Motivation, please!

The biggest thing, the absolute most important part of weight loss, is to do something. Anything. Big, small, whatever, you have to make a change. After than, the other changes come easier. My first change was swapping out white rice for instant brown rice. From there it was minimizing red meat and using sandwich thins instead of bread. Going from two slices of cheese on a sandwich to one. Eating smaller portions at dinner, etc.

Exercise it was watching less TV and moving more, to going to a gym and being on a cardio machine for 20 min, then 30, then 40, then 50. Weight training same thing. Going to the gym 1 or 2 days a week to 4 or 5 days a week. People who start big, and make huge sweeping changes in everything they do, tend to resent those changes and it all falls apart when they get mad at themselves, their trainers, their spouses, life in general, the bathroom scale, and they give up. Anyone looking for super quick results with minimal input and next to no life changes isn't really being practical.

Hi there!

I gave up mayonnaise and full fat coke at first.. and between Christmas 2011 and about a month ago I had lost over half a stone just from doing that and nothing else. Totally agree the little changes make a BIG difference. Be honest with yourself, you won't lose weight if you are kidding yourself about what you consume in a day!

In the past month I have lost another 4 pounds. Regular exercise and sticking to the consumption guidelines that myfitnesspal has suggested has helped me no end!

Good luck!

Hey Chelsea,

Everyone's motivation is different, but in my experience that initial push to get up and going is the toughest one, but after that it's been easy to stay on target. It sounds corny but eventually those fitness steps you have to make a concious decision to do everyday become second nature further on. For me, watching what I eat and working out everyday has now become my lifestyle, and I can still do all the other fun things I like to do. You can totally do it, there isn't any secrets to getting into shape, you only really need to stay motivated. Feel free to add me if you would like, I log on daily!

My best motivation is a note on my fridge that says
"Are you hungry or bored?"
Hungry- eat the chicken
Bored- walk the dogs

It has stopped many eating because I'm bored moments and if I'm not hungry enough to eat the shredded chicken then I'm eating the wrong food. Plus the puppies love the extra walk and attention

My friend lost lots of weight and I didn't want to be her fat mate, a bit selfish and vain I guess but it was for the best in the end. Now I just can't seem to stop :P

My biggest motivator is wanting to accomplish something within myself. Proving that I can do this. Instead of giving up, I want to know I pushed through the difficult times, the pain, and the sacrifice and made a legitimate change in my weight and in my life. It is so motivating to know I am changing myself for the better!

Hi,

For me, my biggest motivator was that I woke up one day feeling like a 90 year old woman on her death bed and looked even worse lol I didn't want to feel/loo that way anymore. So, I have taken matters into my own hands and getting the job done. I find the people on here and the stories they share super inspirational - take advantage of it!!

Good luck, girlie!!!

my motivation was seeing a picture of me i was heart broken!
i was 116 and after 2 pregnancies i was 185 pounds...
tried many things and im thankfull to my friend who told me about MFP,
its helped me out so much!!!
and so has the UFC!!!

Good luck on your adventure and if you want to add me please feel free to do so!!!!

I think it really helps to have a goal to work towards. That way when you're reaching for the Snickers bar, you can remind yourself it won't help you reach that goal any faster. The most important thing when setting your goal though, is it has to be reasonable. For instance, it's probably not reasonable for a woman of 5' 11" to set her goal to fit into size 0 pants, because that's probably not even possible because her bones underneath are bigger than a size zero.

For most people, fitness goals work best and are more motivating than weight loss goals. If you set your goal to lose 5 pounds in two weeks and you fail, you'll lose your motivation. Instead, pick something that you can definitely work towards. For example, running one mile without stopping to walk, completing a 5k, bench pressing 100 pounds, hiking to somewhere you've never been before, etc. Make sure to set small milestones along the way too so you can pat yourself on the back. For example if your goal is to run one mile without stopping, your first milestone is when you run 1/4 mile without stopping, the second milestone when you get to 1/2 mile, etc.

My best motivation is a note on my fridge that says
"Are you hungry or bored?"
Hungry- eat the chicken
Bored- walk the dogs

It has stopped many eating because I'm bored moments and if I'm not hungry enough to eat the shredded chicken then I'm eating the wrong food. Plus the puppies love the extra walk and attention