How frustrating!

I would go back to tracking your calories - just dont get obsessive about it.

My trainer gave me a good tip. Take a "before" picture of yourself from the backside. That sure keeps me motivated~! I also get one free day a week when I do not have to work out or track what I eat. Today they had baklava at the office. I wrapped two small pieces to go to save for my free day which is Sunday.

I got motivated by getting tired of the little tings I noticed about my body, like my belly, and my thighs. I also got really tired of feeling like I didn't have any energy and seeming exhausted after simple things. I have less than 20 lbs to lose but I have a lot of strength to gain. I like to count down to how much longer I have to work out than how much longer I have to go. It seems to go faster for me that way. : )

Hang in there.

You've got to think hard about WHY you want this... then write it down. Then look at it. Everyday.

I want to stave off cancer, arthritis, and osteoporosis for as long as possible. I want to see my great grandchildren grow up.

I educate myself about what eating a cheeseburger and a chocolate bar does to my liver, brain, pancreas, endocrine system, energy levels, blood vasculature, and emotions and then I research what spinach, fish, almonds, etc... does to those same systems.

Then the choice is clear and easy for me.

But then again, I'm a big nerd and I like to study about nerdy things like that.

I really like Dr. Mehmet Oz's book, YOU: on a Diet. He does an EXCELLENT job describing the above - an entertaining and informative read.

I had been tracking my calorie intake and lost about 10lbs. Well I started obsessing and all I thought about was my next meal and counting calories. I needed a break before it became an eating disorder. I stopped counting and focused on eating healthy foods but not really tracking calories or weighing in. Just going by how I felt. I switched my birth control to the pill and BAM! I gained weight! More than I was when I started! I've also been less active lately which definitely hasn't helped. I need to find a way to motivate myself to get up and moving again. I am thinking about signing up for a triathlon to see if that motivates me, but I also don't want to sign up and then end up puking or drowning myself in a race I couldn't motivate myself to train for! Any thoughts?

How did you find the motivation?

What helps drive you off the couch to the gym after a long day of class and work (or one or the other)?

I think hormones have a lot to do with gaining and losing weight. I am reading the book by Taubes Why We get Fat and he explains a bit about how the loss of estrogen disrupts the body's way to process and store calories.

You've got to think hard about WHY you want this... then write it down. Then look at it. Everyday.

I want to stave off cancer, arthritis, and osteoporosis for as long as possible. I want to see my great grandchildren grow up.

I educate myself about what eating a cheeseburger and a chocolate bar does to my liver, brain, pancreas, endocrine system, energy levels, blood vasculature, and emotions and then I research what spinach, fish, almonds, etc... does to those same systems.

Then the choice is clear and easy for me.

But then again, I'm a big nerd and I like to study about nerdy things like that.

I really like Dr. Mehmet Oz's book, YOU: on a Diet. He does an EXCELLENT job describing the above - an entertaining and informative read.

Yes, what she said. I would recommend doing some reading on health and nutrition. How do you want to feel when you are 70? I want to be strong, fit, and enjoy my life. You look at most 70 year old people and they are riddled with health problems. Heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc. You want to enjoy your life and you can start by taking care of yourself now! This is what motivates me every....single....day.

I look at my *kitten* and BAM instant motivation. Really, and seriously. When I'm not sure if I want to work out or if I want that 400 calorie cupcake I do a butt squeeze . . . thinking about all that maximus on my gluteus makes me feel all sorts of icky.

First there are medications that don't make you gain as much weight....I still take three that do but It used to be four but one was able to change.

Today I have no motivation at all but I'm sick as a dog and those days happen.

The day before I had no motivation because I gained 2 lbs!!!!! I was posting to someone else and went back to check mine and yep BAM! the day before my sodium was out of this world from a family reunion BBQ. Now I don't feel so bad. I'll take Sadie for a small walk. Sometimes just the smallest thing will build. like I had started with just a two block walk of 10 minutes now I am at 35 minutes pretty fast walk (my dog thinks we can run) and I add stretchingof 15 minutes and 10 minutes of things like crunches and leg lifts. Just a little helps. And if this is all I do then thats ok too. I loose a little each week. Even if I just loose 1 oz thats ok I'll get there.

About the posting. I said to my daughter just this afternoon, I think it's bad when I think of lyeing on MY program or not eat because I would have others see or damage my back (I have X-spots recently put in for spinal stenosis) or even make a new account to be just for me that was the truth..many other ideas came to mind...then I was like hey! everyone here has been thru the same thing and this is MY diary and program and I don't have to be or say or do things for other people here and we ALL have set backs whether we say so or not. AND biggest of all to me you just posted this which shows me you are getting motivated. I know you will continue to be more and more motivated until you love it. I know that. Because you are asking for help

I understand totally, I am doing it so I can be alive to see my children grown.

What gets me off the couch? Knowing..that when I'm finished..I will be that one step closer then I was before. Also...I have a goal skirt..I try that on when I need a little "kick in the butt"!!!

I'll also say..hanging around kids gets me motivated..I really want to have a baby, but at my weight (and health reasons) it's not in my sights..so if I hang out around kids I get that..awww.I want one...feeling and then I want to work out!!

I'm still trying to find my motivation again. This is the 3rd time I'm trying to lose the same stinking weight and it's so much harder this time. Can't figure out why...guess I've just gotten comfortable and lazy!

Good luck!

I too am having trouble....I think it is because you never lose fat cells they just shrink and they have an incredible memory for staying at a set point and have no trouble expanding all over again.

That makes so much sense! I have gone back to my old ways of eating lately and it is so hard to get back into things! This makes sense now if only we can figure out how to resolve it