Motivation to lose weight?

ShaShaBear

I've always been, as far back as I can remember, a healthy and curvy 12 (with lapses into the 10 depending on the time of year).
In the past year or so, I've watched it slowly and steadily go up and while I can just about get into most of my 12 jeans, some are so uncomfortable I can no longer wear them, which leads me to think I've hit borderline 14.

I took a good long look in the mirror last night, noticed I had developed a few stretch marks on both my thighs (outer) and now have an obvious case of orange peel on my bottom. Most, if not all of the weight increase (from my happiest 11.8 to my current 13) seems to have gone to my legs and bottom, from the knees to the hips. There's very little change in my stomach (it was never flat).

The main problem I have is that I have no access to a gym at present due to financial reasons, and have decided (repeatedly over the past week) that I need to do something at home. I've got almost no motivation, as (apart from the marking on my skin), I'm still quite satisfied with the way I look. However, I know that it's going to continue to go up if I maintain this attitude.

How do people, who are still happy with their appearance, get the motivation to do something about a weight increase? I've downloaded countless apps from Google Play, and the most use they get is one day. I walk my dog (who is elderly, so briskness or running is not an option while with him) once a day for an hour or so. Aside from that, I'm getting no exercise.

Any advice on how to motivate myself further would be fantastic. I'm very happy with my diet and would prefer if at all possible, to target the majority of any weight loss through exercise alone.

Stench Blossoms

Well losing weight is 80% diet and 20% exercise so unless your diet is in check then you'll go nowhere.

Post up your current diet.

ShaShaBear

Well at the moment...

Breakfast:
Alternate between porridge and water with strawberries or Weetabix and skimmed milk with bananas.

Lunch:
Pasta (usually stuffed with spinach) and tossed with either chicken strips or ham cubes

Dinner:
Boiled baby potatoes, combination of the veg I like (namely turnip, parsnip, carrot, cabbage and brussel sprouts) and some meat. Usually it is chicken (oven baked) and the whole lot covered in a gravy made out of those little stock pots.

Any snacks I have will either be homemade veg soup that I have pre-frozen, or fruit and nuts (preferably peanuts, and a combination of apples, grapes and bananas).


It's nowhere close to a fantastic diet, but I am loath to change it too much as I really enjoy what I eat, and the amount of fruit I take helps curb my incredible cravings for chocolate and soft drinks
But I am open to suggestions.

Chancer3001

motivation is a very personal thing.

some like positivity - put up pics of an ideal body, quotes, feelgood photos.

others like the "negative" approach - orders written to themselves to avoid junkfood, pics of themselves taken once a month to see increases in weight etc.

motivation will only be what works for you.

ferike1

My mom works helping people get plastic surgery in Budapest.

She makes videos of the surgeries (with the patients consent of course)

There was a tummy tuck video she showed me. Watch a video like that and I guarantee you will need no further motivation to diet.

I am being serious, not trolling. Its like watching what happens to your lungs when you smoke.

ShaShaBear

If anything, something like that would put me off eating entirely, not encourage me to exercise more :rolleyes:

I was in the gym for a while before I lost the job, and although weight loss was slow, I was incredibly motivated. Just can't seem to find that same place and work with it from home.

emeraldstar

ShaShaBear wrote: »

How do people, who are still happy with their appearance, get the motivation to do something about a weight increase?

Honestly? For me it's because the thought of being fat both scares and repulses me. If I notice any increase then I'm on it right away. Reversing a gain of a pound or two now and then is a hell of a lot easier than just letting yourself go and having to battle a stone or three down the line.

CIARAN_BOYLE

ShaShaBear wrote: »

How do people, who are still happy with their appearance, get the motivation to do something about a weight increase? I've downloaded countless apps from Google Play, and the most use they get is one day. I walk my dog (who is elderly, so briskness or running is not an option while with him) once a day for an hour or so. Aside from that, I'm getting no exercise.

Any advice on how to motivate myself further would be fantastic. I'm very happy with my diet and would prefer if at all possible, to target the majority of any weight loss through exercise alone.

