I need some motivation in losing weight and developing a healthy lifestyle!

[Daph81]

I've lost 25 lbs in 2 years, then I stopped dieting when I hit a plateau and because I was so sick and tired of it. Then stress and lack of time made me go back to my unhealthy eating habits again, and this year only I've gained back about 18 lbs.

I feel so sick of my size, shape, and appearance. I don't like the girl I see in the mirror, no outfit can make me feel good and confident about myself. I remembered how great I felt when I lost the weight last time, and I want to start changing my lifestyle again.

But my biggest hurdle has always been the lack of motivation. I would be motivated for a week and then just lose it. I'm using Noom Weight Loos Coach app, and am planning on walking every single day, as is instructed by the Noom app, building up to 10,000 steps a day. Also trying to eat healthier.

Can you people help motivate me? What kind of things did you say to yourself that have helped you develop a healthier lifestyle before? What is your "mantra", if you had one?

[nyfan25]

I was never in shape until around 19, when I decided I wanted to join the military. So that was my motivation. It was more concrete for me, since there are blatant minimum levels of fitness and health required for entry. You have to find your own motivation. It looks like there is real potential there with what you've said about how you see yourself.

You need to set long-term and short-term goals. To be honest, at your age you should be able to get completely in shape in 2 years, exercising regularly. I don't know what level of fitness you're starting at, but it doesn't really matter as the way you approach it should be pretty much the same. I would make a calendar (like a physical paper calendar) and hang it up somewhere you go everyday. Like the kitchen. Every consecutive day that you follow your workout/diet routine you should mark on the calendar. It's highly visible, and you can't avoid it by not opening the app.

I would also be careful not to be too critical of yourself. Starting a new exercise/eating program isn't easy. Sometimes work or life gets in the way (say, traveling during Christmas holdiays) and you can't workout as your normally would. It's really easy to lose motivation because it seems like you're already failing to meet your goals. But if you're dieting AND exercising regularly, a day won't matter all that much (unlike if you're only dieting, in which case you can really mess up the small gains you make over a painstakingly long period of time in just a short couple of days). On the other hand, you should expect to feel tired and exhausted in the beginning. It's totally new for your body and you might feel like you aren't improving or losing weight. But it takes time. Nothing is as hard as starting from scratch, but once you get going it gets easier with more reward.

I really like hearing when people decide to start improving their lives by living healthier and setting goals, because I was really able to improve my quality of life and do what I wanted to do in much the same way. One final thing I would say, and I don't mean to negate everything I said previously, is to set goals that are realistic. I had never been able to do a pullup in my life. I wanted to join the military, so I suddenly had to do 20. The first time I attempted one I was like "Oh fuck me this is going to be impossible" (literally, I couldn't get halfway up one. It was pretty sad). But I used a chair and gradually worked up to it. My first goal was literally to do one pullup. Then I worked my way up from there to over 20. And the memory of how awesome I felt when I reached that goal is something that continues to motivate me for reaching other goals, even in completely unrelated stuff. Your past successes can be a pretty powerful motivational tool. You mentioned that you felt great when you lost weight before. You can vastly improve upon that feeling by making a more serious commitment. Good luck ;)

[Daph81]

Thanks for the long answer, I appreciate it =)

The thing about working out is, that the gym I'm a mamber of is far away from my house and my gym buddy has been unavailable these last couple of months and will be unavailable until summer at least. I already dislike working out at the gym, and having to work out alone all the time just really sucks. So right now I'm just trying to be realistic and walk instead of going to the gym (which I know I'll probably go once and then never again).

[ludorock]

There's a really great app for smartphones called "Zombies, Run!" it's a story thing and each time you work out you get narrated a new part of the story. You're a runner for a town and you collect supplies. It's wicked fun, I can't wait to get to the gym every day to see what happens next!

[Daph81]

sounds awesome! I've bought an audiobook too.. Is the app also available for android?

[Anonymous]

Please tell me you are not already skinny and are one of those annoying girls who think they are fat -_-

[Daph81]

nope, I'm far from skinny. If I'm already skinny, why would I put myself through hell? =) I'd rather eat carbs and chocolate than steamed broccoli!