How do you stay motivated when those around you aren't?

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dsweise
dsweise Posts: 19 Member
in Motivation and Support
OK, I'm seriously back on track, tracking all my calories and giving a concerted effort at making sure I stay within my target fo rthe day. Unfortunately I'm limited on the exercise front due to a knee injury and waiting on the OK from the doctor. My question for the community is how do you stay motivated and on track when those around you aren't? My wife and daughter say they support me, but aren't moving forward with me as they need to. I try to stay within my targets, but there is so much unhealthy food in the house that it is difficult. There are also comments about my tracking of everything which make it hard as well. They both think weight loss surgery is the answer, but I say it isn't. They want to take that route, but I know that the better, safer, healthier route, as well as the more rewarding route, is to do it on your own. Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Replies

  • Usbornegal
    Usbornegal Posts: 601 Member
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    Love your profile pic. Was that a 1/2 marathon?

    My suggestion is to beef up your friends list here and build your supportive community with MFP. Your wife and daughter will respond when they are good and ready, just like each of us made our own choice in our own time.

    Set up your own cupboard in the house for your foods, do your own shopping and if necessary, start doing your own cooking and meal planning. Tell them you are doing an experiment to see who's plan is most successful and the first one to 50 pound loss gets new clothes or something.

    Start a journal and every day record your successes, your struggles and what you have learned. It could be an MFP blog page, or a paper journal to hand write in.

    Set targets such as # of miles walked/run, # of minutes in the gym, etc., to motivate yourself.

    Most of all, realize that you need to stay strong for you, to save your life, to have the life choices you can pick rather than the ones that life will let you due to your size. Me? I want to go for a horseback ride. They won't let you at a commercial place if you are over a certain weight.

    Keep up the good work!!
  • Sl1ghtly
    Sl1ghtly Posts: 855 Member
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    My awesomness blinds me to others habits. It a gift.
  • Tiff587
    Tiff587 Posts: 264 Member
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    Thats terrible! You are doing so well to stick with this given the lack of support.

    While weight loss surgery can help some people, it should be a last resort! Surgery is dangerous and really isn't going to fix the problem straight away, plenty of people have it, have a slight loss and then put it back on. The stomach is very stretchy and anything you do to it the body can fix, if you don't learn to control your eating.
    What you are doing to is much better! The only thing I can say is be selfish! Your doing this for yourself, it doesn't matter what they think. You are in control of your body and your life and this is what you want. You never know when you start getting fitter and healthier they may see why your way is best!
    xx
  • JipsyJudy
    JipsyJudy Posts: 268 Member
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    I've been struggling with non support at home for years. At least since I do the shopping and cooking, I control the food in my house. But when we go out to eat, my hubby orders a greaseburger and fries while I eat salad and grilled shrimp. It's hard some days. He will tease me when the waiter asks if we want dessert by telling the waiter his wife will have a large, hot fudge sundae, and then I have to countermand the order. The best things that have happened to me are (1) becoming prediabetic, which took my diet out of the realm of lifestyle choice and put it in the realm of necessity and (2) MFP. You took the right step to post this here. Whenever my motivation and commitment start to lapse due to the kinds of frustrations you described, I start trolling the discussion boards here and hunting for conversations with other kindred souls and for inspiring words. I've had knee problems for 30 years too. About ten years ago, I was told by my doctor that I needed a knee replacement. I had to go to 5 specialists before I found one who would work with me to save the knee. When I told her I wanted to make my knee last instead of getting surgery, she paused for a moment, looked at me sternly, and told me the first thing I had to do was to lose 50 pounds. I've rebuilt enough function in my knees that I can walk for hours, ride bikes, and swim. Be careful with the knee once you're able to exercise again. Slow and steady wins the race.
  • dsweise
    dsweise Posts: 19 Member
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    Love your profile pic. Was that a 1/2 marathon?

    My suggestion is to beef up your friends list here and build your supportive community with MFP. Your wife and daughter will respond when they are good and ready, just like each of us made our own choice in our own time.

    Set up your own cupboard in the house for your foods, do your own shopping and if necessary, start doing your own cooking and meal planning. Tell them you are doing an experiment to see who's plan is most successful and the first one to 50 pound loss gets new clothes or something.

    Start a journal and every day record your successes, your struggles and what you have learned. It could be an MFP blog page, or a paper journal to hand write in.

    Set targets such as # of miles walked/run, # of minutes in the gym, etc., to motivate yourself.

    Most of all, realize that you need to stay strong for you, to save your life, to have the life choices you can pick rather than the ones that life will let you due to your size. Me? I want to go for a horseback ride. They won't let you at a commercial place if you are over a certain weight.

    Keep up the good work!!

    Thank you for your response.

    That was my completion of the Pumpkinman Sprint Triathlon in October of 2010. I was down almost 50lbs from where I am today.

    I know I can do it, and I would love them to do it with me. You are right though, I can't make them do it and I have to do it for me and my health.
  • dsweise
    dsweise Posts: 19 Member
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    Thank you all for the words of encouragement! I know this is the right thing to do, but you understand how your head can get in the way at times. :smile: Slow and steady isn't the latest fad, nor is it exciting and dramatic, but I know its the way to go. I will continue and hopefully with my progress, they will see the results and decide to join me on the journey.
  • roadworthy
    roadworthy Posts: 130
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    You are doing this for you first and foremost. I would stick with it keeping in mind that one day in the very near future they will see your progress and maybe jump on board. In the meantime there are so many of us here that are all in the same style of boat and want this for ourselves.:)

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