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Motivation.. aaarrrhhH!!!

  • 11-05-2005 10:55am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 535 ✭✭✭


    How do people here keep motivated? I keep going to the gym, loosing some weight, loose interest, gain weight etc; it's such a vicious circle.

    I'm 6ft 4 or so, 21yrs and I’m probably around 21 or 22 stone(I haven't weighed myself for a while, the lowest I’ve been is around 19.5st). My bf% is most likely around the 35 mark. Now because of my height I kind of hide the weight well but I DO want to be fitter. Because I know what it feels like to be fit and 'healthy'. But I just don't have the motivation to do anything about it!

    I find myself tired a lot, I KNOW this is from a bad diet etc but I just don't do anything about it.

    I have a SERIOUS addiction to coke(cola:)), mainly just through boredom from sitting at this desk all day, as sad as it may seem it's really hard to give it up. Irritability, mood swings, (BAD!!)Headaches, depression (serious depression at that!!), you name it:(

    I don't even want to loose THAT much, apparently my ideal weight is somewhere just under 15st, I think? Well I can't imagine myself at 15st, I’d just be skin and bones, I’d be happy weighing 18st tbh.

    How can one motivate themselves?


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,666 ✭✭✭Imposter


    About the coke. I used to drink quite a lot of the stuff at one stage too. It can cause headaches if you drink too much of it. Also perhaps that much sugar might be affecting your moods. It's very easy to stop drinking it. Drink water instead. If that's a problem get some blackcurrant juice or something and put a small amount of it in water. That'll help the sugar cravings. After a week or 2 it won't be a problem. It might also help in keeping your weight down.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,616 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    1. Set yourself achievable short-term goals. Say "By the end of next week, I'm going to weigh 2lb less". Setting a long term goal like "6 stone in 6 months" contains a certain psychological barrier (you may give up after a few weeks thinking "this isn't possible").

    2. Set a schedule for yourself. Start with 3 exercise sessions a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and STICK TO IT, no matter how sh1tty you feel. Start with a walk for a half hour. Do you have access to a gym? Start with the treadmill, walk for a half hour. As you get better at it, keep walking, but increase the incline slightly to make it a little bit more difficult.

    3. Giving up certain foods (quitting cold turkey) is extremely difficult, so don't do it. You'll end up binging after a few days, and you'll be back to square one. Try cutting it back instead. If you drink 1.5lt a day, try cutting back to half of that (for starters - obviously we'll need to cut it back more over time). You're addicted, so we need to cut back gradually. If you drink 10 glasses of coke a day, cut back to 5 glasses, and add 5 glasses of water. If you ween yourself off it, it won't hurt as much :)

    Best of luck to you..... you can do it! Post back here with your progress - you'll get no shortage of encouragement from the regular posters here, and that'll spur you on even more.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 535 ✭✭✭bonzai bob


    Imposter wrote:
    About the coke. I used to drink quite a lot of the stuff at one stage too. It can cause headaches if you drink too much of it. Also perhaps that much sugar might be affecting your moods. It's very easy to stop drinking it. Drink water instead. If that's a problem get some blackcurrant juice or something and put a small amount of it in water. That'll help the sugar cravings. After a week or 2 it won't be a problem. It might also help in keeping your weight down.
    yeah about the water etc. I used to drink loads, about 3 litres a day, but i must have a week bladder or something because i LITERALLY had to go to the toilet every 15mins:eek:

    I have a goal, this time next year i HAVE to be fit as i'm going on a trek for 10 days(part of the reason for booking it is knowing that i would have to get fit to do it).

    I have a gym in work(yes, i am THAT lazy that i don't go to a gym thats only a few steps away:rolleyes:).

    I think my first goal should be just cutting out the bad diet, i know when this is done i'll have a better frame of mind and a lot more energy. Then i can start on in the gym.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,859 ✭✭✭logic1


    Jesus christ. I hate apathy.

