Hi, my name is Danielle, and I need motivation

I know exactly what I need to do to lose weight and feel good about myself. I have all of the utilities and means at my disposable to do what I want. I have set large goals, small goals and have tried to take it "day by day." However, I just can't do it. I'm not motivated. I find excuses to not exercise. I eat fine throughout the day and then I get home and eat the worst foods and justify it by saying, I'll start tomorrow. Which I don't. I need help. I'm not trying hard enough. I don't know whats wrong. I'm using a situation in my life as an excuse as to why I am unhappy and feel like I look terrible, but that excuse is getting old even to me now.

Does anyone have any help or motivation?

Thanks.

Re: Hi, my name is Danielle, and I need motivation

Hi Danielle-

First of all, don't beat yourself up about any of this. It's hard to find the motivation to exercise and eat right especially if you are emotionally not feeling your best. It's a vicious cycle. The good thing is that you are aware of this and are wanting to change it.

For me, I had to just snap myself out of it and start cold turkey. I know for some this doesn't work...but I am an all or nothing type person when it comes to this. At this point in my life, (and I have said this before and some disagreed) fitness and nutrition are just something I do. Like brushing my teeth or taking a shower. Sure, there are days when I feel like laying in my pjs all day without doin this two things but I get myself up and just do it since I know they are good for me.

Look, it might not be feasible for you to exercise everyday but you can certainly do things to help your "diet" each day. What kinds of things do you like to eat? Were you really into running, D? Maybe try to get back into that.

As far as the dieting, I allow myself one cheat meal a weak and I fully enjoy it. It keeps me sane knowing that I have a treat to look forward to on the weekends. I also, (with the exception of this day) don't make my rewards food. go for a manicure, buy a new top do ANYTHING else. But not, "Oh I worked out hard, I deserve that big mac." Make it something else you enjoy!

You CAN do this, Danielle. You SO can. You have to have patience with yourself and allow yourself to take the time to do this. You DESERVE to feel happy and good about yourself and you will.

If there is anything I can help with please let mek now!

Re: Hi, my name is Danielle, and I need motivation

Motivation really has to come from you! You sound like you have the right frame of mind though- which is great.
I'm a firm believer if you want to lose weight you have to be 95% committed. (I leave out that 5% because: 1. nobody is perfect and 2. it's perfectly fine and normal to cheat!).

My suggestion would be to throw out all that bad food in your house. If I have cookies in my house I know I'll eat them- so I don't bring them in! If DH buys cookies I tell myself that those are HIS and I can't touch them. All of my snacks in the house are fruit or pre-portioned snacks (ex: Weight Watchers pop chips, 100 calorie bags of popcorn). At least if I'm going to grab a snack I only have preportioned and healthy options.

Also, have you considered Weight Watchers? I lost 60lbs on the plan 3 years and I'm a lifetime member. I still go to my weekly meeting. There is nothing more motivational than sitting in a room full of people with similar goals who support you.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Re: Hi, my name is Danielle, and I need motivation

I had been wanting to lose weight for a while. Every day I would wake up and say this was the day I was going to start. I would eat great in the morning, then as the day progressed I would eat worse and worse and say I would start the next day. One day I woke up and I was sooo miserable. I decided to join Weight Watchers. The first couple of days I just plugged in what I ate just to see exactly how bad I was eating. I think I was alotted 31 pts in the beginning and I think I was eating almost 50pts a day. It really shocked me to know exactly how bad I was eating.

I went out and went food shopping. As Colleen said, I bought tons of healthy stuff and pre portioned it. I planned out my entire day down to the very snacks and drinks I would have. I did this for 2 weeks, no cheating. Once I was in the routine of staying within my points I started exercising and I would allow myself one cheat day, and even then I didn't go crazy.

It really helped me to plan everything out. Also with WW fruits and most veggies are 0pts so I would just make sure I had lots on hand in case I got hungry.

You can do this!!!!!!!

Re: Hi, my name is Danielle, and I need motivation

I found that recruiting a partner really helped me to get going in the exercise department. In addition to that, I visit a few healthy living websites every day and that kind of gets me in the zone. You need to get into the right frame of mind and seeing a small positive result will start to fuel you!