Ask yourself why do you care about your weight. For me its simple. I do a sport so i want to be in tip top shape for that. This leads to me doing a lot of exercise which means that my weight takes care of itself. That said if my sports club closed down I think I would put on a four or five pounds a month till I figured out a new motivation.

Could you pick a sport and see if that motivates you.

siochain

Well I don't know what age you are but I'm guessing your still young. Perhaps if you think of doing exersice now as an investment for the future. Weight gain steadly catches you on us over time and Can lead to a whole host to problems such as cardio vascular disease, diabeties and the list go on and on. Investing in looking after our health now pays off in the future. Why do i train and eat well 80% of the time I've got kids and want to be around and healthy enough to play with my grandkids, I fell so dam good during after the workout, day day I feel better both physically and mentally and this carries on into my work and relationships. Really it's a win win all round.

Vico1612

Difficult question OP :-)

I took the decision 4 months ago that i needed to look into my problem
What motivated me ? A few things ... Kids & family , sick of buying XXXL shirts, being able to run 5k before my wife runs the Dub marathon in October and more .
I've set my self goals which motivate me : I want to reach my target weight by Xmas .
So far, 14kg down, 10 to go ...
As i'm a gadget person, using Iphone apps like Myfitnesspal, Tactio and Walkmeter help me visualize my progress [ this also helps motivation ]
Good luck !

ray jay

You've got 2 points to motivate you already: knowing you'll end up looking shítty if you stay on this path and having to buy a whole lot of new clothes when your finances are tight.

As others have said, losing weight is primarily about diet. If you like what you're eating now, just eat less of it. First thing to reduce would be the carbs, so you could leave out a potato or two from dinner or have a third less pasta at lunch. Add extra veg if you find the meals aren't filling enough. Peanuts are good in moderation but you can't expect to lose weight if you're eating fistfuls of them. If you do drink soft drinks, make them diet variations.

anthony4335

The fact you are posting means you are not as happy with yourself as you let on to be. You do not need to spend money to get in shape. The road is free ,and most towns/cities have parks that cater to train. The motivation is to find something that you need to loose weight. Might be as little of your favourite clothing that you no longer fit into ,to something new. And as most have said it is mainly about diet, you have to count everything throughout your week ,including drink and snacks. Reduce your intake, but make sure it is not to drastic. A drop of 500 calories a day is easily managed, add that to an hour brisk walk a day you should see results within a month or so.

ShaShaBear

anthony4335 wrote: »

The fact you are posting means you are not as happy with yourself as you let on to be. You do not need to spend money to get in shape. The road is free ,and most towns/cities have parks that cater to train. The motivation is to find something that you need to loose weight. Might be as little of your favourite clothing that you no longer fit into ,to something new. And as most have said it is mainly about diet, you have to count everything throughout your week ,including drink and snacks. Reduce your intake, but make sure it is not to drastic. A drop of 500 calories a day is easily managed, add that to an hour brisk walk a day you should see results within a month or so.

Oh no, don't get me wrong - I'm aware that I'm not the ideal weight and shape for me. It just isn't getting me down like I imagined it would. I suppose even posting here was a wake-up call, I took one Weetabix instead of two this morning and, as suggested, lifted back out a handful of pasta for lunch.
I suppose I more meant that looking at myself, I'm pretty satisfied with my appearance, I don't automatically go "Ugh, I have to do something about this!"
I'm 25 by the way, not sure if that answers the previous poster's question of my youth
As for sport, I absolutely hate it - not the exercise, just sports in general :rolleyes: I do a lot of walking when possible, weather isn't really permitting I stand outside for an hour, and I have two important exams to study for. I suppose I've just answered my own question, I don't really lack motivation - I do want to do it, but because I'm not repulsed by myself, weight loss has gone on the back burner for college work.

CIARAN_BOYLE

ShaShaBear wrote: »

As for sport, I absolutely hate it - not the exercise, just sports in general :rolleyes: I do a lot of walking when possible, weather isn't really permitting I stand outside for an hour, and I have two important exams to study for. I suppose I've just answered my own question, I don't really lack motivation - I do want to do it, but because I'm not repulsed by myself, weight loss has gone on the back burner for college work.