    I was obese at one stage and had exactly the same issues you're having. I'm 6'2" and at one time weighed in at 300lbs of 100% blub.

    I also drank **** loads of fizzy drinks, sat around all day eating pies and whinging that I wasn't fit and beautiful.

    Since then I've lost 80lbs and then at least 4 times a week. As Nike say, just do it.

    .logic.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,190 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    bonzai bob wrote:
    I think my first goal should be just cutting out the bad diet, i know when this is done i'll have a better frame of mind and a lot more energy. Then i can start on in the gym.
    That's always the first step. The effect of your diet on your moods and frame of mind is staggering. Sugars, especially, have an addictive effect on you. They're quite easy to remove though without any major issues.

    Your two main problems are willpower and availability, and they go hand-in-hand. If you can, in work, avoid bringing in any more money than you need. If you know that your lunch will cost 3.80, make a conscious effort to only bring in exactly 3.80 every day. If you don't buy your lunch, leave your money at home.
    If you have to leave the building or ask a coworker to get some money, it gives you more time to question your need and control yourself.
    At home, simply don't have any sugary stuff lying around. If you shop yourself, just don't buy it. If you live at home, ask your parents not to buy it, or at least switch to healthier alternatives.

    That's the start. Any routine takes at least two weeks to get used to and four weeks to solidify - for me at least. If you can control yourself for two weeks you're on the way.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,625 ✭✭✭✭BaZmO*


    seamus wrote:
    At home, simply don't have any sugary stuff lying around. If you shop yourself, just don't buy it. If you live at home, ask your parents not to buy it, or at least switch to healthier alternatives

    That's it right there. When I used to live at home I used to drink sh1t loads of coke, the main reason being that it was always there. My family would go through at 4 litres of the stuff a day, they actually still do. The only times that I drink it now is when I visit them.

    I used to be the same with crisps and chocolate too. But now that I'm living away from home (have been for many a years now) when I go shopping I just don't buy rubbish because I know that if I'm bored I'll just eat junk and especially find this to be the case when at work too. Don't have junk around your desk or you'll eat it.

    B.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,423 ✭✭✭tinkerbell


    Definitely try and cut out the Coke, it's toxic!

    Like the lads said - drink water instead. Or even, why don't you get something to dilute with water? e.g. Mi Wadi (no added sugar), or one of those types of drinks. That way, the water doesn't taste as bland, and you'll prefer drinking something that has a bit of taste to it. Don't go cold turkey all of a sudden, let yourself off it slowly.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 19,341 ✭✭✭✭Chucky the tree


    i found the best way for me to drink alot of water is to always have a bottle of it with me. Whenever i walk around at home, i also bring have my bottle, when whatching tv etc.

    its makes drinking more much easier. cuts out the effort of having to get up and getting a glass and filling it all the time. ALso when you half a bottle in your hand, even when your not thirsty you still notice your self taking a drink of it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,010 ✭✭✭kasintahan


    If you're like me YOU NEED A SCHEDULE.
    A specified time on specified days to go to the gym - no questions, no compromise, just go.

    Then you need a goal. Try make it something tangible, like 18inch bicepts and a four minute mile (well, ok 5 minute - you'd still be a beast).

    Then you need a diet plan - complete with what to eat and when. Look at supplements if you need them.

    You can do things like cycling to work (showering there too so you still smell nice), joinig a sports club etc.

    Dumping the girlfreind would also help :p (I'm only half joking).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    bonzai bob wrote:
    ...., depression (serious depression at that!!), ....

    Must resist... urge.... to... flame...... ;)


    Nah mate, I know what you mean, coke is rough to get yourself off of. I managed it a few years back, but I got back on it again a year ago.

    How I got myself off of it was by substitution. Started drinking different sodas, then started putting in fruit juices and finally I was onto water. After a month off coke I felt fantastic.

