I have absolutely NO MOTIVATION. Please help!

Hello, and welcome to MFP. I don't need to lose 401 lbs, acutally I only need to lose 1 more lb. I think you may want to make friends who are not just needing to 401lbs, but also from those who has successfully lost weight already Those people will probably be more of an inspiration to you. Not saying that if you need to lose that much weight you can not inspire someone to lose, but I think you know what I mean!!!

Anywho, if you want to add me to your list, I will do everything in my power to help you, but you have to remember, no matter what inspiration you get, you will have to take it and use it. This starts with you!!!! SO LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED RIGHT!!!!!


robin

Only you can make the commitment to change. Once you have fully committed to a lifestyle change, the motivation will come naturally. Until then, you are left to wallow.

Wow, you sound like me. ZERO motivation to move. Hot here too (Az) and doubt my dogs want to move outside either. New here and motivated to stick to logging in daily but was never into any exercising at all (came close to failing PE in school, sigh).
Have MORE than 50 lbs to lose but other than that, we could be related.
Like the poster above me, perhaps when I lose more (and the fall/winter comes, although we don't get much of it) I'll be more ambitious to work out.

I am a newbie also and I have NO MOTIVATION to exercise what so ever!

Inspiration: You see a photo of a supermodel, a photo of what you looked like back in high school, an old pair of pants you used to fit into or want to fit into, or perhaps you just get shocked by the number on the scale.

Motivation: You "feel" like working out. "Hey, I'm going to ride my bike today or go for a walk." You go outside smiling and whistling your favorite tune. It's so nice out today and this is good for me.

Dedication: Alarm goes off. You hit snooze and grumble about how tired you are. You sigh heavily, get up anyway, go to the gym. "Stupid $%*@ cardio. I hate you!" 30 minutes later you feel no regret for getting up and doing what you know you need to do.

Everyone feels inspired to be in better shape, some people are even motivated to be in better shape; however, the people that are dedicated to be in better shape are the ones that achieve their goals. Be that person.

I had the same problem up until about a month ago. I have about 50 lbs. to lose and gained it all within 6 months due to lack of working out and making poor food choices. I totally understand you situation with the heat (I am in Houston). I started and joined MFP about a month ago and It took me about 2 weeks to get into a workout routine and now if I don't workout I feel really guilty. A 30 walk with my dog makes me feel better. I also got a personal trainer to make me commit to work outs. Have you thought of joining a weight watchers group or anything?

Also, I have some girlfriends who use MFP and seeing that they work out and eat healthy motivates me to do it as well. YOU CAN DO IT!

Try working out in the pool. If you jog in the pool for an hour, you can burn 800 calories. Also, with the food intake try going out and getting food you like, but watch the calories intake. Another thing I did was about 30 days ago, I first started my calories off at 1550 to get use to changing calories intake and then now I'm eating 1450. Remember it take 21 days to make something a habit. Just try to log in for 21 days straight.

Some things that help me...
I created a playlist of music videos that encourage me on Youtube and Godtube. I prop the IPAD up on the treadmill with remote headphones....watch my lists while I run. It keeps my mind, body and heart energized and motivated.....must less focus on the task when my mind is elsewhere.
As for walking outside...bring a big bottle of water (or two), use them as weights when you walk. Create an energizing playlist on your mp3 and move to the beat...walking fast or slow jog...making sure you are drinking that water you brought along as you go.
I have heard great things about ZUMBA, but have not joined a class myself. Often you have to force yourself to do it...with good music/videos racing through your mind..it's a total encouragement.
I post encouraging scriptures and quotes around the house to keep my focus...on being healthy, not losing weight. Tearing yourself down will only bring you down. Having others to this with me, holding me accountable and praying for each other really helps. Love the support of others...positive support.
On days you really feel lazy...do a lighter workout...just don't let yourself get in a rut. Don't beat yourself up, but fight for yourself...a healthier you-one step at a time. When your mind is beating you down...remember how good it feels when your workout is over, when you ate a healthy meal and focus on that instead. It's not about vanity, it's about your health...you can totally do it.

Two years ago I got an earful of "motivation" from various friends and family who were "concerned about my health." I wasn't ready to do anything, no matter the words of others....many of whom spouted stats and family history - blah blah blah. "Don't you want to see your children grow up?" yadda yadda yadda. It's like trying to convince the chain smoker that their family is going to be around their hospital bed looking at pics of their black lungs. THIS, for me, IS NOT motivation. Neither is the "rah rah rah, you can do it" bullcrap.

So what is my point? Motivation is going to have to come from within. When you are ready you will start....when you lapse there will be people with words.... but ONLY YOU can do anything about it. I know. I've been there.

so even with all the encouragment...I didn't DO ANYTHING until May of this year when I made up my own mind. Lost over 30 pounds in a month and don't plan on going back. However, I come here to read the forums and get information..... the motivation is great, don't get me wrong.... but I alone can cahnge myself.

I WISH YOU THE BEST. Good luck, cher!

Find something you love doing that's active for the exercise. Get rid of all the junk out of your house so you wont' be tempted to eat crap. Leave the cash/credit/debit card at home so you don't stop for something on the way to or home from work. Eat before you go shopping.

There are lots of things you can do to help, but ultimately, you have to decide what your motivation is. We can't give it to you.

Only you can make the commitment to change. Once you have fully committed to a lifestyle change, the motivation will come naturally. Until then, you are left to wallow.

I agree the motivation has to come from you, however MFP friends can give you support and encouragement. Good luck

There's nothing anyone can do to motivate you. Inspire you, yes.....support you, yes.....give advice, yes. But motivation comes from within. How bad do you want this? Badly enough to make some lifestyle changes? Dig deep, it's not easy, but it will be worth it.

You can exercise inside in the air conditioning. Get home DVD work outs. Or just look up free work outs online. They have them where you can print and check off as you go along or you can watch free ones to do on 100's of websites. Don't let the heat be an excuse to not work out. Because then the next thing you know it will be too cold outside to work out.

I've never been a dieter and I've never been one to work out. Until I had my second baby- never had an issue with wieght. Boy have I had a rude awakening!

I'm 32 and I'm the heaviest I've ever been and I don't have healthy habits. So here I am trying it out. I think recording your food intake has helped me look at food in a different way. As long as your honest with yourself- you will start looking at those calories and asking "is it worth it?"

My problem has been working out. I too cannot stand hot weather- I live in Kentucky so its extremely humid and 103 degrees today! No way am I going to do that! What I found that helps me is designating some "me" time. I pick a book out and take it on the treadmill. Don't over do it at first. Just see how many chapters you can read while walking. I do that everyday now (luckily I have a treadmill at work) I find myself looking forward to it because I want to know what happens in the book.

Sorry dear...but the only person who can truly motivate you is you.

I like to look at before and after pics of people....that keeps me motivate.

Ha. Me too! Plus the tips of how successful people did it is great. I don't need anymore information from skinny people who have never been fat, nor from the 300 lb nutritionist who hasn't put their money where their mouth is.

What helped me was starting by focusing on my diet only. Calories in vs. calories out is the most important part of losing weight (if not everything). Also, for me, it was much less daunting to decide to watch my calories than it was to decide to go to the gym 4 times a week! Just log everything you eat on MFP and follow the daily calorie allowance they give you. Then you can slowly start adding in exercise. Good luck