Motivation help..

jbrych2006

I have always been a big girl, and will always be big but I would like to get back down to where I was when I first met my fiance. I have quit smoking and quit drinking in the last 3 months and I do yoga and zumba twice a week. I still can not manage to get my diet and food under control. Any helpful ideas on how to stay on the right path?

This is what I looked like during the winter(I have lost around 15lbs since this was taken)






this is what i looked like three years ago when my fiance and I met, and where I would like to get close to again.

MarriedInAFever

Good for you, girl! You're making a lot of serious, healthy life changes! Quiting smoking is no easy task.

Try counting your calories through an online site like TheDailyPlate.com or SparkPeople.com Both those are free and can help keep you accountable. Many people here love Weight Watchers as well and have had a lot of success with that.

As far as exercise, that's great that you're already active. If you don't lift weights now, I would start. It's really beneficial and I think you would probably enjoy it. Good luck!

Julz629

Congrats on those huge changes so far!  I'm sure it hasn't been easy.

When I started losing weight, I was shocked at what a role diet played in it all.  I always worked out several days a week, but somehow I managed to put on 30 lbs in the 4 years since I graduated from college.  I did Weight Watchers online and was able to lose 30 lbs in 4 months and I've been keeping it off for about 3 now.

I never really ate terribly unhealthy, but I ate a lot of extras that added many many calories -- ranch dressing, sour cream, cheese, butter, etc.  I've learned to add flavor to my foods in other (healthier) ways.  Also, WW really taught me about portion control and it made me realize just how much I was eating.  The first week or two was rough as I adjusted to less food, but now I can't eat as much as I used to without feeling physically ill.

Start tracking your food -- every bite -- and I think you'll see some changes.

apnk2005

Diet really does play a huge role.  I really like the daily plate, and found it to be really similar to weight watchers, except you count calories instead of points (and the daily plate is free!).  It really helps me to plan out my meals on the daily plate, and see how many calories my plan is, and then I can adjust as needed.

Another thing I find to be helpful is to eat smaller meals more frequently.  It doesn't work for everyone, but I'll take a big lunch (or breakfast, or whatever), and break it up, so that I eat about half around lunchtime, and then half for an afternoon snack.  Half is usually enough to keep me full for a few hours, and it keeps from getting really hungry and eating everything in sight.

kpwedkk

Here's some encouragement!!  Go go go! I know you don't feel up to it, but you've got the wonderful support of this whole forum! If you teach yourself to be healthy, there's a lot of reduced risk for diseases, and a long time with your hubby! 

I agree with the dailyplate, it holds you accountable!

Get a workout buddy, it keeps you floating on the water when it comes to going to a gym with someone, or again holds you accountable!  If you don't have a buddy, I take personal training 2x a week with the city gym.  It's super cheap, and I've never missed an appointment.  That cha-ching keeps my mind in balance, and I really like talking while I work out, venting so to speak