Re: Hi, my name is Danielle, and I need motivation

It sounds like you have tried a lot of things already. Have you tried signing up for a class at a gym? That way, if it is booked, you can't really put off the exercise because you have to go whether you want to or not. I always make excuses not to exercise. I have to either do it right when I wake up or it actually never happens and I am NOT a morning person. Usually, having a gym partner helps me. If DH exercises, so do I. The fact that he is going to the gym motivates me to just go along with him and sometimes I work out really hard but sometimes, even then, I am slacking off a bit in the gym. But even that little bit is better than sitting on the couch and then feeling bad about myself the next day. Did you ever try getting new workout clothes that might make you excited to get out there and exercise? In terms of food, can you try to make your portions smaller of what you have now? Make a shopping list and stick to it- no impulse bad purchases. Once you stop having bad snacks around, maybe you can start integrating healthier ones. Pick up more fruits and vegetables.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS:
It is hard but it is not a physical game. It is a mental one. You have to talk to yourself and prepare yourself to make the change. Somedays, it won't work. But you have to keep convincing your mind this is exactly what your body needs.

Re: Hi, my name is Danielle, and I need motivation

Re: Hi, my name is Danielle, and I need motivation

I agree with what all of the other girls are saying above. Like Colleen said, I don't keep junk food in the house. Some people have the ability to look past it and not feel tempted, but I am not one of them. If I buy them for DH, I make sure I buy things that don't really appeal to me. For me, it was a complete lifestyle change. I didn't look at eating healthy and exercising as a temporary deal, it's something I make sure to fit into my schedule as often as I can. On the days I can't, I just make to chose the healthiest options, taking the stairs, parking further away and eating lighter.

I know you mentioned that you have something going on emotional and that has kind of been your crutch in excusing yourself but trying to eat better and exercise might be something that will help you relieve some stress. I have found that some of the best times for me to think are on my longer runs and when I am really stressed, exercising really helps me let it out in a healthy way and feeling better about yourself will just be a bonus!

We all have days where we can't fit in the exercise, or we indulge. These things are going to happen, and we should enjoy them and not feel guilty about it. That's why I really try to stay true to my healthy lifestyle 90 percent of the time. No one is perfect, so don't beat yourself up about it. Know that we are all here for you if you need to vent, or need the motivation. You can absolutely do this. I promise, once you start, it gets easier!

Re: Hi, my name is Danielle, and I need motivation

You sound like me. I can eat great at work and when I get home it all goes downhill. I have no motivation to exercise. I say if there was a drive up (like McDonalds) for a healthy deli I would eat great all the time. So I decided to try a fitness bootcamp, I went online and found one. I start Wednesday with a free trial week. I’m hoping the results are quicker and that should keep me motivated; plus I’m hoping the trainer is going to motivate me.
Best of Luck

Re: Hi, my name is Danielle, and I need motivation

Hi,

I read all your posts and want to say "Thank you".

I have a lot of weight to lose and I'm taking it one day at a time.

I tell myself that I didn't gain the weight overnight and I'm not going to lose the weight overnight.

I'm setting small goals.

Thanks again

Re: Hi, my name is Danielle, and I need motivation

I also think it is important to find something you enjoy in terms of exercise, or you are never going to do it.

It's different for everyone............for me, I have found hot yoga and love it!

I also like it because it is still sort of solitary, but there is an amazing group energy and you can be at any fitness level to go.

I also don't think it's a petty or judgemental environment like some gyms can be (IMO).

Knowing I am paying a decent amount of money to go too is motivation.

I also recommend starting small...........adding more water to your diet, eating more fresh fruit and veggies during the day, etc.

I still understand your mindset though.

I have been slacking a lot these last two months because of DH's schedule and inability to get to class as often as I like. I don't know what else I could do though as a replacement that I would like.

Re: Hi, my name is Danielle, and I need motivation

The only thing that will keep you going while exercising and dieting is motivation and your desire to do it. I have lost about 13 lbs so far and for me, the continued weight loss is in itself motivation. You have to WANT it. Want to feel better, want to finally fit into clothes you have in the back of your closet, want to be healthy, want to look good, etc. You also have to find the type of exercise that is right for you. I am NOT a runner. I would love to run but I HATE it. So I do weight loss yoga at home and really enjoy it. I took the diet day by day and didn't let it overwhelm me.

When you start hitting those goals on the scale and others that you have, it will keep you going. Starting is the hardest part, but you can do it!!!