, I'll take them. Add me as a friend. Talk to me. I tend to pick up other's motivation - when they're motivated, I get motivated.

Thanks!
Melinda <3
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Replies

  • vinerie
    vinerie Posts: 234 Member
    I'm sorry to hear you have been struggling. We've all been there--that moment on the scale where it's just shocking to see the number.

    Since you asked for advice, here's what has worked for me to get me started (and restarted after the holidays). I told myself that *all* I had to do was simply log my food. I made no grand plans about cutting anything out. My only initial goal was to log everything I ate. Doing that got the ball rolling and invariably I got motivated to make the necessary changes.

    Good luck to you. You CAN lose weight and it sounds like you want to, so best of luck as you start your journey!
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    If you don't mind, I'll chat with you here rather than as a friend. I'm a rather spotty MFP friend. Think of me as a jet-setting auntie who shows up once in a while to give you some cheery support.

    You have a lot of years ahead of you to figure out how to motivate yourself, so it's a little early to declare yourself a failure. I find you have really good insight. Here's a few tips.
    1. Treat each day, each week as a new project. Set a single goal for that day/week, and re-evaluate at the end. Did it work? Keep doing it. Did you miss the target? Why? Troubleshoot the reasons and readjust your goal.
    2. Give yourself behavior goals rather than weight goals; things that are entirely under your control.
    3. This goal-setting method takes the whole weight loss game out of the emotional spiral we can get caught up in.
    4. Don't eat any nasty food. All food is lovely; learn to read labels and measure portion sizes. Use the power of MFP to stay within your calorie goal.

    Just this week I had insight (and I'm in my fifties, still getting insight) that I most want to lose weight when I stand in front of the mirror or when I am getting dressed. But the time to care about my weight is in the kitchen. My hedonist self, by the time I hit the kitchen, is much more interesting in satisfying a hunger than in reaching a particular size. It's integrating these desires that is key, remembering my long-term goal when short-term desires are calling my name.
  • Kathryn97Perry
    Kathryn97Perry Posts: 14 Member
    Hey I just read your post and I will totally be your friend because I need the accountability too. I find that the best motivator for me to stay in a deficit for calories is actually reminding myself that I want other people to see that I was under my calorie intake goal when I complete my log. Silly some might say, but whatever works is fantastic.
  • g8edgrl
    g8edgrl Posts: 7 Member
    I sent you a friend request I'm 20 years old and can barely stand the thought of myself. I've packed on fifty pounds and feel if no one understands what I'm going through.
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    there are those that say don't weigh daily. I say it is what it is. Its data, the more data the better. The same fluctuations that occur daily will still happen weekly or on the day you weigh. Go at this like you are on a mission that nobody can stop. Log all calories, be honest and if unsure guess high on what you eat and low on what you burn. Don't starve, this is a new lifestyle not a diet. It is the deficit and staying with it that counts. I use a aria scale from fit bit. I get on it first thing in the morning and it logs my weight for me. Sometimes it goes up and most of the time it goes down. Look for trends and what effects them. You want slow steady progress. Do this, you will be so glad you did.
  • mlndjn
    mlndjn Posts: 25 Member
    vinerie wrote: »
    I'm sorry to hear you have been struggling. We've all been there--that moment on the scale where it's just shocking to see the number.

    Since you asked for advice, here's what has worked for me to get me started (and restarted after the holidays). I told myself that *all* I had to do was simply log my food. I made no grand plans about cutting anything out. My only initial goal was to log everything I ate. Doing that got the ball rolling and invariably I got motivated to make the necessary changes.

    Good luck to you. You CAN lose weight and it sounds like you want to, so best of luck as you start your journey!

    I love your idea. Because then it doesn't seem like you CAN'T eat what you want, but if you do...it's going to show and keeps you aware.
  • mlndjn
    mlndjn Posts: 25 Member
    jgnatca wrote: »
    If you don't mind, I'll chat with you here rather than as a friend. I'm a rather spotty MFP friend. Think of me as a jet-setting auntie who shows up once in a while to give you some cheery support.

