UPDATE: An interesting article on this very topic was on MSN. Turns out we should all be a little nicer to ourselves.
Remember in June when I was talking about how I needed to lose weight and then did next to nothing about it (short of making some low-fat chocolate cake)? Well, I am finally getting serious--getting up early, walking outside in the heat, hating every minute of it. But I am doing it. Because I am so tired of being fat, so grinning and bearing it is all I have.
I've often thought about what motivates me. The answer is not much. I'm not inspired by The Biggest Loser. (As it turns out, fat people crying about their drama and leaving their own lives with personal trainers isn't that inspiring.) The latest books or fad diets don't interest me. The thought of Zumba terrifies me. (I'm serious about the lack of dance skills people!) I have a closet full of clothes I want to wear and can't. Even knowing that I need to do it for my own health doesn't get me going. But, the conclusion I've come to is that my will can overcome the missing motivation. It's not about the why, at least for now, it's about just putting one foot in front of the other and doing it. Maybe the motivation will come, maybe it won't, but I shouldn't let that be one more reason not to do it. I'm lucky that I'm not doing it alone. It seems like many of those around me, including real-life and blog friend, Crys, are buckling down. (Don't expect to see me running just yet, though!) And like everything else, it's easier if you aren't having to go it alone.
So what about you? Are you trying to lose weight? What motivates you? Tell me all about it, friends!
I wish I knew what motivates me so that I could bottle it and save it for the days when I'm lazy. I went hardcore with the dieting and running for six months and lost 55 pounds, but I've plateaued and am JUST now feeling up to getting back on track. If you find the secret, pass it my way! :)
ReplyDelete55 lbs. is nothing to sneeze at! I think frustration is just part of the journey. The key is not to beat yourself up and just keep going!
DeleteWe had a contest at work and I hate the thought of paying money if I gained weight. So I lost 20 pounds and I didn't think I needed to. But two years later I'm so glad I did.
ReplyDeleteThere is a free ap called myfitnesspal and it helps you count calories. I just got it and I thought I knew my calorie count but I was off. Hoping that this helps me out a little bit.
We've done the contest at work thing, too. Let's just say I lost! My friends use the Lose It app. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteYou know I'm doing ww. I have lost 23lbs so far. I had a reallllllly crap week and a half, and realized I threw the fat clothes away and that I don't want to be able to wear these clothes next summer....even though I love the new wardrobe I just bought.
ReplyDeleteI go to curves early in the mornings with my mom
There are days we misbehave....we are also trying to make an effort to walk....i got the stability ball... Pretty much, I found a pic of myself from high school....and wanted to throw up thinking about how fat I got. There's no reason I can't eat and cook delicious food and be hot. Hahahahahaha and you can too!
Oh, and know what else is a good motivator? Thinking about the gross wrinkled up skin when you're old and lose weight bc ....you're old.... so I have to get unfat now while my skin can still make a decent recovery
You are a rock star! Your dedication has definitely helped motivate me. I don't want to be your fat friend forever!
DeleteUGH! Fine! I have no motivation, but perhaps the fact that my friends are going to be skinny and in shape and I'm still going to be fat if i don't get my rear in gear is enough to make me do it!
ReplyDeleteBandwagons are fun! Join ours. Taking it one day at a time is all you can do!
DeleteI'm a new commenter, just found your blog actually! I found my motivation from youtube of all places... I found a video simply named PCOS Weight Loss, and watching this woman transform before my eyes, lit a fire under my rear that got me going! I went from 292 to 262, then plateaued after getting discouraged. A year later (which is present) I started back at the gym using the eliptical and I've gone from 262 to 242 making my grand weight loss 50lbs to date. I've hit a lull now, because I've been too tired to get to the gym, but I get closer every day, haha. Once you get started it'll be easier to keep going- an object in motion stays in motion, an object at rest stays at rest. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, Sara! You sound like you were starting out about where I am now. I can only hope for such good results. I'm not weighing myself right now because I get number obsessed and I want it to be more about developing good habits for now. I really want it this time, so I am hoping to keep at it! Good luck to you as well!
DeleteCan I join in?? All I am missing is motivation too!! I have healthy, athletic friends but I feel sooooo far behind, I don't like to join them in their workouts. They've never once complained about slowing up for me. It's all in my head. Friends cheer me on when they see me out running (which isn't a pretty sight). I've finished a marathon. I just can't lose weight. I need friends who are in the same boat. I've got 80 pounds to lose. I've got a team relay race in 29 days. I've got a half marathon in less than 3 months. I can do this. Right??
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely you can! Do you have a Twitter account? We have been doing a lot of cheering each other on over there. Motivation is a hard thing, but what I am really discovering is that it's sometimes doing something every single day, even when you don't feel like it. But not beating yourself up if you don't. Good luck to you! Come by on here or email me or tweet me if you need someone else to talk it out with!
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