    I seriously regret going back onto it. Must get my ass in gear and stop drinking it, although I'm on 2ltrs at most these days along with 4 liters of water give or take, I used to drink 6ltrs of coke a day every day. Not good for you.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 535 ✭✭✭bonzai bob


    i guess this morning is the 'new beginning'

    I went with the diluted drink option, 2 ltrs of lemon drink(no added sugar etc).

    I know what you mean nesf, you really do feel great when you get off it, i did it last year as well, i had more energy, stamina etc. It was brilliant. That what i want to feel like again.

    I think i'll give myself a week or 2 to get into a healthy eating pattern and then i'll focus on getting into the gym etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Another tip for you mate. To put your snacking in check, try having a bowl of bran flakes or similar when you feel snackish. I found it really helped me get my snacking under control. A big bowl of sultana bran kinda fills you up :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 535 ✭✭✭bonzai bob


    I actually have a box of shreddies in my drawer right now, must see if they're still ok to eat........

    .... Yep, they're ok, not a lot left though.

    Time for a bowl of shreddies and lemony refreshment methinks:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,211 ✭✭✭✭Sangre


    At this stage of dieting if you're hungry eat something but make it fruit etc., Something healthy.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,248 ✭✭✭4Xcut


    if you have eaten a healthy breakfast(i.e. one that should provide you with eniugh nutrients till lunch except for like an apple or something) and you feel hungry your body will start to break down the extra weight. This is not weight loss by eating less but by eating what should be the right ammount. Hunger when you know you should,nt need to eat is what it feels like for your body to break down excess food stores


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 535 ✭✭✭bonzai bob


    4Xcut wrote:
    if you have eaten a healthy breakfast(i.e. one that should provide you with eniugh nutrients till lunch except for like an apple or something) and you feel hungry your body will start to break down the extra weight. This is not weight loss by eating less but by eating what should be the right ammount. Hunger when you know you should,nt need to eat is what it feels like for your body to break down excess food stores
    interesting, never knew that.

    Yesterday went well, i had those shreddies for brekky and an hour or two later i had 2 apples and a bananna.

    I had my lunch at around 12(this may seem early but i'm up from 5am and start work at 6.) I had rice and lamb with veggies and sauce etc, ok probably not the healthiest but it was better than the pizza and chips on offer.

    After that i didn't have much, i wasn't home till around 6.30pm as i had to give people lifts and stuff, but i ended up going for a walk around Dun Laoirghe(i have no clue how to spell that). When i got home i had a couple of cheese(mild) sandwiches and milk(low fat, i never liked full milk).

    And i got through the 2ltrs of diluted drink as well.

    I've taken initiative and gotten rid of all the coke, so there's no coke in the house AT ALL, i had a couple of bananas this morning and i'm just about to have some cereal. And i'll probably use up the tuna and stuff later.

    Today will be slightly harder because i'm at home alone and i'll most likely get bored and think food will help, but i won't give into the temptation. :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Try sugar free chewing gum. Gives your mouth something to do, can help take your mind off food.

    Or so I've found.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,394 ✭✭✭Transform


    Bonzi the guys (and girls) have given you some great support and advice here so please do not slap it back in their faces by giving in at this early stage. Lets hear about what you are doing EVERY week and finally you are very visual (like most guys) so work on creating images of how you want your life and body to be rather than focusing on the negative aspects.

    E.g. close your eyes and imagine yourself opening a door and meeting the new you in 6-12months time.
    How will you look?
    What will you say to yourself?
    How great will that make you feel?

    "Nothing is right or wrong only thinking makes it so".

    You will become what you think about most so when your mind goes off on a tangent on areas that will take you down tell your mind to shut the *$%K up and keep on keeping on.

    I wish you all the best and you have everything to gain and nothing to lose by leading a happier and healthier life, we are here to support you and mail us on your PROGRESS!!