    You have a lot of years ahead of you to figure out how to motivate yourself, so it's a little early to declare yourself a failure. I find you have really good insight. Here's a few tips.
    1. Treat each day, each week as a new project. Set a single goal for that day/week, and re-evaluate at the end. Did it work? Keep doing it. Did you miss the target? Why? Troubleshoot the reasons and readjust your goal.
    2. Give yourself behavior goals rather than weight goals; things that are entirely under your control.
    3. This goal-setting method takes the whole weight loss game out of the emotional spiral we can get caught up in.
    4. Don't eat any nasty food. All food is lovely; learn to read labels and measure portion sizes. Use the power of MFP to stay within your calorie goal.

    Just this week I had insight (and I'm in my fifties, still getting insight) that I most want to lose weight when I stand in front of the mirror or when I am getting dressed. But the time to care about my weight is in the kitchen. My hedonist self, by the time I hit the kitchen, is much more interesting in satisfying a hunger than in reaching a particular size. It's integrating these desires that is key, remembering my long-term goal when short-term desires are calling my name.

    I definitely love the weekly goal rather than a yearly goal - it makes it a lot more doable. Great advice, thank you!
  • mlndjn
    mlndjn Posts: 25 Member
    rsclause wrote: »
    there are those that say don't weigh daily. I say it is what it is. Its data, the more data the better. The same fluctuations that occur daily will still happen weekly or on the day you weigh. Go at this like you are on a mission that nobody can stop. Log all calories, be honest and if unsure guess high on what you eat and low on what you burn. Don't starve, this is a new lifestyle not a diet. It is the deficit and staying with it that counts. I use a aria scale from fit bit. I get on it first thing in the morning and it logs my weight for me. Sometimes it goes up and most of the time it goes down. Look for trends and what effects them. You want slow steady progress. Do this, you will be so glad you did.

    I think getting Aria will be great for me. If I'm going to spend over $100 on something...I'm going to use it. Plus I have a fitbit, which will make things great. Thank you!
  • mlndjn
    mlndjn Posts: 25 Member
    g8edgrl wrote: »
    I sent you a friend request I'm 20 years old and can barely stand the thought of myself. I've packed on fifty pounds and feel if no one understands what I'm going through.

    I'm so glad we can be friends on here! We will definitely uplift each other and get through this together.
  • mlndjn
    mlndjn Posts: 25 Member
    Hey I just read your post and I will totally be your friend because I need the accountability too. I find that the best motivator for me to stay in a deficit for calories is actually reminding myself that I want other people to see that I was under my calorie intake goal when I complete my log. Silly some might say, but whatever works is fantastic.

    That's great! I'm glad we can be friends on here. Accountability is something I definitely lack right now!
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
    I got my Fit Bit Force and the Aria scale the same week in late 2013. I have used both daily ever since. Cholesterol went down 50 points, insomnia went away, I don't snore anymore, got in shape, eat so much better food now. There is a whole new world waiting for you and it has many benefits too.
  • mlndjn
    mlndjn Posts: 25 Member
    rsclause wrote: »
    I got my Fit Bit Force and the Aria scale the same week in late 2013. I have used both daily ever since. Cholesterol went down 50 points, insomnia went away, I don't snore anymore, got in shape, eat so much better food now. There is a whole new world waiting for you and it has many benefits too.

    THAT is amazing. I got the FitBit Flex last year, yet went through a time where I rarely used it because it needed charged or I just wasn't walking a lot and didn't want to be reminded at that time. I've been thinking about buying a FitBit Charge HR just to have the heartrate and watch on it. Sometimes buying things like that motivate me more. Is that strange? Haha.
  • deannaaaaaaaaa
    deannaaaaaaaaa Posts: 238 Member
    Sent you a request! I totally understand how hard losing weight in college can me. I'm 22 and graduated around 6 months ago-- and now I'm down 40 pounds. Feel free to accept me and we can encourage each other!
  • CarlSetzer
    CarlSetzer Posts: 2 Member
    mlndjn wrote: »
    rsclause wrote: »
    I got my Fit Bit Force and the Aria scale the same week in late 2013. I have used both daily ever since. Cholesterol went down 50 points, insomnia went away, I don't snore anymore, got in shape, eat so much better food now. There is a whole new world waiting for you and it has many benefits too.

