I can't stay motivated.
bearinthebigbluehouse
Posts: 43 Member
I have lost weight before with Weight Watchers years and I know what works and what doesn't. I will start and give up. I have friends who love to exercise and they do intense workouts but I hate it. My husband lost 45 pounds by not eating carbs and eating less. I just don't understand myself!
3
Replies
-
Hi, I know this situation as well.
From sport, from work. If I ask if I feel like it, answer is no. So I don't take into account if I love it or hate it. I do it, even if pestering.
Afterwards I'm happy it's done. Next day it'll be the same. Some day I will like it. Until then I keep on doing it. Accepting than first the hard work is to be done, later on I'll have the recompense2 -
First of all, what your husband can do and what you can do are two totally different things. Men have an easier time losing weight than women and that's just how it is. Don't compare yourself and suffer by it. It's also the eating less part of what he did that caused him to lose weight. Eating fewer carbs may have been easier for him to accomplish it but simply limiting carbs by itself won't cause weight loss unless it results in fewer calories being consumed.
As I'm sure you know, the thing about motivation is that it has to come from within. No one can give it to you and you can't give it to someone else, either. Every one of us has to find it for ourselves. You can, however, be inspired by others' motivation. Look at the success stories in these forums or strike up a conversation in the boards. Make a list of the reasons you want to lose/maintain your weight, post it where you can see it often and refer to it when you feel yourself slipping. Many here will tell you that rather than needing motivation, you need commitment, good habits and dedication. When motivation wears down, and it always does eventually, commitment, your habits and dedication will often take over and get you through the tough times.
And one more thing.... you'll see people here talking about the "light switch moment". It's that distinct moment in time where you are suddenly ready to do whatever it takes to lose weight/get healthy/strive for some goal. I know I can tell you the exact moment it happened to me and what I was doing when I felt it. If you haven't felt that click yet it's going to be very difficult for you. If you're not ready, you're not ready. It might be helpful for you to examine the reasons you keep giving up. Understanding and overcoming those reasons might very well be your key to sticking to it when you're ready.5 -
It has to be something you really want to do. If you do, you DON'T need to do crazy diets or super hard workouts either. You just have to have a moderate calorie deficit on a CONSISTENT basis.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
2 -
If it works, then why do you stop doing it?1
-
I started by walking 15 min at first. Then it turned into 30 now I'm walking 2-3 miles 4 times a week. Then came the counting calories. The key is finding something you can do for the rest of your life. Counting calories is it for me. I want pizza sure, deducted it from my daily allotted calories.
Never give up.4 -
To lose weight, you need a sustained calorie deficit. Exercise, restrictive diets, not necessary. In fact, counterproductive. If it were working, you'd be doing it. Instead, do what really works: Log your food correctly, hit your calorie goal. Move to feel good. Repeat, day in and day out.2
-
I'm not a fan of exercise either - I don't really like the 'gym atmosphere' and I dread the whole exertion thing.
For me, it is hugely important to find an exercise I enjoy. It took a long time but I found dance! I attend various Zumba classes and at the moment I am doing Shaun T's "CIZE" programme which I'm finding really fun. For me, running on the treadmill was becoming tedious and depressing. It's important to mix it up and discover new things so exercise doesn't become a chore. Even simply going for walks as opposed to driving can really be good for you!
You know how this is done - you just need to find ways of making this work for you and your lifestyle. Your friends may love the intense work-out thing and that works for them but it won't necessarily suit YOU. And that's okay. You can do this.1 -
Lift weights. Don't overthink it just do it.1
-
I find it hard to stay motivated on the exercise also..because it doesnt seem to make a difference...so I end up sore with no weight loss and am hungry from not eating...just must not be doing something right1
-
I hear you. I am just rejoining after falling off the wagon big time, even though my husband has been doing very well and sticking to the program. The thing that helped me get restarted today was watching a video that stressed that obesity is a chronic disease and needs chronic life-long attention or treatment (calorie restriction and healthy movement) just as any other chronic illness usually needs life long attention.1
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.7K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 1.2K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions