Motivation

kikibaby

Lovely ladies, I need some motivation to start exercising, to eat better and lose some damn weight.  I just saw some recent pictures of myself and I've got a ton of "happy relationship" pounds that have got. to. go.  Even with that, I'm having trouble motivating myself.  Cause honestly, even after I saw the pics, I went to Mickey D's for lunch.  Yuck, I'm mad at myself.How do you guys psyche yourself up to eat a salad instead of a burger and to go to the gym after work instead of happy hour?

crfische

I would also like to sign up for the motivation plan.

danieliza1127

I don't.  ::shrug::  I've gained some weight since we got married and so has my H and we both know it, but neither of us care enough yet to do anything about it.  I know it won't work for me unless I really care and make a concerted effort and I just don't feel like doing that! 

Night_Sprite

I don't have junk in the house.  The thing in my house with highest sugar content is probably some berries in my freezer.Pack your lunch.Find a physical activity you enjoy.Try a food journal, sparkpeople.com is a free one.  Does that help?

Golfer'sLady

Weight Watchers.I'm getting rid of my newlywed weight!

kikibaby

Thanks, night.  But the thing is, I know what I NEED to do, but I need to know how the hell I make myself WANT to do it.  Besides not being able to button my jeans in the morning. I'm all for getting fat after the wedding, but I'd like to keep it off a little 'til then.

salt78

I know if I skip fast food and eat a salad instead, I won't feel totally gross afterwards, so that's motivation enough for me. As far as exercise is concerned...do I ever really WANT to go to the gym? Not often. But after I go, I'm always SO glad I went. Just think of the results you will get from it. That motivates me anyway.

Night_Sprite

What about a buddy system?

buttaflai

I started to work out and when I gave up, I'd call H and he would remind me of how much happier I am after the gym. He had to keep nudging me until I was addicted to the gym. It's all mental. I got back in a no-working-out-slump after the wedding since we were so busy, but it's the same thing again.He's still nudging until I get to that level of motivation myself. Then, it just feels like it's part of the routine, which is good. It's involuntary.

temerityjane

Weight Watchers, hands down.I don't eat salad instead of a burger. I eat what I want to eat, in reasonable portions. It's a great program, it's easy to follow and extremely motivating.I used to do the meetings kind and I liked it, now I do the online kind and like it just as well, though I think I did  a bit better with going to meetings.Now, if someone can help me come up with a way to deal with the 10 -15 lbs Buddy has put on, I'd be grateful.(I'm not shallow. He was actually a little skinny for my tastes when we met. It's his job. He has to PT test 2x a year.)

BecW2be

Can you print the recent pics out and paste them all over your house?

vallyhoo

Kiki - you look like a chubby hamster.Does that help?

TiDa2009

I with ya on the motivatin thing, kiki.  I've been "losing weight" for years now just to have gained some.  I think it's largely due to the fact that while I know I should, I don't really want to, yet.My motivation now is my wedding dress.  It will not fit if I dont' lose 10ish pounds.  Then, I'm hoping that losing 10 pounds will fuel my fire to continue on.

lpstl

Find someone to work out with. There's no way I'm going to a pilates class by myself, but if I have plans to go with someone I'm not going to flake out.Work out before you eat dinner, I never ever want to eat a greasy cheeseburger after working out. I actually want a crisp salad.

kikibaby

Those are good suggestions, salt and buttafli.  I do remember that I used to feel great after working out, but it's been soooo long.  Mostly, I'm scared to go to the gym and be all fat and out of shape.  It's embarassing. I also know I feel like shiit right now from eating McDonald's.  I just need to remember it tomorrow when I'm hungry and need a quick lunch.  Bringing my lunch is the key there, probably.Bec- that's a good idea, but at the same time, I don't know if I want friends/family thinking either A) she looks so fat in these pics! or she really loves herself to have pics bad pics all over the house.

Night_Sprite

What about a blog?  It is a public way to have a private journal.

Nebb

Youre not going to make a change, until you decide you really want to, its all you want. The longer you take to get going to lose it though and continue eating like that, you have the potential to gain more weight and that will take even longer to lose when you finally get to the point that you try. I frigging hate losing weight, its hard. Its harder though the more you have to lose so save yourself the trouble and start now.

lily5727

Get someone to work out with. Sometimes its easier if someone else is relying on you and also to have someone to keep me company. That is the only way I get my butt to the gym because also lack motivation and hate working out. Or like bec said take pictures of yourself and post them around.

jessiegirl_98

I don't. I just drove through Wendy's. Sigh.... I think that the only thing that works for me is the buddy system. Having a friend to go with and motivate you. Also, finding something that you really like to do. Instead of going to the gym, maybe enroll in a dance class or something else....

ac_in_dc

Please don't be embarrassed to go to the gym!! No one worth caring about cares what you look like there, I guarantee you.

tidetravel

I'm just like you - I know what I should do, I just don't do it. As far as the salad vs. burger issue, I've always believed that it's better not to deny yourself because you end up just eating and not being satisfied.  For example, if I had a HORRIBLE, must have craving for McDs, I would indulge it.  But I would only get a happy meal instead of a supersized Big Mac meal.  Then, you've satisfied your craving without completely blowing your calorie intake.  Same goes for chocolate - I would get a bag of hershey's kisses and have a few if/when I needed them (note: this does not work if you *need* them every 20 minutes)For exercise, find an activity that you enjoy.  I have a gym membership (well, had - it's on hold for $ reasons), and while I can't motivate myself to go and walk on a treadmill, I will go to a yoga class or a dance class.

BecW2be

I think your friends/family won't care. If I saw them, and you explained they were motivation, it could be a good conversation starter about your plans, workouts, etc. You could have more support than you think.

danieliza1127

Mostly, I'm scared to go to the gym and be all fat and out of shape. It's embarassing.Nobody is paying attention to you or judging you, don't be embarrassed.  People are worried about themselves and their own work-out, not you.

kikibaby

On the workout front, can you find some classes that you love? Or get a buddy? I think I'm going to try a class.  I like classes, because just randomly going to the gym I don't really know what to do.  Plus, it would probably be a little more fun- something dance-related would be great.  I have a friend who loves Zumba.I have a couple of buddies who would totally work out with me, but they're like, gym rats, and I could not keep up. 

Nebb

I see women of every shape and size at the gym, and I dont think twice about it. Theyre at the gym, doing something, and thats admirable. Everyone is focused on their work out and wont do much more than glance at you and then move on.

ac_in_dc

I've been really into the "5 factor fitness" plan by a guy named harley pasternak (he supposedly works with halle barry or something). I spent about a week reading the book and then jumped in to the routine on the following monday. It was awesome.If books & new workout plans motivate you, this is a quick and easy read.

kikibaby

I'll take a peak at that book, thanks.  I like to read, so I'll read anything   Who knows, maybe it'll motivate me?

tidetravel

I'm scared to go to the gym and be all fat and out of shape. It's embarassing.This was my problem too.  You have to find the right gym.  I tried Golds, and all that I could think was that people were thinking "look at the fat kid on the treadmill" because the only people I saw there were hardbodies.  The gym I switched to is a local sports fitness center.  There are people of all ages/sizes and it isn't as intimidating. 

bbyckes

Unfortunately, no one is going to be able to movitate you to lose weight.  You'll have to motivate yourself.   Since you know what to do and I'm sure more than capable of locating resources, it all lies with your intentions.  I've tried losing weight over the years by various tricks, fen-phen, Atkins, starvation - almost everything and I did lose weight.  And gained it ALL back and more.  Come up with a short-term goal like 5% of your body weight.  By doing this weight loss will not seem insurmountable. Like Nebb says, it's not easy.  It sucks.  But, I feel a lot better, look a lot better and my chances for diabetes and other illnesses continue to decrease with the more weight I lose.Don't settle for being fat - even after the wedding.

ThePinkSuperhero

I just started using the "Lose It" iPhone/iPod app to track what I eat, and it's fascinating!  In some ways, it's very encouraging- there are times when I'm hungry, and I feel like I've eaten to much for the day, but then I can look at my calorie counter and see, wow, I have some room, I can have a little snack.  The app is free, and strangely a lot of fun to use, I highly recommend it.

J&K10910

On the workout front, try to go as early in the day as possible.  I find the longer I wait, the more likely I am to skip it.  Remind yourself that you will hardly ever regret GOING to the gym, but you WILL regret not going.  A workout buddy is a great idea--especially if you go early in the morning.  It's harder to hit the snooze when you know someone is there waiting for you.As for food, I agree with AC I think, who said start by adding good things.  More fruits, more veggies.  Then take away the bad things.  But not completely.  If you deny yourself chocolate today, and tomorrow, and the next day, by the end of the week you'll eat a pan of brownies.  I keep a bag of chocolate chips around.  They satisfy  my chocolate cravings with only a few because they're pretty rich.Get rid of the crap food and don't keep it around.  If you REALLY want chips badly enough to go out and buy them--go ahead.  Get a small bag, and enjoy them.  But most of the time you won't want them that badly.