    THAT is amazing. I got the FitBit Flex last year, yet went through a time where I rarely used it because it needed charged or I just wasn't walking a lot and didn't want to be reminded at that time. I've been thinking about buying a FitBit Charge HR just to have the heartrate and watch on it. Sometimes buying things like that motivate me more. Is that strange? Haha.

    Hardly strange. And knowing what motivates you is powerful.
  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    My philosophy is all about balance, balance your diet, by stickling to your caloric allotment here on MFP. balance your life by making sure you spend equal time working, and playing, and by playing I mean finding physical activities that you enjoy and that will require a commitment by you to get out and do it.. or at the very least drop a dvd into the machine and getting busy with an exercise DVD... and balance yourself emotionally by understanding that NO ONE looks at you with the same critical eye you cast upon yourself. I see your picture and I see a beautiful young woman with a world filled with possibilities. Learn to forgive yourself and to move forward, you only fail when you STOP, so NEVER stop and you will find success...THINK about your effort in the context of a lifelong ambition, that will require vigilance for your entire life. Sounds a little overwhelming... BUT Newton's law applies... a body in motion will tend to stay in motion... cryptic I know.. BUT in essence... as you transition from your current lifestyle and imbalance... to a more completely balanced lifestyle you will find yourself seeking MORE opportunities to expand and increase your new found physical abilities... you will be stronger, happier, MORE active... and as you travel the path... you won't feel so overwhelmed... you will look back on these first days... weeks, months... and for some years... and wonder... WHY it took so long to get it... SO... be patient... changing your habits... and your activity level is going to take time... BUT as long as you remain focussed... and forgive yourself each time you think you have let yourself down, YOU will succeed...

    I accept all friend requests... all I ask is that you remain committed to yourself... and to log in regularly...

    I would wish you l;uck... BUT "this" doesn't take luck... it takes hard work and dedication.. so I wish you all the best in your efforts...Welcome to your new world
  • KatieK1146
    KatieK1146 Posts: 14 Member
    You are totally on the right track! There are days I have felt hopeless too. I've been trying to lose weight my whole adult life... I think what finally helped me stop gaining weight about three years ago was the realization that I needed to change my eating habits for life, not just think of this as being on a diet. Be kind to yourself, make one change at a time, and then those will become habits over time. It is better to lose slowly the right way then try a "miracle diet" but not fix the underlying problem.

    It is really helpful to write down all of the reasons you are looking to lose (confidence, new wardrobe, anything!) and keep it somewhere you can access easily when you are having a hard day. I also like putting up inspirational quotes :)

    I'm always looking for more MFP friends, so I'll add you now! You've got this! :)
  • SkinnyGirlCarrie
    SkinnyGirlCarrie Posts: 259 Member
    Take it slow - go for that walk. Pretty much no one is going to even give you a second thought. If you are really insecure and have some room in your house/apartment you can check out Youtube for exercise videos. I am a huge fan of FitnessBlender and you don't need much floor space to follow their videos, plus they are all free.

    Don't necessarily restrict your calories at first if it seems overwhelming. When I started I decided to just log everything I ate and to walk 20-30 minutes 3x a week. I felt so much better so fast that I increased both my activity and started trying to stay in my calorie allowance. I did eat pretty much all of my exercise calories in the beginning, I use a Fitbit, and lost at a good clip.

    Don't give yourself a hard time if you mess up one day. Log it and move on! Don't get discouraged if the scale doesn't move for awhile, weight loss isn't linear and as long as you are accurate as possible with your logging the scale will catch up :smiley:
  • mlndjn
    mlndjn Posts: 25 Member
    Sent you a request! I totally understand how hard losing weight in college can me. I'm 22 and graduated around 6 months ago-- and now I'm down 40 pounds. Feel free to accept me and we can encourage each other!

    Congratulations! I can't wait to say that for myself. :)
  • mlndjn
    mlndjn Posts: 25 Member
    KatieK1146 wrote: »
    You are totally on the right track! There are days I have felt hopeless too. I've been trying to lose weight my whole adult life... I think what finally helped me stop gaining weight about three years ago was the realization that I needed to change my eating habits for life, not just think of this as being on a diet. Be kind to yourself, make one change at a time, and then those will become habits over time. It is better to lose slowly the right way then try a "miracle diet" but not fix the underlying problem.