    "The successful person has the habit of doing the things failures don't like to do. They don't like doing them either necessarily. But their disliking is subordinated to the strength of their purpose."
    - E.M. Gray


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,136 ✭✭✭✭Stark


    Like the lads said - drink water instead. Or even, why don't you get something to dilute with water? e.g. Mi Wadi (no added sugar), or one of those types of drinks. That way, the water doesn't taste as bland, and you'll prefer drinking something that has a bit of taste to it. Don't go cold turkey all of a sudden, let yourself off it slowly.

    Be careful with "no sugar added" drinks. Aspartame which is in most "diet" stuff, will have a worse effect than sugar.

    Diet Club Orange is one fizzy drink that doesn't contain sugar or aspartame. You could try drinking that for a while while you wean yourself off the Coke.
    After being off fizzy drinks for a while myself, I find it tastes way too strong for me though. That's why if I'm looking for a treat, I drink Kerry Spring Still which also contains no sugar or aspartame. (Kerry spring sparkling contains aspartame though so watch out, and all the other flavoured waters contain sugar or aspartame).

    Also, there's a great book which I found very helpful called "Potatoes not Prozac" which is probably the most complete guide I've seen when it comes to sugar addiction (takes in the big 3 - endorphins, serotonin and blood sugar). You'll find it on Amazon and places.

    It gives fascinating insight into brain chemistry and how sugar affects your mood and personality. Here's a summary of its "7 step program".

    1. Breakfast with protein
    2. Keep a journal
    3. 3 meals a day with protein
    4. Potato (with skin) before bedtime (for serotonin).
    5. Switch from white things (white bread, white pasta, white rice etc.) to brown things.
    6. Any sugary things that you eat, eat them with your meals rather than as standalone snacks.
    7. Wean yourself off the sugary things.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,190 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    bonzai bob wrote:
    interesting, never knew that.

    Yesterday went well, i had those shreddies for brekky and an hour or two later i had 2 apples and a bananna.

    I had my lunch at around 12(this may seem early but i'm up from 5am and start work at 6.) I had rice and lamb with veggies and sauce etc, ok probably not the healthiest but it was better than the pizza and chips on offer.

    After that i didn't have much, i wasn't home till around 6.30pm as i had to give people lifts and stuff, but i ended up going for a walk around Dun Laoirghe(i have no clue how to spell that). When i got home i had a couple of cheese(mild) sandwiches and milk(low fat, i never liked full milk).

    And i got through the 2ltrs of diluted drink as well.

    I've taken initiative and gotten rid of all the coke, so there's no coke in the house AT ALL, i had a couple of bananas this morning and i'm just about to have some cereal. And i'll probably use up the tuna and stuff later.

    Today will be slightly harder because i'm at home alone and i'll most likely get bored and think food will help, but i won't give into the temptation. :)

    Be careful about "Eating healthily". It's still 100% possible to eat healthily, but still eat waay to much.
    Breakfast, Cereal, then 2 apples and one banana
    Lunch - Dinner-style meal
    Afterwards - Cheese sandwich(es), glass(?) of milk.

    It looks fine, but what's missing are the amounts. :) On this list, it would be very easy to eat way to much in any or all of these meals :)

    A mate of mine, who's a dedicated gym-goer and has become stupidly buff over the last few months was giving out that he never loses body fat, and although he gets stronger, he's not building any muscle. He maintained that he wasn't eating any crap, but we tried to point out to him that he probably wasn't eating properly for the effect he was trying to achieve.

    We had to laugh when he told us that he ate a healthy lunch of 5 or 6 bowls of cereal.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 535 ✭✭✭bonzai bob


    Ok, pretty much a week through this 'new beginning' now. I have to say, i haven't touched a drop of coke since my first post. Which is really good, it had a weird effect on me for a few days, i was completely drained of energy, sleeping A LOT! I was very irritable and moody/cranky(as my gf can confirm). I tried to head to the gym after work on sunday but i just had no energy what so ever!!