If sports like Soccer Rugby Gaelic ect aren't your thing how about self defence? A martial art like Karate or BJJ is pretty good for fitness. If self defence is not your thing how about Yoga or Pilates class.

ShaShaBear

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

If sports like Soccer Rugby Gaelic ect aren't your thing how about self defence? A martial art like Karate or BJJ is pretty good for fitness. If self defence is not your thing how about Yoga or Pilates class.

They all cost money unfortunately, and if I had it I'd be at the gym! I have found small amounts of motivation in that when I boil the kettle, I have to continue either lunges or squats until it's done. I usually get about 3 reps of 10 in before it's done and even though it isn't really a lot, I guess it was more than I was doing.

CIARAN_BOYLE

ShaShaBear wrote: »

They all cost money unfortunately, and if I had it I'd be at the gym! I have found small amounts of motivation in that when I boil the kettle, I have to continue either lunges or squats until it's done. I usually get about 3 reps of 10 in before it's done and even though it isn't really a lot, I guess it was more than I was doing.

You say you are in college, if you look around your campus there is probably cheap/free sports/self defence/yoga clubs for students and alumni.

ShaShaBear

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

You say you are in college, if you look around your campus there is probably cheap/free sports/self defence/yoga clubs for students and alumni.

The sports are free, that's about it
Did lunges, ten per leg, two sets - every time I boiled the kettle for tea yesterday. Then a 45 minute walk with the dog. Practically had to crawl out of bed this morning. From the shins up it feels like I got ran over by pedestrians at the Fleadh :rolleyes:
Its been a while since I got exercise pains, but I'm assuming it's good!

Faster Doudle

ShaShaBear wrote: »

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

You say you are in college, if you look around your campus there is probably cheap/free sports/self defence/yoga clubs for students and alumni.

The sports are free, that's about it
Did lunges, ten per leg, two sets - every time I boiled the kettle for tea yesterday. Then a 45 minute walk with the dog. Practically had to crawl out of bed this morning. From the shins up it feels like I got ran over by pedestrians at the Fleadh :rolleyes:
Its been a while since I got exercise pains, but I'm assuming it's good!

Squats and lunges are great for strengthening your legs, but they're not going to help with weight loss. I've recently been attempting to lose weight and found walking isn't great. Maybe you could build up to running 5k or so a half hour. It costs nothing to run and it's far better than walking for increasing fitness and losing weight.

ShaShaBear

Faster Doudle wrote: »

Squats and lunges are great for strengthening your legs, but they're not going to help with weight loss. I've recently been attempting to lose weight and found walking isn't great. Maybe you could build up to running 5k or so a half hour. It costs nothing to run and it's far better than walking for increasing fitness and losing weight.

Really? My last gym instructor had me doing squats and lunges to help lose weight in my lower body, since that's where I have the worst of it
I am trying to build up to running, but the dog isn't fit to run any more and I'm currently walking as fast as I can. What started out as an hour walk, now takes 45 minutes but any further pace I'll have to leave Shadow out

I assumed the sit-ups, push-ups and squats and lunges I used to do in the gym would have the same effect at home

Davei141

ShaShaBear wrote: »

Really? My last gym instructor had me doing squats and lunges to help lose weight in my lower body, since that's where I have the worst of it
I am trying to build up to running, but the dog isn't fit to run any more and I'm currently walking as fast as I can. What started out as an hour walk, now takes 45 minutes but any further pace I'll have to leave Shadow out

I assumed the sit-ups, push-ups and squats and lunges I used to do in the gym would have the same effect at home

The above poster is talking out of his arse. Exercise of any form with a calorie deficit will make you lose weight. Squats and lunges are extremely good bodyweight exercises for burning calories. Keep up the walking also, it all helps.

Faster Doudle

ShaShaBear wrote: »

Faster Doudle wrote: »

Squats and lunges are great for strengthening your legs, but they're not going to help with weight loss. I've recently been attempting to lose weight and found walking isn't great. Maybe you could build up to running 5k or so a half hour. It costs nothing to run and it's far better than walking for increasing fitness and losing weight.