    It is really helpful to write down all of the reasons you are looking to lose (confidence, new wardrobe, anything!) and keep it somewhere you can access easily when you are having a hard day. I also like putting up inspirational quotes :)

    I'm always looking for more MFP friends, so I'll add you now! You've got this! :)

    I've definitely always went through those times when I get motivated to lose and then I just...give up. In 2012, I had looked up how long it would take me to lose (obviously give or take some times when we slip up) and it said February 2014. Now it's 2015 and here I am again. I just don't want that to happen again.

    Thanks for the advice!
  • CarlSetzer
    CarlSetzer Posts: 2 Member
    Some great advice above. I also love the your request for what my circle of friends call "accountability partners".

    I find that tools like the Fitbit and MyFitnessPal help build awareness. I've had good luck so far with simply growing awareness of what, and how much I eat, along with how little exercise I get. Now I'm trying to be more thoughtful and plan out what I'm going to eat and when I'm going to work out. I don't want to eat miserable food, either.
  • mlndjn
    mlndjn Posts: 25 Member
    CarlSetzer wrote: »
    Some great advice above. I also love the your request for what my circle of friends call "accountability partners".

    I find that tools like the Fitbit and MyFitnessPal help build awareness. I've had good luck so far with simply growing awareness of what, and how much I eat, along with how little exercise I get. Now I'm trying to be more thoughtful and plan out what I'm going to eat and when I'm going to work out. I don't want to eat miserable food, either.

    Definitely! I've learned more in the past hour than I have in the past year.

    Awareness is the key, but it can be difficult. I know for me, sometimes I just didn't want to be aware of my weight or what I was eating - it seemed easier. But obviously it always comes back at us and can really make a life changing experience for the worst.
  • jazzine1
    jazzine1 Posts: 280 Member
    edited July 2015
    I was 236 lbs in Dec before I started here on MFP. When only 4 yrs prior I was a healthy 145. I had had enough and I hated letting myself get so fat. I brought a Fitbit, joined MFP, brought a food scale and took my measurement and on Jan 5th I started my journey. I would walk around my office for 1/2 during my lunch break. Then I'd go home and walk in place as I watched tv, I was determined to make my 10,000 steps a day. I logged everything I put in my mouth, everything. I weighed myself every morning after the bathroom and before eating or drinking anything and logged in my weight on Libra phone app to follow my weight trend. I reminded myself every single day, "ONE DAY AT A TIME", I put stickies everywhere with that quote. It took me months, years to put on the weight and it was going to take me months to take it off. The scale finally started to move, even though I still looked the same. It wasnt until 3 months later than I finally came down a pant size and someone noticed I had lost some weight. I had to learn how to deal with weight fluctuations and learn major patience and self love. Fast forward 6 months later, I have lost 46 lbs gone down from a size 16 to a 12 pants, xxl to m/L shirt. The determination and perseverance is paying off. I still have weight to lose and there are still days I feel fat and I look in the mirror and see myself fat but my clothes fit nicely, I get compliments, guys want to date me, I dont get winded, and I'm off my High blood pressure meds. I feel great! I havent been as active with working out as I was at the beginning and I am just concentrating on my caloric deficit to lose the remaining weight but eventually I want to start lifting. If you want it bad enough you will do it. If you are sick of being overweight you will find the strength and motivation to finally do it. You can do it. Starting is always hard and you do will get impatient especially wanting to see immediate results but if you just stick to it, thru good and bad days you will reap the excellent benefits and see results.

    Good luck on your journey and feel free to add me.
  • Ishii19
    Ishii19 Posts: 109 Member
    Everyone here had great advice - just wanted to add in regards to walking your neighborhood without feeling self conscious:
    1. Do you have a car? Maybe you can drive to a nearby park or track where other people are walking so you blend in with the crowd more?
    2. Trust me most people are concerned with themselves, what's going on in their life, their own insecurities, etc., and no matter where you walk they won't be giving you a second thought.
    3. Stick your earbuds in when you walk! Listen to your favorite music, find a great podcast, get an app with guided walking meditations, anything to distract you from yourself - the time will fly by!