    My diet has improved slightly too, i haven't had any chocolate either(i used to have more than a couple of bars every day really). Although i have indulged myself a couple of times, namely a few donuts throughout the week and a take away last night. Although my healthier eating shows as i felt like **** after the take away(burger and chips), probably my body rejecting all the fat and sh!te.

    Thats all for now i guess, i still have to improve my diet and control my eating times etc, but i need to get shopping to do that, for now i just got to settle for what's in the fridge. I need to hit the gym too!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,616 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    Keep it up, Bob! You're doing great.... Its OK having a treat now and again - its difficult to go 'cold turkey' on the crap that you're used to eating. Good job quitting your coke habit! :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 618 ✭✭✭johnnyc


    what keeps me motivated is the gradual changes that occur in my body after the gym. Also how you feel compared when you weren't a member of the gym. the increase in strenght etc


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 535 ✭✭✭bonzai bob


    Yeah i love the feel of being healthy, but i won't get that until i get my ass into the gym and i'm finding that very hard to do at the moment. I'm still feeling tired a lot.

    I've always prefered going to the gym before work in my previous jobs but now it's very hard as i start work at 6am. So to go before would mean i get up at about 4am!!! But i think it's my only option to be honest, because after work my mind is fixated on getting home asap!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,964 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    I'm the same - my gym is quite close to work so if I go in the evening there's always loads of people there I know - because of this I associate the gym with work so can't stand going in the evening. I like going in the morning cos there's no posers hogging machines or equipment but sometimes its too hard to get out of my lovely warm bed at 5:30!! :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,625 ✭✭✭✭BaZmO*


    bonzai bob wrote:
    Yeah i love the feel of being healthy, but i won't get that until i get my ass into the gym and i'm finding that very hard to do at the moment. I'm still feeling tired a lot.

    I've always prefered going to the gym before work in my previous jobs but now it's very hard as i start work at 6am. So to go before would mean i get up at about 4am!!! But i think it's my only option to be honest, because after work my mind is fixated on getting home asap!!!

    Seriously man, you're gonna have to stop talking about going to the gym and whinging about being tired and just go to the gym. Like c'mon, you have only stopped drinking coke FFS. It's not as if you are coning off heroin!

    You can talk until you are blue in the face about the right way to do this and the right way to do that, but until you actually get up off your backside and stop looking for excuses for not going to the gym you are not going to get anywhere.

    B.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,616 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    I love the gym, but even I would have trouble justifying getting up at 4am :)

    Bob - can you go at lunchtime?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 552 ✭✭✭RonanC


    bonzai bob wrote:
    I tried to head to the gym after work on sunday but i just had no energy what so ever!!

    What you need about 20-15mins pre-workout is:

    1g ALCAR
    2g L-Tyrosine
    200mg caffeine

    :cool:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 535 ✭✭✭bonzai bob


    BaZmO* wrote:
    Seriously man, you're gonna have to stop talking about going to the gym and whinging about being tired and just go to the gym. Like c'mon, you have only stopped drinking coke FFS. It's not as if you are coning off heroin!

    You can talk until you are blue in the face about the right way to do this and the right way to do that, but until you actually get up off your backside and stop looking for excuses for not going to the gym you are not going to get anywhere.

    B.
    well i'm not making excuses. In fact i said that i'm gonna have to get up at 4am from now on to go. That doesn't really sound like someone making excuses not to go to the gym tbh.

    You're right, it is 'only' coke, but litres of coke a day = a HUGE amount of sugar a day. We're talking litres, about 2000 calories a day from coke alone. To suddenly cut this out does have a huge affect on you. Throughout my whole life i NEVER liked sleeping during the day EVER, it would throw me off course for the rest of the day if i did, it just felt weird to me. The only time i really ever slept during the day was when i was sick. But this last week, i have fell asleep everday i got home from work just from exhaustion.

    This isn't an excuse, this is just reality.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 535 ✭✭✭bonzai bob


    I love the gym, but even I would have trouble justifying getting up at 4am

    Bob - can you go at lunchtime?

