Former athlete- Now can't find my drive

BottomsUp23
BottomsUp23 Posts: 10 Member
edited November 27 in Motivation and Support
2016 is gonna be my year! I've started and stopped so many times that I've come to realize it's definitely doable but you have to be all in. There will always be things that will give you an excuse to go back- happy hour, birthdays, vacation, dinner out, friends who don't have to put in the work to be "skinny", people who try to tempt you so they feel better about their own choices, being tired, healthy foods being too "expensive" - but in all honesty, that's LIFE. Those things are always gonna either be an excuse or just another healthy choice you can make. I need major support too as I'm trying to get healthy in order to have a baby, so feel free to add me!

Replies

  • schibsted750
    schibsted750 Posts: 355 Member
    I know how you feel; I swam varsity in high school and when I finally realized that I was fifty pounds overweight and needed to change it, I couldn't believe how hard it was to do the simplest workouts. In just a few months, though, you'll have your confidence and your strength back and it will become enjoyable again.

    I've really stopped envying those people who don't have to work at being skinny. Excellent nutrition and fitness confer tons of benefits that are completely unrelated to bodyweight, such as increased energy, sharper cognition, and better emotional stability. I often think that if I didn't have to work at being thin, I would probably have never found the motivation to develop these habits, which means foregoing all those other benefits.

    I have a friend who's naturally thin and muscular, very good looking, great sense of style. He is depressed and apathetic all the time and I can't get him interested in a more active lifestyle. The bottom line is that if girls are still interested in him, he won't change his habits.
  • JenniferReichenbachGurski2015
    JenniferReichenbachGurski2015 Posts: 1 Member
    I'm also a former athlete and former fitness instructor and trainer. For me it's not the knowledge of what to do it's the self discipline and motivation. I was athletic and structured, had babies, work and extended degree schooling. There is no time when healthily living is not my priority. 2016 needs to be my year to bring everything back into balance, to take care of my family and myself. With bad habits, stress and no self discipline I have gained 60 lbs in 6 years. If I don't get healthy soon I will be a frequent visitor to my dr office. Not where I want to be! So I bought a jawbone to track my activity and need some positive people to surround myself with to support this goal.
  • fiddletime
    fiddletime Posts: 1,868 Member
    I was a college athlete and have worked hard to try to keep my weight down. The other day an acquaintance told me she wished she had my "skinny genes and metabolism". Two years on MFP and many many years of trying to hold the line. There are very few people who are a good weight who don't have to work hard to be there.

    Anyway, welcome to the marathon. Count calories, log it all, don't get discouraged with slip ups, really, really don't derail with a slip up, and you'll reach your goal. Then go to the Maintenance boards and figure that part out :).
  • 74Brian74
    74Brian74 Posts: 17 Member
    Hey All
    Happy New Year! Former athlete also... Swimmer also, and to top it off I've just had shoulder surgery (swimming related) and now have a long slow recovery ahead, which will hopefully include swimming again one day. Anyhow my profile says it all. I'm sending you all a friend request and cleaning out my existing MFP friends who are not on the same path of "doing better".
    Let's do this!
  • kiddiebqueen17
    kiddiebqueen17 Posts: 100 Member
    I was a really competitive athlete. Even after university I kept playing in adult leagues with my friends. But a few years ago I moved out of the city and while I do not regret the decision, the sports out here are very limited.

    Last year I tried driving into the city to play in a basketball league' but between the long drive and aggressive girls, I started to dread going. I used to be one of those "play hard" girls. Now I can't even motivate myself to use the gym in my basement
  • davert123
    davert123 Posts: 1,568 Member
    If you have stopped a number of times, do something different lol. MFP works and allows us to change so that we become healthier people. The social side is what makes this work for me so try and get a good group of friends on here and communicate regularly. Good luck :-)
  • BottomsUp23
    BottomsUp23 Posts: 10 Member
    Thanks all! Yeah, moving to a new area and finding like- minded active friends are what I'm focusing on here this year. I've become a person that sits at home and that is just not me or what I enjoy doing. I haven't figured out the add friend thing yet in here so please feel free to add me to your list to keep pushing me to get it done!
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,630 Member
    what got me started was the biggest loser - athlete edition. It could be in my head but it seems like former athletes just degenerate faster. Maybe its the whole eat what you want...until you cant. I couldn't live like that anymore. Not trying to relive any glory days but happy to be athletic once again at 40.
  • drew87d
    drew87d Posts: 21 Member
    Former athlete here too. Its hard to look back and think of all the time and effort that was put in to whatever your area of interest was. To do the best that you could do. That has been a major road block for me. We need to surround ourselves with like minded people and reciprocate that support when times get tough!
    Feel free to add me, people! :)
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