    Another thought I have on motivation - doing healthy things today makes you feel good today! No need to punish yourself for some long off delayed gratification. At the end of a day where you drank enough water, moved your body, and made a couple healthy food choices you should feel some/all of the following: less headachy, less indigestion, less body aches (trust me gentle exercise and stretching is just like a good massage), proud of yourself.... The list goes on! Revel in these great benefits of being good to yourself. Forget about the end goal and watch how it sneaks up on you when you're not even looking!
    Last but not least, as someone said above - be kind to yourself! :)
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    mlndjn wrote: »
    I got the FitBit Flex last year, yet went through a time where I rarely used it because it needed charged or I just wasn't walking a lot and didn't want to be reminded at that time. I've been thinking about buying a FitBit Charge HR just to have the heartrate and watch on it. Sometimes buying things like that motivate me more. Is that strange? Haha.

    Get some friends in the Fitbit Users group and do Fitbit challenges. They're great motivation—and fun: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1290-fitbit-users
  • Rogue_Esq
    Rogue_Esq Posts: 24 Member
    edited July 2015
    You're very brave for putting yourself out here like you did. No wonder people think you're confident.

    You got some great advice and encouragement, but I don't see much tough love, and it really sounds like you need some of that.

    I completely understand not wanting to eat a bunch of low fat garbage and not wanting to deal with the emotions associated with being unhappy with your weight. However, no amount of positive encouragement is going to help you lose a pound unless you have a serious heart-to-heart with yourself about the work you need to put in. And equating healthy with nasty is a great excuse to keep eating food that's no good for you, but it's definitely not going to help you lose any weight.

    It may sound harsh, but it sounds like you need to face reality here and force yourself to be responsible for yourself. Someone from MFP won't be there for the dozens of decisions you make every day about what to put into your mouth. It's great to have people to hold you accountable, but they should be there more so as emergency aid rather than a daily check in system.

    You also mentioned some tech stuff, which is cool, but you should be cautious that you don't get wrapped up in thinking that buying that stuff is going to make or break your goals. I'm not a big fan of buying tech in the hopes of it motivating you because that's, again, an extrinsic factor that's only as powerful as how you go about using it. I've had the FitBit and Nike FuelBand and did exactly what you did. When I was feeling like going on runs every day, I loved seeing the little graphs of how well I was doing. When I didn't feel like working out, I let the tech die and didn't recharge it for days. Why not spend that money on getting a personal trainer, or something that's really going to require you to be active rather than to track what you do, which you can do on here without the tech.

    Perhaps a good way for you to start building momentum is to set small goals for you. I started getting active again by downloading the C25K app and signing up for a 5K. The app paced my running, so that I'd gradually do longer and harder runs, and the 5K sign up gives me a hard deadline for getting in shape that I won't avoid because I made a financial commitment. If running isn't your thing, there are all kinds of other apps out there that can help you do the same thing. For example, Runtastic has a squats app, abs app, and so on. They all gradually increase the difficulty and amount of exercises you do and they keep track of your progress, which will give you that visual motivation that the fitbit gives you.

    Good luck!
  • mlndjn
    mlndjn Posts: 25 Member
    editorgrrl wrote: »
    mlndjn wrote: »
    I got the FitBit Flex last year, yet went through a time where I rarely used it because it needed charged or I just wasn't walking a lot and didn't want to be reminded at that time. I've been thinking about buying a FitBit Charge HR just to have the heartrate and watch on it. Sometimes buying things like that motivate me more. Is that strange? Haha.

    Get some friends in the Fitbit Users group and do Fitbit challenges. They're great motivation—and fun: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1290-fitbit-users

    Thank you for this! Just joined!
  • mlndjn
    mlndjn Posts: 25 Member
    Rogue_Esq wrote: »
    You're very brave for putting yourself out here like you did. No wonder people think you're confident.

    You got some great advice and encouragement, but I don't see much tough love, and it really sounds like you need some of that.

    I completely understand not wanting to eat a bunch of low fat garbage and not wanting to deal with the emotions associated with being unhappy with your weight. However, no amount of positive encouragement is going to help you lose a pound unless you have a serious heart-to-heart with yourself about the work you need to put in. And equating healthy with nasty is a great excuse to keep eating food that's no good for you, but it's definitely not going to help you lose any weight.