    Na, only 30 min lunch i'm afraid.
    What you need about 20-15mins pre-workout is:

    1g ALCAR
    2g L-Tyrosine
    200mg caffeine

    Thanks, i'll take that into consideration. Are they in pill form or what?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 552 ✭✭✭RonanC


    bonzai bob wrote:
    Thanks, i'll take that into consideration. Are they in pill form or what?

    Yep; I work out at around 7am so generally need some stimulants to haul myself to the gym with the requisite intensity. The tyrosine is primarily for energy, the alcar for focus, while caffeine potentiates their effects.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,483 ✭✭✭✭daveirl


    This post has been deleted.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 535 ✭✭✭bonzai bob


    Well, this morning was the morning. My alarm was set for 3.45am :eek:

    I stupidly left the window open all night which did not help matters getting up. But i dragged myself out of bed.

    Got to the gym at 5, i wasn't able to do much, certainly not as much as i used to do in the gym, i just did 30mins on the treadmill(walking on an incline) and then 10mins on the bike(which was quite hard after the walking), i didn't have time for anything else so i think i'll have to get up even earlier tbh :eek:

    I feel pretty good now though, and god damn!! power showers and just wonderful :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,028 ✭✭✭oq4v3ht0u76kf2


    What gym do you go to that is open at 5am!? Personally, I seem to only be able to do any sort of exercise late at night (i.e. gyms closed) or early in the morning but between school and work I've never been able to fit it in in the morning... so spill the beans! My nearest gym, a Total Fitness, only opens at 6 as far as I know.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 535 ✭✭✭bonzai bob


    We have a gym in work. Open 24hrs:) It's nice having a gym and showers to yourself.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,028 ✭✭✭oq4v3ht0u76kf2


    Rhymes with dastard! :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,847 ✭✭✭✭cormie


    Hi,
    Keep it going strong!

    You're lucky you live away from home. This is one of my downfalls. It's going to be so much easier when I am out on my own. There are no regular dinners or meals at home and there are often rhubarb crumbles and the likes popping out of the oven.

    I used to weigh about 16st when I was about 12/13 yrs old. I'm 20 now and I was down to about 12 1/2 stone but have gained about 2 stone in the past year and I'm up to between 14 1/2 and 15 now:( I used to be in a good routine but I lost that recently. I'm getting back into one now, I go jogging and I just bought a cycling jersey and shorts, I love cycling in the sun and the open road:)

    So I'm aiming to get down to about 11 stone I think. I just want to be toned whatever that weight will be.

    Anyway, I put on weight because I had an underactive thyroid. Your tiredness may be due to something similar. You should ask your doctor to check for you.

    The easiest way to stay off the bad foods is just don't allow them into your house. You mainly eat them out of boredom, you will find when your shopping for food, you're engaging in an activity so you're not actually bored so it should be allot easier to say no to the products you think you need. Replace such products with grapes/satsumas/apples etc. Mix your fruit range so you wont get bored. Although, I can't get bored of Satsumas or grapes!!

    I find a GREAT breakfast is half a bowl of porridge (porridge, water, microwave, 2 minutes) a small bit of honey and cornflakes. Tastes great and fills you up well. You should also get into cooking in trofts. Spend a sunday cooking various meals and freeze them all. Take one out each morning before work and when you get home you will have it defrosted and ready to microwave. A healthy dinner in 5 mins. Beats take-aways price and time wise and most importantly, health.

    I haven't touched coke in about 6 years now, very pleased with that. I didn't touch chocolate for a period of about 2 years maybe. Even in work we were given easter eggs and I declined mine:) But over the past year I've gone slightly downhill again. This is due to that damned poker.ie I think. I found myself eating allot worse when I was with my ex gf too. We'd gorge in the cinema and watching tv or whatever.