Really? My last gym instructor had me doing squats and lunges to help lose weight in my lower body, since that's where I have the worst of it
I am trying to build up to running, but the dog isn't fit to run any more and I'm currently walking as fast as I can. What started out as an hour walk, now takes 45 minutes but any further pace I'll have to leave Shadow out

I assumed the sit-ups, push-ups and squats and lunges I used to do in the gym would have the same effect at home

I'm not an expert, but I was doing loads of squats and lunges recovering from an injury a couple of years ago. They are great for strengthening the legs and they will definitely help with toning. I'm just not sure it'll help much with weight loss.

Jogging burns far more calories for the time invested compared to walking, that's why I was suggesting it as am alternative if you're busy with college. Walking is great long term, but jogging is better for losing weight in the short term.

ShaShaBear

Davei141 wrote: »

The above poster is talking out of his arse. Exercise of any form with a calorie deficit will make you lose weight. Squats and lunges are extremely good bodyweight exercises for burning calories. Keep up the walking also, it all helps.

I was wondering

As for jogging, like I said - I have to walk my dog, because he isn't fit to run (mind you, neither am I yet) so taking up anything faster than a very brisk walk is going to mean a third outing in the middle of the day or sacrificing one of Shadow's walks. I seriously doubt I'd be fit (yet) for two hour-long walks if I was jogging as well :rolleyes:
But if the squats and lunges will work, that's great. I'm not planning on losing it all in weeks, just to make sure I don't get any bigger, and getting smaller would be a bonus!

CIARAN_BOYLE

ShaShaBear wrote: »

Really? My last gym instructor had me doing squats and lunges to help lose weight in my lower body, since that's where I have the worst of it
I am trying to build up to running, but the dog isn't fit to run any more and I'm currently walking as fast as I can. What started out as an hour walk, now takes 45 minutes but any further pace I'll have to leave Shadow out

I assumed the sit-ups, push-ups and squats and lunges I used to do in the gym would have the same effect at home

Squats and lunges can cause weight loss but running and cardio is a lot better in the short term

Three minutes of lunges are three minutes of excercise same as running three minutes, not much of a calorie effect. That said its something in terms of calorie burning. However it is decent excercise to build muscle which in the long term will burn calories.

ShaShaBear

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Squats and lunges can cause weight loss but running and cardio is a lot better in the short term

Three minutes of lunges are three minutes of excercise same as running three minutes, not much of a calorie effect. That said its something in terms of calorie burning. However it is decent excercise to build muscle which in the long term will burn calories.

It's not a lot at three minutes, but I'm doing it every time I boil the kettle. Which today, so far, clocks up to 21 minutes doing them, plus an hour and a half of walking
I'm really proud, actually just coming in here and admitting I needed motivation was a long way towards regaining it! It might not seem like much, but 21 minutes of exercise more than I ever do, every single day. And it's going to be more some days, as I drink a lot, and I mean A LOT of tea

ray jay

ShaShaBear wrote: »

It's not a lot at three minutes, but I'm doing it every time I boil the kettle. Which today, so far, clocks up to 21 minutes doing them, plus an hour and a half of walking
I'm really proud, actually just coming in here and admitting I needed motivation was a long way towards regaining it! It might not seem like much, but 21 minutes of exercise more than I ever do, every single day. And it's going to be more some days, as I drink a lot, and I mean A LOT of tea

Do you take milk and sugar in your tea? You could cut a lot of calories by using artificial sweetener and skimmed milk if you don't already.

ShaShaBear

ray jay wrote: »

ShaShaBear wrote: »

It's not a lot at three minutes, but I'm doing it every time I boil the kettle. Which today, so far, clocks up to 21 minutes doing them, plus an hour and a half of walking
I'm really proud, actually just coming in here and admitting I needed motivation was a long way towards regaining it! It might not seem like much, but 21 minutes of exercise more than I ever do, every single day. And it's going to be more some days, as I drink a lot, and I mean A LOT of tea

Do you take milk and sugar in your tea? You could cut a lot of calories by using artificial sweetener and skimmed milk if you don't already.