    It may sound harsh, but it sounds like you need to face reality here and force yourself to be responsible for yourself. Someone from MFP won't be there for the dozens of decisions you make every day about what to put into your mouth. It's great to have people to hold you accountable, but they should be there more so as emergency aid rather than a daily check in system.

    You also mentioned some tech stuff, which is cool, but you should be cautious that you don't get wrapped up in thinking that buying that stuff is going to make or break your goals. I'm not a big fan of buying tech in the hopes of it motivating you because that's, again, an extrinsic factor that's only as powerful as how you go about using it. I've had the FitBit and Nike FuelBand and did exactly what you did. When I was feeling like going on runs every day, I loved seeing the little graphs of how well I was doing. When I didn't feel like working out, I let the tech die and didn't recharge it for days. Why not spend that money on getting a personal trainer, or something that's really going to require you to be active rather than to track what you do, which you can do on here without the tech.

    Perhaps a good way for you to start building momentum is to set small goals for you. I started getting active again by downloading the C25K app and signing up for a 5K. The app paced my running, so that I'd gradually do longer and harder runs, and the 5K sign up gives me a hard deadline for getting in shape that I won't avoid because I made a financial commitment. If running isn't your thing, there are all kinds of other apps out there that can help you do the same thing. For example, Runtastic has a squats app, abs app, and so on. They all gradually increase the difficulty and amount of exercises you do and they keep track of your progress, which will give you that visual motivation that the fitbit gives you.

    Good luck!

    I appreciate your "tough love." Not many people feel they can do that without coming across as rude and inconsiderate.

    You made some excellent points, that I definitely agree with. In fact, I have received encouragement in the past and even had heart-to-heart talks with myself, yet here I am. My intention on this post was just for suggestions and support because there are definitely times I feel I could not get that motivation needed to complete my exercise or eating healthy that day. If there's a piece of pie I can quickly write, "Help. There's pie. What do I do?" and no one ever fails to help - which is another reason I happen to love MFP.

    Like I mentioned in my post, I do tend to get my motivation from other people around me, which is helpful in the long run. And while MFP won't be there all day, every day, luckily I have gained a tremendous amount of support and friends from this post that are in the exact same place as me, which is pretty cool.

    I would never replace any costly thing for my own ability to get motivated. However, I truly believe we all find joy in certain things. For others it is buying a new work out outfit, for others it is simply just being able to put on the pants or skirt that didn't fit before. My FitBit this past week has been a great help because it gives me that extra boost for 10,000 steps. And now, if the battery is low, I charge it. Because then it becomes a personal choice and it proves how much this means to me. Even in my job, buying a new pad of paper can be a huge bright light for me and gets me motivated. Strange? Maybe. But hey - if it works and I'm not wasting away cash for nothing, it doesn't bug me. As for the personal trainer...eh, not really ready for that.

    I've had C25K apps and I was never feeling ready for them. I think they were more meant for light walker instead of couch, because I couldn't even do the whole thing the first day. So, I'm walking. Every day? Nope. My goal is three times a week.

    Again, thank you for your comment! You made good points. I just wanted to share some of my reasoning instead of it coming across differently than I intended. The one thing I have learned from this post is that different things work for different people, which I'm sure it obvious. Tough love may work on some, but maybe not so much on me right now.

    Good luck to you, too!
  • Rogue_Esq
    Rogue_Esq Posts: 24 Member
    You'll do whatever you're most comfortable with, but from this side of the pond, the reasons sound like excuses.
  • uconnwinsnc1
    uconnwinsnc1 Posts: 902 Member
    edited July 2015
    Fail, fail, fail, fail, fail, fail, fail, quit.

    or

    Fail, fail, fail, fail, fail, fail, fail, win.

    What do you pick? This *kitten* isn't easy. If it were this site wouldn't exist. You will fail so many times. Keep failing until you succeed.
  • raregem99
    raregem99 Posts: 88 Member
    Fail, fail, fail, fail, fail, fail, fail, quit.

    or

    Fail, fail, fail, fail, fail, fail, fail, win.

    What do you pick? This *kitten* isn't easy. If it were this site wouldn't exist. You will fail so many times. Keep failing until you succeed.

    noice..

    OP I understand what you're going through. I like your positive attitude, that's more than half the battle already won. I'll add you :)