Losing Weight - Motivation

What works for me, once I am starting to FEEL good, is to add some exercise moves. Not aerobic stuff, but weights or calisthenics. THAT makes me really feel like I am accomplishing and working hard toward my goals. And doing that, keeps me motivated to not give in to food cravings. (All those sit-ups, lunges, push-ups, calf raises, crunches, jumping jacks, curls, etc were HARD. Not wasting it on that little piece of Easter candy!)

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A friend of mine lost 50 pounds by putting up a before picture on her fridge. She made it 5x7 to really push herself. She never took it down either, even for parties or guests. You never think you look like your picture. Every 6 weeks she took a 4x5 picture and put it up there as well. She was able to see the difference. Whenever she got the urge to pig out, she saw those pictures. That was enough motivation for her to stop and go for a walk or bike ride, depending on the weather. The plus was that if the kids were home, they went with and they had extra together time. Her 12 yr old even opened up about stuff and they have a great relationship.

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I would say start lifting weights -- or do weight bearing exercises. Muscle takes up less space than fat and helps burn more calories all day long....you won't be disappointed. The dog walk won't give you what weight lifting can. Also, keep a diet journal and weigh yourself no more often than 1 time a week at the same time of day and keep track....it will help you notice when you are slipping before you go too far down that slippery slope! And figure out what motivates you! Competing motivates me so I signed up for 2 triathlons last summer and they were awesome!

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Watching Biggest Loser!! and rewatching Biggest Loser!!!!

Study. Make learning how to eat right your goal. Books, websites...... peruse health food stores. This will make it easier. Learn about portions and there are tips for your individual needs.

I sell and coach a diet plan. One of the tools I use is a book called: The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person by Judith Beck

Get a friend involved with you! Seriously- I walk way more often when my neighbor is outside and we go together.

Get your family involved- everyone goes for a walk after dinner. Everyone eats healthy meals. Everyone gets to do... when we reach our Family Fitness goals!

Hi S.,

I swear by Overeaters Anonymous. It's a 12-step program, similar to AA, and it's free. They have meetings everywhere. Check it out at http://www.oa.org. Good luck!

I've been fighting this my entire life. I've never been heavy but I can't control my eating. I love to exercise and that has kept me slim but not necessarily health. Ok- enough about me - lol - the one thing that I've found helps the most is NOT EATING AT NIGHT. I don't know if this is a problem for you but it's a HUGE one for me. Once I've committed to cutting out the sweets (my other devil) I focus on how great I feel without all that sugar flowing through my veins. I work out at least 3 times a week at the gym - and try to walk with the dog whenever weather permits. I second the comment about weight training - cardio is good but the weights will change your shape. Right now i'm trying to lose a few pounds since we are going to FL next week. Everytime I think about seeing my skinny little sister in her bikini I immediately lose all interest in junk food. Perhaps you can set a goal for yourself? Like a new pair of sexy jeans - once you reach your goal size. I don't know - the hardest part is keeping up the mental focus and resist the temptation to splurge...good luck

Sign up for a FREE website like livestrong.com. Here you can track everything you eat and drink. I find that when I do this, I think twice about putting the not so good stuff in my mouth because I am going to have to log it and be mad at myself for my weak indulgence.

Also, sometimes you have to mix up the routine. So, 2 hours of walking may not be enough because your body is going to get use to it. Do you have a bike you can ride? Or a Stability Ball? Maybe go to a site like Exercise TV (if you don't have an On Demand cable that offers it for free) and download a Yoga or Pilates video. The walking is awesome, I just think you may need to do a little something in place of that every couple days.

I joined a really cheap gym that has a Kids room. My kids LOVE going there. Daily they ask if we are going to the Exercise Place. They are my motivators a lot because they are not happy if I say we can't go for one reason or another. And when I feel a a little lazy, they make me get off my rear and move ;)

Good Luck!

Love weight watchers..You have support meetings, weigh in weekly and talke about what worked and what didn't...When you lose you get to celebrate plus it teaches portion control. Good luck as I am in the same boat.

Mini goals - for example

10 pounds = facial
20 pounds = new outfit
30 pounds = fancy dinner or special dessert

My overall goal of course is to be around longer and healthier for my kids. I keep reminding myself of that. And if I fall off the wagon for a day, I pretend it didn't happen and I go right back ot my healthy diet. I don't make excues like eating a piece of chocolate cake and saying, "Oh well, I blew it might as well eat more." I just go to the gym anyway. There will be days where you aren't motivated. You just can't get stuck in that feeling.

I wish I knew - I also go through those phases -and when I am in a weight loss mode I think "this is so easy" "it's just about changing the way you live" "it's a lifestyle" - etc. then stresses come along - like my mom in hospice, my daughter in the hopspital, etc - and I lose the ability to stay focused and I think "I deserve these cookies" and while I do "deserve" that one cookie I really don't desrve the entire box of them!!! ;o)

I have just gone through gaining back the 28 lbs I lost a few years ago - so I have to begin again!!