I use the low fat milk and I don't put sugar in anything funny enough! Weighed in today with 3lbs off in a week and a half so I'm more than happy with that pace!

hellosunshine2

Practice moderation so meaning count calories, measure portions, learn about your nutritional needs and plan healthy meals. Also, combine a tolerable calorie restriction and exercise. DO NOT however deny yourself from foods that you enjoy because the idea is to follow a healthy, balanced, and enjoyable nutrition and fitness plan that you can stick with in the long run.

pfannkuchen

Well done on your progress so far, OP. Making the decision to get started is the most difficult thing.

Just thought I'd share some of the things I've found useful. This time last year, I weighed about 85kg (I'm 5'3") and my BMI was over 30. The thing that gave me a kick up the a*se was looking at pictures of myself. I was also verging on having to buy size 16 clothes which upset me a bit so I pretty much overhauled everything to make some changes.

I was afraid of the road I was going down at a young-ish age (I'm 20), so I cut my calories to around 1,400 a day and started going to the gym. I use MyFitnessPal, which I think someone else mentioned. It really makes you look at what exactly you're eating and how much. You might be eating all of the right things, but you may be eating too much of it? I try to eat a good size breakfast and try not to have a huge dinner, since it's hard to burn off the calories later in the day. Also drinking a lot of water, including a glass before each meal. I try to eat very little white bread and pasta, and eat lots of fruit. I don't eat much red meat but I've started eating a good bit of turkey, which I now love.
In terms of exercise, I sometimes use Couch to 5K - I find it quite good. I also use some of the Jillian Michaels workout DVDs, which are fantastic if you only have a short time to exercise, and you can use them in the comfort of your own home I got a few of them on Amazon and they were only about €5 each - money well spent.

A lot of that probably sounds very obvious and you've probably tried a lot of stuff. For motivation, I just look at those photos from a year ago, and I know I don't want to go back there. It's slow enough progress and I have a good few more kgs to lose but I've lost 17kg so far and my BMI is now 25.7, almost within the normal range. I'm also a size 10-12, which has boosted my confidence no end. Most importantly, I feel healthier and have a lot more energy.

Best of luck with it - once you keep at for a little while, you'll get into a good rhythm and find out exactly what works for you. It's just a little bit of trial and error

thedev

even 20 minutes road work is good before any 1 hours training! you dont even have to go that quickly..:)

doctorwhogirl

OP, regarding exercise, if you have a smart phone you're sorted.

I have an android and there are lots of home fitness apps with exercises and full routines.

Davina McCall's one is excellent. There is also an excellent circuits one. Have a look around and pick one!

You can also watch exercise DVDs online. For example there are full Jillian Michaels' dvds online to watch and do on youtube!

Best of luck!

GingerFire

I read the book run fat bit*h run and it seriously motivated me!
I started walking last January and upped it to running by end of July.
Lost loads of weight (3 stone) but in October I wrenched my knee, ended up having MRI and physio. I lost all motivation and I've put on all the weight I'd lost and the knees (both) are in bits...

It's come to the point now where I need to get off my fat ar*e and stop this crazy behaviour and just do it..
Hope the OP is still doing great with her plans..

ShaShaBear

Well fortunately my meager amount of motivation managed to keep my weight level at 182 pounds. I got a new app for my android phone, and three days in I have lost 2lbs. Might not seem like a lot, I certainly can't see it - but I can feel it. I think this might actually be one of those things that works! Will let you know how I get on at the end of the week!

Stench Blossoms

2lbs loss in 3 days is a bit much.

What app is it?

ShaShaBear

Stench Blossoms wrote: »

2lbs loss in 3 days is a bit much.

What app is it?

Noom. I'm not doing anything unusual or unhealthy. It's just calorie counting and 30 minutes of boxing and aerobics mixed every day. I've been drinking green tea after every meal as well (and I suffer terribly from water retention, so I was expecting a large loss in the first week). As well as that, I'm not allowing myself to eat anything after 9PM - I have a very bad habit of eating at night (I have late bedtimes and relatively late mornings) so I imagine that has helped as well - I've been very hungry this past three days at night!