Motivation?

jennkell

I have struggled with weight for the past 5 years. When I was younger (very active throughout high school in sports) I never had to watch what I ate. I am now paying for my diet habits. I still eat like I used to, but my metabolism is just not the same and I am not near as physically active.
What I'm getting at is, I know I need to lose weight, not only for my wedding next year (so I don't look back at pictures in disgust) but for my general well-being. My problem is no matter what I do, I fall off within a couple days.
Have any of you found some sort of great motivator to keep you on track?
I really see my diet issues as an addiction. I eat when I'm bored and it's like I can't control it sometimes. It's gotten to the point where I am ashamed of my eating habits.
HELP! Any suggestions would be great!

sister2groom

Can you get involved in an adult sports league? Or if that wouldn't quite work, something else that's a group activity like a class at the Y?

raynes

There are a couple of things you can try. 

1) start most slowly.  If going whole-hog and diving right in just makes you quit after a few days, add/remove things slowly.  Spend a week focusing on, say, getting more veggies without changing anything else.  Once that'd done, do one more thing for a week, maybe exercising every other day.  Add it in gradually and it might help.

2) find something you love.  The best diet and workout plans are ones you can stick with for life.  Traditional "diets" don't work, lifestyle changes do.  If you don't like doing something, you won't do it, so keep trying things until you find something you love.  sister2grooms ides of finding an adult sports league is a great idea, especially if that's something you loved before.

As for eating when you're bored, I find that if I plan out my meals for the day (3 meals and 2 or 3 snacks) I'm better at staying away from boredom eating.  That, and I always keep a big glass/bottle of water with me. 

JoMega

agree with everything raynes said!

3peg

I have a photograph of the dress I want that I carry with me and look at when I'm tempted to say, "Oh well, McDonnals won't hurt just this once" and etc. The pic of the dress is on the skinny dressmaker's mannequin thingy, and it looks so perfect and I know if I slim down and tone up it will be soooo beautiful on me. That's my motivation. The thoguht of walking down the aisle with everyone looking at me thinking, "Wow! She is beautiful!"
(I've only been engaged for 2 weeks and havent gone dress shopping yet)

lolomilly

Definitely agree with raynes... 

Make gradual changes.  Starting with diet changes, then adding exercise is typically the best way to go.

Set goals!!  And make sure your goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely).  For example, if you haven't exercised in a few years, it is unrealistic - and definitely not attainable - to say you will run a half marathon in a month.  To say that you will run for 15 minutes at a time in a month, however, would be a SMART goal.

Support system!  Make sure your FI and close friends/family know your goals and keep you accountable.  Joining a gym or a league is a really good idea.  Getting there is the hardest part, but once you walk in, it is hard to turn around and walk back out.  And going to exercise classes is SUPER motivating.  Being around other people with similar goals and seeing others exercise makes you want to do the same, does it not?

Hope this helps!

missfarar

I agree with those above me.

My main motivation is being healthy overall. I'm currently on a healthy lifestyle plan (that can be easily carried out once the program is over in 6more weeks) at my doctor's office. I was diagnosed with a condition that can reduce symptoms if weight is lost. So, in order to make sure I don't have any of those symptoms show up, I have begun losing weight and eating better.

jennkell

Thanks guys..all great suggestions!
I belong to a gym and they have some rec leagues that I should definitely look into.
I just wish I had someone or something that would really kick me in the rear to keep me with it. Something will trigger it eventually, I just don't know what yet!