    I want a toned body by this time next year. It's a real pain in the ass. I'm 6ft so I carry the weight well and people do not believe me when I say I'm overweight. It's so much better being healthy. I'm really pissed off for putting the weight back on but I'm determined to lose it this time. I'm in a good group of friends for it actually. My friend got me into jogging, he's a ref for soccer games, loves his sport, my other friend is doing fitness instructing in college and my other friend has already completed that course. If I have a problem or need advice I ask any of them. It's handy. So use this place to ask questions, as you are doing. For example, I started jogging, in the first 8 days I did about 6 hours of jogging wayyyy too much for starting off. Now I've cut back and my knees and ankles are still quite sore, but I can mix it up with cycling etc.

    I haven't got back into my weight routine yet though:( I find it hard too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,190 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    daveirl wrote:
    This post has been deleted.
    There's a school of thought that says 1 hour's sleep before 12 is worth two hours' sleep after 12.
    I find it's quite true.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 92 ✭✭Ania


    bonzai bob wrote:
    How do people here keep motivated? I keep going to the gym, loosing some weight, loose interest, gain weight etc; it's such a vicious circle.

    I'm 6ft 4 or so, 21yrs and I’m probably around 21 or 22 stone(I haven't weighed myself for a while, the lowest I’ve been is around 19.5st). My bf% is most likely around the 35 mark. Now because of my height I kind of hide the weight well but I DO want to be fitter. Because I know what it feels like to be fit and 'healthy'. But I just don't have the motivation to do anything about it!

    I find myself tired a lot, I KNOW this is from a bad diet etc but I just don't do anything about it.

    I have a SERIOUS addiction to coke(cola:)), mainly just through boredom from sitting at this desk all day, as sad as it may seem it's really hard to give it up. Irritability, mood swings, (BAD!!)Headaches, depression (serious depression at that!!), you name it:(

    I don't even want to loose THAT much, apparently my ideal weight is somewhere just under 15st, I think? Well I can't imagine myself at 15st, I’d just be skin and bones, I’d be happy weighing 18st tbh.

    How can one motivate themselves?

    I go to the gym for the opposite reason: I'm very skinny and want to gain an attracktive bottom for the boys. ;)
    I think if you don't enjoy the gym, there are several alternatives which are surely much more fun and you enjoy more, for instance, tennis, soccer, volleyball, handball or the like.
    Of course, you'll never keep your perfect weight if you don't go on a healthy diet. You should find a good and, what's most important, healthy combination of diet and sports, then you'll make it.
    Good luck!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 319 ✭✭annR


    A couple of tips

    If you're thinking about food all the time, try to redirect it by developing an interest in cooking, or sampling new things at markets etc. Buy a few recipe books and see what you can create . . . keeping it healthy. Hopefully it will help you forget about stuff you used to eat.

    I find that mixing cold fizzy water with fruit juice gives a great refreshing kick if you need something cold and fizzy. Someone said fizzy water is bloating, could be true, but if helps with cola cravings I'm sure it's worth it.

    Dark chocolate and dried fruits - I swear by it. Strong dark chocolate is very rich, just eat a square and you have a cocoa hit. I love it. Dried fruits especially unpackaged from markets are great. Make me fart though :rolleyes:

    Keep it up and let us know how you are doing!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,432 ✭✭✭vasch_ro


    BaZmO* wrote:
    Seriously man, you're gonna have to stop talking about going to the gym and whinging about being tired and just go to the gym. Like c'mon, you have only stopped drinking coke FFS. It's not as if you are coning off heroin!

    You can talk until you are blue in the face about the right way to do this and the right way to do that, but until you actually get up off your backside and stop looking for excuses for not going to the gym you are not going to get anywhere.

    B.

    actually caffeine is highly addictive and difficult to go cold turkey on


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,057 ✭✭✭kjt


    I know this thread has nothing to do with me, but I've been reading the whole thing for the past 30/40mins and quite enjoyed it and the advise. So thanks everybody.
    I'm the same, I wouldnt say over-overweight but I got my fair bit of fat. I put this down to the damn car. I got my full License at Xmas and have been driving everywhere.

    I used to be in great condition about a yr... yr and a half ago but its sorta gone downhill (Gf's dnt really help too much, well.. unhealthy one's).
    But yea, I used to do an average of about 60/100Miles a week. I thought the bike didnt do much for me but clearly it does + I've been very on+off with the gym.

    Gotten back on the bike the past week and from tuesday on I'm gonna stick with the gym at a minimum of 3/4times per week.
    Also going for a swim in Brittas 2mrw morning :D

    Thanks again Everybody thats posted


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,847 ✭✭✭✭cormie


    Sounds EXACTLY like my situation KJT :o Car, GF, back on bike everything you said but the gym.

    I haven't had a proper game in ages, but last Sunday I played a GREAT game of football, now I'm not very good or anything, I'm ok, in PE in school I would always be in the B game though, and it's not like I watch football on TV or support a team or anything but my oh my, it was the best fun ever and I was WRECKED!!! It's great!!!! It's on every Sunday, just a few friends in a local park. If you can organise something similar, DO! Every muscle in my body was sore until about Wednesday :o

    Good luck everyone!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,057 ✭✭✭kjt


    Sounds good, where abouts ya from?

    I'm not a football fan at all, Really dislike watching it (find if boring) but I do enjoy playin. I havent played in about a yr or 2 tho. I last played a game on astro and damn I was wrecked the next day. It doesnt help that the game doesnt stop because of the no sides an all.

    Great for the legs :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,847 ✭✭✭✭cormie


    cormie wrote:
    I used to weigh about 16st when I was about 12/13 yrs old. I'm 20 now and I was down to about 12 1/2 stone but have gained about 2 stone in the past year and I'm up to between 14 1/2 and 15 now:( I used to be in a good routine but I lost that recently. I'm getting back into one now, I go jogging and I just bought a cycling jersey and shorts, I love cycling in the sun and the open road:)

    Happy to say that 3 months later I'm now between 13 1/2 and 14 stone so I've lost about a stone in 3 months:D :D Been much better at what I've been eating (no white bread, little or no junk) and have been playing football/basketball etc, haven't been on the bike much but the football is great for perspiration!! :o

    How you getting on OP?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 603 ✭✭✭Prior Of Taize


    i went from 22.5 stone to 17.8 in 9 months.

    im a 6'3" male and i used no drugs/supplements/surgery.

    i will give you my program if you want but i can honestly tell you that i did 6 days a week training (rugby and gym) and it did nothing (and i mean nothing) compared to eating properly and doing 3 days a week on a proper program.

    basically what you eat is what you are.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,847 ✭✭✭✭cormie


    Post her up there boss so;)


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 603 ✭✭✭Prior Of Taize


    gimme a sec so...typing it all...will edit this post to enter it

    UPDATE...couldnt find it...exam tomorrow. will post it tomorrow night..int he meantime give up other stuff besides coke.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,847 ✭✭✭✭cormie


    cool, good luck with your exam, don't worry, the only thing I drink is water and fruit fresh fruit juice, no alcohol, soft drinks or anything like that. I'm a sucker for a bowl of cereal though, healthy cereal though, porridge and cornflakes (good mix) kelkin honeycrunch and special K. multiple bowls per day, my downfall:(


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 603 ✭✭✭Prior Of Taize


    when i finish in the gym i used to go to the shop and buy 1 litre of tropicana and just sit down and drink it. what i can say to you is that 250ml of orange juice (or whatever you drink) raises your blood sugar the same as a full meal. add to that the fact that 250ml of a 1L carton of tropicana (which imo is the only proper juice besides freshly squeezed) has enough carbs as a main meal.

    unfortunately drinking a lot of fruit juice is bad for you too (i was disgusted to hear this) so if your substituting 3-4 bottles of a coke a day with that much juice then stop.


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